Education Program Sessions Overview
Presentations and Handouts
NCSL Legislative Summit
New Orleans, Louisiana
July 22 - 26, 2008
TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | SATURDAY
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TUESDAY
Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education
10:00 - 2:00 pm
The NCSL Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education will meet to discuss priority issues and activities for the remainder of 2008.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Julie Davis Bell
Teaching and Learning in the Internet Era
3:30 - 5:30 pm
The number of states offering online courses, and the number of students enrolling in them has skyrocketed. What are the challenges for states as more teaching and learning occurs online? What makes a highly-qualified online teacher? Hear from experts and online teachers about how the Internet is changing teaching and learning and the role of the state in ensuring quality.
NCSL Education Program Contacts: Heather Chikoore or Michelle Exstrom
Presiding:
- Representative Roy Takumi, Hawaii Vice Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- John Watson, Evergreen Consulting Associates, Colorado - [Presentation
 ]
- Mickey Revenaugh, Connections Academy, New York
- Susan Patrick, North American Council for Online Learning, Virginia
- Janae Cardel, Commonwealth Connections Academy, Pennsylvania
- Polly Werner, Florida Virtual School
- John Sorrel, Louisiana Virtual School
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WEDNESDAY
Federal Update and Business Meeting
8:00 - 10:00 am
Get an update on federal education issues including the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and school-based Medicaid services. Following the discussion, the committee will consider the renewal of NCSL's expiring policy, The Federal Role in Elementary and Secondary Education.
NCSL Education Program Contacts: David Shreve or Robert Strange
Presiding:
- Representative Rae Ann Kelsch, North Dakota Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- David Shreve, National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington, D.C.
- Rachel Morgan, National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington, D.C.
- Robert Strange, National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington, D.C.
- [Presentation ]
- [Handout]
General Session: Energy, Economic and Environmental Sustainability
10:15 - 11:45 am
Rising energy prices, rolling brown-outs and U.S. dependency on foreign fuel have brought our vulnerable energy supply to the forefront of state policymakers' agendas. How can the U.S. maintain the delicate balance between energy, economic and environmental sustainability? Hear possible solutions discussed.
Presiding:
- Representative Donna Stone, Delaware NCSL President
Speakers:
- Fred Krupp, Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, D.C.
- Marvin Odum, Shell Oil, Texas
- [Podcast]
Presidential Candidates Views on Education
12:00 - 2:15 pm
Linda Darling-Hammond of the Obama campaign and Lisa Graham Keegan of the McCain campaign discuss the candidates views on an appropriate federal role in K-12 education.
NCSL Education Program Contacts: Jennifer Stedron or David Shreve
Presiding:
- Representative Rae Ann Kelsch, North Dakota Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- Linda Darling-Hammond, Education Policy Advisor to Senator Barak Obama's presidential campaign, California
- Lisa Graham Keegan, Education Policy Advisor to Senator John McCain's presidential campaign, Arizona
- [ Video ]
Legislative Respondents:
- Representative Kory Holdaway, Utah
- Senator Nancy King, Maryland
Promising State and Federal Roles in Recruiting and Retaining Teachers
2:30 - 3:30 pm
As states and the federal government have implemented programs to address teacher quality, we are beginning to learn more about what might work to get and keep high-quality teachers in the classroom. During this session, we will discuss state policies that show promise and how the federal government might best support states in these efforts.
NCSL Education Program Contacts: Michelle Exstrom or David Shreve
Presiding:
- Shirley Iorio, North Carolina General Assembly Staff Vice Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- Kate Walsh, National Council on Teacher Quality, Washington, D.C.- [Website]
- Patty Sullivan, American Federation of Teachers, Washington, D.C. - [Website]
The Impact on the Economic Downtown on Education Budgets and What to Do About It
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Pressure on state and local education budgets is coming from a combination of diminished property values, which affect property tax revenues, and high fuel prices. These pressures have hit some states earlier than others. This session will highlight how earlier-hit-states have coped so far with these pressures and what lessons they have to offer to states facing similar budget issues.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Dan Thatcher
Presiding:
- Frances Ramirez-Maestas, New Mexico Legislature Staff Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- Andrew Reschovsky, University of Wisconsin-Madison - [ Presentation ]
- Senator Nancy King, Maryland - [ Presentation ]
- Representative Dennis A. Ross, Florida
- [Podcast]
Out with the Old, In with the New: Succession and Retirement Planning in State Legislatures
4:15 - 5:15 pm
Co-sponsored with the Legislative Education Staff Network and other NCSL Staff Sections
Just as the baby boomers have redefined every other age range they have moved through, they are reinventing what succession planning and retirement means. In response, the Oregon Legislature developed a program to retain boomers in a manner that allows for an adequate timeline to recruit and train new employees without threatening retirement -eligible staff with premature retirement. Attend this session to learn about their Retirement Management Plan and to discuss how baby boomer retirement will impact legislative staff offices across the country.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Sara Vitaska
Speaker:
- Lore Christopher, Human Resources Director, Oregon Legislature
Higher Education's Role in Meeting Emerging STEM Workforce Needs
7:15 - 8:00 am
Twenty-five states have universities that offer a Professional Science Masters (PSM) degree, which prepares math and science graduates for emerging jobs in industry, government or non-profits. Learn about the unique elements of the PSM degree and how universities are partnering with business to ensure graduates are prepared for the 21st century workforce.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Heather Chikoore
Presiding:
- Senator Richard Devlin, Oregon
Speakers:
- Eleanor Babco, Council of Graduate Schools, Washington, D.C. - [Presentation ]
- Donald Peters, BD-Biosciences, California - [Presentation ]
Developing Longitudinal Data Systems
8:00 - 9:45 am
Robust and high-quality educational data are increasingly being used at the state level to enhance policymaking. Learn from experts on how to successfully develop, implement and utilize longitudinal data systems to make better informed decisions and maximize the return on investment.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Vincent Badolato
Presiding:
- Senator John Goedde, Idaho Vice Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- Elizabeth Laird, Data Quality Campaign, Texas - [ Presentation ]
- Peter Winograd, Office of Education Accountability, New Mexico - [ Presentation ]
- Representative Rick Miera, New Mexico
ISSUE FORUM:
Investing in Our Future: The Status of America's Youth
10:00 - 11:30 am
Co-Sponsored with the NCSL Standing Committees on Health; Human Services and Welfare; Law and Criminal Justice and Transportation
Children born today may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents: a wake-up call for the country, as no American generation has faced such a future. From health to education to juvenile justice and overall preparedness for the workforce and adulthood, what is the status of our youth? Find out where we are as a country and learn about promising practices to improve the outlook for the next generation.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Jennifer Stedron
Presiding:
- Representative Sheryl Allen, Utah
Speakers:
- Senator Staci Appel, Iowa
- Karen Pittman, Forum for Youth Investment, Washington, D.C.
- Representative Toni Walker, Connecticut
- [Podcast]
ISSUE FORUMS:
Building a Workforce for the Future: The State Role
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Co-Sponsored with the NCSL Standing Committees on Human Services and Welfare; Labor and Workforce Development; Budget and Revenue
Developing a vital workforce requires big picture thinking and coordinating stakeholders in education, economic development, fiscal, workforce, commerce and human resources. Experts will identify the legislative actions required to build a workforce to compete in the global economy.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Vincent Badolato
Facilitator:
- Representative Steven Conway, Washington
Speakers:
Two Decades of School Choice: What Have We Learned?
1:00 - 2:30 pm
States and school districts have been experimenting with school choice for nearly 25 years. As a result, an interesting new dialogue is emerging on how well the choice experiment has worked. Hear diverse perspectives on which choice strategies have been successful in improving student achievement and improving the public school system.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Lamar Bailey
Presiding:
- Representative Roy Takumi, Hawaii Vice Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
Speakers:
- Frederick M. Hess, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C. - [Presentation ]
- Paul Vallas, Recovery School District of New Orleans, Louisiana
- [Podcast]
The Sandbox Investment: The Impact of Pre-K
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Recent state investments in preschool total $2 billion--will this trend continue and expand nationally? Author David Kirp delves into the pre-K movement and how states can capitalize on what works best, based on compelling research.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Jennifer Stedron
Presiding:
- Greg Toppo, USA Today, Virginia
Speaker:
- David Kirp, Goldman School of Public Policy, California
- [Podcast]
General Session: A Conversation About Sovling America's Challenges
2:45 - 4:00 pm
Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the U.S. House, and Lee Hamilton, director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and former congressman, will discuss what is needed to move America beyond gridlock to solving our biggest issues, including health care, education and the environment, with innovation and originality.
Presiding:
- Senator Don Balfour, Georgia
Science and Technology in Public Policy
4:15 - 5:45 pm
Most current public policy issues require at least a basic understanding of science and technology. Often however, legislators do not get science-based resources that are useful for decision making. A new NCSL project is strengthening links between state lawmakers and the research community. This session will provide an opportunity for legislators and the research community to discuss information needs, identify interest and plan future NCSL work.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Heather Chikoore
Presiding:
- Senator John Unger, West Virginia
Speakers:
- Nancy Huddleston, National Academies of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
- James Brown, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. - [Presentation ]
- Matt Sundeen, National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado
FRIDAY
ISSUE FORUM:
Lessons from the Trenches: Turning Around Poor Performing Schools
8:00 - 9:30 am
What does it take to turn around a failing school? Is it money, leadership or resources? While promising examples of succesful school turnarounds exist, states are struggling to quickly scale-up their intervention systems so that all schools are providing high-quality education. This session will feature leaders who have been in the trenches of school improvement, focusing on key reforms, progress and challenges, and next steps in affecting large-scale school turnarounds.
NCSL Education Program Contacts: Sunny Deyé or Sara Vitaska
Speakers:
- Senator Peter Groff, Colorado
- Paul Vallas, Recovery School District of New Orleans, Louisiana
- Mel Riddile, T.C. Williams High School, Virginia
- [Podcast]
Session Materials:
Colorado SB 130 Innovations School Act
The Vallas Effect
Strong Leaders Strong School: 2007 State Laws
The Turnaround Challenge
News Article
General Session:
Changing the Face of America
9:45 - 11:45 am
James Johnson, a noted demographer, will demonstrate how our changing racial and ethnic population will transform the nation and create a new demand for a diverse workforce in our social, economic and political institutions.
Presiding:
- Representative Donna Stone, DelawareNCSL President
- Speaker Joe Hackney, North Carolina House of Representatives
- Representative David Clark, NCSL Standing Committees Chair, Utah
Speaker:
- Dr. James Johnson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Legislative Education Staff Network Business Meeting, Networking and Awards Luncheon
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Join legislative staff from around the country for lunch, a brief business meeting, recognition of this year's LESN award recipient, and an informal discussion centered around hot education topics. All legislative staff who work on education issues are welcome to attend.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Sara Vitaska
Presiding:
- Frances Ramirez-Maestas, Co-Chair, Legislative Education Staff Network, New Mexico
Staff Chair, NCSL Standing Committee on Education
ISSUE FORUMS:
What's Driving College Costs?
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Co-sponsored with the NCSL Budget and Revenue Committee
Students, parents and legislators are well aware that the cost of going to college is rapidly increasing--a larger increase than most all other goods and services. But legislators have little information to understand why costs are increasing so much so fast. In this session, we'll examine what really is driving the cost increases and examine the questions legislators need to ask to better understand these trends in their own states.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Julie Davis Bell
Presiding:
- Delagate John Doyle, West Virginia
Speakers:
- Richard Vedder, The Center for College Affordability and Productivity, Washington, D.C. [ Website ]
- Jane Wellman, Delta Cost Project, Washington, D.C. [ Presentation ]
[ Website ]
- Sally Clausen, Louisiana Board of Regents, Baton Rouge - [ Website ]
- [Podcast]
America's Autism Challenge
2:00 - 3:30 pm
Co-sponsored with the NCSL Health; Human Services and Welfare Committees
Autism continues to capture headlines as an estimated 1 in every 150 American children receive the diagnosis. This dramatic increase means state legislatures are faced with the challenge of serving the needs of a fast-growing population, including early identification and intervention, treatment, and the long-term impact on health and special education programs.
NCSL Education Program Contact: Jennifer Stedron
Presiding:
- Representative Jean Doerge, Louisiana
Speakers:
- Kim Musheno, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Maryland
- Craig Newschaffer, Drexel University School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
- Dennis O'Brien, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Representative Shelia Klinker, Indiana
NCSL Taskforce on Federal Education Policy
9:00 - 4:00 pm
Task Force members continue their discussion on the appropriate federal role in K-12 education. Non task force members are welcome to attend this session.
NCSL Education Program Contacts: David Shreve or Robert Strange
Committee Officers:
| Chair: |
Representative Rae Ann Kelsch, North Dakota |
| Vice Chairs: |
Senator John Goedde, Idaho
Senator Sue Windels, Colorado
Representative Roy Takumi, Hawaii
Representative Robert Walker, South Carolina |
| Immediate Past Chair: |
Senator Jim Argue, Arkansas |
| Staff Chair: |
Frances Ramirez-Maestas, New Mexico |
| Staff Vice Chairs: |
Shirley Iorio, North Carolina
Emilio Seijo Rivera, Puerto Rico
Jenny Wilhelm, Florida
Jan Yamane, Hawaii |
| NCSL Staff: |
Michelle Exstrom, Denver
Jennifer Stedron, Denver
David Shreve, Washington, DC
Robert Strange, Washington, DC |
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