Regional Conferences on Improving America's Schools

Two from Brown have role in U.S. Department of Education conference

Maria Pacheco of the New England Desegregation Assistance Center and John R. Correiro of The Education Alliance are helping the Department of Education plan its eastern regional conference, expected to draw 2,000 participants to Washington, D.C. Also, Pacheco will chair a session titled "Involving Families and Communities in Education." Correiro's session will focus on charter and magnet schools.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Maria Pacheco, director of the New England Desegregation Assistance Center, a program of The Education Alliance, and John R. Correiro, director of program development and public information for The Education Alliance, are serving on the Eastern Regional Planning Committee for the U.S. Department of Education's Regional Conferences on Improving America's Schools.

The Eastern Regional Conference, "A Call to Action: Working Together for Equity and Excellence," will be held in Washington, D.C., Dec. 14-16. Some 2,000 participants from 24 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are expected to attend. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley will highlight the two-day conference with a major address on the state of American education.

In addition to their planning roles, Pacheco will chair a session titled "Involving Families and Communities in Education." Correiro will co-chair a session titled "Exploring Public School Options," which will focus on charter schools, magnet schools and schools of choice.

Editors: Pacheco and Correiro are available to discuss their work in education reform, The Education Alliance and its programs, or outcomes anticipated from the conference.

The Education Alliance

The Education Alliance, based at Brown University, responds to the needs of diverse student populations in the public schools. Believing that language, culture, and diversity are fundamental to the success of educational reform, the Alliance creates partnerships with educators, policy-makers, researchers, and business and community agencies to promote advocacy at the national and local level; leadership and training for school superintendents and staff; language and culture curriculum designs; program models and practices; networking and conferences; and education reform initiatives.