Alfie Kohn, the outspoken critic of high-stakes testing, will present a day-long seminar at CTA's Urban Issues Conference April 27-29 in Oakland.
He will be discussing:
- The "truth" about testing;
- Moving beyond traditional classrooms and "tougher standards";
- Education's fixation on grades and test scores;
- Practical suggestions for reforms that will really improve teaching and learning.
A copy of Kohn's book The Schools Our Children Deserve is included in the registration fee. He's also the author of several other books, the most recent of which is The Case Against Standardized Testing.
Eight hours of professional growth credit will be given to participants.
The conference begins on April 27 with a day of visits to Oakland and San Francisco schools that have multicultural populations, followed by an evening reception. Saturday, April 28, is devoted to Kohn's seminar. The final day of the conference, April 29, features a morning panel presentation/discussion on humane education. Among the topics that will be discussed are:
- How can an effective anger management program impact the classroom?
- How can humane education create a more caring, cooperative and compassionate learning environment?
Panel members will provide real-life examples of what teachers can do, with an emphasis on practical thinking skills.
Panelists include Dr. Floyd A. McGregor, founder and president of Anger Management Systems 4:13; Dr. Mary Lou Randour, director of "Beyond Violence: The Human-Animal Connection," which is a joint project of the Doris Day Animal Foundation and Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; and Zoe Weil, creator of a humane education program that offers presentations in schools and colleges.
In addition to professional growth credits, teachers can earn up to two semester units of extension credit from the University of San Diego.
The conference will be held at the Oakland Marriott City Center. Room rates are $132.09 single or double occupancy. The registration fee is $85.
For more information, call CTA Negotiations and Organizational Development at (650) 552-5395.