A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

       FOR RELEASE                                          Contacts: Anna Erdreich                                                                    (202) 401-3082     September 1996                                                 Jennifer Ballen (202) 401-1576

Americans Encouraged to go Back to School and Get Involved

Riley said that with the serious demands on schools as a result of the "baby boom echo" -- the children of the so-called baby boom generation that are now in school -- schools can no longer do it alone. "Better education is everybody's business," Riley said, "and every parent, grandparent, business, community and religious group should focus their attention during this important back-to-school time of year on how they can play a more active role in improving education."

Thirty years of research show that when family and community members are directly involved in education, children achieve better grades and higher test scores, graduate at greater rates, are more likely to enroll in higher education, are better disciplined, and are less likely to use drugs.

The America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! initiative asks all caring adults to become involved in addressing one or more of the following issues:

1. making schools safe, disciplined and drug free;

2. encouraging parental and family involvement;

3. helping America become a reading, literate society;

4. reaching for new levels of excellence, with high standards and real accountability;

5. making technology available so all children will succeed in the 21st century;

6. preparing young people for careers, with a strong transition from school to work; and

7. making college more accessible to keep the promise of the American dream.

America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! is an initiative of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. The Partnership is supported by over 1,000 family, education, business, religious, and community groups. The national co chairs of America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! are Joan Dykstra, National PTA president; Tipper Gore, wife of the Vice President and a lifelong child advocate; Bo Jackson, actor/businessman and Heisman Trophy winner; and Ted Sanders, president of Southern Illinois University and former Under Secretary of Education under President Bush.

More than 500 events in every state, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands bring together families, educators, state and local officials, businesses, and religious and community organizations to encourage greater year long involvement in local schools across America. Events include:

The National School Network will use CU SeeMe technology with schools across the country for on line conversations with astronauts and Members of Congress. The National School Network (http://nsn.bbn.com), a National Science Foundation sponsored project, works with over 300 organizations and schools to build school community relationships through telecommunications.

On September 18, the California State Department of Education and Southern California Edison will host a back to school celebration in Long Beach, Calif. Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Annenberg Metropolitan Project will announce their contributions to the Parent Institute for Quality Education, which trains parents to participate actively in their children's education.

On October 9, Carrollton High School in Georgia will have a back to the future day where students will go to work and parents attend school for the day following school schedules. Community volunteers such as bankers, stock brokers, journalists, and others are invited into classrooms.

On October 19, GTE will hold College Planning Seminars to provide employee parents and students information on the college admissions process and financial aid. The interactive teleconference will broadcast live to 40 offices across the country to over 3000 GTE employees and their children.

In Charlottesville, Va., the Charlottesville Fathering Initiative sponsored a Community Fishing Clinic as part of the "Hooked On Fishing -- Not On Drugs" program. Through educational aquatic activities, the program introduces students to positive alternatives with mentors and encourages family interaction. During the academic year, the program focuses on marine biology and ecology.

In Flint, Mich., the district superintendent, families, and students from each public school attended the second annual back to school parade, rally, and cultural activities. Flint schools have strong community partnerships and many stay open after school and on weekends for student and community use.

In Pittsburgh, Pa., Secretary Riley invited national and local businesses, civic, youth, cultural and philanthropic organizations to join the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education.

Organizations endorsed a "community promise" to make schools and neighborhoods safe and drug free, support school and family activities, and make mentoring and tutoring available.

In Birmingham, Ala., over 1,700 children read over 35,000 books with reading partners as part of READ*WRITE*NOW!, another initiative of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education. The mayor sponsored a community back to school rally to celebrate this achievement.

America Goes Back to School: Get Involved! activity kits are available by calling 1800USALEARN or http://www.ed.gov/Family/agbts/. The kit gives concrete ideas, resources, and examples of how parents, families, community groups, employers, and educators are working to help children learn.

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