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CELL Conference Shines Spotlight on New Tech
By Lauren Howard

The New Technology High School model will be in the spotlight at CELL’s annual statewide conference on November 17-18, 2008. Among its many activities, the event will feature several breakout sessions with both national and local experts on the model and will highlight NTHS success stories from across Indiana.

Responding to Tomorrow’s World-Breaking the Mold of Today’s High Schools will focus on what can be done differently in Indiana to raise student achievement and help more students move on to college. The conference will focus on four major areas: new school model implementation, leadership practices, partnership development, and innovative programs to help students succeed in school and graduate with 21st-century skills.

Kati Haycock of The Education Trust and Chad Wick of KnowledgeWorks Foundation will provide the keynote presentations by examining the national and international movement for education transformation and discussing how Indiana matches up. The conference also offers nearly 40 breakout sessions on several important topics to help schools, communities and businesses improve the educational opportunities available to Indiana’s students.

CELL will host a meeting of the Indiana New Technology High School Network on November 17. Bob Pearlman and Mark Morrison of New Technology Foundation will lead the meeting and work with members to improve model development and implementation for Indiana’s schools and communities. November 18 will feature several sessions of particular interest to Indiana New Tech Network members. Sessions include:

• New Technology High School: Creating New Skills & New Schools for the 21st Century
  Bob Pearlman and Mark Morrison of New Technology Foundation will discuss the New Tech High School model including its origins, foundational elements and implications for improving student achievement and economic development in Indiana.


• New Technology High: What Students Say
  Moderated by NTHS principals, this session will present the New Technology model through the eyes of students. The students will discuss the elements of the model, their experiences as New Tech learners, and what they find to be the most important changes and challenges in becoming NTHS students.


• 21st-Century Learning: The Project Approach
  In this session, Michael McDowell of New Technology Foundation will lead participants through an exploration of the project-based approach to learning. Participants will learn how to scaffold, develop tools and evaluate project-based educational opportunities to help students gain 21st-century skills.


• Lessons Learned from a Los Angeles New Tech High
  Michael Taft, principal of the New Tech Student Empowerment Academy, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, will present his experiences in developing a highly successful school in a high-needs urban school district. Discover how this school is beating the odds to graduate students prepared for college and life in the 21st-century.


• Project-based Teaching and Learning for Math and Science
  Project-based learning is a powerful tool for engaging students and promoting 21st-century skills. In this session, Megan Pacheco of New Technology Foundation will present project-based learning methods specifically used for math and science classes.


• Innovations in Rural Education to Build 21st-Century Skills
  Learn from Debra Howe, Dan Ronk and Theresa Shafer as they discuss how they created a successful New Tech school in rural Indiana and have gotten the community and businesses to provide support. Discover how Rochester is facilitating student learning, transforming the district and making plans for the future.


• Learning in the Digital Age-Skills for Tomorrow’s World
  The International Society for Technology in Education released a new version of its student standards in 2007 that address what students need to know to learn effectively and live productively in a digital world. Don Knezek of ISTE will discuss the implications for teachers and students along with what skills are most important for learning in tomorrow’s world.


• Indiana Businesses Rally to Support School Transformation
  In this session, Indiana business and community leaders will discuss how they have successfully partnered with schools to provide support in addressing workforce issues, obtaining financial assistance and developing community awareness to ensure all students graduate prepared for a global economy.

Other sessions topics include:

• Exploring innovative high school models including Early College, Diploma Plus, YouthBuild, and Big Picture.
  
• Leading successful change in schools and communities.
  
• Developing community and business partnerships to transform schools.
  
• Creating better pathways from high school to college.
  
• Transforming teacher preparation programs to meet the needs of new school designs.

Those interested in attending can view the full conference lineup and register for the event by visiting http://cell.uindy.edu/transformingeducation/2008conference.php. Participants registering by October 27 pay an early bird rate of $50 per person for teams of three or more or $75 for individuals. Registration is limited to the first 400 participants. Overnight accommodations are available at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.