Harkin to host education secretary in Cedar Rapids Sunday

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will participate in a round-table conversation at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School Sunday as a guest of Sen. Tom Harkin.

Duncan also will visit Des Moines with Harkin, who will make stops in Council Bluffs, Waterloo and Davenport Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The meetings will provide local education leaders, parents, students, business and community leaders with a chance to share ideas for a revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Harkin said.  This week, the HELP Committee kicks off hearings on ESEA in Washington.

“In order to stay competitive in the global economy, we must ensure that our nation's schools have the proper resources and tools to provide a quality education to our children,” said Harkin.  “I look forward to hearing from Iowans about this important issue as we craft a new Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  This input will be invaluable as I work to shape a bill that meets the needs of our students, teachers and communities.”

Harkin's public schedule follows:

March 12 -- 2:30 p.m., Thomas Jefferson High School, 2501 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs.

March 13 -- 11:30 a.m., George Washington Carver Academy, Media Center, 1515 Logan Ave., Waterloo; 2:30 p.m., Fillmore Elementary School, 7307 N. Pacific St., Davenport.

March 14 – Noon, with Duncan, Jefferson High School Media Center, 1243 20th St. SW, Cedar Rapids; 3 p.m., with Duncan, Morris Elementary School, 1401 Geil Ave., Des Moines.