The Texas ASCD Annual Conference is made up of three main learning elements: general sessions with keynote presenters, special sessions, and concurrent sessions. Special Sessions are 2-hour in length and go more in-depth on a particular subject. This years special session presenters are Jay McTighe, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Alan November, Steven Feifer, and Criss Cloudt. They will address issues dealing with 21st Century Skills and TEA updates on assessment and accountability. Please join us at the Texas ASCD Annual Conference October 19-21, 2008 to see these great presentations.
Special Session Schedule:
Sunday, October 19: Special Sessions Jay McTighe and Steven Feifer
Monday, October 20: Special Sessions Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Alan November, and Criss Cloudt
Jay McTighe – 10 Components of an Understanding-Based Curriculum
Dr. McTighe will be describing 10 key components in understanding-based curriculum. He will talk about assessment, grading, standards, responsive teaching, learners’ perspectives, and accountability. These components are featured in his new book Schooling by Design. He will be presenting a keynote presentation on his book as well.
Steven Feifer – The Neuropsychology of Reading Disorders: Diagnosis and Intervention
Dr. Feifer will discuss the four distinct subtypes of reading disorders and evidence based interventions. He will also include reference testing and curriculum-based measurements. All who are interested in Response to Intervention (RTI) should enjoy this presentation.
Heidi Hayes Jacobs – Mapping Active Literacy: Seven Essential School Wide Strategies Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening in Every Classroom K-12
Dr. Jacobs will be discussing strategies to be implemented school wide. She will cover subjects and grade levels through vertical planning with curriculum mapping.
Alan November – Back to the Digital Farm
Dr. November will discuss how to engaging students through technology. He will give examples of different projects that students can do with technology to prepare them for real world jobs. He will talk about easy-to-use tools that will get your students excited about learning.
Criss Cloudt – The Impact of New State and Federal Legislation on the State Assessment Program and State Accountability System for Texas Public Schools
Ms. Cloudt will discuss the changes that have been made, the ones that will be made in the near future, and how to implement these changes to education here in Texas. She will also talk about the state assessment and accountability programs.
Please feel free to comment or answer the questions below:
1. What 21st Century skills are you incorporating into your curriculum?
2. What kind of reaction are students and/or teachers having to the new skills?
3. What new legislation is affecting your school/district the most?
Upcoming Texas ASCD Events:
August 12th, 2008
Relationships, Respect and Responsibility: A New Teacher's Pathway to Success
LaDonna Polston
Birdville ISD
Exclusive District Retreat
August 19th, 2008
Success with TAKS : Research Based Strategies and Activities to Improve Student Performance and Teacher Understanding of the TEKS & TAKS
Beatrice Luchin
Mesquite ISD
Exclusive District Retreat
August 21st & 22nd, 2008
Success with TAKS : Research Based Strategies and Activities to Improve Student Performance and Teacher Understanding of the TEKS & TAKS
Beatrice Luchin
East Central ISD (San Antonio area)
Exclusive District Retreat
September 3rd, 2008
Jumping Hurdles and Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
(for Middle School teachers)
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Alvin ISD
September 11th & 12th, 2008
Maximizing Student Success (in collaboration with ASCD International)
Tim Westerberg
Sheldon ISD (Houston area)
September 23rd, 2008
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Luchin
Greenville ISD
September 24th & 25th, 2008
RTI: Teaching for the Next Century and
Don't Teach Harder, Teach Smarter! Differentiation to Meet and Exceed AYP!
William Bender
Beeville ISD
September 30th - October 1st, 2008
Maximizing Student Success (in collaboration with ASCD International)
Tim Westerberg
Northside ISD (San Antonio)
