U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 12, at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to kick off the “Opportunity Across America” back-to-school bus tour. He will discuss accomplishments the Administration has made since President Obama took office nearly eight years ago. Following the press conference, King will hold a pep rally outside on the plaza before boarding the bus for Charlottesville, Virginia, the second stop on the tour.
The tour celebrates the educational progress that communities and states across the country have made under the Obama Administration—from strengthening education technology and supporting teacher leadership to expanding preschool for all and promoting college access, affordability and completion.
In addition to Washington, D.C. and Charlottesville, the tour will include stops in Bristol, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis, Tennessee; Harvest, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; Indianola, Mississippi; and Monroe, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. King and other senior Department officials will hold events touting the Administration’s key initiatives over eight years, highlighting the progress made to expand opportunity across the nation and the groundwork laid for continued momentum. The tour will conclude in Louisiana on Friday, Sept. 16.
President Barack Obama entered office in 2009 with a comprehensive vision for improving our education system to advance our children’s opportunity and success. That vision included efforts to address the dropout crisis, improve student achievement, and increase graduation rates; expand equity in education through stronger schools; ensure all students achieve to high standards that prepare them for college and career; and grow innovation and investment in what works, while safeguarding the right of all students to a world-class education. Thanks to the hard work of educators, state and local leaders, communities, parents, families, and students, the nation has made significant educational progress over the last eight years. To build on our prosperity and competitiveness as a nation, the Administration has worked diligently to make a positive difference for students and to continue the work to deliver on the promise of a world-class education to every child. Follow the bus tour on social media at #OpportunityTour.
Reporters attending the press conference must RSVP to [email protected].