Senator Montgomery & The College Board To Co-host Higher Education Forum During 36th Annual Legislative Conference Of The New York State Association Of Black And Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc.

Albany, New York (January 30, 2007): In an effort to identify barriers to college success for African American and Latino New Yorkers and ways to improve their educational outcomes, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and The College Board will co-host an informational dialogue on this issue during the 36th Annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc.

The seminar, entitled Closing the Achievement Gap: Connecting All Students to College Success, will take place on Saturday, February 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 on the Concourse Level of the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York.

"Closing the academic achievement gap for all students must be the highest priority. Too many students are not academically and financially prepared for college success. We must change that fact," said Brian Petraitis, The College Board Director, in encouraging participation in the forum.

A number of education experts will join Senator Montgomery and The College Board to discuss financial aid, admissions, academics, counseling, and other related topics, including Natalie Davy, Assistant Principal, Gifted & The Arts, Yonkers Public Schools; Beryl Jeffers, Associate Director for College Services, Metropolitan Recruitment Center; and Dr. Joel Vargas, Senior Project Manager, Jobs for the Future.

"Providing access to higher education is one way we can constructively connect students of color to opportunities for future success," said Senator Montgomery. "I am committed to removing any obstacle that impedes any student’s ability to go to college and graduate."

To find out more about the February 17th seminar, please contact The College Board at 518-472-1515 or e-mail: jdandles@collegeboard.org.