U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will bring his Sixth Annual Back-to-School Bus Tour to Champaign, Illinois, on Wednesday morning, highlighting the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) programs. The DRES program has helped thousands of students with disabilities earn college degrees.
Assistant Secretary Special Education and Rehabiliative Services Michael Yudin and James Applegate, executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, will join Duncan as they stop by the men's and women's wheelchair basketball team practice, followed by a roundtable discussion with students and alumni about disability resources. A media availability will follow.
Following that, Yudin will stay on campus to visit the DRES Rehabilitation Education Center, the new Chez Family Foundation Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, lunch with students, tour the Beckwith Residential Support Center and wrap up his day with a discussion with professors and graduate/doctoral students in the College of Education – Special Education.
Education is a lifelong path – from preschool through college and careers – where, at every point along the way, access to high-quality learning opportunities can ensure everyone is ready for success. This year's "Ready for Success" tour will celebrate how states and local communities are working to increase access and opportunity from early learning through college.
The bus tour runs through Friday and will include stops in Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Williamsfield, Illinois; West Lafayette and Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Duncan and other senior Department officials will hold events highlighting the progress and achievements of educators, students, families and leaders in expanding opportunity for students throughout the nation.
View a video trailer about the bus tour here. For updates from the road, sign up for bus tour email updates, and follow the tour on social media with the hashtag #ReadyForSuccess.