Oakland, CA - Statewide education and business leaders will attend a California Education Planning Summit at Mills College on Tuesday, December 6, 2005, from 9:30 am to 3 pm in the Mills Bender Room, Carnegie Hall. Co-hosted by Delaine Eastin, Mills distinguished visiting professor of educational leadership, and Dede Alpert, former State Senator, the Summit is designed to invigorate support for the California Master Plan for Education. Completed in 2002 by leading educational experts with bipartisan support, the Master Plan provides recommendations to overhaul pre-kindergarten through higher education throughout the State.

Among those expected to attend the Summit are: Alan Bersin, Secretary for Education; Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Janet L. Holmgren, president of Mills College; Ted Mitchell, president of New Schools Venture Fund; and Christopher Cabaldon, president of EdVoice.

Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering innovative degree programs for undergraduate women, and graduate degree and certificate programs for women and men. Consistently ranked among the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Mills is also recognized as one of the country’s 20 most diverse colleges. The Princeton Review selected Mills as one of 11 colleges for first-time inclusion in its Best 361 Colleges - 2005. Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California on 135 lush acres, Mills provides a dynamic liberal arts education fostering women’s leadership, social responsibility, and creativity. Mills College is located at 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94613.

PRESS CONTACT:
Deborah Dallinger
Communications Consultant
925.788.9131