Arlington, VA—March 16, 2009
Who/What
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be addressing more than 2,000 science educators at NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education in New Orleans. Duncan will be discussing the future of science education and the various provisions of the education reform strategy that he and President Obama will be pursuing this year.
March 19–22, the National Science Teachers Association in conjunction with the Louisiana Science Teachers Association (LSTA), will host its 57th National Conference on Science Education at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Designed to enhance and expand science educator’s professional growth, the four-day conference will feature more than 1,700 hands-on workshops, presentations about the latest breakthroughs in science, and demonstrations covering every discipline, grade level and teaching focus. Participants from across the country will learn about the latest in science content, teaching strategy and research; network with fellow education professionals; and hear thought-provoking presentations from world-renowned scientists and educators.
When
9–9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2009
Where
NSTA National Conference on Science Education
LA Louisiane Ballroom
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Why
Last week President Obama delivered a major policy speech on education, his first since becoming president on January 20. After calling for more bipartisan agreement on education issues, the President said “The time for holding ourselves accountable is here. What’s required is not simply new investments, but new reforms. It’s time to expect more from our students. It’s time to start rewarding good teachers, stop making excuses for bad ones. It’s time to demand results from government at every level. It’s time to prepare every child, everywhere in America, to out-compete any worker, anywhere in the world. It’s time to give all Americans a complete and competitive education from the cradle up through a career. We’ve accepted failure for far too long. Enough is enough. America’s entire education system must once more be the envy of the world—and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
During his presentation, the President outlined the five pillars of a comprehensive education reform strategy that he and Secretary Duncan will be pursuing this year. They include:
- Investing in early childhood initiatives
- Encouraging better state standards and assessments
- Recruiting, preparing, and rewarding outstanding teachers
- Increasing charter schools and extending the school day
- Providing higher education (including technical training) to all Americans
Please check in at the NSTA Press Room, located in room SO B105, just outside the attendee registration area, in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
About the National Science Teachers Association
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership of more than 58,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education. Web site: www.nsta.org.
Contact
Kate Meyer
(703) 312-9211 office
(703) 798-8559 mobile
kmeyer@nsta.org