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Thursday, July 16, 2009
NM Rep. Rick Miera to Meet with Bill Gates on Using Recovery Funds for Education Reform
The New Mexico House Majority Office today announced that Representative Rick Miera (D-Bernalillo-11), chairman of the House Education Committee and vice chairman of the interim Legislative Education Study Committee, has been invited to meet privately with Bill Gates and a small number of other national legislative leaders. The small group will discuss the role of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the unique opportunity it brings for education reform, according to a press release.
The meeting, which will take place on July 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM in the Philadelphia Convention Center, was arranged by Speaker Joe Hackney of the North Carolina House of Representatives, the President of the National Council of State Legislatures, in conjunction with the group’s annual Legislative Summit. “As a critical decision maker on state education issues, we look forward to this discussion with you and other state leaders regarding promising reform strategies and the ARRA,” said Speaker Hackney in his invitation to Miera.
Bill Gates, America's most famous technology entrepreneur, has turned his energy and genius to improving education in our country. Gates believes that economic stimulus money for education provides a unique opportunity -- a moment in time -- to create bold innovations that will redefine educational excellence.
This year’s NCSL Legislative Summit attendees will hear from Gates as he delivers the opening keynote address to legislators and staff. Focusing on “A Bold New Vision for Education” in America, he will impress upon attendees the need to use stimulus monies to advance real education reform in their states. Improving the nation’s current education system to ensure greater opportunity for all Americans through the attainment of secondary and post-secondary education with economic value is a priority of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s United States Program.
Rick Miera has represented District 11 in Bernalillo County since 1991. His recognized expertise in educational issues has been instrumental in the passage of many of the educational reforms of the past two decades in New Mexico.
July 16, 2009 at 01:17 PM in Economy, Populism, Education, NM Legislature 2009, NM Office of Recovery and Reinvestment, Obama Administration | Permalink
Comments
LOL with that. Our problems in Otero Co seem to come mostly from jocks as principals and superintendents. GOOD teachers don't want to move up to administrative positions, no matter how bloated the pay.
Posted by: Ellen Wedum | Jul 17, 2009 4:38:21 AM
Good that Rep. Miera is involved. Maybe he can help steer some of the stimulus money to improving education and making purchases that further that goal.
I don't know what Ellen Wedum is talking about but it has little to do with this post.
Posted by: John K. | Jul 17, 2009 8:13:57 AM
John K, you indeed do not know what happens to money provided to the schools when it gets to the local level.
Posted by: Ellen Wedum | Jul 17, 2009 7:45:15 PM
Yes Ellen Wedum.
Fitness is what we should be teaching, not competition. Fitness is part of a successful curriculum that leads to academic success. Fitness, not competition, should be part of education reform. Sorry, but "sport" is not going to give our state globally competitive status.
Good teachers want to teach. That is their talent which is distinct from administration. With that in mind, administrators first priority and mission should be to facilitate good teaching, not competitive sports.
Posted by: qofdisks | Jul 18, 2009 10:13:32 AM
The stimulus money would not be going for sports teams so I don't know why that is being discussed. I think it's important to fund both fitness and competitive sports at all levels. We need both.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 18, 2009 11:23:27 AM
