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

AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL 1997

Thirty years of research show that family and community involvement in education can make a significant difference in children's learning. A survey by Money magazine found that the factor that determined the best school districts in the country was the amount of support received from parents and the communities. The AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL initiative encourages parents, grandparents, community leaders, employers and employees, members of the arts community, religious leaders, and every caring adult to become more actively involved in improving education in their communities.

This important annual effort focuses attention on improving education across America during the back-to-school period of August through October. Currently entering its third year, the initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the more than 3,000 family, education, employer, religious, and community group members of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education.

Every American town faces problems in education that they need to address to confidently move forward into the 21st Century. While each community has its own special concerns, there are a number of issues that are common across the country. President Clinton laid out many of these in his 1997 State of the Union address:

• Setting high standards in all the core subjects, and participating in national assessments in reading and math.

• Making sure there's a talented and dedicated teacher in every classroom.

• Helping every student to read independently and well by the end of the 3rd grade and building on that foundation in the later grades.

• Promoting parent involvement in children's learning and offering early childhood programs.

• Expanding public school choice and accountability in public education.

• Making sure our schools are safe, disciplined and drug-free, and instill basic American values.

• Modernizing school buildings.

• Preparing students academically for college and open the doors of college to all who work hard and make the grade.

• Helping adults improve their education and skills.

• Connecting every classroom and library to the Internet by the year 2000 and helping all students become technologically literate.

Last year, thousands of individuals got involved with their local schools and communities to help improve education. This year, we encourage every American to join us in answering the President's Call to Action. Come on America. . . let's go BACK TO SCHOOL! For more information about AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL 1997, call 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit www.ed.gov/Family/agbts

"If we are going to seize the promise of our times and educate our children so they can keep their dreams alive, we must all work together. Not government alone, not individuals alone, but as parents and children, employers and employees, teachers and students, community leaders and community members, as government and citizens. We must renew our schools so every American child has the opportunity to get the best possible education for the 21st century."    -- President Bill Clinton

1997 Chair: Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education Co-chairs: Tipper Gore, Family/Child Advocate Michael Keaton, Actor Lois Jean White, President, National PTA Thomas H. Kean, President, Drew University, Former Governor

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[President Clinton's America Reads Challenge Act of 1997]

[Character Education Partnerships]