Some Random Reflections

A few reflections on the AASA 2008 National Conference on Education

1. Speakers - Good to Excellent - I liked the general theme of globalization and its impact on K-12 education. I think the speakers showed a degree of understanding that I wish more of the business community and legislators understood. Click here to read what Alan November said about how schools should change. Click on the audio link in the article to hear what he said about assessment in schools!

2. Internal Coverage of the Conference - Excellent coverage of the conference from the Conference Daily staff. (Click here for all the articles from each day.) The return of the hard copy newspaper was a big hit. I witnessed many situations where superintendents were reading the coverage of other sessions they could not get to. I think participants read the paper on the bus and in the airports during down time and I think overall The Conference Daily provides an excellent service. The online version is equally excellent but it reaches a different audience. It usually reaches audiences that are not at the conference at all. This blog "Taking Stock of the Conference" is a supplemental service meant to provide a little different take on the conference. Next year we intend to do a better job of linking to other sites within each post. For example, if we post about a certain presenter we should link to various sites that are related to that presenter. We have yet to utilize the power of the internet through multiple hyperlinks which will be a goal for our coverage next year. Internal statistics reveal that most readers of the blog are finding it through the AASA web site.

3. Weather - How do you beat 70's and sunny with a slight breeze! Most of us didn't get to enjoy it that much but it sure makes waiting for the conference shuttle bus a pleasant experience!

4. Networking - This is always a pleasant side benefit of the AASA national conference. The superintendency is a lonely job sometimes and the opportunities for brainstorming and sharing with other individuals cannot be overlooked.

Next year's conference is in San Francisco. Click here for a list of AASA conferences and meetings!