This month's U.S. Department of Education TV show will focus on the proposed American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) and what the Department, through ACI and No Child Left Behind, is doing to strengthen math and science education and support schools and families to ensure that today's students graduate from high school with the skills necessary to succeed in college and the workforce.

The program is available live from 8 to 9 p.m. EDT Tuesday on the Dish Network, dozens of PBS stations and numerous cable outlets. Others will broadcast the show on a tape-delayed basis. A complete listing of viewing options is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html. In addition, the program will be webcast live and archived at www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.

The program, "Back to School: American Competitiveness," will cover some of the key proposed Departmental provisions and programs—through compelling examples and discussions with national and local education leaders—that would increase the number of highly qualified math and science teachers in America's classrooms; expand Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs in math and science; create incentives for students to major in high-tech and engineering fields; and increase funding for programs that provide extra help for students struggling in math and science. The show will also highlight local programs that are succeeding in strengthening math and science education today.

Following is an outline of the show.

Segment One

American Competitiveness: Math and Science Education in Today's World

• David Dunn, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education, will explain why the United States must ensure that our students graduate with the mathematics, science and technical skills necessary to succeed in a 21st century workforce where 90 percent of the jobs will require some postsecondary education.

Segment Two

Ensuring That All Students Succeed: Math, Science and Engineering in School and Beyond

• A videotaped conversation with U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings about Back-to-School and American competitiveness, and why it is more important than ever before that we raise math and science achievement in our nation's schools while encouraging students to pursue careers in math, science, engineering and technology.
• A conversation with the Science and Engineering Magnet High School's Deborah Floyd; Michelle Jackson, a 2005 Presidential Award for Math and Science Teaching recipient; and the Urban Institute's Director of the Program for Evaluation and Equity Research, Beatriz Chu Clewell, about what is going on in our nation's schools and classrooms to ensure that all students—regardless of their backgrounds—succeed in school and beyond through strong math and science programs.

Segment Three

Helping Your Child With Math and Science: What Parents Need to Know

• A special back-to-school discussion with David Dunn, Acting Under Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education; Margaret Carnes, Managing Director of the Charlotte (N.C.) Advocates for Education; and Dennis Bartels (via satellite), Executive Director, The Exploratorium in San Francisco, about what parents need to know about math and science education and how they can help and encourage their children—at home and working with schools—to excel in these subjects.

The "Education News Parents Can Use" TV series airs monthly during the school year.

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