Bethesda, MD – October 30, 2006 –Student Horizons, Inc. and Center for Student Opportunity (CSO) attended an event October 5, 2006 at Friendship Public Charter School in Washington, DC, that discussed efforts to increase educational opportunities for children.
The event, which included remarks by President George W. Bush, honored Friendship Public Charter School for succeeding in a 'No Child Left Behind' culture. This particular charter school was exemplified for its successes in student achievement and pass rates. Friendship Public Charter School is an example of a successful DC voucher program that will be expanded nationwide in 2007.
A few hundred people were in attendance at the event, including students of the charter school, staff, parents, and Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings.
George W. Bush passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB Act) in 2001. The law reflects on “how to improve the performance of America's elementary and secondary schools while at the same time ensuring that no child is trapped in a failing school,” according to the U.S. Department of Education website. The NCBL Act includes “increased accountability for States, school districts, and schools; greater choice for parents and students, particularly those attending low-performing schools; more flexibility for States and local educational agencies (LEAs) in the use of Federal education dollars; and a stronger emphasis on reading, especially for our youngest children.”
At the event, Bush discussed plans to spend more money on AP exam testing, AP teachers, general teacher training, and the use of adjunct teachers in the for-profit community to strengthen a public school education in 2007. These initiatives seek to provide a stronger fundamental education for our nation’s children. President Bush seeks to expand the successful DC voucher program in order provide the tools necessary for underprivileged children to attain college access.
Recently, the focus of education initiatives has shifted in the direction of college access for first generation and underprivileged students. Student Horizons, Inc. is fortunate to be in such close proximity to the nation’s capital, where proposed legislation to improve college access and the U.S. education system in general is discussed at length and in many forums.
"We're pleased to see that issues of college access are making it to the forefront and that we are able to take part in these discussions," said Wes Creel, President and CEO of Student Horizons, Inc. Creel and the company's main principals started its sister nonprofit, Center for Student Opportunity (CSO), in 2004, with the mission of promoting higher education opportunities for first-generation and other underserved college-bound students.
About Student Horizons, Inc.
Student Horizons, Inc. is a digital services company devoted to higher education. Founded by concerned parents and admissions professionals, Student Horizons, Inc.’s mission is to enable students to find colleges and universities that appeal to and complement their unique personalities and aspirations. Its flagship initiative, Colleges of Distinction (www.collegesofdistinction.com), profiles approximately 200 schools that excel at engaging students, providing outstanding teaching, offering vibrant communities, and producing successful outcomes, the pillars of a strong and active undergraduate education. Its newest initiative, Beyond the Books, launching in early 2007, will promote experiential learning opportunities in the United States and overseas. Student Horizons, Inc. also offers digital marketing solutions to colleges and universities through its suite of ASP applications, developed in partnership with leading technology providers. Founded in 2002, Student Horizons, Inc. is located in Bethesda, MD.
About Center for Student Opportunity
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Center for Student Opportunity, (www.csopportunity.org) is a national partnership among colleges, universities, high school and college counselors, and college access professionals who are dedicated to building a college-bound culture among today’s first-generation, low-income, and minority student populations. One of CSO’s initiatives, CSO College Center, is an online clearinghouse of college programs and admissions information serving first-generation and historically underserved student populations. The central mission of CSO College Center is to expose students to the wealth of college opportunities available to them. Founded in 2004, Center for Student Opportunity is located in Bethesda, MD.
Contact:
Kristin Carpenter
kcarpenter@studenthorizons.com
301.951.7101 ext. 205
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