National Leaders, Educators, Policy Experts to Participate in Interactive “City Streets and School Corridors”

NEW YORK — As part of its annual national Forum event, the College Board will convene community leaders, educators and policy experts for a candid conversation and a series of highly interactive sessions focusing on the needs of students from minority, immigrant and low-income backgrounds. “City Streets and School Corridors” will take place Oct. 21 from 2 to 4:45 p.m. at the Hilton New York in New York City.

Chancellors Joel Klein (New York City Schools) and Matthew Goldstein (City University of New York) will discuss their successful partnership, which has tackled issues confronting urban and minority populations in schools. Participants will then have the opportunity to choose among three concurrent sessions that explore aspects of the topic in more depth. These sessions are:

·         “Integrating Minority Males into the Higher Education Network” — Participants will hear from and interact with those dedicated to helping minority males set higher goals for themselves and achieve success. Panelists will include Edmund T. Gordon, associate professor of anthropology, University of Texas at Austin; LeManuel Lee Bitsóí, assistant professor, Georgetown University, District of Columbia; Luis Ponjuan, assistant professor, University of Florida; Robert Teranishi, associate professor of higher education, New York University; and Ronald Williams, vice president, The College Board, who will moderate.

·         “Undocumented Students: Chasing the Dream” — Participants will hear from and have the opportunity to ask questions of educators and authors about the plight of undocumented students. Participants also will meet two undocumented students and learn about the challenges they face. The panelists include William Perez, assistant professor of education, Claremont Graduate University, and author of We ARE Americans: Undocumented Students Pursuing the American Dream; Allan Wernick, director, CUNY Citizenship & Immigration Project (invited); J.P., a recent graduate, Columbia University; and Sam, a student featured in the upcoming documentary, American Dreamer, produced by Long Haul Productions and scheduled to air on NPR in December 2009. The session will be moderated by James Montoya, vice president, The College Board.

·         “Candid Conversations: Best Methods for Counselors and Teachers to Educate and Support Diverse Student Populations” — Participants will hear from and have the opportunity to interact with educators and counselors about encouraging all students in their academic endeavors. Panelists will include Betty J. Alford, professor and chair of the Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas; Doris B. Jackson, principal, Wakefield High School, Arlington, Va.; and Lester P. Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs, professor of music, University of Michigan. The session will be moderated by Patricia Martin, assistant vice president, National Office for School Counselor Advocacy, The College Board.

College Board President Gaston Caperton said, “The success of our nation rests on educating all of our students to their fullest potential. ‘City Streets and School Corridors’ provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the unique challenges that these students face.”

As the annual meeting of the College Board, the Forum has become a preeminent gathering, bringing all education professionals together to engage in vital conversations and share insights to help unravel the complex challenges that American educators are facing.  This year’s Forum on “Education and the American Future,” scheduled for Oct. 21–23, will focus on issues of advocacy, equal access to higher education and student preparedness. Participants will discuss the most effective ways to ensure equal access to college, improve affordability, support teachers and counselors, and promote diversity and equity in schools.

For information about registration and details about speakers and scheduled conference events, visit http://www.collegeboard.com/events/forum/2009/homepage/index.html.

The College Board

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,600 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admission, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT^®, the PSAT/NMSQT^® and the Advanced Placement Program^® (AP^®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.com.

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CONTACT:

Nancy Viggiano          The College Board                           212-713-8052                        communications@collegeboard.org