Forums | K-12 | Policy
Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity - Tacoma, Washington
February 20, 2013
Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity, a cross-country tour focused on education reform in local communities, will stop in Tacoma, Washington on February 20.
A discussion hosted by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for a Competitive Workforce and the National Chamber Foundation will gather education, government, and business leaders to address the current state of education reform and “what’s next” for Washington school districts.
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber will play host to this national event and is excited to bring together regional and state leaders on the issues of education, workforce development and policy. The local event will take part in two sessions. The first segment will include a screening of the movie Won't Back Down; the story of a single mother’s challenge to create meaningful change in her child’s failing school. The second segment will consist of a keynote address from ICW and a moderated panel discussing education changes in Washington State and the skills gap as it relates to our manufacturing industries.
Panelists will include leaders from government, education, workforce development and the business sectors. Panel members include Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, Workforce Central CEO Linda Nguyen, Pierce County Skill Center Director Michelle Ledbetter, and Boeing Aerospace Academic Alignment Representative Bret Hinton.
ICW will also share key resources, including a customized fact sheet detailing relevant education and workforce data of the community.
Through events like this the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber will connect the education community to the business community to address real and relevant workforce issues to our region and our state.
Agenda
| 3:30 p.m. |
The Film: Won't Back Down Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis play two determined mothers; one a teacher, who will stop at nothing to transform their children’s failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children. This powerful story of parenthood, friendship and courage mirrors events that are making headlines daily. |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Cocktails & Connections |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Keynote Speaker Cecilia Retelle, Senior Director, Policy, Institute for a Competitive Workforce |
| 6:15 p.m. |
Panel Presentation An interactive forum of local business leaders, educators, and community leaders facilitated by education reform policy experts and practitioners. Participants will have an opportunity to strategize with other leaders in the community on the best ways to implement change.
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For further information about the event please contact Lynnette Buffington, Membership Outreach Manager at 253-682-1726 or lynnetteb@tacomachamber.org.
Learn more about the Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity initiative.
Please note: The National Chamber Foundation and the Institute for a Competitive Workforce comply fully with federal, state and local regulations concerning gifts to public officials and employees, including the provision of refreshments and entertainment. If you are employed by a federal, state, or local government entity, please consult with your applicable ethics office and provide written confirmation that you are able to participate in this event by using this form. If you are required by the rules and regulations or the policy of your department, agency or authority to pay for any part or all of the costs of attending this event, please identify yourself as such prior to the event by sending an email to ccodella@uschamber.com or upon check-in so that we may arrange for you to pay for your attendance at this event.
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