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CES e-ssential NEWS (plain text)
| Subject | Important Announcements from CES National |
| From Email Address | news@essentialschools.org |
| Test Email Address | bbradshaw@essentialschools.org |
| Date Sent | 05/25/2004 |
| Message: | ==================================================
CONTENTS OF THIS EMAIL
1. CES National Takes a Stand Against High-Stakes
Standardized Testing
2. Fall Forum 2004 Call for Proposals Now Available
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1. The Coalition of Essential Schools Opposes High-Stakes Standardized Testing
CES National invites you to join our next wave of advocacy! We are focusing the CES network's energy on opposing destructive testing and supporting the widespread adoption of multiple measures and performance-based assessments as more challenging and accurate demonstrations of student achievement.
Visit www.essentialschools.org/pub/ces_docs/about/org/HST_statement.html to read our statement, "CES Takes a Stand: The Coalition of Essential Schools Opposes High-Stakes Standardized Testing." We invite you to explore the related resources, sign a petition endorsing the statement, and use our Action Kit, which provides an array of tools to help you spread the word in your community.
Help us to get the word out to everyone in your school, workplace, and community! CES schools are among the best places to demonstrate the power of alternatives to high-stakes standardized tests. By taking a stand publicly, you will honor and support the performance-based assessment systems that CES schools have worked so hard to create, refine, and use as more equitable and accurate measures of students' accomplishments and mastery.
2. Fall Forum 2004 Call for Proposals
CES National is now accepting proposals for Fall Forum 2004, "Equitable Schools for a New Democracy." Help celebrate the Coalition's 20th anniversary by joining us as a facilitator! This year, we focus on creating a system of schools in which students of all races, classes, and backgrounds achieve their full potential, gain the skills they need, and develop a passion for contributing to an active democracy. We welcome proposals for sessions that explicitly address issues of equity and democracy, as well as those that offer specific examples of the successes and challenges of enacting Coalition principles. Proposals are due on June 28.
Submitting a Proposal
Applicants may submit proposals for either workshops or interest group gatherings, each 1 hour and 45 minutes in length. Proposals must be submitted online at www.essentialschools.org. Keep in mind that CES audiences expect a highly participatory approach that favors a hands-on, experiential format over a strictly lecture format. In addition to a user-friendly application form, the CES Web site provides detailed instructions for submitting a proposal, including application guidelines, sample responses, and the scoring rubric that will be used to evaluate proposals. Applications may be submitted beginning May 24 and are due June 28. Applicants should be available to facilitate their sessions either Friday, November 12, or Saturday, November 13.
Content Strands and Focus Topics
Whether you're a seasoned CES practitioner or a newcomer to the network, we invite your insight and practical knowledge from all areas of your CES-related work. This year, as we observe 20 years of developing innovative ideas and practices, we are particularly interested in sessions that demonstrate an ongoing effort by CES schools and practitioners to continuously improve and take implementation of the Common Principles to a higher level. Proposals should fall within one of the following strands, which have been revised somewhat from last year:
· Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
· School Culture, Practices, and Design
· Leadership
· Community Connections
In addition, this year we seek to develop a conference program that features a number of sessions explicitly focused on issues of equity and democracy. We are also interested in featuring sessions that are led by or prominently feature students, families, and community members. While not an exhaustive list, we offer the following focus topics as suggestions:
· Strategies for accelerating learning for traditionally underserved student populations. What are the specific challenges that African-American, Latino, Native American, and low-income students face in our schools and how can implementation of the Common Principles improve outcomes for these populations?
· Strategies for providing coherent and effective instruction for English-language learners. With English-language learners being one of the fastest growing populations in many areas, how can schools committed to the Common Principles better serve the needs of these students?
· Strategies for improving teaching and learning and redefining leadership through conversion from large to small schools. As it becomes increasingly difficult for large, traditionally-structured schools to deliver an excellent and equitable education, how can we redesign schools and change their cultures to increase the quality of learning and improve relationships between adults and students?
· Strategies for achieving excellent and equitable student outcomes in the era of testing, standards, and accountability. What are schools, districts, and communities with a commitment to the Common Principles doing to close the achievement gap while complying with No Child Left Behind and state accountability systems?
Fee Waiver Eligibility
If your proposal is accepted and your school is affiliated with CES National for the 2004-05 school year, you are eligible to receive one registration fee waiver per session (up to 3 per school). CES friend affiliates will receive a $100 discount off the registration fee. To claim a fee waiver, you must register for Fall Forum and confirm your session by September 24. See the CES Web site for more information on affiliation.
Timeline
· Proposals due June 28
· Review process in July
· Notification in early August
· Accepted facilitators confirm sessions by registering before September 24
· Notification of session date and time by mid-October
· Conference Dates: November 11-13
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| CES e-ssential NEWS (plain text) |
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