NEASC2024

Assessment in American education has long been a tool of tracking and sorting young people, weaponized by systems and by individuals to uphold existing power structures and dominant culture norms. This full-day workshop invites you to explore a framework for learning rooted in liberatory ideals that is designed to fundamentally rethink the purpose and lived experience of assessment for all those involved. Rather than serving as a set of disconnected tasks required by an external force, assessment as revelation sets the learner at the center of an ongoing process of wonder and discovery. Revelatory Assessment offers an opportunity for systems (schools, districts, etc.) to reimagine the essential constructs of learning and assessment. It invites a model where students and facilitators of learning walk alongside each other, connected in the purpose of the journey, not an outcome or end point. Student and facilitator are partnered, fully aware of the experiential process, impact, and growth that propels them forward as learners together. Session participants will reflect on their own lived experience of revelation as well as of assessment. Through exploration of the characteristics of Revelatory Assessment, participants will be invited to consider and plan from a leadership lens, the mindset and technical shifts needed for a school or district to move toward a revelatory approach to learning and assessment.  

By the end of the session, we will have:

• explored the Revelatory Framework and its essential components
• witnessed examples of the essential components brought to life through student work and performance at schools across the globe
• examined specific mindset shifts needed in order to move into a revelatory space/model
• strategized the steps for a leader to invite a team/school/district community to journey towards learner liberation through revelatory learning
• designed a specific practice that you might ground an invitation to your colleagues into in order to move away from the “destination model” of assessment 

IMPORTANT: Please note that general conference registration is required in order to sign up for a pre-conference workshop and that there is an additional fee to attend. If you already registered for the conference but did not add the workshop on at the time and would now like to, please contact mlarson@neasc.org.

In this session, participants will learn about one of the most powerful engagement strategies that a district-level leader could employ to make an impactful difference when it comes to making connections with students, families, staff, and administrators. Discover how your schools are working and see, firsthand, how investments that have been made in programs and staffing are benefiting students and enriching school culture. Walk away with a replicable model that will transform your visibility and demonstrate your commitment to leading your schools by understanding every detail of the operation. *Technology Needed: Projector/Screen (unless delivered as an "Unplugged Session")

The impact, importance and value of engaging with different stakeholders and ensuring that your leadership and/or
instruction connects students' cultures, languages, and life experience with what they learn in school. Research shows
that having at least one Black teacher between 3rd and 5h grades reduces a black student's probability of dropping out
by 29%. Being culturally responsive isn't a buzzword rather an opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships with
students and parents, increase student motivation, enthusiasm for learning and academic achievement.

How do we create a healthy learning environment that places the well-being of kids (and adults) at the forefront? How do we make the well-being of our students and faculty/staff an organic and inherent part of our practices in and out of the classroom? We will share our approach, the challenges we faced and the deeply held assumptions about school that we had to unlearn to strive for a healthier learning environment. Come and learn about our student-focused approach and discuss how our schedule; assessment practices; courses; different initiatives; and partnership with families place our students and their well-being at the center of what we do, value deep understanding, and put the joy in learning. Let's share ideas on where to go next!

The rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education offers exciting opportunities but also presents significant ethical, legal, and operational challenges for schools. This session provides school leaders, educators, and IT professionals with a comprehensive overview of AI governance and ethics, focusing on the critical steps needed to navigate this technology responsibly.

We’ll explore the implications of legal changes and global trends, detailing how schools can meet upcoming regulatory deadlines requirements, ensure compliance, and mitigate risks. This engaging and practical session will empower participants with strategies to embrace AI’s potential while upholding the highest standards of ethics and governance. Join us to prepare your school for the future of education in an AI-rich world.

In this session you will learn about how questions can launch community in your classroom. All you need is a willingness to learn about others and the enthusiasm to share a little about yourself.