Washington Mutual Statewide Education Summit
May 17-18, 2005

The Summit is a partnership of the Texas Public Education Reform Foundation and Washington Mutual. Our purpose is to promote public education innovation and improvement and to provide a forum for dialogue among key stakeholders in education reform.

Those participating in the Summit included 300+ attendees from major businesses, teacher associations, school district superintendents, education service centers, board of trustees, public policy groups, higher education, the State Board of Education, the Texas Education Agency, the Comptroller’s office, statewide organizations, Parent Teacher Association, Texas Workforce Commission, Governor’s Business Council, State Board of Educator Certification, chambers of commerce, and policymakers.

David Dunn, Chief of Staff to U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, gave the keynote address on Tuesday evening. Commissioner Shirley Neeley, Texas Education Agency, gave informal remarks. Dr. Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education, received a Lifetime Education Achievement Award from Tracy Baskin, a board member of the Texas Public Education Reform Foundation.

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst provided remarks on improving the quality of education. A legislative panel addressing school finance reform included Senator Leticia Van de Putte (Senate Education Committee member), Representative Kent Grusendorf (House Education Committee chair) and Representative Dan Branch (House Education Committee member).

Governor Rick Perry was the keynote speaker for Wednesday’s luncheon. Wednesday’s sessions included School Finance Reform, Using Assessment to Promote Successful Practices, Strengthening State Accountability Systems, Redesigning our High Schools, Rethinking Teacher Compensation, Preparation and Retention, National Trends in Student Assessment and How Texas Students Compare.