As the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, Gene Robinson has faced both hostile opposition and support from both religious and secular communities. His election in 2003 triggered a struggle within the worldwide Anglican church over human rights for gay men and lesbians—a struggle that reflects tensions and rifts within the larger society today.

Nationally, the high school on-time graduation rate has peaked at just 70% despite decades of efforts to improve educational outcomes. Rates for African American and Hispanic students are considerably lower. But we now know how to help more students succeed. With the identification of leading dropout indicators and strategies and solutions to improve high school completion, what will it take to get serious about helping potential dropouts become successful learners ready for postsecondary study or work?

The proposed Graduation Promise Act will create incentives to drive systemic change by creating a federal commitment to partner with schools, districts, and states to keep high school students in school, help them achieve at high levels, and graduate from high school prepared for the 21st century. The time to support efforts to boost high school graduation rates is now. Join us as we learn about the key provisions of the Graduation Promise Act, as proposed by Adria Steinberg and Cassius Johnson of Jobs for the Future and Hilary Pennington, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.

From immigration, stem cells, and corruption to paychecks and war, the issues voters cared about in the midterm election reflect deeply held values far beyond those promoted by right-wing conservatives. On November 7, voters sent a strong message for change in domestic and international policies and for government that is ethical and accountable.

What do the midterm elections tell us about the concerns and hopes of the country? Do we remain a deeply divided, polarized nation? What role did faith communities play? Please join our distinguished panel of experts for a provocative, enlightening conversation on 2006 and beyond.

On November 29, ACS and CAP will host a briefing on the two cases to be heard in the Supreme Court on December 4, involving challenges to the authority of public school districts to adopt plans aimed at racially integrated schools—one in Louisville, Kentucky and one in Seattle, Washington. The speakers are experts in the field, including several who represent amici in the litigation and one who will describe new research findings based on data collected under the No Child Left Behind Act showing that African American and Hispanic students learn more in integrated schools. The panelists will present a variety of perspectives on the legal and historical implications of these cases, and their impact on public education, race relations, and the promise of Brown v. Board of Education.

Professor Douglas Harris will also be releasing his latest work on desegregation: Lost Learning, Forgotten Promises A National Analysis of School Racial Segregation, Student Achievement, and “Controlled Choice” Plans, published by the Center for American Progress.