2012 National Conference: Getting It Done! Raising Achievement, Closing Gaps For All

This site is updated regularly. Please check back frequently for the latest information.

JOIN US FOR OUR BEST CONFERENCE YET!

Closing achievement gaps for all students is hard work. But it can be done! The 2012 Education Trust National Conference drew hundreds of educators, advocates, parents, and policymakers who not only believe all students can achieve at high levels, but are doing the work it takes and achieving success for their students.

In addition to hearing the latest gap-closing news from our own founder and president, Kati Haycock, plenary speakers included Dr. Charles Payne, a professor at the University of Chicago and author of So Much Reform, So Little Change, and a past acting executive director of the Woodlawn Children’s Promise Community; Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, chief academic officer, Baltimore City Public Schools, who enjoys a reputation for improving achievement by diverse students; and Kate Gerson, a senior fellow at the State University of New York Regents Research Fund, who is helping align New York's state standards with the Common Core. We announced and honored the 2012 Dispelling the Myth Award winners, and featured presentations by previous DTM-winning schools. Our dynamic set of concurrent sessions, table talks, and workshops offered practical strategies for raising achievement for all students, pre-kindergarten through college, giving participants an opportunity to get their questions answered by the people who are doing the work successfully.

Registration for the 2013 national conference is now available.

What to Expect

At the 2012 conference, you will:

Learn from inspiring national leaders in the gap-closing movement
Explore innovative yet proven techniques for elevating student achievement
Network and discuss best practices with colleagues from across the nation.

Sweet Honey In the Rock

Grammy Award-nominated and world-renowned a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In the Rock shared their distinctive brand of inspiration through song at the Dispelling the Myth Award dinner during Ed Trust’s 2012 national conference. Long-time champions of such social justice issues as immigration, race and gender, and the environment, Sweet Honey delivered its message with Gospel-tinged vocals.

First Generation

Every family is proud of that first kid to apply to college, but some students face unimagined obstacles. Documentary filmmakers Adam and Jaye Fenderson, accompanied by student cast members Cecilia Lopez and Dontay Gray, screened and discussed their new film, First Generation, at Ed Trust’s national conference. The film tells the story of four high school students who set out to become the first in their families to attain a college education. Delia Pompa, of National Council of La Raza, moderated a plenary discussion with the filmmakers and the two students from the film. Check out http://firstgenerationfilm.com/about.php for more information.

Adam and Jaye Fenderson