TRV Sponsors "Challenging Expectations"
Twin Cities Public Television Documentary Examines Barriers to
Education
SAINT PAUL, Minn., September 10, 2009 — In the Twin Cities fewer than 50 percent of students of color graduate high school in four years and fewer than 30 percent go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.* These statistics are particularly alarming given that according to the Department of Labor, 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs in the economy require some level of post-secondary education. “Challenging Expectations,” a new documentary produced by Twin Cities Public Television ( tpt ) and presented by the Travelers Foundation, addresses the current state of secondary education achievement in Minnesota.
“This documentary came to light through a community-based listening and learning process that revealed how expectations of our educational system in Minnesota are challenging and many believe need to be challenged,” said Daniel Bergin, producer, tpt.
“Challenging Expectations” takes an in depth look at the vast array of barriers to college education that Minnesota students face, such as poor teaching, lack of parent involvement, pervasive poverty and low expectations. Points of view and profiles of Twin Cities high school students are combined with input from educators, administrators and some of the state’s leading thinkers on education. In addition, tpt’s complementary half hour documentary, “Challenging Expectations: Youth Voices,” gives students the opportunity to tell their own stories of hope, set backs, confusion, dreams and barriers.
“Travelers is committed to increasing academic and career success for students in our community,” said Marlene Ibsen, CEO & President, Travelers Foundation. “We’re proud to sponsor a documentary that addresses the daunting challenges many of our students face. It is our hope that all who view this film are inspired to take action. We believe all stakeholders should come together to create the educational system our students deserve.”
A significant portion of Travelers’ community giving is focused on education. In 2009 the foundation has provided $1.5 million in grants to the St. Paul Public Schools’ reform agenda. The Travelers support is targeted at programs that increase college readiness and access for underrepresented students as well as principal leadership training. Additionally, through Travelers EDGE, which stands for Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment, the company has partnered with Twin Cities colleges and community organizations to help remove the barriers to college that underrepresented students face.
“Challenging Expectations” will air on tpt2 at 4 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Sept. 20, and on tptMN on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. “Challenging Expectations: Youth Voices” will air on tptMN on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. Both programs will also be accessible through YouTube at www.youtube.com/tpteducation.
“The documentary was created as a tool for the community,” said Bergin. “We encourage educators, parents, students and community groups to share the program and begin a dialogue that will lead to change within our educational system and access to higher education for all students.”
About Travelers
Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A Fortune 100 company, Travelers has 33,000 employees and 2008 revenues of approximately $24 billion. Travelers stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRV) and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company provides support for charitable organizations in the community through the Travelers Foundation and with corporate funding and in-kind services. The company’s community giving is focused on education, community development and the arts. Travelers employees are consistently active in community initiatives and perform thousands of hours in volunteer time each year. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.
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*Wilder Foundation
Media Contact:
Erin Haberman
Travelers
860.277.3617
SAINT PAUL, Minn., September 10, 2009 — In the Twin Cities fewer than 50 percent of students of color graduate high school in four years and fewer than 30 percent go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.* These statistics are particularly alarming given that according to the Department of Labor, 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs in the economy require some level of post-secondary education. “Challenging Expectations,” a new documentary produced by Twin Cities Public Television ( tpt ) and presented by the Travelers Foundation, addresses the current state of secondary education achievement in Minnesota.
“This documentary came to light through a community-based listening and learning process that revealed how expectations of our educational system in Minnesota are challenging and many believe need to be challenged,” said Daniel Bergin, producer, tpt.
“Challenging Expectations” takes an in depth look at the vast array of barriers to college education that Minnesota students face, such as poor teaching, lack of parent involvement, pervasive poverty and low expectations. Points of view and profiles of Twin Cities high school students are combined with input from educators, administrators and some of the state’s leading thinkers on education. In addition, tpt’s complementary half hour documentary, “Challenging Expectations: Youth Voices,” gives students the opportunity to tell their own stories of hope, set backs, confusion, dreams and barriers.
“Travelers is committed to increasing academic and career success for students in our community,” said Marlene Ibsen, CEO & President, Travelers Foundation. “We’re proud to sponsor a documentary that addresses the daunting challenges many of our students face. It is our hope that all who view this film are inspired to take action. We believe all stakeholders should come together to create the educational system our students deserve.”
A significant portion of Travelers’ community giving is focused on education. In 2009 the foundation has provided $1.5 million in grants to the St. Paul Public Schools’ reform agenda. The Travelers support is targeted at programs that increase college readiness and access for underrepresented students as well as principal leadership training. Additionally, through Travelers EDGE, which stands for Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment, the company has partnered with Twin Cities colleges and community organizations to help remove the barriers to college that underrepresented students face.
“Challenging Expectations” will air on tpt2 at 4 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Sept. 20, and on tptMN on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. “Challenging Expectations: Youth Voices” will air on tptMN on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m. Both programs will also be accessible through YouTube at www.youtube.com/tpteducation.
“The documentary was created as a tool for the community,” said Bergin. “We encourage educators, parents, students and community groups to share the program and begin a dialogue that will lead to change within our educational system and access to higher education for all students.”
About Travelers
Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A Fortune 100 company, Travelers has 33,000 employees and 2008 revenues of approximately $24 billion. Travelers stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRV) and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company provides support for charitable organizations in the community through the Travelers Foundation and with corporate funding and in-kind services. The company’s community giving is focused on education, community development and the arts. Travelers employees are consistently active in community initiatives and perform thousands of hours in volunteer time each year. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.
###
*Wilder Foundation
Media Contact:
Erin Haberman
Travelers
860.277.3617