Gov. Jeb Bush Hosts Governors' Forum on Quality Preschool Dec. 15 in Orlando

12/9/2003

From: Christine LaPaille or John Blacksten, 202-624-5334, both of the National Governors Association

News Advisory:

-- 150 Governors, First Ladies, Educators, Policymakers, Researchers, & Business Leaders to Attend Forum

WHO: Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, NGA Chairman Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Montana Gov. Judy Martz, and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle

Idaho First Lady Patricia Kempthorne, Oklahoma First Lady Kim Henry, and Wisconsin First Lady Jessica Doyle

State teams from: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin

WHAT: To assist governors and senior state policymakers develop preschool initiatives, the NGA Center for Best Practices is convening a Governors' Forum on Quality Preschool. The Forum will provide governors and state teams an opportunity discuss the benefits of preschool and to share preschool "best practices," including the essential elements of quality programs and how states can support these programs in this difficult budget climate.

WHERE: Walt Disney World Swan Hotel -- 1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd. -- Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. -- 12 p.m. EST

PLEASE NOTE: Media MUST check-in by 8:30 a.m. at the Osprey Ballroom

The following are the ONLY Forum sessions open to media:

9 a.m. -- 9:30 a.m.: Opening Remarks; NGA Chairman Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

9:30 a.m. -- 9:45 a.m.: The Case for Quality Preschool: It Can Be Done David Lawrence, President, The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation

9:45 a.m. -- 12 p.m.: Governors Roundtable Discussion and Media Q&A Panel

Governors will participate in a discussion-moderated by The NewsHour's Ray Suarez-about the motivations, strategies, challenges, and opportunities for promoting quality preschool in their states. Four experts from the research, business, and policy communities will be invited to share their knowledge, deepen the discussion, and explore innovative strategies with governors.

Governors will be joined by three invited members of the national media for a Q&A session and dialogue on quality preschool and related issues.

NOTE: Media (including all crew members) MUST pre-register for this Forum. Only accredited media with valid government-issued press credentials will be allowed to cover the Forum.

Registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. EST. To register, please visit http://www.regweb.com/nga/preschoolforum. Enter "Quality" as the key.