Washington, DC-- In response to President Clinton's interest in exploring Fairfax County as a microcosm of change, the Advisory Board to the President's Initiative on Race will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, December 17, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia.

The Advisory Board will discuss issues of race in primary and secondary education including disparities in educational resources, expectations, and outcomes and the challenges associated with the growing student diversity.

In the morning session, the Board will hear from practitioners in Fairfax County, including students, faculty and parents on how schools are managing their increasing diversity. In the afternoon session, education experts will present a national perspective on racial disparities in K-12 education, and offer strategies that are working to reduce racial divides. Participants in the afternoon sessions will include: William Bennett, director, Empower America; James Comer, Yale University; and Deborah Meier, principal, Mission Hill Elementary School in Roxbury, Mass.

In conjunction with this meeting, the Initiative will release a case study on Bailey's Elementary School. Bailey's, located in Fairfax County, serves approximately 900 students from 40 countries who speak 20 different languages.

WHAT:
The Advisory Board to the President's Initiative on Race

WHEN:
Wednesday, December 17, 1997

WHERE:
Annandale High School
4700 Medford Drive
Annandale, Va. 22003

The Advisory Board will have lunch with students, parents and teachers of Annandale High School. The Advisory Board meeting and lunch will be open to the press. A press availability is also scheduled at 3:45 p.m. or immediatly following the meetings.