Extractions: Panelists: Eugene Garcia, Judith Heumann, Augusta Kappner, Thomas Payzant Opening Comments by Gwen Solomon. Sharon P. Robinson is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), which gathers, analyzes, and makes available to the public, statistical and other types of information about the condition of American education. This office also disseminates information and research findings about successful education practices, supports a wide range of research and development activities, and supports nationally significant model projects. Thomas Payzant is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, which provides financial assistance to State and local education agencies for maintenance and improvement of both public and private preschool, elementary, and secondary education. This partnership promotes equal educational opportunities and educational excellence for all students. Eugene Garcia is the Director of the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs, which administers programs designed to enable persons with limited knowledge of English to participate effectively in class rooms where English is the language of instruction or to enable them to pursue occupations in environments where English is normally used.
