Forum will highlight importance of early learning, new investments in early childhood education

ST. PAUL, MN - On Tuesday, July 16, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel to Minneapolis for a series of events, including a town hall meeting with Governor Mark Dayton focused on the importance of investing in early learning initiatives.

This year, Governor Dayton signed a new state budget into law that invests an additional $600 million in E-12 education. That new investment includes $40 million for /governor/assets/2013_budget_better_mn_early_childhood.pdf_tcm1055-92962.pdfearly learning scholarships that will help more than 8,000 Minnesota kids attend high quality childcare and preschool. The state's new budget also invests $134 million to help Minnesota school districts provide /governor/assets/2013_budget_better_mn_all_day_k.pdf_tcm1055-92963.pdffree all-day Kindergarten to every student. And it includes $40 million in new funding for special education.

This event is part of a series of events that Secretary Duncan has hosted across the country to draw attention to President Barack Obama's proposal to dramatically expand funding for early learning programs. Under the President's proposal, Minnesota is estimated to receive $38,700,000 in the first year it participates in the Preschool for All program. This funding, combined with a state match, would serve about 4,736 children in the first year of the program alone.

Schedule of Events for Tuesday, July 16
At 9:00am, Secretary Duncan will tour a classroom at Pond Early Childhood Center. Then, at 9:30am, the Secretary will participate in a town hall discussion at Kennedy High School on the importance of investing in early learning programs. The Secretary will be joined by local leaders, including Governor Dayton. The town hall discussion will be followed by a press conference at approximately 10:40am.

Later in the day, Secretary Duncan will participate in a question-and-answer session at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year National Conference. The Secretary will discuss the need to strengthen the teaching profession and better support teachers in implementing college and career-ready standards.

EVENT ONE

WHAT:
Classroom visit at Pond Early Childhood Center

WHO:
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan
Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius

WHERE:
Pond Early Childhood Family Center
9600 3rd Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420

WHEN:
9:00am

EVENT TWO

WHAT:
Early learning town hall forum followed by press availability

WHO:
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton
Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius
Maj. General Richard C. Nash, Adjutant General, Minnesota National Guard
The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, Executive Director, Minnesota Council of Churches
Laysha Ward, President, Target Community Relations and Target Foundation
Art Rolnick, Co-Director for the Human Capital Research Collaborative, U. of Minnesota

WHERE:
Kennedy High School Cafeteria
9701 Nicollet Avenue
Bloomington, MN 55420

WHEN:
9:30am, followed by a media availability at approximately 10:40am

EVENT THREE

WHAT:
Remarks at the National Network of State Teachers of the Year National Conference

WHO:
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan

WHERE:
Millennium Hotel Minneapolis
1313 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN, 55403-2697

WHEN:
12:00pm

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