Agenda

Wednesday - October 8th

6:00 p.m. Welcome by State Board of Education & Dinner - Ballroom
Facilitator: Dr. Tammy Hefflebower, Director of Curriculum & Instruction; Douglas County Schools, Colorado
6:45 p.m. "Keeping the Focus, Expanding our Vision, Finding the Balance" - Ballroom
Keynote Speaker: George Wood, The Forum for Education and Democracy and
Chris Gallagher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Why can Nebraskans do this? Why should Nebraskans do this? The speakers will describe how the work Nebraska educators have done in the last 10 years has equipped them to approach a new state testing system in a way different from other states. George and Chris will describe how Nebraska's advantages should be used in building a new balance state assessment system.

Thursday - October 9th

8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. - Ballroom
Introductions & Welcome:  Tammy Hefflebower, Director of Curriculum & Instruction; Douglas County Schools, Colorado

8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.  Ballroom
"Keeping the Focus, Expanding our Vision, Finding Balance"
Presenters: Brian Halstead & Pat Roschewski, Nebraska Department of Education
 What do Nebraskans need to do? Brian and Pat will describe what the new assessment legislation requires of Nebraska Educators and the steps that need to be taken in meeting that statute. Further, they will outline what Nebraskans can expect in the upcoming months and how the breakout sessions answer the question: How do we do this?

10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Session I

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Lunch - Ballroom

12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. - Ballroom
"Data Uses and Users Panel"
Facilitator: Jan Hoegh, Nebraska Department of Education
District stakeholders have different reasons for using district data. This panel, representing different educational interests, will respond to data use questions. Those who attend will hear from administrators, a teacher, media, and school board member regarding their use of different types of data.

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Ballroom
"Leadership in a Time of Change"
Keynote Speaker: Senator Chuck Hagel

2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Break

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions II

Friday - October 10th

8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet - Ballroom
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Ballroom
"District Self-Assessment-Team Planning"
Moderator: Jan Hoegh, Nebraska Department of Education
This conference show-cases local processes for ensuring high levels of student performance. District teams/individuals will be presented with a self-analysis instrument for evaluating current status regarding these processes, therefore presenting direction for district planning.

9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Ballroom
"Assessment and Testing-Lessons Learned"
Moderator: Dr. Chris Gallagher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Panelists: Dr. John Poggio, Kansas; Dr. Bill Auty, Oregon; Dr. Marilyn Moore, Nebraska; Dr. Tammy Hefflebower, Colorado; Dr. George Wood, Ohio
Questions: State Tests and Assessment: Lessons Learned: Where have you been? Where are you now? Where are you headed?