Technology, Security, Assessment Among Topics at NJASA/NJAPSA Spring Conference

Chief education officers convene for professional development and networking

 at 31^st Annual Spring Conference at Caesars Atlantic City, May 20-22, 2013.

TRENTON, N.J. — May 14, 2013 — Hundreds of New Jersey’s Chief Education Officers are expected at the 31^st Annual Spring Conference at Caesars Atlantic City, May 20-22, 2013. The conference will present fresh ideas and successful strategies that will help participants become more effective leaders who can motivate others to give students a better education.

Sponsored jointly by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) and the New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NJAPSA), the conference will cover topics that relate to a CEO’s multi-faceted role, including:

·         The latest educational developments in technology

·         School security

·         Curriculum

·         Management strategies

“Chief education officers are running the biggest business in town,” said Dr. Richard Bozza, executive director, NJASA. “We’re reaching state and national performance benchmarks, establishing safe and secure learning environments and leading school staff to higher achievement. This conference brings together the best practices in a variety of areas, both on the state and national levels.” See the video invitation from Dr. Bozza for more details.

Three nationally known speakers will provide keynote addresses:

• Dr. Perry Zirkel will discuss legal requirements for special education. Dr. Zirkel is a Lehigh University professor who holds a Master of Law from Yale and is author of more than 1,200 articles on school law. (“Lore v. Law: Correcting Prevailing Misconceptions about Legal Requirements,” General Session, Monday, May 20, 1-3 p.m.)

• One of the country’s most outspoken critics of grades and test scores, keynote speaker Alfie Kohn will talk about rescuing education from test-driven results and one-size-fits-all-standards. Kohn is a parenting and human behavior expert. (“The Standards-and-Testing Juggernaut: Rescuing Education from ‘School Reform,’” General Session, Tuesday, May 21, 9-10:30 a.m.)

• Hall Davidson of Discovery Education is a veteran educator and prolific writer who also has produced television series on education, technology and parenting. For 12 years, he coordinated the nation’s oldest student media festival. He has spoken about technology and education to audiences around the world. (“Deep Unexpected Consequences: Knowledge and Leadership in the Age of Digital Education,” General Session, May 22, 9-10:30 a.m.)

There will be a day devoted to technology topics on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. TechDay features group sessions focusing on innovations and technical advancements made in New Jersey school districts, and ways to integrate technology into the curriculum.

Special award presentations will be made honoring Regional Superintendents of the Year, Superintendent of the Year, Distinguished Service, NJASA President, Special Education Administrator of the Year, and the Anti-Defamation League.

Presenters from a variety of New Jersey counties will be represented throughout the conference. These include school districts in Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Gloucester, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, and Union Counties. The accompanying sidebar lists highlights from the conference. For a full schedule of sessions, visit http://www.njasa.net/domain/111.

About NJASA

The New Jersey Association of School Administrators is an organization of chief education officers and school administrators who lead school districts in New Jersey’s 21 counties. The association’s mission is to ensure a superior statewide system of education. Through ongoing professional training and education, the association shares knowledge among its members about best practices from both educational and administrative perspectives. Its goal is to move education forward by ensuring the highest quality of instruction for all New Jersey children.

Education Brief Videos Explain Budget Considerations

What schools can offer to students is directly affected by budget. Due to the complexity of the school budget cuts and the effects that will be felt in schools across the state, the NJASA has released a series of videos to help parents and taxpayers better understand the issues, and the potential aftermath of the events and changes. Each video can be accessed on a special NJASA YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/TheNJASA or by clicking on the YouTube icon on the NJASA website, www.njasa.net.

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[Addendum]

31^st Annual NJASA/NJAPSA Spring Conference Schedule Highlights

TechDay is Wednesday, May 22^nd

• Google Apps as a Platform for Online and Blended Learning– How Google Apps for Education is used for regular courses, summer or remedial instruction, home instruction and enrichment. (Burlington County) Burlington Township School District, 10:45-11:45 a.m.

• Technology and Special Education—Perfect Together! Educators are using a host of surface/table technology apps with students with special needs. (Morris and Union Counties) Morris-Union Jointure Commission, 10:45-11:45 a.m.

• Innovate, Inspire, Ignite: 21^st Century Learning– Learn how students interacted with surgical teams during a real operation. (Gloucester County) Delsea Regional School District, Educational Information and Resource Center, 10:45-11:45 a.m.

• Global Collaboration Projects with Skype, Blogs and ePals– Students have the opportunity to practice global “netiquette” while gaining exposure to different cultures. (Burlington County) City of Burlington Public Schools, 2:30-3:30 p.m.