Experts discuss ways to curb dropout trend in America's high schools

Contact: Rebecca Neale, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, 202-456-7348

WASHINGTON, April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Wednesday, April 30, 2008, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI), in partnership with America's Promise Alliance, will convene a policy briefing entitled, "The Dropout Epidemic in the U.S. and Cross-Sector Solutions."  OFBCI Director Jay Hein will join America's Promise Alliance Board Chair Alma Powell and President and CEO Marguerite Kondracke, and other experts like former Governor Bob Wise and Rev. Wilson Goode, to explore factors that lead to over a million high school dropouts each year.  Additionally, panelists will discuss public and private sector innovations to help reverse this “silent epidemic” in partnership with community-based nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

A complete event agenda is attached.

WHAT:          White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Policy Briefing

"The Dropout Epidemic in the U.S. and Cross-Sector Solutions"

WHERE:       The White House

Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB)

Room 350

WHEN:          Wednesday, April 30, 2008

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. EDT

Members of the press should arrive at the Northwest Appointment Gate by 8:30 a.m. EDT to ensure entry.

NOTE:           Members of the press who do not have a White House press credential must fax his or her name (as it appears on his or her driver's license), Social Security number and date of birth on company letterhead to (202) 456-7019 no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.  For additional credentialing or logistical questions, please call (202) 456-7348. 

White House OFBCI Briefing in Partnership with America’s Promise Alliance

Dropout epidemic in the United States and Cross-Sector Solutions

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

9:30 – 9:35      Welcome and Introduction 

Jay Hein, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director

White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

9:35 – 9:45      Keynote Remarks

Alma J. Powell

Chairman, America's Promise Alliance

9:45 – 9:50      Video Message from General Powell

9:50 – 10:00    Youth Presentation

10:00 – 10:45  Panel I: Discussion on Need

Moderator:      Governor Bob Wise
President, Alliance for Excellent Education

Panelist:           John Bridgeland
President and CEO, Civic Enterprises

Panelist:           Holly Kuzmich
Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Education

Panelist:           Matthew Gandal
Executive Vice President, Achieve

10:45 – 11:30  Panel II: Response to Dropout Epidemic

Moderator:      Marguerite Kondracke
President and CEO, America’s Promise Alliance

Panelist:           David Eisner
CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service

Panelist:           Melissa Pardue
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services Policy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Panelist:           Susan Santana
Assistant VP for External Affairs, AT&T

Panelist:           Tom Tillapaugh
Founder and Administrator, Denver Street School

President, National Association of Street Schools

11:30 – 11:45  Closing Remarks
Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr.
Director, Amachi