PA Education Secretary Pedro Rivera Visits PSU's Upward Bound Program and Talks Equality on Schools that Teach Tour

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., June 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera today brought the Schools That Teach tour to Penn State University, where he met with high school students participating in the college's six-week summer program, Upward Bound. The program helps low-income students gain academic skills, motivation, and confidence to succeed and continue their education beyond high school.

"The students participating in the Upward Bound program represent the future of education in the commonwealth, and they serve as an inspiration to their peers," said Secretary Rivera. "Their drive and dedication to further their academic careers and earn success in the workforce will reap countless benefits to themselves, their families, and the commonwealth as a whole."

Upward Bound is a federally-funded program that helps more than 116 students each year from six targeted high schools in five counties: Clearfield, Dauphin, Huntington, Mifflin, and Perry. Students participating in the program receive help with college and financial aid applications, take SAT prep classes, and can job shadow to explore possible career paths. During their six-week stay at PSU, students experience campus life and participate in a variety of educational and social activities.

Secretary Rivera also met with students on a Schools That Teach visit, where he discussed the governor's commitment to funding education at all levels, from pre-K to postsecondary.

"I've traveled across the state visiting students in schools, from early childhood learning centers to college campuses, and it's one of my favorite parts about serving as Secretary of Education," said Secretary Rivera. "Meeting face-to-face with students, listening to their concerns, their hopes, their achievements – those conversations allow me to represent the needs of all Pennsylvanians, no matter where they live, as I advocate for education here in Harrisburg."

Improving access to quality and innovative programs through enhanced funding is a hallmark of the Schools That Teach initiative, through which administrative officials have visited dozens of schools since 2015. To date, the Schools That Teach tour has made stops at dozens of schools across Pennsylvania. A Google Map of all tour stops is available here.

For more information on Pennsylvania's education policies and programs, or to read PDE Secretary Rivera's budget testimony, visit the Department of Education's website at www.education.pa.gov or follow PDE on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

MEDIA CONTACT: Casey Smith, PDE, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education

Related Links

http://www.education.pa.gov