What Are the Opportunities to Learn More?

ASCD continues to respond to the events surrounding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on behalf of its members and other educators. Recent and forthcoming actions include the following:

Whole Child Special Edition Podcast (April 16)—The ASCD Whole Child Podcast invited guests Ann Cunningham-Morris, ASCD director of professional development, and David Griffith, ASCD director of public policy, to discuss the stimulus funding and how it affords states the opportunity for professional development for its educators. To listen, visit www.wholechildeducation.org /resources/ wcpodcast-41609-stimulus.mp3.

Special Edition Webinar (April 27)—ASCD leaders participated in this recent webinar to discuss the stimulus funding and how to most effectively use the money to increase teacher effectiveness and improve student achievement. To access the webinar, visit http://ascd.na4.acrobat.com/p75149997.

ASCD SmartBrief Special Report (May 12 and 14)—The recent release of stimulus funding to states for education raises many questions about how these funds are to be used. This two-part special report will cover the latest news, resources, and information.

ASCD’s Summer Conference (June 26–28)—Educators gather in Houston, Texas, for three days of intensive professional development to learn more about differentiated instruction, Understanding by Design, and What Works in Schools from the experts who developed the frameworks and the ASCD Faculty. ASCD is creating an opportunity at the Welcome Reception for educators to share their experiences and communicate with ASCD Staff and Faculty members about customized, sustainable professional development related to conference topics. For more information on the Summer Conference, visit www.ascd.org/summerconference.

2009 LEAP Institute: Connecting the Classroom to the Capitol (September 13–15)—ASCD’s annual advocacy event helps inform members about federal education programs, policies, and funding—including the latest on the recovery funds— and prepares them to speak out for education policies that support what is best for students and schools. Visit www.ascd.org/leapinstitute.

Educational Leadership Asks, “What Do Principals Do in Tough Times?”— Educational Leadership plans a featured article on how principals in high-poverty schools view the stimulus funding and what they hope to accomplish with it. Look for that in the October issue on “Developing School Leaders.”