U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will present the 2014 Broad Prize for Urban Education on Monday, Sept. 22, at the Time Warner Center in New York City. There are two finalists chosen for this year's event: Gwinnett County Public Schools (Georgia) and Orange County Public Schools (Florida). During his presentation of the Broad Prize, Duncan will highlight the tremendous progress each school district has made in ensuring that every student—regardless of race or income—receives a world-class education.
The Broad Prize, established in 2002, is the largest education award in the country given each year to honor urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement, while reducing achievement gaps among low-income and minority students. The winner will receive $550,000 in college scholarships for high school seniors who graduate in 2014. Live webcast of the announcement will be available at www.broadprize.org.
While in New York City, Duncan also will visit Talent Unlimited High School to join the launch of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's third annual American Graduate Day, which will celebrate the exceptional work of individuals and groups across the country who are American Graduate Champions—those helping local youth stay on track to college and career successes. At the event, Duncan will be interviewed by Jane Williams, host of Bloomberg EDU. He will discuss investments the Department is making in states and partnerships that will help more low-income and at-risk students prepare for, enter and succeed in college, including the First Lady's Reach Higher initiative.