Senator Reid Receives Whole Child Leadership Award 

ASCD Honors Lawmaker for His Efforts to Improve U.S. High Schools

Alexandria, VA (11/25/08)—The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) has presented U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) with the Whole Child Leadership Award to recognize his introduction of the Getting Retention and Diplomas Up Among Today's Enrolled Students (GRADUATES) Act.

The Whole Child Leadership Award honors elected officials who have distinguished themselves by working closely with the Association and its membership to ensure that each student is healthy, safe, engaged in learning, supported by caring adults, and challenged academically.

"Senator Reid is an advocate for strengthening our education system," said ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter. "He's committed to improving our nation's high schools, supporting early childhood education, and providing educators with critical professional development and resources, all of which help ensure the future success of our young people."

Senator Reid said, "I am deeply touched to receive this award from ASCD. We need to end our nation's dropout epidemic and provide students with the education and support services they need to become successful and contributing members of our society."

As part of its Whole Child Initiative, ASCD has made innovative high school redesign a top legislative priority. To ensure that high school graduates become productive citizens prepared for economic success in a competitive global market, ASCD has called on Congress to support the efforts of states and local education agencies to increase student engagement and lower dropout rates using research-based approaches. The GRADUATES Act reflects much of what ASCD has proposed, including smaller, more personalized learning communities; mentoring programs; flexible scheduling; and learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

"We congratulate Senator Reid on receiving the Whole Child Leader Award," said Julie Abeyta, president of ASCD's Southern Nevada Connected Community. "We are proud to have Senator Reid represent the students of our state and urge him to continue supporting high school redesign efforts and other innovative measures to prepare our students for life in a global economy."

The Senate majority leader's support for education extends beyond his introduction of the GRADUATES Act. He also introduced the bipartisan America COMPETES Act, which focuses on improving math and science education and was signed into law last year. And he recently co-sponsored the Serve America Act, legislation introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy, which reauthorizes and expands national service programs, including service to improve student engagement, achievement, and graduation rates.

Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) also received an ASCD Whole Child Leadership Award this year for his sponsorship of the GRADUATES Act and his introduction of the WE CARE Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Contact Information 

• Barbara Michelman, ASCD communications director, at 1-703-575-5764 or by e-mail
• Regan Lachapelle, press secretary, Senator Reid’s Washington, D.C., Office, at 202-224-2939 or by e-mail