U.S. Chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise Highlights New Orleans' Education Success

Free Enterprise Principles Play Crucial Role in Strengthening City's Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign joined with Greater New Orleans, Inc. today for a roundtable discussion about the success of New Orleans' education reform efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Influential organizations and education leaders gathered at the University of New Orleans to discuss how free enterprise principles have played a crucial role in creating a vibrant, creative, innovative education system that is achieving remarkable results for students.

"The introduction of free enterprise principles into the New Orleans public schools transformed what was a bureaucratic system into a success story for training the next generation of America's workforce," said Stan Anderson, managing director of the U.S. Chamber's American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign.

"If American companies are to compete and win in a worldwide economy, they will need well-educated and well-trained workers," he said. "New Orleans could very well become the model for struggling school districts to utilize free enterprise, innovation, and accountability to ensure new achievement for students and a wave of new future job opportunities."

The event was part of a series held during the Chamber's "Enterprise and Education Month," an effort aimed at engaging young entrepreneurs on the crucial role of education in job creation. On the panel was Karen Elzey, vice president and executive director of the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, Paul Pastorek, Louisiana's state superintendent of education, Leslie Jacobs, founder of Educate Now!, Dr. Andre Perry, CEO of Capital One-University of New Orleans Charter School Network, Tim Williams, co-founder and CEO of The Idea Village, and Jack Brancewicz, president of Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc.

"When it comes to education, New Orleans has a good story to tell," said Leslie Jacobs. "What was once an underperforming school system is being transformed into a model of success for New Orleans and should serve as an example for others to emulate. Today's students are tomorrow's entrepreneurs and business leaders who will help ensure the economic strength of America."

American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comprehensive, multiyear campaign to support free enterprise through national advertising; grassroots advocacy; citizen, community, and youth engagement; and research and ideas leadership.

The National Chamber Foundation (NCF), a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to identifying and fostering public debate on emerging critical issues. We provide business and government leaders with insight and resources to address tomorrow's challenges.

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