ASCD Chicago Regional Meeting
Chicago, the city of amazing architecture, jazz and the birthplace of the hot dog, really is no place to visit in February, but there I was, on February 8 and 9 attending the ASCD Southeast, Central and Caribbean Regional meeting. Despite threats of snowstorms and airport closures, members from as far away as Curacao were able to attend the meeting.
The group welcomed Saskatchewan, Canada’s newest member, which now has started a regional chapter, and the Executive Director and a board member attended.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to share and learn about what was going on in the other regions. All of the affiliates are concerned with building up membership and providing professional development opportunities for members just as BCASCD is. Many of the affiliates have annual leadership academies that run from two to five days.
Much of the table talk focused on the high stakes testing taking place in every state, and the impact this was having on students and teachers. There was deep concern about funding being tied to test scores, and the pressure this put on the neediest students. It was interesting to hear about the efforts all the affiliates are making to lobbying their elected representatives to reconsider this practice.
ASCD continues to further the cause of The Whole Child. They have worked to sign on partners to support the cause, and continue to build those partnerships. The toolkit includes checklist for schools and communities and an outline to support facilitators in holding community conversations about the Whole Child. The DVD is now available on YouTube, which makes it easily available for any school or community group to have a focussed discussion on what it takes to support and educate The Whole Child.
Despite the chilly weather, I found it an inspiring opportunity to meet with other affiliate members to find out what they are doing, and to share the events and plans BCASCD has.
Margaret Ross
Assistant Director
Professional and Social Issues
British Columbia Teachers' Federation
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