EDUCATION NATION ON-THE-ROAD COMES TO PHOENIX

Beginning May 2, NBC News brings an education "power week" to Phoenix with a series of education-focused events and programming

NBC News' Chuck Todd and Rehema Ellis join 12 News in engaging Phoenix in the national conversation about the future of America's education system

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton to participate in opening ceremony

NEW YORK, NY—April 29, 2013—In an effort to continue the national conversation about how to help prepare America’s students for success, NBC News is bringing "Education Nation On-The-Road" to Phoenix beginning May 2, 2013. The NBC News team will spend a week in the city, partnering with its affiliate station, 12 News, and Telemundo Phoenix to ignite a public dialogue about new efforts in the region and across the state to improve student outcomes. During the week, NBC News, 12 News and Telemundo Phoenix will air education-focused programming and host a series of special events that bring Arizona-area business and civic leaders, elected officials, educators, parents and students together to share information, exchange ideas and inspire change. Thursday’s event will be held at the Arizona Science Center. Friday and Saturday’s events will be held at the Herberger Theater Center. “We need to ensure our young people have every opportunity to succeed in today’s 21st century, global economy,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “I am excited to welcome NBC News and Education Nation to Phoenix to shine a spotlight on this important issue. We’re working hard to support the dreams of our students – from early literacy and after-school programs, to college- readiness and job training initiatives. Improving our schools and strengthening academic achievement will lead to a stronger economic future for Phoenix, our citizens and our state.”

To kick off "Education Nation Phoenix," on Thursday, May 2, at 12:00 PM/MT, NBC News will host an Opening Ceremony emceed by 12 News’ Kim Covington, with participation from Mayor Stanton, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal, Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools Don Covey and area students.

On Friday, May 3, beginning at 9:45 AM/MT, NBC News, 12 News and Telemundo Phoenix will host a Phoenix Summit, with a series of panels including: “What Arizona Wants: Raising the Bar in Education,” “Early Literacy: Sowing Seeds for Success,” “K-12: Improving the Outcome” and “Job One: Preparing Arizona to Compete in the 21st Century Economy.” The Summit will be hosted by NBC News Chief White House Correspondent and Political Director Chuck Todd, NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis, 12 News Anchor/Reporter Kim Covington, 12 News Today anchors Fay Fredricks and Doug Meehan and Noticiero Arizona News Anchor/Reporter Patricia Batres. 12 News will air “Job One” live from 12:30-1:00 PM /MT. All summit panels will stream live on EducationNation.com.

On Saturday, May 4, Rehema Ellis, 12 News’ Covington and Noticiero Arizona’s Batres will host a Student Town Hall, bringing together hundreds of Phoenix-area students to discuss their experiences in the classroom and their hopes for their own education. This special event, which is new to the tour this year, will air on 12 News on Sunday, May 5 from 4:00-5:00 PM/MT.

Later on that afternoon, Rehema Ellis, 12 News’ Covington and Noticiero Arizona’s Batres will host a Teacher Town Hall— a unique educator-only forum that brings together local teachers of all levels for a frank and open discussion about what works in the classroom and how to address the top challenges facing the region’s education system. Teachers will be invited to participate in-person or online with the ability to provide comments and feedback through EducationNation.com and social media platforms. The Teacher Town Hall will be televised live on 12 News from 4:00-5:30 PM/MT and streamed live on EducationNation.com. The Education Nation team will host two free educational events at the Phoenix Public Library and Arizona Science Center. To register for these events, visit: [WEBSITE LINK]

On Monday, May 6 at 10:00 AM/MT, join 12 News’ Emma Jade, Mayor Greg Stanton and special guests for NBC News Education Nation’s Summer Reading Kick-Off at the Phoenix Public Library. Mayor Stanton will read a children’s story, and library staff will lead children and parents through songs and other activities that promote the development of early literacy skills.

On Tuesday, May 7 at 1:00 PM/MT, NBC News and the Arizona Science Center invite students and science fans of all ages to All Hands On S.T.E.M., where they can explore science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.) through hands-on, interactive experiments that will require problem solving and teamwork. Participants will explore at their own pace as they design, build, question and discover.

"The 'Education Nation On-The-Road' tour has engaged communities across the country to come together and try to find solutions to both local and national education issues. We are excited to partner with the 12 News team to expand the dialogue and bring ideas to the public about how education can be improved in Phoenix and the state of Arizona," said Soraya Gage, General Manager of Education Nation.

Coverage on 12 News, the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com continues throughout the week, highlighting examples of innovation in schools. “All of us at 12 News are pleased to be working with NBC News on this important initiative,” said John Misner, Chief Operating Officer, Republic Media & General Manager, 12 News. “The 12 News journalists, along with their colleagues at the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com work every day to address critical community needs. Thoughtful education conversation and forums for solutions are clearly at a critical point and we are grateful to be a part of Education Nation.”

In addition to these events, from April 29-May 10, the “Education Nation” bus will travel throughout the region collecting new and gently use books that will be donated to Reach Out and Read Arizona.

“Education Nation Phoenix” is supported by Lead Sponsor Helios Education Foundation, Supporting Sponsor University of Phoenix, and Knowledge Partners the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Expect More Arizona, and NBC Learn.

About "Education Nation" "Education Nation" seeks to create a thoughtful, well-informed dialogue with policymakers, thought leaders, educators, parents and the public, in pursuit of the shared goal of providing every American with an opportunity to achieve the best education in the world. These discussions cover the challenges, potential solutions and innovations spanning the education landscape. By providing quality information to the public, NBC News hopes to provide information to Americans so they can make decisions about how best to improve our education system both in the near and long terms, and to shine a spotlight on one of the most urgent national issues of our time.