U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel Thursday to New Orleans for events highlighting the progress of the city's schools and the importance of educator leadership in turnaround efforts.
At noon CT, Duncan will deliver remarks at the Bureau of Governmental Research's annual meeting, where he will address some 800 civic and business leaders about the achievement gains New Orleans schools have made in recent years, as well as the urgent need to make sure every child has access to a high-quality education and the importance of principal and teacher leadership in improving schools.
At 2 p.m. CT, Duncan will be joined by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu at Arthur Ashe Charter School to get a first-hand view of the teaching and learning taking place at a school aided by post-Hurricane Katrina public assistance dollars. A media availability will follow before the leaders join a roundtable discussion with principals and teachers about the impact of educator leadership in strengthening New Orleans schools.