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62nd ASCD Annual Conference at the Anaheim Convention Centre in Anaheim, California from 17 to 19 March 2007. 

This was my second experience attending this international education conference which is organized annually by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), based in Virginia, USA.  Compared to the previous conference that I had attended in Orlando, Florida, this year’s conference saw a larger number of international participants, practically from all the continents. 

The theme of the conference was “Valuing the Whole Child – Embracing a Global Vision”.  Richard Hanzelka, the ASCD President, in his greeting message to the participants, said that the intention of the conference was to assist the participants to understand that children, their growth, and their well-being, remained the centre of the purpose of educators.  The three strands of the conference were:

  • Policy and Advocacy to Support the Whole Child
  • Transformation of the Education Professions
  • Enriching Learning and Teaching 

Gene R Carter, the Executive Director of ASCD, in his greeting message, stressed on the importance of creating schools which addressed the development of the whole child – ethically, physically, emotionally, and civically, as well as academically – and for this to take place, it required the collaboration among educators, policymakers, parents and the community. 

Throughout the three days, there were general sessions, special feature sessions with distinguished speakers, 400 concurrent sessions, exhibitor workshops and the chance for participants to purchase educational materials, books, resources and programmes from the exhibitors in the Exhibition Hall. 

It was a treat to be able to meet and be in the sessions of some of the well-known authors of ASCD books and to mingle with educators from around the world. 

The 63rd ASCD Conference will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from 15 to 17 March 2008.  The theme of the conference will be “Reinventing Schools – Courageous Leadership for Positive Change”.   

Besides the American States and the Canadian Provinces, other countries like Japan, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico and Curacao are ASCD affiliate representatives.  In order to keep in touch with international education, it is my recommendation that ANPS, Indonesia makes an effort to become an affiliate member under the name Indonesia ASCD.  More details can be found in the website: www.ascd.org 

Another international education conference taking place this year is the ACEL (Australian Council for Educational Leaders) 2007 International Conference at the Sydney Convention Centre from 10 to 12 October 2007 in Sydney, Australia.  The theme is “New Imagery for Schools and Schooling: Challenging, Creating, and Connecting”.  ASCD (USA) is also one of the conference partners at this conference.    

Article submitted by:Dr Anula SamuelExecutive Principal & In-House ConsultantSingapore School, Kebon Jeruk 14 May 2007

 
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