2010 ASCD Annual Conference Preview:
Critical Transformations
ASCD knows tough times bring out the best in committed educators, and our 2010 Annual Conference & Exhibit Show: "Critical Transformations" will help you meet the challenge.

This year's conference -- to be held from March 6 to 8 in San Antonio -- will focus on meeting the universal needs of learners at all levels. General sessions will feature well-known speakers on the changes our profession faces: Geoffrey Canada of Harlem Children's Zone on reaching at-risk youth; Don Tapscott of nGenera Insight on how the digital age is transforming learning; and NPR reporter John Merrow on what the future holds for U.S. public schools.

The conference and exhibition will also offer more than 500 sessions to help school practitioners in both the U.S. and abroad on topics like: differentiated instruction, school leadership, assessments, school reform, technology, educating the whole child, best practices and much more.

To get you geared up for the March event, we are pleased to offer ASCD SmartBrief subscribers and conference attendees a glimpse into how the conference topics relate to the latest news in education.

If you don't receive ASCD SmartBrief on a daily basis and find our show preview useful, we urge you to sign up for our free, timely e-newsletter. ASCD SmartBrief delivers the stories making news in your profession directly to your inbox -- for FREE.

21st Century Learning

Teachers take on roles as facilitators of 21st-century skills
Teachers are taking on new roles in West Virginia classrooms as facilitators of classroom activities meant to build 21st-century skills in their students. One example is a project-based learning method, which relies on group work and outside sources -- an approach that can be challenging for teachers accustomed to being the focal point in the classroom. The state is focused on providing training and resources for teachers as they overhaul their teaching methods to reflect the change. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (1/7)

• Effectively infusing 21st-century skills into rigorous academic programs: This session will actively involve participants in designing meaningful differentiated instruction that engages students as creative and critical thinkers and communicators. The presenter will model the rethinking and redesign of traditional teaching to facilitate the incorporation of decision-making and problem-solving processes, collaborative thinking and creation and execution of independent investigations. Find out more. (Ticketed session)

Lessons combine hands-on learning to build career skills
Educators in a Bismarck, N.D., high school are building 21st-century skills by incorporating them into academic lessons and developing hands-on learning activities. Students in one engineering and 3-D design class built robots, which they programmed to complete certain tasks -- a project that incorporates skills students will need in the workplace. One educator says 21st-century skills such as communication and problem-solving are best taught when the teacher acts as a facilitator. The Bismarck Tribune (N.D.) (1/10)

Service learning incorporates 21st-century skills
Students in an East Stroudsburg, Pa., high school are becoming more involved in their communities and developing "21st-century skills" through project-based learning that has them produce documentaries about a social issue. Students in two English classes selected an issue and then completed research, conducted interviews and filmed a documentary on the topic. "We learned things about English, too," one student said, "but it was in disguise." The Pocono Record (Stroudsburg, Pa.) (tiered subscription model) (1/13)

Educating All Children

Parent-school connection used to close achievement gap
An Illinois school district is working to close the achievement gap that exists among students from different racial and socioeconomic groups by addressing possible problems at home. Quincy Public Schools started a Family Link program that provides a means of communication and support between schools and families. The program is intended to discover and fix problems at home that might be affecting student performance at school, such as poor attendance and bad behavior. The Quincy Herald-Whig (Ill.) (1/27)

• Leveling the playing field by teaching through student strengths: Imagine a school that provides a level playing field for all students. To educate a highly diverse student population, teachers at Eagle Heights School in Minnesota use a rigorous curriculum that focuses on thinking processes while teaching a new language. Teachers use strategies that build special relationships and center on student strengths while developing high intellectual performance. Find out more.

District uses social and emotional learning to close gaps
Educators in Kentucky's Jefferson County are using social and emotional learning to improve achievement among its students and close gaps. Superintendent Sheldon Berman developed the CARE for Kids, which is considered a national model. "This isn't touchy-feely stuff," Berman said. "It's core social skills that give kids the knowledge and experience to work effectively with others. This isn't about being nice. It's serious work to create a sense of community and resolve conflicts." Edutopia magazine (2/2010)

• Poverty and underachievement: How schools and districts lead students to success: Participants will examine recent research on high-performing, high-poverty schools and explore how courageous leadership builds capacity to achieve and sustain unprecedented improvement in student and professional learning. This interactive, multimedia session will explore how schools create safe, supportive and healthy learning environments built on caring relationships, high expectations and a commitment to action. Find out more.

Technology Solutions

Students who use computers are interested in learning
Teachers in a Florida elementary school that has been recognized as a leader in educational technology say that students are more eager to learn when they use computers in the classroom and at home. Some students at the school are developing online presentations, and younger students are working with older students on laptops. "Since children are so immersed in technology, why would we say go back and open a book if we can keep their attention using these devices?" the school's principal says. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Fla.) (1/18)

• Using technology with classroom instruction that works: Work with Howard Pitler, the principal author of ASCD's best-selling book "Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works," in this hands-on session. Bring your laptop and learn about and experience technologies that support the nine categories of instructional strategies that research shows improve student achievement. You will learn techniques you can immediately take into your classroom. Find out more.

Interactive whiteboards used to expand student horizons
Elementary-school teacher Chris Galloway uses an interactive whiteboard and a live computer feed through Skype to allow his students to communicate with their peers in West Africa. As more classrooms have added whiteboards, administrators say it is up to teachers to use them well. "It truly takes learning outside the four walls of this classroom," the technology-integration coach of Galloway's New York state district said of interactive whiteboards. "This is the direction the district is going in." The Times Herald-Record (Middletown, N.Y.) (tiered subscription model) (1/15)

Other News

• More school districts explore benefits of digital textbooks
  Education Week/Digital Education blog (1/19)

From Research to Practice

Researchers develop science lessons for young students
Experts from the National Research Council have recommended that science should be taught to students beginning in preschool, and a recent push to promote science, technology, engineering and math education in schools is adding urgency to their cause. To help educate young children in science, researchers at the Education Development Center have developed a curriculum that helped teachers feel comfortable with the subject and showed promise in improving student achievement when piloted in Massachusetts Head Start programs. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (1/19)

• High-impact learning: Transforming professional development into student results: Straining under the Law of Initiative Fatigue, schools fail to implement effective professional development and clutch at a variety of programs distinguished more by marketing than research. This presentation will assess what works, what doesn't and how teachers and school leaders can improve student achievement and focus on fewer tasks. The findings are based on quantitative studies of more than 300,000 students in 290 ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse schools in a mix of urban, rural and suburban areas. Find out more. (Ticketed session)

Approach teaching like a designer, researchers say
Members of a Stanford University educational research program, k12 Laboratory, want educators to approach teaching the way designers take on a new project -- constantly improving, shifting and changing. By allowing more flexibility in lessons, students will become more passionate about learning and develop critical-thinking skills, teachers have found. "We need to be asking our kids questions that don't have predetermined outcomes," one teacher said. "We need to let them explore and construct and investigate and try and, most important, fail." Edutopia magazine (2/2010)

Other News

• Study: Head Start program brings initial success, but gains fade
  Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (1/14)

Gearing Up for San Antonio

2010 ASCD Conference resources

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