***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Biggert to Host Regional Education Roundtable on ‘Race to the Top’ and Federal K-12 Agenda

WHO:
- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th), Senior Member of the House Education and Labor Committee
- Amy Jones, Professional Staff, U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor
- Darlene Ruscitti, DuPage Superintendent of Schools
- Michelle Ishmael, Illinois Education Association
- Local superintendents, principals, special education directors and teachers
 
WHAT:
Congresswoman Biggert will sit down with local teachers, administrators, and regional officials for a roundtable discussion of the Administration’s education agenda for the coming year, including Race to the Top and other programs that will impact suburban school systems throughout the 13th Congressional District.
 
WHEN:
4:30 to 6:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, Thursday, January 14, 2010
 
WHERE:
Naperville Unit Education Association
South Park Room
1555 Bond Street, Suite 121, Naperville, IL
 
WHY:
With the January 19th deadline quickly approaching for Illinois to apply for funds included in the Administration’s Race to the Top competitive grant program, Congresswoman Judy Biggert is bringing educational leaders from across the region together to discuss local goals for the program and broader policy implications for Illinois schools and students.  Over the following year, Congress also may take up the reauthorization of the nation’s K-12 education programs, including those under NCLB.  Thursday’s roundtable will provide a forum for Biggert, a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, to seek input from area teachers, school board members, and superintendents from the 13th Congressional District to help shape the legislative course of education reform. 
 
A former PTA and School Board President, Biggert has long advocated local control in setting education policy, and will discuss with area educators their recommendations on a broad range of issues including school accountability, student testing, charter schools, state standards, aid for underperforming schools, and the use of new data and technology in education. 
 
For more information, please contact Abby Milone, Congresswoman Biggert’s office, (630) 655-2052.

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