WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH - In advance of U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan's visit to Cleveland, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge will host a working meeting with Cleveland area public school leaders and special guest, Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Michael Yudin. The meeting will take place Tuesday, September 6th at 1pm at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Administration Center.  CMSD CEO Eric Gordon and 13 superintendents from public school districts in Cuyahoga County are expected to attend.  The purpose of the meeting is to address issues confronting public school districts and also provide superintendents an opportunity to share feedback on federal education programs and initiatives.   

"These are challenging times for our schools.  Their budgets are squeezed yet we recognize the need is as great as ever to strive for academic excellence in the classroom.  Officials in Washington need to hear directly from our local school leaders about what they're facing and how federal education resources and requirements can be improved to work in the best interests of our students," said Congresswoman Fudge.

The meeting is open to the media

Among the items that may be discussed:
1. School district financial difficulties of maintaining special education programs with limited or no federal financial assistance.
2. Student mobility and special education students accountability as it relates to No Child Left Behind – especially adequately yearly progress.
3. Retention of high quality teachers in high need content areas, such as mathematics and science, in urban school environments.
4. Creating more flexibility with federal grant expenditures in association with other funding sources as well as Title I funding set asides.
5. Charter school accountability requirements.

WHO:      Congresswoman Fudge, Acting Assistant Secretary Michael Yudin, Superintendents and School Leaders from          
                   public school districts in Cuyahoga County

WHAT:    Meeting to discuss issues facing public school districts

WHEN:    Tuesday, September 6th, 2011  1PM

WHERE:   Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Board Room
                   1380 EAST 6TH STREET
                   CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114

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