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Keynotes
Dr. Beverly L. Hall
Dr. Beverly L. Hall
College Worthy and College Ready: The K–12 Journey in Atlanta - Monday, June 28, 2010—8:00 a.m.
Join Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall for a discussion about Atlanta Public Schools’ 10-year journey to rebuild the K–12 pipeline to college. She will discuss the district’s focus on teaching and learning excellence—especially the transformation of its large, comprehensive high schools into small, personalized environments that provide rigorous and engaging learning opportunities for all students.
Dr. Hall has been superintendent of Atlanta (GA) Public Schools for 10 years, making her one of the longest-serving superintendents of an urban school district. Dr. Hall, who was named the 2009 National Superintendent of the Year, is credited with transforming the 102-school system in Atlanta through a comprehensive reform agenda. Every elementary school in Atlanta made adequate yearly progress in 2008, and graduation rates at several high schools have risen sharply.
The vision of the Atlanta Public Schools is to be one of the nation’s highest performing urban school systems, where 90 percent of its ninth-graders graduate from high school in four years ready for success in college or career. In addition to setting an aggressive reform agenda to accelerate student achievement, Dr. Hall has worked actively with the community to gain support for public education in the city of Atlanta. She has developed relationships with the business community, civic organizations, nonprofits, and government leaders. As a result, the district has an extensive network of partners who donate time, resources, and volunteers to help individual schools.
Dr. Henry Russell
Dr. Henry Russell
High School Redesign: Lessons Learned - Tuesday, June 29, 2010—8:30–9:30 a.m.
After a year of research and study, a task force of 50 individuals (25 educators and 25 parents/community leaders) submitted to the Board of Education a list of recommendations that set the course for redesigning the high schools in Independence, Missouri. Dr. Russell will share the “lessons” they have learned in their six year journey. These principles can be applied to any high school that is on the road to creating an environment where students’ dreams can come true.
Dr. Henry Russell chaired the High School Task Force—made up of 25 parents/community leaders and 25 educators—that set the direction of the redesign of high schools in Independence, Missouri. He also led the High School Steering Committee that created the early plans to address the goals set forth by the Task Force.
As a teacher, Dr. Russell was named the Outstanding Young Educator in Missouri; as a principal, his school had the distinction of being one of the top 10 in the state on the basis of turnaround in student achievement. He also served in several central office positions, including deputy superintendent and superintendent. Under his leadership, two diverse school districts were recognized as "Accredited with Distinction for Student Performance" for the first time in their respective histories.
After 33 years of serving in public school districts in the Kansas City area, he is now teaching in the Department of Educational Leadership and Human Development at the University of Central Missouri, preparing the next generation of principals.
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