Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Impact on Education present "Education Matters, 2008 Business Leadership Forum"

December 3, 2007, Boulder, Colorado - High-quality public education is vital to creating and sustaining a thriving business community. It contributes to a skilled and talented workforce, robust economy and opportunities for an improved quality of life. Studies show that the lifetime earnings differential between an individual with a high school education and a college graduate averages over $1 million. And, as education levels rise, the costs of social programs such as welfare, unemployment and criminal justice go down.

Unfortunately, "The Colorado Paradox"-having the 3 rd most highly educated population in the country and a low high school graduation rate-is a stark reality. And, while Boulder Valley School District leads the state in the number of schools ranked "excellent" and "good"-as well as in student academic performance as measured by CSAP scores-it also has the second highest achievement gap between White/Asian students and minority students, with a 40 percentage point spread in CSAP passing rates across all grades. Colorado's low funding levels cause our schools to suffer and threaten future vitality. With tomorrow's workforce, economy and community at stake, local businesses must get involved in improving our schools.

To help local companies understand the critical link between public education and business, Impact on Education and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce are holding the third annual "Education Matters, 2008 Business Leadership Forum." Hosted by Vectra Bank, the breakfast event will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2007 at Spice of Life event center in Boulder. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved at www.boulderchamber.com. "Education Matters" brings together business people in the greater-Boulder area to discuss key education issues, and to focus on why these issues are their concern. Amgen, Ball Corporation, Caplan & Earnest, IBM, Roche, Seagate and Vectra Bank are sponsors.

The forum will provide a fast-paced overview of the undeniable link between business and education, some inspiring case presentations of local business/school partnerships and a keynote presentation by former Colorado Governor Roy Romer. Gov. Romer is Chairman of Strong American Schools' ED in '08 Campaign, a nonpartisan movement supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and Business Roundtable, that calls on all presidential candidates to improve America's public schools. Gov. Romer was formerly Superintendent of Schools for the Los Angeles Unified School District and was Governor of Colorado for three terms, from 1986 to 1998. Gov. Romer will discuss the education priorities required in a national education reform agenda, and how they have both shaped and will help address business concerns.

Local executives will be encouraged to help advance local and state-level education policies, fund educational programs, involve their employees in volunteer activities and lend their expertise to schools.

"Based upon our experience with the Education Matters forum we held last year, we are confident that business leaders will leave convinced that supporting public education is a great way to improve tomorrow's economic climate today," says Susan Morris Graf, CEO, Boulder Chamber of Commerce. "We hope they will translate this knowledge into tangible support to help improve public education in Boulder Valley," said Francie Anhut, CEO, Impact on Education.

Founded in 1983, Impact on Education is an independent non-profit focused on increasing student learning and support for public education in Boulder Valley Public Schools. The organization solicits crucially needed resources from businesses, individuals and foundations to create opportunities for "at risk" students, increase student interest and achievement in science and technology and promotes and rewards teacher excellence. In 24 years, Impact on Education has raised over $10 million, to benefit 305,000+ students and 2,500 teachers. To learn more, visit www.impactoneducation.org or call 303-523-3865.

The Boulder Chamber of Commerce is among the strongest Chambers in the state and plays an effective and meaningful role in our community due to the active involvement and leadership of its members. Supporting higher education and K-12 are key focus areas of its membership. To learn more, visit www.boulderchamber.com or call Susan Graf at 303-442-1058.