Preconference

Sunday, October 1, 2006

PC1 (1:00 – 5:00 pm)

PC1 CSS: Overview for Principals & Administrators
Marco Orlando, Consultant; Margarita Garcia, Consultant & EAN Board Member, Learning Support & Partner Division, California Department of Education, and CSS Field Colleagues

This overview of the CSS program is required for all principals and for those outreach consultants who have not completed the Dropout Prevention Specialist certificate program. This presentation will include a video presentation, interactive training by expert field colleagues and principals, and a clear explanation of what makes CSS such an effective academic and student support program.

PC2 (1:00 – 5:00 pm)

Creating Resilient Teachers
Ernest Mendes, Consultant/President, Mendes Training & Consulting, Inc., CA

Resilient teachers elicit positive emotions in the classroom to ignite learning; they also process negative emotions that interfere with learning. Resilient teachers establish effective learning environments, as well as positive relationships with students and all school site personnel. They read emotional states in others for proactive classroom management, accurate anticipation of student learning challenges, and successful collaborative processes with colleagues and administrators. Learn how all this is possible through an emotional intelligence model.

PC3 (1:00 – 5:00 pm)

A Promising Solution to Racism, Harassment, Gangs, and Bullying
John Vandenburg, Coordinator of Student Support, Murrieta Valley USD Support Center, CA

This workshop presents a cost-effective, research-based approach for K–12 campuses that develops understanding, unity, and support among students from a variety of backgrounds and personalities. Racism, harassment, bullying, prejudice, and stereotyping will be addressed. Learn how to develop cultural competency in your students and faculty, and come away with an extensive safe schools diversity awareness program, resource materials, and an implementation plan that will work for your school.

PC4 (1:00 – 5:00 pm)

Differentiated Instruction: Practical Tools to Ensure All Students Succeed
Kim Thoman, Educational Consultant, Professional Development Exchange, CA

This fast-paced workshop will engage you with information about modifying content, process, and product to appeal to students with preferences for analytical, practical, and creative thinking. Those attending this session will acquire specific techniques to implement in all subject areas to differentiate instruction. Additionally, participants will experience and learn ten to fifteen engagement strategies that can be used to increase student participation and support the acquisition of knowledge.

PC5 (1:00 – 3:00 pm)

Raising Academic Achievement for All Students, Lowering the Dropout Rate, and Narrowing the Achievement Gap
Franklin Schargel, Senior Managing Associate, School Success Network, NM

No Child Left Behind means to ensure that children reach their full potential. Yet today, over one-third of our K–12 students never graduate—increasing the likelihood of their imprisonment, single parenthood, poverty, and use of alcohol and drugs. We have developed 15 data-driven, research-based strategies that the National Education Goals Panel has said are the most effective ones to help solve our school dropout problem.

PC6 (3:00 – 5:00 pm)

On Playing a Poor Hand Well: How to Identify and Amplify Sources of Resilience in Struggling Youth
Mark Katz, Ph.D.

Participants will gain an increased understanding of practices that foster resiliency and a sense of mastery in children, youth, and families enduring the effects of multiple risk exposure. We will also identify evidence-based programs and practices around the U.S. that positively alter the social climate of school, and that can lead to a reduction in aggressive and violent behavior campus-wide.