picture of a yellow school bus with the words Success Express written on it

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

Rayville, Louisiana

3 colored lines used as a border
1 blue line down the side used as a border

DATE: August 27, 2000

Secretary Riley spoke at a community supper in Rayville, where he was presented the keys to the city of Rayville by Mayor Isam Berry.

Secretary Riley remarked that we have learned what works best over the years in improving education. The secretary identified seven major areas in which communities could benefit from additional funding from the federal government: (1) maintaining schools with high standards for discipline and academics; (2) hiring and retaining qualified teachers; (3) reducing class size; (4) focusing on reading; (5) expanding after-school programs; (6) addressing the problem of overcrowded schools; (7) and equipping schools with the latest technology.

In particular, Secretary Riley focused on the need to reduce class size in the early grades where research shows it results in improved student achievement in elementary school, the later grades, and even in college.

Last year Richland Parish (where Rayville is located) used $179,000 in Class Size Reduction funding to hire six teachers to help reduce class size in grades one through three from 22 in 1998-1999 to 17 in 1999-2000. As one community leader left the Rayville community supper he said, "The secretary's visit made it possible for the first time ever to have the whole community come together to support better education."

Photo:
Success Express school bus on the road to Rayville, Lousianna. Click for bigger graphic.
8/27-- On the road to Rayville, Louisiana

 

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This page last modified September 6, 2000 (etn)