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Noted Education Journalists Rehema Ellis and John Merrow to Participate in Fourth Annual Digital Learning Day on March 13

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the Alliance for Excellent Education announced that NBC News Chief Education Correspondent Rehema Ellis and PBS NewsHour Education Correspondent and filmmaker John Merrow will play key roles in the fourth annual Digital Learning Day national celebration in Washington, DC, on Friday, March 13, during Teaching & Learning 2015. Created by the Alliance for Excellent Education, Digital Learning Day is a nationwide celebration that highlights great teaching and demonstrates how technology can improve student outcomes.

“Rehema Ellis and John Merrow are highly respected leaders in education journalism,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. “Together, they bring insight and expertise to Digital Learning Day from decades of reporting and countless school visits and interviews with educators and students.”

Ellis will serve as the moderator for Digital Learning Day Live!, a 75-minute live broadcast to an in-person audience of more than 3,000 teachers and administrators from around the country, as well as thousands more who will be watching online via live.DigitalLearningDay.org, as well as on NBCLearn.com and NBC News’ ParentToolkit.com. Digital Learning Day Live! will feature national leaders in education technology, as well as school leaders, teachers, and students from four innovative school districts: Baltimore County Public Schools, Houston Independent School District, Huntsville School District (AR), and Vista Unified School District (CA).

“From small, rural districts like Huntsville to very large urban ones like Houston, these districts offer excellent examples of how digital learning is engaging students and empowering teachers across the nation,” said Wise. “The Alliance is tremendously honored that Rehema Ellis will help tell their stories and uncover the elements that have led to their success.”

Directly following Digital Learning Day Live!, the Alliance for Excellent Education will screen the world premiere of John Merrow’s new PBS documentary film, “School Sleuth: The Case of the Wired Classroom.” The film’s message is a strong one: computers cannot replace teachers; the combination of strong teaching and modern technology can transform schools into vibrant places where students have more control over their own learning and move at their own pace.

“John Merrow’s new PBS documentary film fits perfectly with the message of Digital Learning Day,” said Wise. “It highlights a blended approach that pairs classroom teachers with digital content and tools in an effort to personalize learning and improve student outcomes. It also encourages school and district leaders to develop a plan for how they will use technology before they make a technology purchase.”

On Friday, March 13, thousands of teachers will meet in Washington, DC, for the national Digital Learning Day celebration, while tens of thousands of teachers, librarians, administrators, and students in all fifty states and the District of Columbia will celebrate and showcase the best uses of technology through hundreds of local events in their schools and classrooms. For an interactive map highlighting local events nationwide, visit http://www.digitallearningday.org/Page/66.

For more information about Digital Learning Day, visit www.DigitalLearningDay.org. The website includes toolkits and sample digital lessons for teachers, video profiles of digital learning in action, and other activities and ideas on how to participate.

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The Alliance for Excellent Education is a Washington, DC–based national policy and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring all students, particularly those traditionally underserved, graduate from high school ready for success in college, work, and citizenship. www.all4ed.org