Special Briefing on Education Grant

From the White House Briefing Room today, the following individuals briefed the media and took questions on the Annenberg Education Grant: Secretary of Education Dick Riley, President of New American Schools Development Corporation David Kearns, Chairman of Coalition of Essential Schools Ted Sizer, Colorado Governor Roy Romer, and Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. The Annenberg Grant is a $500 million gift from Walter and Leonore Annenberg to be used for the U.S. public school system. The goal is to create a better atmosphere in which a student can learn. The first portion of the grant will be divided as follows: $50 million to the New American Schools Development Corporation to complete its design and development work; $50 million to Brown University for the Annenberg Institute for School Reform; and $15 million to the education commission of the states in association with the New American Schools Development Corporation and the Annenberg Institute. close