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Columbus, Ohio—U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings yesterday announced a partnership with the National Urban League to increase student enrollment in free tutoring and after-school programs. In the first of three joint town hall meetings around the country, Spellings encouraged more families to take advantage of the supplemental educational services (SES) for which they're eligible under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Under NCLB, low-income families can enroll their child in these services if he or she attends a Title I school that has been designated by the state to be in need of improvement for more than one year.

"When schools fall short of standards year after year, we have a responsibility to give students lifelines to help them NOW," Spellings said. "That's why, with NCLB, the federal government is providing free tutoring and after-school programs. But in order for these programs to work, we must get the word out and get more students enrolled. That's why this partnership with the National Urban League is so important—its community outreach programs can help thousands more students get the extra help they need and deserve."

Joined by Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, Spellings spoke to some 200 parents, students, school administrators and educators who provide supplemental educational services. Following the town hall meeting, parents attended a service-provider fair to learn more about available services and to choose a program that best meets their child's needs.

"Many parents are unaware that their child may be eligible for free tutoring," said Morial. "This important kickoff meeting will allow parents to learn more about SES, receive information on education providers in the Columbus area, register their children and speak to families who have benefited from similar SES services. We are delighted to assist in spreading the word with Secretary Spellings and the Columbus Urban League."

The partnership will help to ensure that options are better communicated to parents of children who qualify for extra help. The city of Columbus has 7,000 students who can benefit from these free services.

The U.S. Department of Education and the National Urban League are scheduled to hold the next two town hall meetings in Gary, Ind., and Broward County, Fla.

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