America's students are falling behind those of other advanced nations, whose education systems are in much better shape. In this panel discussion, hosted by the New Republic, experts talk about the gap between low and high achieving students, the need for national standards indexed to the higher worldwide standards, teacher recruiting and compensation, and accountability. Improving education levels, they contend, would generate enough economic growth to pay for the entire education system.
Frank Sesno is a CNN special correspondent, providing enterprise reporting and analysis for the network on a wide range of issues that touch people’s lives. An Emmy-award winning journalist, Sesno formerly served as CNN’s Washington, D.C., bureau chief.
Roy Romer is the chairman of Strong America Schools. He also served as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District and was governor of Colorado for 12 years.
John Deasy is the superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools, Maryland’s second largest school system and the nation’s 18th largest district. He leads an organization that offers 134,000 children an innovative, technology-infused curriculum that has produced significant academic gains.
Joel Klein became New York City schools chancellor in July 2002 after serving in the highest levels of government and business. As chancellor, he oversees more than 1,500 schools with more than 1.1 million students, 136,000 employees, and a $21-billion budget.
Chester Finn is a former professor of education, an educational policy analyst, and a former United States assistant secretary of education. He is currently the president of the nonprofit Thomas B. Fordham Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Mike Feinberg is the cofounder of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Foundation and Superintendent of KIPP Houston. Prior to KIPP, he taught in Teach For America.
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