U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will deliver remarks at the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ (NAESP) National Leaders Conference (NLC) at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Friday, July 20 at 12 p.m. ET. Principal leaders from across the nation have gathered in Washington, D.C. this week for the NLC to meet with lawmakers, urging them to complete ESEA reauthorization, and to champion the “Power of the Principal.”

Secretary Duncan will discuss how principals can foster school environments that support teachers and generally play a role in implementing the vision of the Department’s proposed RESPECT Project. Duncan will also discuss the importance of college- and career-ready standards to ensure that more students will graduate from high school ready to succeed.

The RESPECT Project, which stands for Recognizing Educational Success, Professional Excellence and Collaborative Teaching, is the Obama Administration’s effort to honor and elevate America’s educators. The administration’s proposed 2013 budget seeks $5 billion for a new competitive program to support states and districts working to reform the teaching profession.

A question and answer session will follow the remarks.