Wednesday M Concurrent Sessions 9:30 a.m. ‐ 10:30 a.m.

M101
Start a Writing Revolution: Integrate Best Practices of Writing with 21st Century Skills and Web Based Technology
This workshop will show how to improve writing skills and scores of your students with an online, writing environment and instructional tool that diagnoses and assesses the writing ability of students in grades 4‐12 and at the college level. MY Access! developed by Vantage Learning will be demonstrated as an online “writing tutor” that instantly grades open‐ended essays, provides drafting, formative assessment reports, writing and revision tools and motivates students to enjoy the process of becoming successful, engaged writers.

Presenter(s): Andrew Lombardo
Domain 8.0: Research & Standards‐Based Curriculum/Instruction

M102
Facing History and Ourselves: Building Community in Your School
The Facing History and Ourselves staff will present a brief overview of their program, with a focus on how their resources can be used to build community among faculty as well as students. Facing History can provide your school with in‐service opportunities, teacher training, and resources to help your school craft an interdisciplinary approach to assist students’ growth into moral decision makers and members of a democratic society.

Presenter(s): Susan Snodgrass
Domain 3.0: Diversity

M103
School‐Based Decision Making Councils Extraordinaire
This session is a combination of Levels 1 and 2 School‐Based Councils training and extended training. The session will be interactive and materials will be provided.

Presenter(s): Rhoda Stigall
Domain 2.0: Culture/Climate

M104
From Response to Intervention to Inclusion
This session will present the current research and practice of implementing a response to intervention menu for students as a means of providing support, before referring them for special education services. The second part of the presentation addresses what to do to provide the least restrictive option for students who may be recommended for special services.

Presenter(s): Teri Evans and Shawn Page
Domain 6.0: Accountability & Systemwide Performance

M105
Preparation for Block Scheduling, a System and School Approach
Block Scheduling can be a catalyst for instructional change in secondary schools. However, the implementation of a new schedule will not meet the expectations of teachers, students, or parents without thoughtful and deliberate strategies at the system and school level. Teachers will simply learn to "survive" rather than "thrive" if not given the appropriate instructional tools for teaching in a ninety minute period. An explanation of the process followed by a system and its' schools prior to initiating block scheduling will be outlined.

Presenter(s): Ed Hedgepeth
Domain 6.0: Accountability & Systemwide Performance

M106
Q & A with Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III
Participants will engage in a Q & A with Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III

Presenter(s): Freeman Hrabowski, III
Domain 5.0: Professional Growth & Development
Domain 9.0: Transformational Leadership

M107
Are all Grade Level Teams Professional Learning Communities?
Memphis City Schools has established a year‐long district initiative, the Professional Learning Communities Institute (PLCI). Twelve school leadership teams have worked to build their leadership capacity and to increase student achievement by engaging in the research findings of Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker and Thomas Many. Several PLCI school leadership teams will share their journey from teams to high‐performing collaborative, professional learning communities. Participants will explore the major tenets of Professional Learning Communities including A Focus on Results, A Collaborative Culture with a Focus on Learning for All, Collective Inquiry into Best Practice and Current Reality, Action Orientation: Learning by Doing and A Commitment to Continuous Improvement and Results Orientation.

Presenter(s): Brenda F. Mathews, Terry Ross, Janice Crawford and Angela Whitelaw
Domain 5.0: Professional Growth & Development
Domain 10.0: Professional Ethics and

M108
So….YOU Want to Be a Principal?
You have reached the inevitable point in your career where you think you’re ready for the next step: Principal. This session will focus on the role of the Principal in the leadership capacity as it relates to the development of strong leadership skills. Real world scenarios based on the experience of the presenter will engage participants in effective problem‐solving techniques while strategically building strong professional development skills for managing a diverse school community.

Presenter(s): LaVaughn Bridges
Domain 9.0: Transformational Leadership

M109
Cultural Proficiency
This session is designed to demonstrate how school leadership teams can impart techniques and practices that target underperforming students for the purpose of employing pedagogy that worked best for other students like them. The session will also address the core issues of low expectations and the lack of will to change as schools face the challenge of overcoming all barriers to all students achieving proficiency.

Presenter(s): Pamela Noli, Ed Porter, Cedrick Gray, Anthony Harris, Trina Holly, Carl E. Johnson, Jr. and Susanne Jackson
Domain 3.0: Diversity

M110
Lessons Learned from Organizational Improvements
Best Practices in eliminating the achievement gap.

Presenter(s): Tommie L. McCarter, James Griffin, Frederick Holmes and April Smith
Domain 8.0: Research & Standards‐Based Curriculum/Instruction