society

The statistics concerning the present state of the American educational system are alarming. Sixty-eight percent of eighth graders cannot read at grade level. One-third of students drop-out of high school, while a remaining third are ill prepared for college once they do graduate. On a global scale, the U.S. ranks 24th place in math, 17th in science, and 10th in literacy among 30 developed nations. These statistics were readily presented on Education Nation, the initiative created to openly discuss educational crises and how to improve them for good.

The Education Nation Summit

The Education Nation Summit, held at Rockefeller Plaza on September 27 and 28, will bring together the nation’s foremost experts on education, from policymakers to educators, and business persons to students. The open setting is ideal is to encourage the open dialogue on schooling that Education Nation is hoping will transpire ideas, knowledge, growth, and change. Leaders in education such as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Harlem Children Zone’s CEO Geoffrey Canada, Chairman of America’s Promise Alliance and U.S. General Colin Powell, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will engage in a series of panel sessions. Panel Sessions will cover critical educational topics such as:

• workforce readiness
• technology and innovation
• parental involvement
• developing and retaining great teachers
• early and higher education
• the politics of education

In addition to the aforementioned educational leaders, the Scholastic Kids Press Corp will attend the Summit to report from the perspective of students.

From Rockefeller to Learning Plaza

In the spirit of educational reform, Rockefeller Plaza will transform into Learning Plaza from September 26-30. The New York City landmark will serve as the exhibition point for the latest tools and technologies utilized in the best classrooms across the country in an interactive experience that is open to the public.

Learning Plaza will be the site where children, parents, educators, and members of the community learn what actions are being done to improve schools, and how their local educational institutes can excel. The enhanced experience at Learning Plaza is sure to shine a spotlight on positive educational reform that has already transpired across the nation, and it is hoped to inspire those who are not sure how to improve the education sought by the youth of the nation.

Education Nation and Media Coverage

NBC News is set to cover all aspects of Education Nation in a multi-media extravaganza.

The impact on both society and economy that stem from the lack of a decent educational system are overwhelming, and a country that does not put education at the top of the national agenda has to deal with these issues. Education Nation is committed to prioritizing educational reform, which will benefit every person in this nation for generations to come.