UK PIMSER to Host K-12 Standards and Assessment Conference
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2014) — This week, the University of Kentucky's Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform (PIMSER) is hosting a conference for educators and leaders across Kentucky on implementing standards in K-12 classrooms.
The fourth annual "Meeting the Challenge" Conference will take place July 22-24 at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, bringing in world-class presenters from across the U.S. and Australia. The program focuses on helping teachers and leaders implement standards in their classrooms, schools or districts, and for higher education faculty, helping them understand the needs of K-12 education and adapt curriculum and programs accordingly.
Presenters include Greg Yates, a cognitive psychologist and author; Laurie Henry of the UK College of Education; Gene Wilhoit of the National Center for Innovation in Education; and authors Page Keeley and Ted Hull. The keynote speaker presentation featuring Wilhoit will take place Wednesday, July 23 at 8:30 a.m.
Specific topics they will address include:
- "Why don’t students like learning at school?"
- "The importance of the classroom environment"
- "Expertise in classroom teaching"
- "Acquiring basic academic and complex skills"
- "Feedback, effort and valuing"
- "Math, science assessment, literacy and social studies"
The conference sessions are hand-selected and intentionally planned to meet the needs of teachers and leaders working to implement standards and effective assessment practices. Sessions are designed around the implementation challenges that districts are experiencing with distinctive features such as smaller, intimate sessions and time for personal interaction with presenters.
The invitation is open to any educator in the U.S., but this year all participants are from Kentucky with about 130 educators registered. For more information and ways to get involved, visit http://www.uky.edu/pimser/.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@uky.edu