MEDIA ADVISORY
SPECIAL 90 MINUTE SEASON ENDING SATELLITE TOWN MEETING
FOCUSES ON AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS
Judge Eric Andell, Senior Advisor to Secretary Paige, to host live program from Los Angeles including administrators, educators and parents.

WHAT:

U.S. Department of Education's June Satellite Town Meeting "Afterschool and Summer Programs: Helping Kids Get Smart and Stay Safe"

WHO:

Senior Advisor to Secretary Paige Judge Eric Andell
Carla Sanger, President & CEO of LA's BEST, Los Angeles, CA
Michael LeFlore, Director, IMPACT, Omega Academy, Phoenix, AZ
Roma Arellano, Worldwide Community Education Manager, Intel Corp.
Jeanne Waldren, Program Director, Saldotna After the Bell, Saldotna, AK
Joseph Olchefske, Superintendent, Seattle Public Schools (via satellite)
Mari Offenbecher, Director, Schools Out Washington (via satellite)
Special taped message from Arnold Schwarzenneger

WHEN:

Tuesday, June 18, 2002, 8-9:30 p.m. EST

WEBCAST:

http://www.connectlive.com/events/edtownmeetings/

SATELLITE COORDINATES:

C BAND: Satellite: Galaxy 4R; Transponder/Channel: 21C;
Orbital Location: 99 degrees West;
Downlink Frequency: 4120 MHz;
Polarity: Horizonal; Audio: 6.2 and 6.8
KU BAND: Satellite: Galaxy 10R; Transponder/Channel: 24K;
Orbital Location: 123 degrees West
Downlink Frequency: 12180 MHz;
Polarity: Horizonal; Audio: 6.2 and 6.8

BACKGROUND:

"Quality afterschool and summer programs give our young people more time to learn, more challenging enrichment and academic activities and the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with caring adults," - Secretary of Education Rod Paige

The parents of more than 28 million school-age children work outside the home and as many as 15 million "latchkey children" return to an empty house on any given afternoon. Studies have shown that after the school bell rings, too many children without adequate adult supervision may neglect necessary school work or worse, fall prey to negative influences. In fact, children are at greater risk of being involved in crime, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy in the hours afterschool - peaking between the hours of 3 - 4 p.m. Afterschool and summer programs provide safe, disciplined learning and nurturing environments to help students focus on academics and shape positive behavior. Research shows that nearly eight in 10 teens that participate in after-school programs are high achieving students. After?school programming reflects a commitment to promote knowledge, skills, and understanding through enriching learning opportunities that complement the school day.

The special ninety-minute program from KCET in Los Angeles will be available on various local and national cable TV systems-some of which carry the show live and others on a tape-delayed basis. This month's telecast will explore:

• What does the research tell us about the impact of afterschool and summer programs on student achievement and safety?
• What do quality afterschool and summer programs look like? How do they provide the supplemental academic services, support and enrichment students need to succeed?
• How do quality afterschool and summer programs help nurture and develop reading skills and promote academic achievement?
• In what ways must schools, parents and community organizations work together to create and support afterschool and summer programs?
• How do these programs help prevent drug use and violence among youth and help them make good decisions?
• How do effective programs leverage available resources and plan for long-term sustainability?

The Satellite Town Meeting is a live, interactive television program on education reform. Produced monthly during the school year, in partnership with the National Alliance of Business, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Committee for Economic Development, the show provides practical advice about community efforts to improve teaching and learning. Contributing sponsors include the Bayer Foundation, Target Stores, Riverdeep Interactive Learning and the Procter & Gamble Fund. Broadcast and cable partners include Discovery Communications, the Public Broadcasting Service, and Channel One. Use, duplication and distribution of the Satellite Town Meeting are free and unrestricted.

The Department provides live and archived Webcasts of the Satellite Town Meeting. Through a new interactive messaging feature, individuals viewing the live Webcast will be able to send instant messages and questions for guests and Judge Andell. To view the Webcast and learn more about other new program features, visit http://registerevent.ed.gov/downlink/NewServices.asp or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

For a list of local and national downlink sites and broadcast partners, as well as a listing of future show dates for the season, see the Satellite Town Meeting Web site at http://www.ed.gov/inits/stm/.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The program will be broadcast live from KCET studios at 3620 S. 27th St. in Los Angeles, California. A reception will be held following the broadcast. Reporters are invited to attend.

CONTACT:

Jim Bradshaw (202) 401-1576