HEAR WHAT STATE EDUCATION LEADERS ARE SAYING

Education Summit Focuses
on Improving Schools
State Leaders, Educators Discuss Ways To Keep Schools From Failing

Governor Haley Barbour gathered educators from around the state to participate in the Governor’s Summit on Turning Around Underperforming SchoolsWednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 in Jackson.

The Governor’s Summit was part of a larger effort to improve underperforming schools. Mississippi is one of four states to receive a grant from the National Governors Association to create a Model/Template for turning around underperforming schools. The National Governors Association and Mass Insight Education and Research Institute Inc., which has developed turnaround strategies for schools across the country, will assist Mississippi educators with the Model’s development.

Governor Barbour provided opening remarks. Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek was the keynote speaker at noon. Mr. Pastorek has received national recognition for Louisiana’s efforts at turning around underperforming schools.

Other speakers for the event included David Wakelyn from the National Governors Association, Julie Corbett of Mass Insight, Co-Director of Public Impact of North Carolina Bryan Hassel, Jean Massey from the Mississippi Department of Education, Julie Jordan from Mississippi State University, Mike Waldrop from the Mississippi School Boards Association, Sam Bounds from the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, and President of AT&T Mississippi Mayo Flynt as the moderator.

Governor Haley Barbour talks to the media at the
 Governor's Summit on Turning Around
Underperforming Schools held Sept. 16 at the
Hilton in Jackson.