U.S. Education Secretary Duncan to Participates in National Summit on Educational Excellence and Opportunity for African-American Males

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will give remarks at a national summit on improving the educational outcomes of African-American males on Monday, Aug. 27, at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. He will discuss the Administration’s commitment to improving the education of African Americans by reducing the dropout rate; increasing college access; strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities; providing equitable access to effective teachers and principals; and ensuring access to high-level, rigorous course work, support services, and resources. John S. Wilson, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will join Secretary Duncan.

The all-day National Summit on Educational Excellence and Opportunity for African-American Males—taking place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET—is hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council of the Great City Schools. The summit will bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, advocates, and students in a town hall discussion, roundtable talks, and presentations. It will highlight promising practices that are closing racial and ethnic achievement and opportunity gaps, and focus on new strategies and partnerships to improve the social, educational, and economic outcomes for African-American males.

Last month, President Obama signed an executive order to establish the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, which is housed within the U.S. Department of Education. The initiative will work across Federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education programs for African-American students. It aims to ensure that all African-American students receive an education that fully prepares them for high school graduation, college completion, and productive careers.

Participation in the summit is by invitation only, but the event will be streamed live at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/education-department or via Twitter using the hashtag #blackmalesummit.