Spotlight Archive

March 9, 1999
Brooklyn College Hosts First Annual Middle School Conference

       Brooklyn, NY -The School of Education at Brooklyn College will host a conference for school districts throughout Brooklyn at the college's Student Union Building on Saturday, March 20, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

       The symposium, entitled The Purpose behind the Practice, will bring together teachers, distinguished authors, and education professors at Brooklyn College for discussions regarding recent curriculum developments and other crucial issues for middle school educators. Workshops in technology, inclusion, community-building, English Language Arts (ELA) standards, constructivist learning, and literacy will be offered throughout the day.

       Participants in the session include keynote speaker Dr. Paul S. George, professor of education at the University of Florida, who consults with education groups throughout the country and around the world. Dr. George is the author of The Middle School and Beyond and The Japanese Junior High School: A View from the Inside.

       Other distinguished presenters are: Dr. Judith A. Rizzo, deputy chancellor for instruction, New York City Board of Education, an accomplished educator whose vision has helped schools and systems improve their student performance, attendance, and parental involvement. Her special interest in middle school reform will be the focus of a forthcoming conference on leadership and standards for the twenty-first century. Dr. Rizzo is an adjunct professor of education administration at Teachers College, Columbia University.

       Alfie Kohn, a former teacher who writes and speaks widely on the subjects of human behavior, education, and social theory. Mr. Kohn has authored such acclaimed books as No Contest: The Case against Competition, and Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise and Other Bribes.

       Dr. Maxine Greene, the William F. Russell Chair of the Foundations of Education at Teachers College, who will also be honored at the event for her lifelong commitment and contributions to education.

       "This is an extraordinary gathering where leading educators will explore the vital ingredients for an effective middle school experience," said Dr. Deborah Shanley, dean of the School of Education at Brooklyn College. "Our ultimate goal is to improve the academic achievement levels of all middle school students."

       "This is a prime opportunity for teachers from the eleven school districts in Brooklyn to embrace exemplary middle school practices and the values they embody," added Dr. Howard Segan, assistant professor of education at Brooklyn College. For more information, please contact Dr. Segan, project director of the Middle Schools Initiative and coordinator of the conference, at (718) 951-5608.

       Brooklyn College, founded in 1930, is one of the eleven senior colleges of the City University of New York. It educates 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school is known nationally for its core curriculum, which has been hailed as one of the "bright spots" in American higher education. Located on a 26-acre tree-lined campus in Flatbush, Brooklyn College has a diverse student body representing more than 70 of the borough's 100 ethnic groups. Additional information, including course descriptions and admission requirements, is available on the Brooklyn College Web site at: www.brooklyn.cuny.edu.



ARCHIVE      MAIN

Brooklyn College Web Site
Copyright © 1999, 1998 Brooklyn College.
All Rights Reserved.