Yong Zhao
 Michigan State University
East Lansing, Mich.

Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization

Session 1113
Saturday, March 6
8:00–9:30 a.m.
Ballroom C 1 

Is American education in crisis? Will more standards, standardized testing, or other accountability measures prepare our children for the globalized world? In this presentation, based on his newly published book with the same title, the presenter will answer these questions and challenge recent education policies in the United States. He will propose that to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century, American education needs to be more American instead of trying to catch up with other countries in test scores.

Robyn Jackson
Mindsteps, Inc.
Washington, D.C.

Never Work Harder Than Your Students

Session 2113
Sunday, March 7
8:00–9:30 a.m.
Ballroom C 3

Should teachers really never work harder than their students? Aren't teachers supposed to work hard? In this session, hear why working harder than your students actually prevents learning from taking place, and learn how you can help students do the work of learning for themselves. Learn what work is yours, what work belongs to students, and how you can supportively facilitate students' growth by helping them take ownership of their work.

Robert Marzano
Marzano Research Lab
Centennial, Colo.

Jay McTighe
Author and Consultant
Columbia, Md.

Connecting DI, UbD, and WWIS: An Exploration of Research-Based Strategies

Session 1301
Saturday, March 6
3:30–5:00 p.m.
Hall A

This session will explore the differentiated instruction (DI), Understanding by Design (UbD), and What Works in Schools (WWIS) frameworks. The panelists will share a guided examination of shared underpinnings of their work and discuss implications for educators who use the models to increase classroom success for today's students. Participants will sharpen their understanding of relationships among the models and how they individually and together can contribute to high-quality curriculum, instruction, assessment, and learning environments.

Carol Tomlinson
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.

Grant Wiggins
Authentic Education
Hopewell, N.J.

Delia Pompa
National Council of La Raza
Washington, D.C.

Yes, They Can: Can We?

Session 2201
Sunday, March 7
12:45–2:45 p.m.
Ballroom C 3

All too often, our low expectations for children lead to underachievement and, worse, lifetimes of lost potential. This session will feature examples of strategies that have propelled low-income and minority students to achieve at high levels and to experience success across a variety of indicators. The presenter will provide participants with a framework for a responsive school.

Peter Yarrow
Operation Respect and United Voices for Education
New York, N.Y.

Establishing a Safe, Nurturing, and Compassionate Environment for Children

Session 2302
Sunday, March 7
3:15–4:45 p.m.
Ballroom B

Through words and song, the presenter will explain why music and the creative arts are crucial to the implementation of whole child education and how they help educate students to become engaged members of a democratic society, working toward a more just and peaceful world.

Douglas Fisher
San Diego State University
San Diego, Calif.

Productive Group Work: The Power of Collaborative Learning

Session 3120
Monday, March 8
8:00–9:30 a.m.
Ballroom B

We hear so much about the benefits of collaborative learning, but the reality of group work is often far from the ideal. In this session, learn about practical routines that promote productive group work in K–12 classrooms, including how to form groups, how to accommodate groups of mixed readiness levels, and how to hold students accountable for their own learning and the learning of their group. Come and discover the elements needed to make group work in the classroom truly productive, with all students engaged and extending their knowledge.

Gerard Puccio
Buffalo State College
Buffalo, N.Y.

Creative Leadership: Skills That Drive Change

Session 3216
Monday, March 8
12:15–2:15 p.m.
Ballroom C 1

In the face of ever-increasing complexity and change, many educational reports have indicated that creative thinking and problem solving are crucial skills for both professional and personal success. Additionally, there is increasing recognition that these skills are at the core of effective leadership. This session will explore the myths and reality of creative thinking--how it can be deliberately nurtured, taught, and employed in a variety of settings to drive change.