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2006 National Education Conference

May 02, 2006

MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION JOINS NATIONAL EXPERTS TO TACKLE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TEACHER QUALITY REFORM

D.C. Conference to explore new federal programs, unprecedented reform, and public/private efforts to improve educator excellence on a national scale

Gala presentation of more than $2.2 million in prestigious Milken Educator Awards to America's best and brightest will culminate week

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 2, 2006) – The newest developments in teacher quality reform top the agenda at the 2006 Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference, to be held May 16-18 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Themed How Stakeholders Can Support Teacher Quality, the event will explore new federal programs, unprecedented reform, and effective ways that different sectors—education, government, philanthropy, business and teachers themselves—are crossing boundaries to improve teacher quality on a national scale.

Authorities from these fields will join in this opportunity to discuss the urgent need for talent in teaching. Culminating the week, the Foundation will present more than $2.2 million in prestigious Milken Educator Awards to 91 of the best and brightest in the profession.

"There is no better way to prepare students for the challenges of a global economy than providing high quality teachers to guide the way," said Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken. "With federal laws in place, increased innovation in education and a strengthened network of stakeholders, the time is now to implement the right strategies to raise student achievement by ensuring that every student in America is guided by a talented teacher."

Respected for 16 years as one of the premier events in K-12 education, this three-day conference provides a one-stop-shop for answers to the most pressing issues in improving teacher quality today.

Event highlights include:

• Keynote address by Lowell Milken, Chairman, Milken Family Foundation

• Priorities and challenges of education funding from the perspective of Congressman Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education;

• What you need to know about the Teacher Incentive Fund, a landmark federal commitment to performance pay programs to attract the best and brightest to the profession;

• The role of philanthropy and the private sector in targeting dollars to implementing teacher quality reforms, chaired by Lowell Milken;

  Panelists: Russlynn Ali, Executive Director, Education Trust-West; Richard Colvin, Director of Educational Issues, Hechinger Institute; Jay P. Greene, Head of the Department of Education Reform, University of Arkansas; Dan Katzir, Managing Director, The Broad Foundation; Sandy Kress, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; and Rod Paige, Chairman, Chartwell Education Group LLC, and former U.S. Secretary of Education

• The impact of innovative reforms driven by the education sector and the challenges faced in implementing significant change, moderated by Dr. Lewis Solmon, President of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (formerly the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) Foundation);

  Panelists: Dr. Joan Baratz-Snowden, Director of Educational Issues, American Federation of Teachers; Dr. Thomas Carroll, President, National Commission on Teaching and America's Future; Dr. Gary Stark, Vice President of Program Development, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching; Paul Vallas, Chief Executive Officer, School District of Philadelphia; and Dr. Susan Zelman, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Ohio

• The current and future impact of No Child Left Behind, chaired by Dr. Stephen Goldsmith, Daniel Paul Professor of Government and Director of the Innovations in American Government Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University;

  Panelists: Alice Cain, Senior Counsel for Congressman George Miller (D-7th, CA); Dr. Chester (Checker) Finn, President, Fordham Foundation; Dr. Henry Johnson, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, United States Department of Education; Nina Rees, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Knowledge Universe Learning Group, and former Assistant Deputy Secretary, Office of Innovation and Improvement, United States Department of Education; and Dr. Ted Sanders, Executive Chairman, Cardean Learning Group

• Learn about effective teacher quality strategies in practice at the school and district level from the teachers' points of view. Moderated by Lowell Milken, select Milken Educators will share their expertise in closing the achievement gap, attracting high-quality teachers to high-need schools, and developing, motivating and retaining talent in teaching;

  Panelists: Dr. Doris Alvarez, Principal, Preuss School at the University of California, San Diego; Jennifer Couch, Teacher, Kedron Elementary School, GA; Amanda Mayeaux, Teacher, Dutchtown Middle School, LA; Charles McAfee, Headmaster/Director, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, MA; Paula Nunez, Education Consultant, NM; and William Richey, Teacher, Xenia High School, OH.

On Thursday, May 18, ninety-one of the nation's top teachers, principals and specialists from across the country will be presented with $25,000 Milken National Educator Awards. Dubbed the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine, this black-tie gala celebrates the top tier of America's finest K-12 educators.

The Milken National Educator Awards is designed to recognize excellence in elementary and secondary schools and inspire talented young people to become teachers. Established in 1985 by education pioneer Lowell Milken, it is the largest national teacher recognition program in the United States. More than $54 million in awards has been presented to over 2,100 educators in 48 states, plus the District of Columbia.

For more information about the 2006 Milken National Education Conference and the Milken National Educator Awards, please visit http://www.mff.org or contact the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4774.

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