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

U.S. Secretary of Education
Richard Riley's
America Goes Back To School Bus Tour

THE SUCCESS EXPRESS
Visits the Mississippi Delta
August 27-31, 2000

Monroe, Louisiana

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DATE: August 27, 2000

Secretary Riley kicked off his fifth annual America Goes Back to School campaign in Monroe, Louisiana. He attended a welcoming ceremony at the Monroe airport, where temperatures topped 103 degrees.

In his remarks at the Monroe airport, Secretary Riley explained that the America Goes Back to School campaign was established to encourage parents, students, and community groups to get involved and stay involved in improving education in their local schools and communities across the nation.

Secretary Riley stated that educational reform in Louisiana was moving in the right direction. For instance, fourth grade mathematics scores have improved this decade for Louisiana students on the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP). But he cautioned the audience of more than 200 educators, parents, and community leaders against complacency. "While we are making progress, much more needs to be done. Rather than serving as critics, I believe we all must come together to solve the challenges we face in education.?Together we can help end what I refer to as the 'tyranny of low expectations' that exist in too many schools in America,? explained Riley.

U.S. Representative John Cooksey, Monroe Mayor Melvin Ramblin, Monroe Parish Schools Superintendent George Cannon, and Miss Louisiana 2000 Faith Jenkins joined Secretary Riley at the airport rally.

Photos:

8/27--Secretary Riley kicking off the
Success Express bus tour.

8/27--Secretary Riley at
the kick off for the bus tour.

This page last modified September 6, 2000 (etn)