U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel to Providence, R.I., on Wednesday, Nov. 2, where he will participate in a town hall with state and local elected officials, educators, students, and union, business and industry representatives. The town hall, which takes place at the Providence Career and Technical Academy, will be an open discussion of issues surrounding public education. The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council is hosting the event. A media availability will follow at 4:25 p.m.
Later that evening at 7 p.m., the Secretary will deliver a keynote address to business and community leaders at the Council’s annual dinner at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Duncan will discuss education reform initiatives and how the American Jobs Act would provide critical resources for education during tough economic times. In Rhode Island, the American Jobs Act would provide $85.6 million for modernization projects, supporting an estimated 1,100 jobs; and $94.2 million—enough to prevent an estimated 1,100 teacher layoffs for one school year.