ATLANTA – State Representative Alisha Morgan (D-Austell) recently introduced Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan at the Young Elected Officials Network 2011 National Convening.
“I was proud to introduce the Secretary and host this important conversation with my colleagues from around the country,” said Rep. Morgan. “I believe education is the civil rights issue of our time. It’s imperative that we are on the front lines to ensure every child receives a quality education, regardless of zip code. I’m proud to work closely with the Department and the Secretary to achieve this goal and elated to have had the Secretary play a part in our national convening.”
Secretary Duncan was a guest speaker during the national convening’s “Lunch Plenary with the Untied States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.” Following the speech, Rep. Morgan moderated a discussion with Secretary Duncan and the approximately 250 young elected officials in attendance. The discussion focused on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and the roles young elected officials around country can play in the ESEA.
This event marked the second occasion that Rep. Morgan has been asked to participate in a national education discussion with Secretary Duncan. During last year’s State Legislator Conference at the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Rep. Morgan worked with Secretary Duncan to develop policy recommendations to reform NCLB in accordance with President Obama’s education initiatives. These recommendations led to the current version of the ESEA.
As a member of the House Education Committee, Representative Morgan’s work in education has led her to author and introduce several pieces of education reform legislation, including this year’s House Bill 257, which is aimed at keeping effective teachers in Georgia classrooms by changing the way local systems approach educator layoffs. Rep. Morgan’s work has earned her the “Champion For Choice” Award from All Children Matter, the “Putting Kids 1st” Award from the Ohio Coalition for Quality Education, and the “Legislative Leadership Award” from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Rep. Morgan is also a cofounder of the Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network, an organization that supports progressive elected leaders ages 35 and under, as they define issues, develop solutions, and respond to the needs of their communities. By exchanging ideas, developing leadership skills and connecting with policy development organizations, YEO Network members become empowered to transform their political vision into progressive action.
The YEO Network’s annual convening is the largest gathering of young elected leaders in the country. The goal of the event was to provide young elected officials with policy support, leadership and skills building, as well as networking opportunities.
Since 2003, Alisha Thomas Morgan has represented Georgia’s 39th House District, serving Cobb County. She is the first African-American to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives from Cobb County and currently serves on the Children & Youth, Education, Governmental Affairs, and Health & Human Services committees. Rep. Morgan may be reached at 404-656-0109 or by e-mail at Alisha.Morgan@house.ga.gov.
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