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Education Secretary Paige Visited California Schools as Part of National Back to School, Moving Forward Tour

On September 7, 2001, Secretary Paige spoke to students, parents, teachers and community leaders during a morning stop at Bret Harte Elementary School in Long Beach, California, as part of his trip to California on the Back To School, Moving Forward tour.

Secretary Paige began his visit to Bret Harte with a school tour and reading lessons where he helped first graders identify sounds and letters, posed for pictures with students and read his favorite children's book aloud.

Following the tour, Secretary Paige joined a forum in the school's auditorium to highlight successful partnerships between higher education and school districts to provide high-quality training opportunities for teacher candidates. At Bret Harte, aspiring teachers receive hands-on training in the classroom from experienced teachers, coupled with guidance from the faculty at California State University, Long Beach.

Later in the day, Secretary Paige helped kick off the new school year in San Diego with over 2,000 students, parents, teachers, and community leaders during a back to school rally at Thurgood Marshall Field on the University of California San Diego campus. The rally was hosted by the university and the San Diego County Office of Education.

Several schools from the San Diego area attended the rally, along with the Preuss Charter School, which is located on the UC San Diego campus.

The rally provided a festive atmosphere to usher in the new school year and incorporated entertainment by the 200-member Poway High School marching band, the San Diego Charger Cheerleaders, as well as authentic steel drum and mariachi bands. The huge crowd heard inspirational speeches from local educational leaders, a member of the San Diego Spirit WUSA soccer team and Secretary Paige.

Following the rally, Secretary Paige was the featured speaker at a standing-room-only town hall meeting with community, business, education, faith-based and parent leaders. The Secretary discussed President Bush's education reform plan and its four pillars: accountability, local control and flexibility, options for parents and doing what works. In addition, the Secretary took questions from the audience and encouraged San Diegans to re-commit themselves to ensuring quality educational opportunities for every child.

The San Diego visit was the last stop on Secretary Paige's cross-country tour promoting education reform and explaining what President Bush's plan, No Child Left Behind, means for families, schools and communities.

Last updated—December 17, 2004 (jer)