Texas Border Business
Tune In To the Think It Up Telecast Event on September 11 on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC at 7 pm CT
RIO GRANDE VALLEY (September 8, 2015) – IDEA College Prep San Benito, part of the IDEA Public Schools network, has been selected to be featured on Think It Up, an hour-long telecast special that will be simultaneously broadcasted live on all four major networks including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC on September 11 at 7 p.m. CT. Seeking to initiate a new movement in support of the nation’s students, teachers and schools, helping generate excitement about learning across the nation while building a sense of optimism in the classroom, Think It Up is a new education initiative spearheaded by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a leading charitable organization of the entertainment industry, and supported by ExxonMobil among others. IDEA Public Schools is the only school network in Texas that will be featured on the program.
“We’re honored that the work being done in our classrooms, in partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) and our AP for All initiatives, is being recognized at the national level,” said Tom Torkelson, founder and CEO of IDEA Public Schools. “Without the shared commitment of our teachers and students to achieve excellence every single day, none of the remarkable accomplishments that are happening on our campuses would be possible.”
IDEA began a partnership with NMSI in 2014 to bring its proven College Readiness Program to six IDEA campuses including San Benito. The nationally recognized program is improving college and career readiness in high schools across the country by increasing the number of students participating and succeeding in rigorous college-level coursework in math, science and English, while expanding access to traditionally underrepresented students.
“IDEA Public Schools has been a fantastic partner, exemplifying the power of entire school communities working together to meet higher expectations,” said Matthew Randazzo, CEO of NMSI. “Their story reveals how collaboration, innovation and dedication can lead to profound outcomes, within and beyond the classroom.”
The inaugural Think It Up telecast will aim to renew a sense of promise for all of America’s public school students through a first-of-its-kind platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, helping students connect the power of education to their futures. Powerful stories will be featured throughout the program that will highlight teachers and students working together on innovative learning projects. The telecast will also feature live musical performances and appearances by celebrity guests, including Kristin Bell, Stephen Colbert, Scarlett Johansson, Matthew McConaughey, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
