Bredesen Names Achieve Board Co-Chair

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has been named co-chair of Achieve Inc., a bipartisan nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. The board is comprised of six governors – three Democrats and three Republicans – and six leading chief executive officers. Bredesen accepted an invitation to join Achieve’s Board of Directors in January. Bredesen will co-chair the board with former Intel Corporation chairman Craig Barrett.

 

“I’m pleased to assume this leadership position and to help Achieve continue its work to help states adopt a system of common standards and assessments,” said Bredesen. “We stand today at a defining moment in the American education system and our economy, and I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to become more involved in this critically important area.

 

“Achieve’s efforts are taking root in Tennessee and other states through the American Diploma Project Network and other innovations, “Bredesen continued. “I look forward to helping Achieve advance those efforts in other states to improve student achievement.”

 

Since becoming governor in 2003, Bredesen has continuously emphasized education as the state’s number one priority. In 2005, Achieve launched the American Diploma Project Network, a coalition that has grown to include 35 states, educating nearly 85 percent of all U.S. public school students, committed to aligning high school expectations with the demands of college and the workplace. Under Bredesen’s leadership, the work of the Tennessee Diploma Project led to the passage of elevated graduation requirements and improved standards by the State Board of Education in January 2008. In July 2008, Bredesen participated in the release of a national report by Achieve heralding the success of Tennessee and 15 other states in raising academic standards to improve economic competitiveness.

 

“We’re very pleased to welcome Governor Bredesen as co-chair of our board,” said Mike Cohen, Achieve’s president. “As a governor committed to advancing education reform in his state, he has made impressive progress in improving education in Tennessee. We look forward to working even more closely with Governor Bredesen as he assumes his new leadership role guiding the work of Achieve at this critical time.”

 

Created in 1996 by the nation's governors and business leaders, Achieve is an independent, bipartisan, non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve assessments and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for postsecondary education, careers and citizenship.

 

Other governors who are members of the Achieve board include Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, and Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri.

 

For more information, please visit www.achieve.org.

 

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