An Educational Summit for Raising Standards and Closing Gaps: A Community Action Plan

To help African American students experience success in school districts and meet the challenges of the state graduation requirements, Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, Pearson Scott Foreman, National Urban Publishing Companies, and other community organizations will host an Educational Summit on October 13 & 14, 2006 at Mercer Middle School in Seattle.

Many African American students have been left behind in the public education system in the state of Washington, and a transformed education system is needed that honors all students in a holistic manner—accounting for their various worldviews, languages, learning styles, cultural heritages, and multiple intelligences. Therefore, it is critical that our parents and communities must partner with schools, churches and other service providers to maximize resources and to improve student learning outcomes.

Sessions for this event will focus on the specific Literacy & Differentiated Instruction strategies for African America students since their test scores continue to lag behind other ethnic groups. Other Session Topics will include: Educational components with schools that involve students & families; educators connecting and committing to academic success of learners; strategies on how churches can assist schools; and many other topics to improve student learning.

Summit Goals:
• To provide short term and long-term strategies to eliminate the achievement gap.
• Form partnerships with local school community to improve student achievement.
• To build connections between schools, parents, businesses and church communities.
• To promote and facilitate strategies that engage learners to be responsible for their actions and learning in schools.

We continue to solicit organizations to assist in developing this Educational Summit to strengthen partnerships with Seattle School District. For more information, please contact Dr. Betty Howell Gray at 206.252.8814, bgray[@]seattleschools.org or Mrs. Pat Tolliver at 206.772.4916.

The Purpose:
To engage community and schools in a conversation about educating African American children and to develop a community action plan.

The Focus:
Uniting individuals and organizations for the education of African America children.

Invited Speakers:
Stedman Graham, Dr. Asa G. Hilliard, Dr. Mycal Wynn, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Dr. Thelma Jackson, Dr. Candy Dawson Boyd, Dr. Andre Hornsby, Dr. Terry Bergeson, Dr. Andy Griffin, Dr. George McKenna, Dr. Lee Stiff, Dr. Kylene Beers, and Donald Deshler

Date: October 13, 14, 2006

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where:
Mercer Middle School
1600 South Columbian Way
Seattle, Washington 98108

Community Banquet: Conversation on Educational Issues in the African American Community – Friday, October 13, 2006 – 5:30 p.m. at Hotel TBD

In Partnership with:
WABSE, NAACP, Seattle Urban League, Black Child Development Institute, CAMP, The Breakfast Group, and other community organizations

Sponsored by:
Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators
National Alliance of Black School Educators
Pearson Publishing Group

For more information, please contact Dr. Betty Howell Gray, at bgray[@]seattleschools.org or Dan Coles at dcoles[@]seattleschools.org

Draft Agenda:
Friday, October 13, 2006
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Registration
8:15 a.m Exhibits Open
8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. First General Session
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Workshop Sessions – Seattle School District
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Panel: Educating African American Children
12:00 p.m. – l:30 p.m.: Luncheon
1:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Concurrent Workshop Sessions
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Community Banquet (Hotel TBD)

Saturday, October 14, 2006
8:30 a.m. Registration/Exhibits Open
8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Second General Session
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Faith Based Workshop – Ministry
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Teen Summit
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Workshop Sessions
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch on Your Own/Visit Exhibitors
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshop Sessions
6:00 p.m. Exhibits Closed

For more information, please contact Dr. Betty Howell Gray, at bgray[@]seattleschools.org or Dan Coles at dcoles[@]seattleschools.org

Download Call for Proposals document (MS Word) – due August 1