Charles Rose, General Counsel for the United States Department of Education (ED) visited Aviation High School (AHS) on October 14 representing Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“Arne says it only takes five to ten minutes to get a sense of a school. I can tell already – this is a top-level school,” said Rose. “This is the kind of school that we should be shining the light on at the federal level. I’m not aware of any other in the country doing what you’re doing here. I’m struck by the innovation.”

Eighteen AHS students participated in a “listening session” with Rose and his teams from ED. Federal education officials are conducting listening sessions around the nation to learn about successful schools and programs.

In the listening session, Rose asked how AHS had successfully attracted low-income and ethnically diverse students. One aviation professional who mentors an AHS student responded, “By engaging mentors from business and industry, it doesn’t matter the size of the parents’ bank accounts, all kids have opportunities here – and mentors connect the learning to real jobs.”

Rose praised Highline Public Schools and Aviation High School for partnering with business, industry, and philanthropy. He said he supports legislation and policies that empower local leadership to take risks and inspire community members to get involved with schools for the benefit of all students.

Rose expressed concern that our nation is falling behind the rest of the world in education, and warned of the devastating impact on the nation’s economy. With only 67% of students graduating from high school and 40% of adults completing college, he said the U.S. is losing its ability to be a global leader.

Rose cited federal education goals that mirror Highline’s vision of graduating every student prepared for college, career, and citizenship. President Obama has established a goal for 60% of American adults to have either a two- or four-year degree by 2020. Rose said that will require fundamental changes in how public education is structured.

“We’re looking for transformative models in public schools,” said Rose. “The kind of things happening here are precisely what should be happening around the country.”

Photo captions: (Top) Aviation High School Principal Reba Gilman and Department of Education General Counsel Charles Rose. (Bottom) Charles Rose learning about the robot design and construction process from members of Aviation High School's Robotics Team.