Conferences and Events

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Professional Development and Leadership Conferences

Magnet Schools of America (MSA) hosts several professional development/training conferences throughout the year, ranging from research, best practices, and technical assistance. These include:

LEGISLATIVE TRAINING CONFERENCE

Magnet school leaders annually visit the nation's capital to learn about the latest policy developments affecting magnet schools. During the conference policy experts discuss a wide spectrum of topics including the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the federal education budget and funding for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), implementation of the Common Core Standards, legal and civil rights issues impacting magnet schools, and new educational research. Attendees also visit Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and their staff to promote magnet schools. The next conference will be held (February 3-6, 2013 in Washington, DC).

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MAGNET SCHOOLS

Next year's national conference will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma (May 5-8, 2013) and will be hosted by the Tulsa Public Schools. Each year approximately 1,000-1,200 magnet teachers, principals, top level administrators and school board members from across the nation in magnet and public schools of choice participate in MSA's premier meeting. Participants experience a wide spectrum of professional development opportunities through outstanding keynote speakers, general and breakout sessions including technology, best practices, innovative instruction, and theme integration in magnet schools. Participants are also provided the opportunity to visit magnet schools by theme and grade level within the host district. Preceding the national conference is MSA's all day pre-conference where participants may select up to three (3) presentations.

SUMMER INSTITUTE and LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

MSA's Summer Institute offers professional development for teachers and principals, as well as leadership training for principals/aspiring principals through MSA's Leadership Academy sponsored by the National Institute for Magnet School Leadership (NIMSL). Throughout the institute, participants have the opportunity to experience, "theme-based" and "job-a-like" workshops from the host district. The Leadership Academy focuses on five key areas - people, priorities, promotion, practices and productivity. MSA staff provides training on how to prepare for MSA's Individual Awards Programs: Principal of-the-Year, Teacher of-the-Year, Poster Contest, and the 2013 Merit School application.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TRAINING CONFERENCE (NTATC)

This is MSA's most popular conference for fellow magnet educators. Held in the fall, this conference addresses strategic planning, staff development, curriculum development, and research to support magnet programs, curriculum assessment, policy and decision making. One of the most frequently asked questions is, "how do I start a magnet program?" This and many other key questions are answered at MSA's annual Technical Assistance Conference. This year's conference will take place (October 14-16, 2012 in Washington, DC).