Joint meeting of the Senate Education and Health and House Education Committees

Focus on the education spectrum from early childhood to postsecondary education and the workforce

Richmond, VA – Senator Steve Newman, chairman of the Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee and Delegate Steve Landes, chairman of Virginia’s House of Delegates Education Committee, are bringing together members to address the future of education in the Commonwealth today and tomorrow at the 2017 Virginia Education Summit on the campuses of Virginia Commonwealth University and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

The two-day Summit will bring together leading experts and practitioners from around the country and commonwealth and legislators to examine issues ranging from early childhood to postsecondary education and the workforce.

“Last year’s Virginia Education Summit sparked some great discussions that continued throughout the year,” said Senator Steve Newman, chairman of the Senate Education & Health Committee. “I’m delighted to co-chair this event with Delegate Landes to help Virginia find innovative policy solutions to its most pressing education issues.”

The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, worked alongside Senator Newman and Delegate Landes to organize and host the event.

“We have been doing great work in Virginia to improve and expand educational opportunities,” said Landes. “Senator Newman and I look forward to connecting state legislative leaders with local and national education experts, as well as some of Virginia’s leading practitioners. We appreciate the continued partnership of the Hunt Institute on this important work.”

The Summit will feature remarks from Del. Landes and Sen. Newman; and Laura Fornash, former Virginia Secretary of Education.

Through a series of panel discussions and small group conversations, legislators will hear from a variety of experts, including: Dr. Robert C. Pianta, Dean, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia; Dr. Gary Cook, Director of Research, WIDA, University of Wisconsin; Dr. Lee Vreeland, Vice President of Academics, Achievable Dream Academies; Dr. Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., Former President, Virginia Board of Education; Dr. Tequilla Banks, Executive Vice President, TNTP; Amy Loyd, Associate Vice President, Jobs for the Future; Mark Herzog, Chair, Virginia Board of Workforce Development; W. Heywood Fralin, Chairman, Virginia Business Higher Education Council; Dr. Ángel Cabrera, President, George Mason University; Jimmy Clarke, Senior Director of State Policy, HCM Strategists; and a wealth of Virginia superintendents, principals, higher education leaders, and legislators.

“The Hunt Institute appreciates the commitment from Senator Newman and Delegate Landes to continue to encourage and facilitate these critical conversations,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, Hunt Institute President & CEO.  “I am impressed with the Committees’ dedication to the future of Virginia’s education system.”

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About The Hunt Institute

An affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, The Hunt Institute is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since it was established in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success.

Media Contact: Michele Jordan,  Chief of Staff
984.377.5049 | mjordan@hunt-institute.org