FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 5, 2002
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161

Community education experts to join Baca in discussing the future of
Inland Empire education

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) will be holding the Second Annual Inland Empire Education Summit: Working Together for Academic Excellence this Friday, June 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the San Bernardino Valley College Student Union. A free lunch will be provided.

“I’m proud to be hosting this summit again this year,” Baca said. “Education has always been a priority for me, and I have been holding this summit since I was a member of the California Assembly. This is the second summit we have put together since I have been a member of Congress, and I’m sure that it will be even more productive than ever.”

Over 120 Inland Empire education experts and officials, community leaders, and concerned citizens will be in attendance, and members of the community are encouraged to attend. The Summit will focus on preparing area students for higher education beginning at an early age.

“Only through discussions, ideas, and sometimes even arguments can we work together to solve the problems our youth are facing as they try to acquire the tools they need to succeed as adults. We can’t have those discussions unless we get together, in the same room, at the same time, and hammer out education policies that will benefit our kids.”

The Summit will include remarks by prominent education officials and a keynote address by Dr. Kathleen Kinley, Chaffey Joint Union High School Board of Education member. Kinley is the California School Board Association Region 16 director and a member of the California Master Plan on Education K-16 Committee. Her remarks will be followed by an expert panel and discussion by the K-16 Council entitled “College Begins in Kindergarten.”

“Why do we think of high school as something kids must do, yet still only think of college as something kids should do. College should not be separated out as only a possibility, but instead thought of as a necessity for all of our children. This mindset must be instilled in our children early so that by the time they get to that point, they are prepared. It’s our responsibility.”

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