UPDATES

11.18.2008

PCE Gala:

PCE's gala-"Igniting Education Innovation: A Nation STILL at Risk"-was a huge success. Nearly four hundred supporters attended the event held on November 18th and headlined by renowned journalist John Stossel, the co-anchor of ABC's 20/20.

Ethan Millard, co-host of KSL's Nightside Project (the most popular radio show in Utah from 7 pm to midnight), was the master of ceremonies. In his opening remarks, he asked, "Is America on its way to becoming a second tier power?" After citing several disheartening education statistics, Ethan aptly observed that "the odds of our survival as a primary tier power rest in this room and the decisions that we make and the causes we choose to support today." Speaking of PCE, he added, "I can't possibly think of a more worthy cause."

The theme for the gala was inspired by the landmark report A Nation at Risk. Released 25 years ago, it alerted the nation to the failings of our education system. In her speech, PCE Chairman Robyn Bagley underscored the fact that 25 years later, we are a nation still at risk. Out of 30 industrialized nations, the US ranked 25th in math and 21st in Science. When broken down by ethnicity, Utah students consistently score below average on national assessments. Quoting the 2008 New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, she stated, "Forty years ago, the United States had the best-educated workforce in the world. Now we are number ten and falling."

It was with an understanding of this reality and the solutions needed to improve education that PCE emerged. As Bagley explained, "Seven years ago, a few parents emerged on the political scene with an agenda to do exactly that-be a strong voice for innovation, demand solutions and excellence in education. They called themselves Parents for Choice in Education."

Bagley encouraged attendees to "be involved and informed" and "continue to seek meaningful solutions." She assured them that "Parents for Choice in Education will continue to be that voice. We will continue to advocate for every child to have equal access to a quality education. We will continue to advance initiatives that empower parents. And we will continue to seek innovative solutions to Utah's educational challenges."

CLICK HERE to read Bagley's entire speech.

Drawing on experiences from his prominent career as a national journalist, John Stossel emphasized the power of innovation and choice in education. Here are a few highlights:

"Everybody in America thinks we're not spending enough on public education and that's why there's a problem... But just take that $7,700 you're spending in Utah and do the math. 20 plus kids in the classroom. That's almost $200,000 per classroom. How can anybody say we're not spending enough money? Think what you could do with that money. You could hire three great teachers. Where does the money go? We don't know. It's a government monopoly. Money just disappears in government monopoly."

"I speak around the country on various issues, and I do find that among the groups I talk to, there is more energy in your movement than anywhere else."

"Choice is what has brought America longer lives, better lives than any society ever before. The children deserve to benefit from that same thing. And I thank you for fighting for that choice that made America possible."

A feeling of enthusiasm and excitement was tangible as attendees left the gala committed to improving education in Utah. We'd like to thank all of the donors and volunteers who made the event possible, and look forward to working with all of you to improve our K-12 education by empowering parents, increasing choice, and promoting innovative solutions to Utah's educational challenges.

New Website Unveiled!

At the Gala, Robyn Bagley, PCE Board Chairman, announced the launch of PCE's latest project:

www.UtahEducationFacts.com

Bagley said "the only way education will improve is if the public demands it. In order to do so we must be informed. Knowledge is power. Without comprehensive information we cannot affect change as a community, state, or country, let alone for our own children."

Visit our new website for all of your education questions, news and updates.

You can spread the word by emailing your friends and family the link to the man on the street video we produced to highlight the need for the website:

www.UtahEducationFacts.com/video.

Promote the site on your blog or Facebook page
If you have a blog or Facebook page, put a post about the website on your homepage or embed the video on your site. You can get the embed code from YouTube here.