The Tennessee Department of Education is seeking input to improve schools as part of a nationwide effort initiated by U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige. Ten Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) are charged with carrying out an educational needs assessment and recommending technical assistance priorities in their region. The Appalachian RAC includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia and is chaired by Julie McCargar, executive director of federal programs for the state department.
“It is an honor and a great responsibility to serve in this capacity,” says McCargar. “The key is to get as much input as possible to get a balanced perspective on how to better meet schools’ needs and improve student achievement. Demands on systems, schools, teachers, and even students have changed since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, so this is an important time to take a step back and see how its working.”
Anyone wishing to comment can visit http://www.rac-ed.org. Once registered on that site, participants will receive E-bulletins that provide updates on regional information and notification of regional events. Those not wishing to register can still comment via e-mail rac@cna.org or by mail to Appalachian Region RAC Support, ATTN: Dr. Arthur Sheekey, The CNA Corporation, 4825 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22311-1850.
Members of the committee are planning to conduct additional meetings, teleconferences, and online discussion groups with various education stakeholder groups, including educators, parents, and the business community. There will also be three public meetings across the region. The dates for the meetings will be posted on the Web site.
The regional committees are made up of parents, local education agency representatives, educators, business executives, and researchers. The committees’ advice will assist the U.S. Department of Education in establishing funding priorities for new comprehensive technical assistance centers and regional educational laboratories that will help state education agencies, school districts, and schools to implement the goals of NCLB.
Members of the committees are not expected to speak for the organizations and interest groups they represent, but rather to solicit input and comment from stakeholders across the region to ensure that the views of parents, teachers, administrators, and others are heard. Comments will be accepted until March. Comments will be collaborated in the form of a report to be delivered to the Secretary of Education.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.