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PROGRAM PRACTICE:
Offer An Annual Conference Highlighting Best Practices On School Integration
Beginning in 2005, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) resumed the practice of offering an annual conference on integration. The two-day conference, typically held in the spring, highlights best practices that target the integration issues of schools within the state and provides a networking opportunity for MDE and school districts receiving integration revenue. Approximately 150 to 200 attendees, including district personnel, integration coordinators, principals and community members, participate.
The conference format includes keynote speakers, breakout session presentations by districts who are receiving integration revenue, and student performances. District presentations are selected through an application process that focuses on the current conference theme. The 2008 conference provided a glimpse into the “Future of Integration.” Topics included:
- Re-segregation of schools;
- What works in ESL;
- Authentic integration—shift of consciousness, policy, and practice for an equitable educational future; and
- How educator’s attitudes, behaviors, and expectations can perpetuate inequality of educational opportunity.
The conference, initially advertised six months in advance with a save-the-date flyer, is also marketed with a follow-up brochure detailing keynote speakers and breakout sessions. Conference registration is $150; meals during the conference hours are included as part of the cost. Travel and lodging expenses are subsidized by the districts for their attendees. Conference attendees receive a binder including resources presented at the conference, copies of the keynote speakers’ PowerPoint presentations, plus their choice of one of four books addressing the conference’s topics.
A survey completed by all conference attendees provides feedback used to plan future conferences. Survey results indicate attendees greatly value conference content that is relevant to their district’s integration challenges, and that speakers are articulate and informed. In response to feedback, frequently asked questions and promising practices documents were developed, and MDE is currently moving toward providing more technical assistance to the districts.
With regard to planning this type of event, speaker selection is key to its success. Planners should ensure that the speakers’ presentations are accurate and relevant to the conference theme before enlisting their services. Additionally, local practices in integration should be highlighted, as attendees prefer learning about what is working in their region and seeing what academic gains are emerging.
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