The GE Foundation Developing Futures in EducationTM Summer Conference, which convenes hundreds of key stakeholders and leaders in U.S. education, welcomed United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as the keynote speaker of the conference.
ORLANDO, Fla.--27 July 2009-- The GE Foundation Developing Futures in EducationTM Summer Conference, which convenes hundreds of key stakeholders and leaders in U.S. education, welcomed United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as the keynote speaker of the conference. The annual, weeklong event is the largest annual event hosted by the GE Foundation to support its Developing Futures in Education program and is designed to be informative as well as inspirational.
Each year, conference activities and speakers are organized around a central theme meant to motivate attendees to advance their programs. The theme for the 2009 conference is leadership, following the Systemic Reflection on Leadership for Teaching and Learning model, developed by Mike Rutherford, founder of Rutherford Learning Group. This model helps participants improve the capacity of all leaders as well as design strategic plans to enhance leadership in the district's schools.
"We are delighted that U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is speaking at our conference," said Bob Corcoran,president of GE Foundation. "The conference allows leaders in education to share best practices, explore local change and leadership initiatives and recommit to improving student learning."
Another large component of the conference is a workshop for middle school teachers on teaching science, specifically earth and space. The workshop was planned and provided in partnership with the GE Foundation, National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Developing Futures in Education invests nearly $150 million in six targeted U.S. school districts, with the goal to improve student learning in math and science, improve college readiness and close achievement gaps. For more information on Developing Futures, visit www.ge.com/foundation/developing_futures_in_education.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
About The GE Foundation
The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2008, the entire GE family --- including businesses, employees, retirees and GE Foundation --- contributed more than an estimated $237 million to community and educational programs, including nearly $100 million from GE Foundation. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.
Frank Mantero