'CEOs Teach The ABCs' Bridges Gap Between Classroom and Workplace; High-Tech Executives Devote Day to Teach Students Workplace Skills.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1999--

More than 15 Silicon Valley high-tech executives took a day out of their work week on Thursday to teach K-5th graders at Ryan Elementary School basic skills that directly apply to the workplace.

"CEOs Teach The ABCs," a volunteer program established by the American Electronics Association and Junior Achievement of Santa Clara County, teaches students the fundamentals of developing essential skills such as teamwork, self-esteem, economics and personal finance.

"AEA's goal is to ensure students gain a basic understanding of the skills they must master to succeed in the high-tech field and tomorrow's competitive workforce," said Mark Albertson, vice president of AEA, West Coast region. "AEA and Junior Achievement hope to bridge the gap between the classroom and workplace by encouraging high-tech executives to volunteer time in the classroom."

California State Assemblymember Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara) acknowledged the high-tech community's involvement in the program. "Today's participation by high-tech leaders is critical in helping students get a real-world vision while learning valuable teamwork, goal-setting, and economic skills," said Assemblymember Alquist.

AEA members such as Apple, IBM and Sun Microsystems have joined forces with Junior Achievement to help increase the number of high-tech employees who volunteer time in California's classrooms. "CEOs Teach The ABCs" is just one of a number of programs that encourage working professionals to volunteer time in the classroom.

"This program brings together those who are driving today's high-tech workforce with students who will be following in their footsteps," said Debbie Gale, vice president of education for Junior Achievement. "Learning firsthand from high-tech workers is an invaluable lesson. "

The American Electronic Association is the largest high-tech trade group, representing more than 3,000 U.S. based technology companies, including 1,500 California companies. Membership spans the industry from telecommunications and computer firms to software and semiconductor companies. For more than 55 years, AEA has been the accepted grassroots voice of the U.S. high-tech community.

Junior Achievement is the largest partnership linking the private sector with education. One hundred thousand businesses, foundations and individuals in the United States support the organization's goal of economic literacy, including 100 companies in Santa Clara County.