Dr. Rudy Crew Appointed to Communities in Schools Board of Directors

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Feb 16, 2010, 04:12 ET

Acclaimed Educator Joins Nation's Leading Dropout Prevention Organization

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Communities In Schools, the leading organization dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life, announced today that Dr. Rudy Crew, nationally recognized education leader and innovator, was appointed to the CIS National Board of Directors at the Board's recent meeting.

Dr. Crew is currently the President of Global Partnership Schools. Previously, Dr. Crew served as superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he oversaw the development and implementation of a strategic plan that produced dramatic improvement in student achievement and other measures. He also served as Chancellor of the New York City Public Schools, where he oversaw sweeping education reforms. Dr. Crew has held senior leadership positions at the Stupski Foundation and the Institute for K-12 Education, and serves on the faculty of the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Crew is a noted author and lifelong lover of the arts.

"Rudy has always been at the forefront of education reform -- as an educator, an administrator, and as a community leader," said Daniel J. Cardinali, president, Communities in Schools. "At this moment of renewed commitment to education as a national priority, Rudy's passion and experience will help Communities in Schools continue to build on our proven success in helping students achieve both in school and in life."

"I'm honored to join the Board of Community in Schools, an organization I've admired and supported for years," said Dr. Crew. "Throughout my career, I've been committed to providing the means so that all young people can achieve high standards, a commitment that I share with the Board, staff and volunteers of Communities in Schools."

About Communities In Schools

Communities in Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school based coordinator, Communities in Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs.

Working in more than 3,200 schools, in the most challenged communities, in 26 states, and the District of Columbia, Communities in Schools serves nearly 1.4 million young people and their families every year. Communities in Schools has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.

Visit our website at www.communitiesinschools.org.

SOURCE Communities In Schools