Assistant Deputy Secretary to Participate in 2012 National Urban League Conference in New Orleans

Jim Shelton, assistant deputy secretary for the Office of Innovation and Improvement, will participate in a panel discussion during the “State of Urban Education” morning plenary at the 2012 National Urban League Annual Conference on Saturday, July 28, in New Orleans. Shelton will discuss the opportunity that America has to make unprecedented progress in the battle for educational excellence and equity, and the role that African Americans can play in informing, shaping and driving education reform. In addition, he will highlight evidence-based practices and advocacy efforts that will help narrow the gap to ensure that underserved youth have access to high-performing schools that will prepare them for post-secondary institutions.

The mission of the National Urban League movement is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The theme of this year’s conference, which is underway through Saturday, July 28, is “Occupy the Vote: Employment and Education Empower the Nation.”