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2003 Milken National Education Conference (Highlights)
April 26, 2003
April 26-28, 2003
Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles
Note: Saturday, April 26 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of "A Nation at Risk," the landmark federal education report that warned of American public education’s inability to prepare young people for the challenges of the 21st century. Education experts attending the Milken Conference will be available for comment.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
12:45-1:45 p.m.
On January 8, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the most sweeping changes to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act since its enactment in 1965. During this session, Fordham Foundation President Chester E. “Checker” Finn will debate himself – using two separate podiums – providing an update on the implementation of this legislation, including the evolution of the bill originally presented to Congress and the ramifications of the resulting federal regulations.
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Does "Certified" Mean Qualified?
One of the most sweeping changes to the public education system enacted by No Child Left Behind requires that there be a “highly qualified” certified teacher in every U.S. classroom by the year 2005. However, is every teacher who is certified to teach indeed qualified to do so? Arthur Wise of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Michael Podgursky of the University of Missouri will focus on this debate, including the impact of teacher qualifications on an accountability-driven education system.
MONDAY, APRIL 28
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Equity and Excellence: Ensuring a High Quality Educational Experience for Every Child
For 30 years, our nation’s K-12 system has tried, with little success, to improve the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged children. Now that schools are under pressure to ensure that all students reach high standards, educating the poor has become arguably the single biggest civil rights issue of the 21st century. Panelists including nationally syndicated radio host Tavis Smiley; education reform advocate Jeanne Allen; U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Education Nina Rees; Oakland, Calif. Mayor Jerry Brown; and Massachusetts Superintendent of Education David Driscoll will discuss the strategies and solutions necessary to ensure that every child in America has an opportunity for a rigorous education.
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Keynote Luncheon with Former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett
Now co-director of Empower America – a political think tank focused on domestic educational, economic and defense issues – William J. Bennett emerged as a national statesman in the 1980’s, serving as Secretary of Education and chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities during the Reagan Administration, then as “drug czar” under former President George H.W. Bush.
1:00-3:30 p.m.
How to Determine Who Is a Quality Teacher
Experts – including Stanford University’s 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 – will debate the measures and standards that are or should be in place to define quality in the teaching profession.
5:45-10:00 p.m.
Milken National Educator Awards Gala
The $25,000 Milken National Educator Awards, featuring mistress of ceremonies Jeri Ryan of Fox TV’s "Boston Public," will be presented to 100 of America’s finest educators from 46 states. Teacher Magazine calls the black-tie affair the “Oscars of Teaching,” an event where outstanding K-12 educators are showcased and honored in true Hollywood fashion.