Who: U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, HISD Board of Education President Anna Eastman, Superintendent Terry Grier, and Lee High School students, parents, teachers, tutors, and administration

What: Secretary Duncan is visiting Lee High School to learn about HISD’s innovative Apollo 20 school turnaround program.  HISD partnered with Harvard EdLabs to launch Apollo 20 at Lee and eight other secondary schools during the 2010-2011 school year.  The program, which now includes 11 elementary schools, employs research-based best practices inspired by America’s top charter schools.  By emphasizing effective teaching and campus leadership, high-dosage tutoring, data-driven instruction, extended learning time, and a no-excuses culture, Apollo 20 schools are providing a roadmap for other urban school districts in need of a reliable turnaround model for persistently struggling schools.  The project is funded in large part by $16.8 million from private donations.  More information about Apollo 20 is available here.
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