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

   FOR RELEASE                              Contact:  Kathryn Kahler    December 4, 1995                                   (202) 401-3026

In that capacity, he will focus on urban issues and school improvement.

"To have someone of Ray Cortines' stature available for advice is a real plus," Riley said. "Ray's practical experience in improving schools speaks for itself. He has successfully led two of the nation's largest school systems through turbulent times. He will be a valuable member of our team because of his passion for high standards and high expectations of schools and students."

Cortines served as chancellor of the New York City School System from 1993 to 1995. Before that, he was superintendent of San Francisco schools for six years. He was a school superintendent in San Jose, Calif., for two years and a superintendent and administrator in Pasadena, Calif., for 11 years.

Soon after leaving the New York City job, he was named in October 1995 as visiting scholar at the Stanford University School of Education -- a position he will continue to hold through Aug. 31, 1996.

Cortines' work as an educator dates to 1956 when he was a teacher in Aptos, Calif. He later taught and was an administrator in the Covina, Calif., school system.

He has held numerous positions on task forces and committees with the California State Department of Education, the former U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, as well as the current U.S. Education Department.

He has worked with several state departments of education and acted as a consultant and contributor to Stanford University and the University of California.

Cortines holds a bachelor's degree in speech and education and master's degrees in school administration and adult learning.

San Francisco State University has conferred an honorary doctorate of humane letters on him, and San Francisco's Golden Gate University has bestowed on Cortines an honorary doctorate of laws.

He was appointed honorary adjunct associate professor of education at Columbia University and has also held an appointment as associate in education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.

In December 1992, he chaired an Education Department transition team for then President-elect Clinton. From Feb. 1 through Aug. 30, 1993, he served as assistant secretary-designate for intergovernmental and interagency affairs at the department before assuming the New York City post.