As an alumnus of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education and a committed advocate for school reform, I encourage all students to attend this Wednesday's Notre Dame Forum "The System: Opportunity, Crisis and Obligation in K-12 Education." The topic and field of education is unique in that in one way or another it affects every member of our society. Whether with regards to American innovation, the fight for social justice or concerns over national security, no other issue is as central to the success of our republic quite like education.
As an institution, Our Lady's University has done much to bring to the forefront problems that face our educational system today. It has fought for the place of our Catholic schools within the system by fighting for the rights of parents to choose where their children attend school, as well as advocating for better efficiency and innovation in both private and public schooling systems. Through the work of ACE and the Institute for Educational Initiatives, Notre Dame is leading the fight in higher education with regards to education equality.
It is no surprise to me then that Notre Dame has such an esteemed panel for this Wednesday's forum. The four panelists, which include former D.C. Chancellor Michelle Rhee and school choice innovator Howard Fuller, will open your eyes to the importance of changing the way our country does education.
I wish I could attend such a wonderful forum. I encourage you to be a part of this conversation beginning Wednesday, April 13th. It is one that requires our attention.
God bless the continued work in education of Notre Dame, the Institute for Educational Initiatives, and the Alliance for Catholic Education.
John Clark
alumnus
Class of 2007
April 10
