NYSUT's summit, "Every Child Counts: Ending the Achievement Gap," was hosting a beyond-capacity crowd of movers and shakers as New York Teacher went to press.

"Ending the gap should be at the top of everyone's list," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi. "That includes all stakeholders — parents, educators, business leaders, lawmakers and the private and public sectors of our communities."

After expanding registration twice, the symposium regretfully had to turn away some individuals, noted NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue. The event tapped a diverse group of experts to explore ideas on breaking the cycle of poverty and addressing social factors that contribute to the achievement gap.

Intense media interest preceded the conference.

The Albany Times Union, in a top-of-the-page Sunday editorial, credited NYSUT's innovation — "the first time that those inside the classroom are framing the discussion ... All interested parties have been invited to participate."

The editorialist wrote that "Unless the achievement gap in elementary and high schools is narrowed or, better yet, eliminated, the Capital Region's best opportunities in the nanotech industry will likely go to those who have acquired their education elsewhere."

Media attention

NYSUT's groundbreaking campaign to explore solutions to the achievement gap captured media attention statewide. In Albany, Newschannel 13 devoted a segment of its public affairs show to NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi and the union's efforts to close the achievement gap; while WAMC's Northeast Public Radio, which broadcasts to a wide swath of upstate New York, aired a one-hour special panel discussion on the symposium, which brought together Iannuzzi with other prominent education leaders. Public television's Susan Arbetter was slated to film her New York Now program from the NYSUT symposium.

On the print side, Iannuzzi articulated the importance of closing the gap in a meeting with a newspaper editorial board in Watertown. The Utica Observer-Dispatch featured Iannuzzi's remarks on the gap in a Sunday viewpoints column. In addition, the Capital District Business Review and other newspapers, including the Empire Newspapers chain, covered the issue for readers across the state.

"This is an issue the media takes seriously," said Iannuzzi. "The content of the conference is serious. It affects the future of every student in the state."

Donahue agreed. "The interest is an indicator that many people want to engage in important conversations about the issues of closing the achievement gap and ensuring educational equity for all students," she said.

The summit's featured keynote speaker — Donna Brazile, a CNN political commentator and strategist — was the first African-American to manage a major presidential campaign.

The symposium was planned with a stellar roster: James Crawford, director of the Institute for Language and Policy Education; Richard Mills, State Education Department commissioner; Pedro Noguera, professor at the New York University Steinhardt School of Education; Manuel Rivera, deputy secretary for education for Gov. Spitzer; David Shaffer of the Business Council of New York State; and Richard Rothstein, professor at Columbia University Teachers College.

— Denise Clapham