Delays. Room changes. Scheduling conflicts.
Formidable opponents all, yet no hindrance was able to deny the Public Service Academy its moment in the spotlight. On Thursday, March 22, 2007, in the presence of several dozen Academy supporters, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Arlen Specter, Rep. James Moran, and Rep. Christopher Shays officially introduced the Public Service Academy Act. The assembled crowd also heard from Irasema Salcido, principal of Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy, AnnMaura Connolly of City Year, and Academy co-founders Chris Myers Asch and Shawn Raymond.
In her opening remarks, Sen. Clinton reiterated the need for a public service academy, reminding the audience that “when Americans can serve, Americans do serve.” She also urged her colleagues in the House and Senate to put the bill on a “fast track” to authorization.
The U.S. Public Service Academy Act is now officially known by the bill number S.960 in the Senate and H.R. 1671 in the House.
If you weren’t able to attend the press conference, check out the video footage below, courtesy of Sen. Clinton’s website.
Still wish you could have been there? Check out the Washington Post’s coverage of the event, or view the write-up on Sen. Clinton’s website.
You can also read the full text of the legislation by following the links available here.
Thanks to all of you who’ve supported the Academy on this first leg of the journey. There’s a lot more to come…
Dr. Carleton Palmer responded on 30 Mar 2007 at 6:39 pm #
Bravo and Congratulations!
Since there is now an interactive space for communication, perhaps curriculum planning information could be shared and discussed.
There is now a discussion thread concerning art and the Academy at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isaltany/
However, more information on the planning to date is required before there can be much intelligent conversation. In both general education and art education there are many existing models, and many people willing to contribute to the discussion if given some direction.
Best wishes to the principals and supporters of the Academy on the creation of a flagship educational institution.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carleton Palmer
Todd Stanfield responded on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:25 am #
This is a great idea. I too am interested in how each program will be accredited and how curriculum will be developed. I look forward to learning more about this promising proposal.
Todd Stanfield responded on 02 Apr 2007 at 1:54 am #
Why was Social Work not proposed as one of the undergraduate degree programs: http://toddstanfield.com/us-public-service-academy-i-like-this-idea.htm
Chris Myers Asch responded on 02 Apr 2007 at 11:52 am #
Dr. Stanfield (and others who may be concerned),
Fear not — social work is indeed one of the areas where we envision Academy graduates being able to work. The need for top-quality social workers in our public institutions is great and growing, particularly in rural areas and inner cities. We have only begun to work on the details of the curriculum, and raising these kinds of issues is timely and helpful.
Thanks for your comments,
Chris
Dr. Patricia Cedeno-Zamor responded on 02 Apr 2007 at 5:36 pm #
Congratulation to all who envision the U.S. Public Service Academy. So, I want to join my colleagues who raised the following questions “why not include Social Work?” A response was that graduates from U.S. Public Service Academy can work as social workers ~ this is not actually accurate because in the majority of states, social workers need to graduate from an accredited school of Social Work to be considered to become licensed. It is early in the process for the planners to consider these questions. Social Work, in my opinion is uniquely suited to be one of the core programs offered within the academy. I stand ready to support the development of this concept and to discuss this issue in further detail ~ because this is in the best interest of everyone.
Patricia Cedeno,MSW.,PhD.
Candidate,MS, Health Administration
BSW Director and Associate Professor of Social Work
Wheelock College
School of Social Work
200 The Riverway
Boston, MA 02215
Chris Myers Asch responded on 03 Apr 2007 at 8:32 pm #
We would love to talk with you, Dr. Cedeno. Please contact me directly: asch@uspublicserviceacademy.org.
Thanks for keeping up with our work!
Chris Myers Asch
Megan responded on 09 May 2007 at 11:22 pm #
I think its great that is Academy is finally working its way through Congress. I only hope that the Academy can be up and running within the next ten years.