The school year is winding down.  The 37th Annual COSA Professional Development Conference at Seaside begins Wednesday.  And the 2011 legislative session is expected to wrap up any day now.

• Nancy Golden will share information about the governor’s education investment board, as well as other legislative news, during the morning keynote address.  Golden, currently the governor’s education advisor but also the superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, will be joined by Salem-Keizer Superintendent Sandy Husk and State Board member Duncan Wyse.  
• Rick Stiggins will discuss grading and assessment, a critical topic for school leaders.  As Douglas Reeves says: “If you wanted to make just one change that would immediately reduce student failure rates, then the most effective place to start would be challenging prevailing grading practices.”
• We will honor COSA Executive Director Kent Hunsaker, as well as award winners.
• Afternoon workshops include: grading (with Stiggins); school law (with Nancy Hungerford); and iPad and iPod learning.

On Thursday:

• Keynote speakers Yong Zhao and Jennifer James, two internationally acclaimed presenters, will challenge us to think more deeply about American education’s standing in the world.
• We will choose from 55 breakout sessions from Oregon’s leading educators, who will provide a closer look at their on-the-ground, successful practices.
• We will honor state award winners.

The annual Special Education pre-conference is set for Wednesday, and attendees will have plenty of opportunities to network with colleagues or enjoy family activities throughout the three conference days.

Online conference registration is now closed, but those not yet registered can do so at the door.