Celebrating Opportunities: 4-state focus eyes academic success for all students
A keynote speech by a former California high school and college track and field champion was among the highlights of the recent Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Students of All Cultures Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Despite a diagnosis of mild autism, Joseph Edward “Joe” Prince, a graduate of Ravenswood High School in East Palo Alto, became a champion California College Athletic Association Conference sprinter—only to be diagnosed with cancer. Prince recovered and documented his experience overcoming adversity in his book, “Liberation Saturday.” He’s now a high school track coach in Arizona.
Other keynoters, workshop session speakers and participants at the March 26-28 conference focused on engaging and inspiring students of all cultures, sharing strategies for such approaches as engaging communities and parents in students’ schools; using data effectively to advance student achievement; and building good governance teams.
School board members and administrators who attended from California said the conference was an informative and enriching experience. CSBA Executive Director Scott P. Plotkin reported the event was very well received. He expressed regret that state budget crises forced many who might otherwise have attended to forgo this year’s conference.
Celebrating Opportunities rotates each year among the four state school boards associations—California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas—that sponsor the event. Next year’s conference will be in Santa Fe, New Mexico.