Agenda

Tuesday, July 22

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Registration

Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education

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

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
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

Legislative Education Staff Network Dutch Treat Dinner

Join education staff colleagues from around the country for a great evening at a local restaurant!  All legislative staff and their spouses or guests are invited to attend this Dutch treat dinner. Please RSVP to Sara Vitaska at 303-856-1647 or sara.vitaska@ncsl.org no later than Friday, July 11, if you plan to attend.  

Wednesday, July 23

Federal Update and Business Meeting

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.

General Session:  Energy, Economic and Environmental Sustainability

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

Promising State and Federal Roles in Recruiting and Retaining Teachers

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.
Patty Sullivan, American Federation of Teachers, Washington, D.C.

The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Education Budgets and What to Do About It

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, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Massachusetts
Senator Nancy King, Maryland
Representative Dennis Ross, Florida

Out with the Old, In with the New:  Succession and Retirement Planning in State Legislatures
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

Louisiana Jamboree at the Superdome
(Shuttles leave from the hotels for this event)

Join us for an unforgetable family-friendly event at the Superdome.  Enjoy the food, music and entertainment that makes New Orleans internationally famous.  A special kids zone will include karaoke, rock climbing, and arts and crafts.  A fantastic festival of magical music and food...all under one big top on one big night...an "only in new Orleans" experience.

Thursday, July 24

7:15 am - 8:00 pm

Higher Education's Role in Meeting Emerging STEM Workforce Needs

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.
Donald Peters, BD-Biosciences, California

Developing Longitudinal Data Systems

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
Peter Winograd, Office of Education Accountability, New Mexico
Representative Rick Miera, New Mexico

Issue Forum:

Investing in Our Future:  The Status of America's Youth
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 Ellen Roberts, Colorado
Representative Toni Walker, Connecticut

Issue Forums:

Building a Workforce for the Future: The State Role
Co-Sponsored with the NCSL Standing Committees on Human Services and Welfare; Labor and Economic Development; Budgets 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

Presiding:  Representative Steven Conway, Washington

Speakers:  Roberts T. Jones, Education and Workforce Policy, Virginia
George A. Scott, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues, Government Accountability Office, Washington, D.C.
Mike Petters, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Virginia

Two Decades of School Choice:  What Have We Learned?

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:  Paul Vallas, Recovery School District of New Orleans, Louisiana
Rick Hess, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C.

The Sandbox Investment: The Impact of Pre-K

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

Respondent: Representative Don Trahon, Louisiana

General Session:  A Conversation About Solving America's Challenges

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

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.
Matt Sundeen, National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado

Friday, July 25

7:00 am - 9:00 am

Continental Breakfast

Issues Forum:

Lessons from the Trenches: Turning Around Poor Performing Schools

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

Presiding:  Senator Peter Groff, Colorado

Speakers: Paul Vallas, Recovery School District of New Orleans, Louisiana
Mel Riddile, T.C. Williams High School, Virginia 

Session Materials:
   Innovations School Act
   The Turnaround Challenge  

General Session:  Changing the Face of America

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, Delaware
NCSL 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

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?
Co-sponsored with the NCSL Budgets 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.

Presiding: Representative Denise Merrill, Connecticut

Speakers: Richard Vedder, The Center for College Affordability and Productivity, Washington, D.C.
Jane Wellman, Delta Cost Project, Washington, D.C.
Sally Clausen, Louisiana Board of Regents, Baton Rouge

America's Autism Challenge
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
Speaker Dennis O'Brien, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Representative Sheila Klinker, Indiana

WWII Museum:  This Land is Your Land
(Shuttles will leave from the hotels for this event)

Rejoice in the spirit of our country as New Orleans opens the doors to the only museum in the nation dedicated to World War II.  Music of the era will sweep you back in time and hear oral histories of those who united to protect life, liberty and our pursuit of happiness.  Bring the kids--there will be fun, food, music and activities to delight all ages. 

Saturday, July 26

8:30 am - 10:30 am

General Breakfast Session:  Election 2008

Two of the nation's premier pollsters and political analysts from opposite sides of the aisle--Kellyanne Conway and Celinda Lake--will provide a perspective on what the 2008 election means for policy now and in the new year.

Presiding:  Senator Leticia Van dePutte, Texas

Speakers:  Kellyanne Conway, The Polling Company, Inc.,
Washington, D.C.
Celinda Lake, Lake Research Partners, Washington, D.C.

NCSL Task Force on Federal Education Policy

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