MEDIA ADVISORY
BOARD V.P. BARRERA TO TESTIFY IN FRONT OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY REGARDING CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WHAT: San Diego Unified Board of Education Vice President Richard Barrera is scheduled to testify at a Congressional hearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in Washington DC.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 23, 11 a.m. PDT.
- Please note: Testimony begins at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EST).
WHERE: HELP Committee hearing room, Washington DC. Link to view testimony.
WHY: Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), the ranking Democrat on the Senate HELP Committee, invited Vice President Barrera to provide remarks at a hearing where Republicans are attempting to offer private school vouchers as the solution to improving literacy outcomes.
According to a number of studies, including one conducted by Stanford University, vouchers do not improve student achievement. However, a number of other policy changes and related investments are likely to yield much higher payoffs than privatization, including several strategies San Diego School District employs, such as teacher training, early childhood education, after-school and summer programs, student health programs and heightened standards in math, reading and science curricula.
Recently, the Trump administration announced the withholding of previously appropriated funds nationwide for public schools totaling almost $7 billion, which included almost $13 million for San Diego Unified earmarked for professional development ($3.8M), English Learner services ($2.6M), academic enrichment ($3.1M), and before-and after-school programs ($3.3M).
San Diego Unified offers a compelling case for investment in our public, neighborhood schools. On the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as the "Nations's Report Card," our District ranked first in literacy among both fourth and eighth grade students compared to all large districts across the nation participating in the Trial Urban District Assessment.
VISUALS and SOUND: Vice President Barrera testifying in front of Senate HELP Committee.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790; James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845.
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Thanks,
Mike
Mike Murad
Media Specialist
San Diego Unified School District
mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org
Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790
4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103
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