Governor Bredesen Joins Board of Achieve Inc.

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has accepted an invitation to join the board of directors of Achieve Inc., a bipartisan nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. The board is comprised of six governors, three republican and three democrat, and six leading chief executive officers. Bredesen will fill a seat being vacated by North Carolina Governor Michael F. Easley as his term as governor ends.

 

"The work of Achieve to develop more rigorous academic standards is better preparing our nation's students to succeed in both college and career, and I'm pleased to have the opportunity to become even more involved in this important work," said Bredesen.

 

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 34 states 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.

 

Achieve President Michael Cohen said, "We welcome Governor Bredesen to the Achieve Board. He has the vision, experience and understanding necessary to help guide Achieve's work. We are counting on him to bring the leadership and sense of urgency that has helped make Tennessee a recognized leader in education reform to the national level so that we can ensure that students throughout the U.S. are prepared for success."

 

In July, 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.

 

Created by the nation's governors and business leaders, Achieve is a 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 Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

 

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