Perfecting the Formula: Effective Strategies = Educational Success. A Report from the 2009 Governors Education Symposium (Cary, North Carolina, June 14-15, 2009)

The 2009 "Governors Education Symposium" was co-hosted by the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices on June 14-15, 2009, in Cary, North Carolina. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt served as co-chairs. This year's "Symposium" took place in the midst of an economic downturn, resulting in tight budgets across the United States. Recognizing the importance of quality education in the long-term economic success of their states, 21 governors came together at a critical time to discuss bold education reforms with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. In addition, many governors brought state teams composed of education commissioners, state legislators, education policy advisors, and other individuals to ensure that they could make the most of the information presented at the "Symposium." The program focused on how governors can maximize the funds available under the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" (ARRA) to improve education in their states. Along with the energy and insight brought to the table by each of the participating governors, an array of policy experts and researchers contributed to the lively, in-depth discussions of education policy issues currently facing states. As "Symposium" experts contributed to the discussions with governors, they drew from their own research and policymaking experiences, as well as the body of existing research and current practices both nationally and internationally. This report reflects the discussions that occurred and draws upon briefing materials commissioned for the event. (Contains 18 notes.) [For a briefing prepared for the 2009 "Governors Education Symposium," see ED507633.]