Monday, August 14

8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Delta Lobby B, Level 2

Registration

NCSL Blue Ribbon Commission Meeting

The NCSL Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education examines the changing nature of state support for higher education.  At this working meeting, members will discuss and revise the commission's final recommendations.

Co-Presiding:  Representative Rob Kreibich, Wisconsin
Representative Denise Merrill, Connecticut
Co-chairs, NCSL Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education

Speakers:  Jamie Merisotis, Institute for Higher Education Policy, Washington, D.C.
Vickie Schray, Spellings Commission on the Future of Higher Education, Washington, D.C,

Coordinating Services for Students with Disabilities through Interagency Collaboration--NCSL Interagency CADRE Meeting
(Sponsored by the IDEA Partnership, an investment funded by the Office of Special Education Programs and directed by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education)

The NCSL Interagency CADRE consists of legislators from across the country who are committed to exploring innovative models of service coordination and cross-agency collaboration to improve results for vulnerable populations. For the past year, the CADRE has been pursuing school-based and school-linked mental health services and plans to build on that work in this session. This interactive meeting will inform participants about state practices that can improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Speakers will discuss ways for states to create partnerships among various agencies, programs and systems to provide assistance to members of this group as they move from youth to adulthood.

Moderator:  Representative RaeAnn Kelsch, North Dakota

Speakers:  Joanne Cashman, The IDEA Partnership, National Association State Directors of Special Education, Virginia
Curtis Richards, Institute for Educational Leadership, Washington, D.C.
Tami Wright, Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Pennsylvania
Rick Boyle, Training and Technical Assistance Network, Pennsylvania
Joan Kester, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania
Linda Rhen, Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania
Ellen Romett, Training and Technical Assistance Network, Pennsylvania

21st Century Classrrom Interactive Demonstration
(Sponsored by NCSL Education Technology Partners)

The classroom of the last century is becoming obsolete as teachers and students use increasingly advanced technology.  Experience a 21st century classroom to see students and teachers demonstrate how technology is used for special education, distance learning, data management, innovative instruction, online assessments and classroom engagement.  No registration required.

Tuesday, August 15

7:00 am - 8:15 am
Governor's Ballroom E, Level 2

A Businessman's Perspective: Early Childhood Education is Both a Moral Imperative and a Sound Investment
(Breakfast sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation)

Tulsa businessman, George Kaiser, analyzes charitable "investment" opportunities in the same way he examines business investment options and has concluded that early childhood education is both morally right and offers society an excellent payback.  He will challenge lawmakers to join in fulfilling the promise of an American life for our youngest children.

Presiding:  Representative Melvin Neufeld, Kansas

Speaker:  George Kaiser, Kaiser-Francis Oil Company, Oklahoma

Breakfast Briefing:  Attracting Students to Math and Science 

Are there successful models of programs that attract underrepresented groups to study math and science?  Yes!  The Professional Science Masters degree comes with low start-up costs, significant economic returns for the state, and an interdisciplinary curriculum that employers desire.  Find out if your state is one of 24 that already has this unique degree and how legislators can help attract students to math and science.

Facilitator:  Heather Grinager, National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado

Speakers:  Eleanor Babco, Professional Science Masters Initiatives, Council of Graduate Schools, Washington, D.C.
Saeed Foroudastan, Middle Tennessee State University

Opening General Session--The Global Edge: Economic Success in a Competitive World

The challenge of economic cpmpetitionin a global economy can inspire ideas and prosperity, make a company great and a government innovative. Frederick Smith, chairman of the board of FedEx Corporation, Congressman John Tanner and former senator and ambassador to China James Sasser will explore strategies for success at this opening session.

Moderator:  Matthew Kisber, Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee

Early Childhood Education
(Joint session with the Human Services and Welfare Committee)

Federal action on Head Start remains delayed while states are taking the initiative in Pre-K programs.  The committee will hear an update on possible solutions to the federal logjam and discuss the official NCSL policy on early childhood education.

Presiding:  Senator Bob Plymale, West Virginia

Speakers:  Stephen Goldsmith, Kennedy School of Government,
Massachusetts
Christina Martin-Firvida, National Women's Law Center, Washington, D.C.
 

Update on the No Child Left Behind Act

With the Elementary and Secondary Education Act up for reauthorization in 2007, NCLB remains as controversial as ever.  Does NCLB need fine tuning or an overhaul?  Some 'conservatives' urge national standards and a national test to fix the federal law while some 'progressives' recommend comprehensive changes. Others want to repeal the law and re-think the federal role in K-12 education.

Presiding:  Senator John Vratil, Kansas

Speakers:  Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
Henry Johnson, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.
Michael Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Allan Taylor, Connecticut State Board of Education
 

Education Committee Business Meeting 

The committee will consider official NCSL policy updates and revisions previously discussed at Fall Forum (Chicago) and Spring Forum (DC).  Policies include:  Federal Funding of Special Education, Federal Impact Aid/PILTs (payments in lieu of taxes) and Federal Preemption of State Tuition Laws for Post-Secondary Education.

Presiding:  Senator Bob Plymale, West Virginia

Speakers:  David Shreve, National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington, D.C.
Ann Morse, National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington, D.C.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Issues

President Bush announced his Academic Competitiveness Initiative in the 2006 State of the Union speech.  This initiative includes a number of components intended to enhance American educational efforts in math and science that cover a wide range of K-12 and higher ed policies. However, the Administration and Congress do not have unifying and comprehensive enabling legislation.  The committee will discuss the components and consider policy action on them.

Moderator:  Representative Margaret Dayton, Utah

Speaker:  Bill Bates, Council on Competitiveness, Washington, D.C. 

The ABC's of K-12 Education Funding
(Co-sponsored by LESN and the National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)

The panel will explore several education funding issues from a program evaluator's perspective including the link between education levels and economic prosperity, methods of general fund allocation to school districts, and identifying districts that are headed for financial trouble.

Presiding:  Ethel Detch, Office of Research and Education Accountability, Tennessee

Speakers:  Steven Hendrickson, Bureau of State Audits, California
Barbara Hinton, Legislative Post Audit, Kansas
John Morgan, Comptroller's Office, Tennessee

Data Driven Decision-Making:  Using Data to Inform Policymakers and School Leaders

The No Child Left Behind Act requires states to develop sophisticated data collection systems to track student progress.  How can policymakers and school leaders use this data to better inform their decisions?  This session features experts working to maximize the use of data to improve student achievement and teacher performance.

Presiding:  Representative Mark Maddox, Tennessee

Speakers:  Ann Duffy, Leadership Institute for School Improvement, Georgia
Mary Reel, Department of Education, Tennessee
Peter Winograd, Office of Education Accountability at the Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico

Welcome Reception:  Music City Country Fair

Tennessee will showcase its famous Southern hospitality and capture the spirit of a Music City Country Fair.  The Country Music Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Park will be open exclusively to NCSL attendees, who will be submerged in the history of America's own country legends.  Southern cuisine and carnival activities will provide hours of fun for the entire family.  Transportation will be provided from 6:30-8:30 pm from the Presidential Portico of Opryland, NCSL hotels and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

From 9:00 to midnight, shuttle service between the Country Music Hall of Fame and the NCSL hotels from downtown Nashville, will be available.
 

Wednesday, August 16

Breakfast Briefing:  Conversations on School Leadership

Strong principals and superintendents are vital to closing the achievement gap and strengthening schools and districts.  Research repeatedly demonstrates that strong school leadership influences both teaching quality and student success.  This breakfast provides an opportunity to share ideas and pose questions to national experts on cultivating school leadership across the nation.

Facilitator:  Jane Best, National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado

Speakers:  Ann Duffy, Leadership Institute for School Improvement, Georgia
Peter Winograd, Office of Education Accountability at the Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico 

7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Delta Lobby B, Level 2

Registration

General Session

This session features Doris Kearns Goodwin, world-renowned historian and author. 

Policy Options for Supporting Highly Qualified and Highly Effective Teachers

States are facing growing pressure for all teachers to meet a minimum standard of "highly qualified" under NCLB and, at the same time, provide opportunities and support for all teachers to ultimately become highly effective in raising student achievement. This session will feature an interactive discussion with education policy experts and legislators about cutting edge policy approaches that work to create and support both highly qualified and highly effective teachers.

Presiding:  Senator Jim Argue, Arkansas

Panelists:  Dara Barlin, New Teacher Center, New York
Liam Goldrick, New Teacher Center, Wisconsin
Ellen Moir, New Teacher Center, California

Reactants:  Representative Kory Holdaway, Utah
Representative William Thompson, South Dakota

Education Committee Chairs Lunch:  Access to Higher Education
(Sponsored by the Lumina Foundation for Education)

Education committee chairs are invited to participate in lunch and a discussion with legislative colleagues about how states are dealing with higher education access issues. 

Moderator:  Representative Geannie Morrison, Texas
 

Changing the Odds for Youth
(Joint session with the Human Services and Welfare Committee)

One approach to youth policy promotes positive outcomes instead of focusing on troubled kids.  Learn how states use this approach including Kentucky's plan to comprehensively assess youth programs and services, Tennessee's goals for their investments in afterschool, and how states' youth are providing input. 

Moderator:  Thaddeus Ferber, Forum for Youth Investment,
Washington, D.C.

Speakers:  Everette Hill, New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community
Senator Katie Stine, Kentucky
Senator Jamie Woodson, Tennessee

Keeping Kids in School:  Recent Efforts to Improve High School Outcomes

Currently one in three students drop out of high school and the number is even more alarming for Latino and African American students.  Come hear how states are attempting to improve their dropout rates by improving the high school experience. 

Presiding:  Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, Colorado

Speakers:  Michael Cohen, Achieve Inc., Washington, D.C.
Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez, Maryland
Representative Jack Hoogendyk, Michigan
Representative Like Messer, Indiana  

Legislative Education Staff Network Roundtable Discussion

Join legislative staff from around the country for an informal discussion centered around hot education topics in the upcoming elections.  All legislative staff who work on education issues are welcome to join the discussion.

Facilitator:  Michelle Exstrom, National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado

Boston Promotional Event:  A Taste of the Bay State

Join us for a preview of the NCSL Boston 2007 annual meeting with the best of Massachusetts from Boston to the Berkshires.  Enjoy regional food and beverages from Boston's most famous restaurants, vineyards and breweries and experience a sampling of the history and culture of this great state.
 

Education Staff Section Dinner

All legislative education staff are invited to join their colleagues and NCSL staff for a Dutch-treat dinner.  If you plan to attend or for additional information, please RSVP to Sara Vitaska at 303-856-1647 or sara.vitaska@ncsl.org. 

Thursday, August 17

Breakfast Briefing:  Increasing Latino Participation and Success in Higher Education

Latinos represent the fastest growing college-age population in the country.  However, over 1/3 of Latino youth drop out of high school every year and only 11 percent ultimately earn a college degree.  This session examines the Engaging Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE) program in California and discuss policy options to increase Latino student achievement.

Presiding:  Representative Dora Oliva, Texas

Speakers:  Sara Lundquist, Santa Ana College, California
Claudia Martinez, University of California, Santa Barbara
Rosa Harrizon, Santa Ana College, California

8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Delta Lobby B, Level 2

Registration

School Finance Hot Topics

This session will look at trends and issues in K-12 education finance, including the 65 percent solution and the 100 percent solution, and  education adequacy litigation.

Moderator:  John Myers, Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Colorado

Panelists:  Chester Finn, Thomas B. Fordham Foundation,
Washington, D.C.
Senator Jim Argue, Arkansas
Senator John Vratil, Kansas
 

Bridging the Readiness Gap at Kindergarten
(Joint session with the Human Services and Welfare Committee)

Low-income children do not have equal footing with more advantaged children as they enter school and many of these children never make up the difference.  The achievement gap limits their life opportunities.  Learn about new state policies to improve school readiness.

Presiding:  Representative RaeAnn Kelsch, North Dakota

Speakers:  Rolf Grafwallner, Maryland State Department of Education
Katherine Magnuson, University of Wisconsin-Social Work, Madison 

Crafting a Successful Diversity Strategy
(Sponsored by the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee)

How do you craft a successful diversity strategy?  What are the best practices for developing and maintaining diversity in a changing environment?  Hear from one of the experts in the field who brings hands-on advice.  To learn more, check out the website:
www.ilr.cornell.edu/mgmtprog/profiles/ChrisMetzler.html

Speaker:  Christopher Metzler, Diversity and Inclusion, Cornell University ILR School, New York 

NCSL Business Meeting

All legislators and legislative staff will want to attend this centerpiece of the annual meeting.  All other annual meeting participants are welcome to attend as observers.

Presiding:  Senator Don Balfour, Georgia
Chair, NCSL Standing Committees
Senator Steven Rauschenberger, Illinois
President, NCSL 

Speaker:  Michael Chertoff, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

Are Boys Falling Behind Academically?

At every level of education, boys are falling behind girls in student achievement.  This session will feature a discussion about what's causing this trend and present an overview of programs and policies that work to lessen the gap.

Presiding:  Representative Greg Porter, Indiana

Speakers:  Michael Holzman, Schott Foundation for Public Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Sara Mead, Education Sector, Washington, D.C.
Deborah Santiago, iExcelencia in Education!, Washington, D.C.
 

Tennessee Center Stage Starring LeAnn Rimes

The Tennessee Host Committee invites you to join us at the Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza for a private concert with LeAnn Rimes and an evening of Southern cuisine.  The newly renovated Capitol Building and legislative complex will be open for guest tours and will set the stage for country music sweetheart, LeAnn Rimes.

From 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm shuttle service between the NCSL hotels to the Legislative Plaza will be provided.
 

Friday, August 18

8:00 am - 10:00 am
Delta Lobby B, Level 2

Registration

Breakfast and Closing General Session

Peter Hart, one of the country's leading public opinion analysts, and Frank Luntz, one of the most honored communications professionals in America today, are the featured speakers. 
 

Special Briefings:

• Educating Students for the 21st Century:  Challenges for State Policy and Policymaking 

Succeeding in the global economy demands that states respond to the challenges of international competition, demographic change and technological challenges.  Examine new strategies in K-12 and higher education to meet the demands of the 21st century. 

Moderator:  Senator Bob Plymale, West Virginia

Speakers:  Ken Kay, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Arizona
Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Steinhardt School of Education,
New York University

Meeting Adjourns