2003 MILKEN CONFERENCE CULTIVATES FIRST-RATE NATIONAL TEACHING CORPS

Awarding of $2.5 million to 100 of Americas finest K-12 educators highlights 14th annual Milken National Education Conference

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (PRWEB) April 16, 2003 -- As public schools scramble to ensure that a highly qualified" teacher is assigned to every U.S. classroom, hundreds of outstanding K-12 educators will join elected officials, policy leaders and other education experts April 26-28 as they explore ways to develop a first-rate national teaching corps at the 2003 Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles.

Dedicated and talented teachers are the cornerstone of a quality education for our children," said Foundation Chairman Lowell Milken. We value the outstanding work of inspiring educators throughout America as they help guide and ensure the success of future generations."

Respected annually as one of the premier seminars in K-12 education, the 2003 Milken National Education Conference will bring together key policymakers and state superintendents, past and present Milken Award-winning educators and other distinguished experts to discuss the imperatives of teacher quality.

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the release of A Nation at Risk" -- the landmark federal report that questioned public educations ability to prepare young people for the challenges of the 21st century -- this three-day conference will engage educators in intensive workshops and professional development opportunities designed to propel effective teaching into greater student achievement.

This years session slate features:

·   A keynote presentation by former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett;

·   Moderated by Milken, a panel including national radio host Tavis Smiley, reform advocate Jeanne Allen, U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Education Nina Rees and state superintendents David Driscoll of Massachusetts and Robert Schiller of Illinois will discuss ways to equalize educational opportunities for our nations most disadvantaged youth;

·   A dialogue about the essential indicators of quality teaching with Stanford Universitys Eric Hanushek, Lee Shulman of the Carnegie Foundation, Herbert Walberg of the University of Illinois-Chicago, and former Milken Educator and National Teacher of the Year Philip Bigler;

·   An interactive debate about whether certified" teachers are indeed the most qualified" to teach, featuring Arthur Wise of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Michael Podgursky of the University of Missouri; and

·   The Fordham Foundations Chester Finn outlining the ramifications of the federal No Child Left Behind" legislation.

The conference will culminate with the presentation of the $25,000 Milken National Educator Awards to 100 recipients from across the nation. Dubbed the Oscars of teaching" by Teacher Magazine, this black-tie gala -- featuring mistress of ceremonies Jeri Ryan of Fox TVs Boston Public" -- honors K-12 educators and celebrates their achievements in true Hollywood fashion.

Cash awards totaling $2.5 million are attached to this years Milken National Educator Awards, designed to recognize excellence in Americas elementary and secondary schools and inspire young people to become teachers. Established in 1985 by education pioneer Lowell Milken, the program is the largest teacher recognition program in the U.S., having presented more than $46 million in awards to 1,877 educators in 46 states.

For more information about the 2003 Milken National Education Conference and the National Educator Awards program, please contact the Milken Family Foundation Department of Communications at (310) 570-4775, or visit the Foundations Web site at http://www.mff.org.

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Respected annually as one of the premier seminars in K-12 education, the 2003 Milken National Education Conference will bring together key policymakers and state superintendents, past and present Milken Award-winning educators and other distinguished experts to discuss the imperatives of teacher quality.

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the release of A Nation at Risk" -- the landmark federal report that questioned public educations ability to prepare young people for the challenges of the 21st century -- this three-day conference will engage educators in intensive workshops and professional development opportunities designed to propel effective teaching into greater student achievement.

This years session slate features:

·   A keynote presentation by former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett;

·   Moderated by Milken, a panel including national radio host Tavis Smiley, reform advocate Jeanne Allen, U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Education Nina Rees and state superintendents David Driscoll of Massachusetts and Robert Schiller of Illinois will discuss ways to equalize educational opportunities for our nations most disadvantaged youth;

·   A dialogue about the essential indicators of quality teaching with Stanford Universitys Eric Hanushek, Lee Shulman of the Carnegie Foundation, Herbert Walberg of the University of Illinois-Chicago, and former Milken Educator and National Teacher of the Year Philip Bigler;

·   An interactive debate about whether certified" teachers are indeed the most qualified" to teach, featuring Arthur Wise of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Michael Podgursky of the University of Missouri; and

·   The Fordham Foundations Chester Finn outlining the ramifications of the federal No Child Left Behind" legislation.

The conference will culminate with the presentation of the $25,000 Milken National Educator Awards to 100 recipients from across the nation. Dubbed the Oscars of teaching" by Teacher Magazine, this black-tie gala -- featuring mistress of ceremonies Jeri Ryan of Fox TVs Boston Public" -- honors K-12 educators and celebrates their achievements in true Hollywood fashion.

Cash awards totaling $2.5 million are attached to this years Milken National Educator Awards, designed to recognize excellence in Americas elementary and secondary schools and inspire young people to become teachers. Established in 1985 by education pioneer Lowell Milken, the program is the largest teacher recognition program in the U.S., having presented more than $46 million in awards to 1,877 educators in 46 states.

For more information about the 2003 Milken National Education Conference and the National Educator Awards program, please contact the Milken Family Foundation Department of Communications at (310) 570-4775, or visit the Foundations Web site at http://www.mff.org.

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