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LEADING ECONOMISTS WARN THAT EDUCATION GAP BETWEEN THE U.S. AND INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES THREATENS AMERICA’S ABILITY TO COMPETE

America’s failure to keep pace with the education gains of other industrialized countries is creating a serious education gap that will impact our economic prosperity, warned some of the nation’s preeminent economists who gathered today at a national policy forum convened by Strong American Schools’ ED in 08 Chairman Roy Romer and Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington.

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Leading Economists and Educators Debate the Economic Implications of the Crisis in American Education

Washington, D.C. — Washington, DC – The results of a new national poll about education and the economy will be among the topics of discussion at a policy forum on June 27th hosted by ED in 08 Chairman Roy Romer and Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington. The forum, Remaining Competitive in a Flat World, will feature leading economists and researchers who will underscore the economic implications of a failing education system. As Americans confront an increasingly uncertain economic outlook and growing competition from emerging economies abroad, improving student achievement will likely be a critical strategy for encouraging growth. The event is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

When: Friday, June 27th,
            8:30 a.m. EST -- 1:30 pm EST

Keynote Address by Bill Bennett from 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m

Where: James Madison Memorial Building, The Library of Congress-Mumford Room (6th floor)
101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, D.C.

STRONG AMERICAN SCHOOLS ED IN ’08 CAMPAIGN TO AWARD $5,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP TO WINNER OF THE FILM YOUR ISSUE 2008 AWARDS

Washington, D.C. — Strong American Schools’ ED in ’08 campaign and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will award $5,000 college scholarship to the winner of the education category at the FYI—Film Your Issue 2008 Awards Ceremony today in Los Angeles, CA. The scholarship will be presented to 19 year-old college student from Miami, Fla., Ian Rojas, for his film, High School Drop-Out, by former Los Angeles city Mayor and California Secretary of Education Richard Riordan.

New Polls: Americans Want Greater Leadership on Education Issues: Pew and Rasmussen Polls find education is important issue in 2008 election

The Pew Research Center’s latest poll reveals that education is the No. 2 priority for voters this fall; trumping taxes, Iraq and other issues. A recent Rasmussen poll found that 90 percent of voters believe education is important. Specifically, nearly three out of five voters polled said education is "very important."

Former Governor Holden, St. Louis County Executive Dooley And State Representative Scharnhorst Urge Presidential Candidates to Lead Education Reform Efforts at ED in '08 Missouri Kick-Off

Today, Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden, St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and State Representative Dwight Scharnhorst joined hundreds of students at the Saint Louis Science Center to kick-off Strong American Schools’ ED in 08 campaign in Missouri.