Education Summit Draws Over 800 Parents, Teachers, Principals to Perry

Atlanta - More than 800 parents, teachers, principals and administrators came to Perry, Georgia today to discuss education issues at the 2003 Education Summit called by Governor Sonny Perdue. Attendees included:

• Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
• Wanda Barrs, Chair, State Board of Education
• Martha Reichrath, Executive Director, Office of Student Achievement
• State Board of Education members Mary Sue Murray, Linda Zechman, Peggy Nielson, and Carol Williams
• House and Senate Education Committee members Rep. Teresa Greene-Johnson, Rep. Kathy Ashe, Sen. Joey Brush, Sen.
• Terrell Starr, and Sen. Regina Thomas
• House and Senate members Rep. Larry O'Neal, Sen. Ross Tolleson, and Sen. Horacena Tate

The Summit was a continuation of a listening process begun by Perdue during his gubernatorial campaign last year. Earlier this year, Governor Perdue hosted a series of electronic feedback sessions with educators, parents, students and business leaders at the Governor's Mansion.

"I am excited about the level of participation and quality input we received today. This Summit was a great opportunity to continue our productive dialogue with the frontline workers," Perdue said. "They know best the challenges that we face and have provided us with many innovative ideas for improvement. We want to keep building on the positive momentum generated by today's successes."

Special guest Dr. Eugene W. Hickok, Under Secretary of Education and a principal adviser to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, addressed the assembled educators on the topic of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Summit also included a series of discussions organized as classroom participation sessions. They covered three topics that educators have identified as among the most important areas for improvement. Sessions included:

• Improving Classroom Discipline
• Letting Educators be Educators
• Reducing Truancy and Increasing Parental Involvement

The Summit was sponsored by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.