National Alliance of Business Honors Intel CEO for Contributions to Public Education
Craig Barrett Urges Business to Make Education as High a Priority as Labor and Technology Policy
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2001--At a banquet tonight, the National Alliance of Business (NAB) will honor Dr. Craig R. Barrett, president and CEO, Intel Corporation, the world's largest integrated circuit manufacturer for computing and communications, with the 2001 Founder's Award. The annual award will recognize the high-tech pioneer for his leadership in bolstering math, science, and technology education and strengthening teacher quality.
First presented in 1993, the Founders Award commemorates Henry Ford II, NAB's founder, and recognizes corporate chief executives who have shown significant leadership and commitment to fostering education and workforce excellence. Previous winners include McGraw-Hill Companies' Chairman, President and CEO Harold McGraw, III (2000); IBM Chairman and CEO, Louis V. Gerstner (1999); UPS Chairman and CEO Kent C. ``Oz'' Nelson (1996); and Former Xerox Chairman & CEO David T. Kearns (1994).
``Intel has developed some of the most innovative and powerful corporate strategies to raise the performance of America's best students while simultaneously opening high-technology fields to an even wider range of individuals. Craig has led Intel's contributions which demonstrate that well-focused, strategic, and results-oriented corporate investments improve teaching, learning, and the ability of all students to compete in an increasingly technical world,'' said Keith E. Bailey, chairman and CEO, Williams and chairman of the National Alliance of Business. ``We congratulate Craig and Intel.''
While Intel's annual contributions to education exceed $120 million, Intel's commitment to education extends far beyond financial support. The NAB awards statement will note that Intel has developed innovative and impactful corporate strategies to raise the performance of America's best students while simultaneously opening high-technology fields to an even wider range of individuals. Under Barrett's leadership, Intel also takes a visible, active role in the effort to strengthen education policy and improve local schools and the nation's workforce. Under the banner of the Intel® Innovation in Education initiative, the company is committed to raising expectations and achievement for thousands of teachers and students nationwide, and to opening the doors to higher learning and careers in science and technology. For more information on Intel's commitment to education, visit www.intel.com/education.
In his speech to national business leaders, policymakers, and educators attending the banquet, Dr. Barrett will challenge business leaders to be as concerned about education policy as they are about technology and labor policy. Business needs to continue to work side by side with educators and policymakers to push for continued improvements in standards, assessment, accountability, and teacher quality.
``The economy of the future depends on the quality of our schools and the ability of our students to compete. We need to provide our public schools with what business brings to the table: our emphasis on setting goals, measuring results, and getting things done,'' said Barrett. ``And that means getting involved in policy decisions because public policies on education are every bit as important to us as policies on employment, technology or trade.''
Closing the ``Graduation Gap''
In addition to his policy-oriented comments, Dr. Barrett - who served on the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century (also known as the Glenn Commission) and who is outspoken on the need to improve the United States' performance in that critical arena -- will also focus on the fact that the technology and knowledge explosion requires students to master more rigorous course content and the nation to address the growing mismatch between job creation and degree attainment, particularly in high-tech fields.
Barrett will discuss the shrinking enrollment in math and computer science courses and the significant decline in the number of U.S. electrical, computer, and systems engineering graduates over the last decade that has led to a ``graduation gap'' between the United States and its foreign competitors. The nation, Barrett will argue, must strengthen science, math and technology education to meet the demands of a technology-based economy and society.
The National Alliance of Business is a national nonprofit business organization which serves as the voice of business to improve America's education system - K-12, postsecondary, and higher education. The alliance works with employers, educators, training providers, coalitions and policymakers to align learning opportunities at all levels of the education and training system with the increasing demands of the knowledge economy. Its 5,000 members include companies of all sizes and industries, their CEOs and senior executives, educators and business-led coalitions.
The National Alliance of Business' annual meeting on Nov. 5 and 6 highlighted the ``New Realities Learning.'' The meeting featured a series of workshops on Elementary Secondary Education Act implementation, math and science education, new realities for delivery systems, and new realities in corporate learning. For more information about the annual meeting, please visit nab1.wperfect.com |
