Strong American Schools Chairman Romer Hosts Education Reform Celebration Recognizing Strides by Urban Public Schools

President Bush, Education Secretary Spellings, Reverend Sharpton, Philadelphia School Reform Commission Chairwoman Dungee Glenn and School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Ackerman Joined Romer at General Philip Kearny School in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Strong American Schools Chairman Roy Romer gathered today with President George W. Bush, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, Reverend Al Sharpton, Philadelphia School Reform Commission Chairwoman Sandra Dungee Glenn and School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman and other local and national education leaders to recognize the gains made by urban public schools at the Kearny School in Philadelphia.

"It is an honor to be here today with President Bush, Secretary Spellings and so many other education reformers," said Governor Romer. "It is important to recognize schools like Kearny that have worked diligently to improve student outcomes. For too long many schools have failed African-American, Hispanic, and poor children. We must fulfill and build upon the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act by holding schools accountable for the success and achievement of every child. A quality education for every child is not a luxury but rather a fundamental civil right."

To acknowledge the 7th Anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act and to celebrate the era of accountability, the bipartisan group of education reformers toured the school, held a roundtable discussion and listened to remarks by President Bush.

"There is nothing more important than educating a child," said Superintendent Ackerman. "We have a moral obligation to ensure every child has the education they need to be well-positioned for success in the 21st Century."

The successes of the Kearny School demonstrate that a commitment to high standards and expectations will lead to improved opportunities for minority students. The event focused on the strategies to dramatically improve student achievement that are being implemented in Philadelphia and other urban districts. Kearney has 425 students from kindergarten to eighth grade. The students have made Adequate Yearly Progress as measured by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment every year since 2003.

"If you're an African American or Latino child in the U.S., the probability is high that the current public school system will limit your ability to achieve the American dream," said Reverend Sharpton. "Ensuring all students have an equal opportunity is the most important civil right of all."

"We in Philadelphia believe that raising expectations can have a powerful effect for students as well as for principals, teachers, administrators and the public who supports our schools," said Chairwoman Dungee Glenn. "We are so pleased that leaders from across the country have gathered in Philadelphia to recognize the importance of moving accountability-based education reform forward."