One-of-a-Kind Event Will Engage Those Who Matter Most in a Child's Education
Newswire Services
September 09, 2009
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The first statewide Family/School/Community Engagement Summit in North Carolina will join parents, educators and policy-makers for a day-long discussion on policies and practices that benefit student learning.
The summit, which is the brainchild of the National Education Association (NEA) and the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), will be held at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro on Saturday, September 12, with activities beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Governor Bev Perdue, NCAE President Sheri Strickland, and State Superintendent June Atkinson headline this special community-based meeting designed to encourage family involvement in a child's education, and to spark extended discussion from the community and policy side of the education equation. After small group discussions and best practices presentations, Debra Horton of the NC Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and Rob Thompson of the NC Covenant for Children will lead discussions about recommendations from the morning's sessions.
A panel discussion which includes Cynthia Marshall, president, NC AT&T; William Harrison, chair, State Board of Education; Eliu Guzman, an assistant principal with the Chatham County Public Schools; and Rep. Rick Glazier; Sen. Fletcher Hartsell; and Dr. Terri Mozingo, chief academic officer, Durham Public Schools, will follow the recommendations presentation. To close the event, the Reverend William Barber II, president of the NC NAACP, will offer the charge for going forward.
"We have three entities -families, schools and the larger community - who are directly related to the success of a child's education coming together to talk about how we can all help children succeed," said NCAE President Sheri Strickland. "Too often the three function separately--but we can all be more effective if we work together. The Association is excited about the opportunities this gathering presents for partnership."
"As a former teacher, I know firsthand that it's better for students when parents, families and the community are involved in the classroom," said Gov. Perdue. "It takes all of us working together to prepare our students to succeed in today's global economy."
With nearly 300 pre-registered participants from around the state, this event also features a morning keynote address from nationally acclaimed education strategist and author Karen McLean Dade. Topics covered in the conference small group sessions include: 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Changing the Way We Do Business in the Village Through Parent Empowerment, and Increasing Graduation Rates Through Community Involvement.
"NCAE is fully aware of the positive impact that a family's focus on education can have for a child," Strickland said. "Combine this interest and commitment with knowledge and understanding of programs, policies and practices designed to help students, and I believe we'll have a higher caliber of positive, constructive parental engagement that will increase student achievement. As a 30-year veteran of the classroom, I have encountered parents who want to be involved in their children's education, but they don't exactly know how. This summit will open eyes and avenues for fruitful, meaningful involvement for parents."
Sponsors for the summit include Communities in Schools, NC PTA, the SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The Public School Forum, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Exceptional Children's Assistance Service Center and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
A complete copy of the summit program which lists the day's activities, all session topics and a full listing of the 23 coalition partners and sponsors, is available here, or by e-mail request to karen.archia@ncae.org.
The summit, which is the brainchild of the National Education Association (NEA) and the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), will be held at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro on Saturday, September 12, with activities beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Governor Bev Perdue, NCAE President Sheri Strickland, and State Superintendent June Atkinson headline this special community-based meeting designed to encourage family involvement in a child's education, and to spark extended discussion from the community and policy side of the education equation. After small group discussions and best practices presentations, Debra Horton of the NC Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and Rob Thompson of the NC Covenant for Children will lead discussions about recommendations from the morning's sessions.
A panel discussion which includes Cynthia Marshall, president, NC AT&T; William Harrison, chair, State Board of Education; Eliu Guzman, an assistant principal with the Chatham County Public Schools; and Rep. Rick Glazier; Sen. Fletcher Hartsell; and Dr. Terri Mozingo, chief academic officer, Durham Public Schools, will follow the recommendations presentation. To close the event, the Reverend William Barber II, president of the NC NAACP, will offer the charge for going forward.
"We have three entities -families, schools and the larger community - who are directly related to the success of a child's education coming together to talk about how we can all help children succeed," said NCAE President Sheri Strickland. "Too often the three function separately--but we can all be more effective if we work together. The Association is excited about the opportunities this gathering presents for partnership."
"As a former teacher, I know firsthand that it's better for students when parents, families and the community are involved in the classroom," said Gov. Perdue. "It takes all of us working together to prepare our students to succeed in today's global economy."
With nearly 300 pre-registered participants from around the state, this event also features a morning keynote address from nationally acclaimed education strategist and author Karen McLean Dade. Topics covered in the conference small group sessions include: 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Changing the Way We Do Business in the Village Through Parent Empowerment, and Increasing Graduation Rates Through Community Involvement.
"NCAE is fully aware of the positive impact that a family's focus on education can have for a child," Strickland said. "Combine this interest and commitment with knowledge and understanding of programs, policies and practices designed to help students, and I believe we'll have a higher caliber of positive, constructive parental engagement that will increase student achievement. As a 30-year veteran of the classroom, I have encountered parents who want to be involved in their children's education, but they don't exactly know how. This summit will open eyes and avenues for fruitful, meaningful involvement for parents."
Sponsors for the summit include Communities in Schools, NC PTA, the SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The Public School Forum, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Exceptional Children's Assistance Service Center and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
A complete copy of the summit program which lists the day's activities, all session topics and a full listing of the 23 coalition partners and sponsors, is available here, or by e-mail request to karen.archia@ncae.org.
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