ASCD CEO Dr. Gene R. Carter Receives International Award for Health and Education Alignment

Alexandria, VA (8/29/13)—ASCD, the global leader in providing programs, products, and services to support the success of each learner, is pleased to announce that CEO and Executive Director Dr. Gene R. Carter has received the Best Health Promotion Practice Award at the 21st IUHPE World Conference in Thailand for his service promoting a whole child approach to education and fostering greater alignment between the health and education sectors. Dr. Carter was selected by the Global Scientific Committee of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) as one of the three award winners for best health promotion practice.

Throughout his career—and, in particular, during his leadership of ASCD’s Whole Child Initiative—Dr. Carter has been one of the most influential education leaders to support well-rounded education policies and priorities at every level, from the local to international. Dr. Carter urges educators to promote and view health as fundamental—not only for the individual, but also for the success of education itself.

“We do not just have an isolated duty to want the child to be healthy and educated: We have a moral imperative,” said Dr. Carter in his acceptance speech at IUHPE. “Each of us that work with children must see our role as caretakers, as nurturers, as teachers in supporting the whole child.”

Launched in 2007, ASCD's Whole Child Initiative is an effort to change the conversation about education from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long-term development and success of children. Through the initiative, ASCD helps educators, families, community members, and policymakers move from a vision about educating the whole child to sustainable, collaborative action.
This global recognition compliments Dr. Carter’s previous awards, including the first National Superintendent of the Year from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) (1988); Annual Leadership for Learning Award from the AASA (1990); Distinguished Alumni Award from Teachers College, Columbia University (1991); and being named in the top 100 Executive Educators by Executive Educator (1984, 1990, and 1993).

Contact Information  

• Katie Test, communications specialist, 1-703-575-5608 or by e-mail. 
• Alexandra Fenwick, communications assistant, 1-703-575-5482 or by e-mail.