M and E 4th NATIONAL ASSESSMENT CONFERENCE STATE CONTENT STANDARDS and IASA and DISTRICT ASSESSMENT NEEDS FEATURING A SPECIAL CHARTER SCHOOL TRACK TANQUE VERDE GUEST RANCH Tucson, Arizona JANUARY 25-29, 1998 PLANNED CONFERENCE AGENDA

General Sessions

• The Status of State Content Standards and State Assessment Programs
• A Strategic Planning Model for Meeting State and IASA Assessment Requirements, and Analyzing State Content Standards and Conducting Alignment Studies
• Developing a District Testing Program Designed to Meet District and IASA Assessment Requirements, and Developing District Research, Planning and Evaluation Capability
• The National Voluntary Test Initiative and the Charter School Movement
• Evaluating Educational Programs and Technology
• Obtaining Grants for Curriculum and Assessment
• The Status of International Education and Assessment Programs
• Facilitating Curriculum and Assessment with Technology
• Exemplary District Assessment Solutions
• Panel Discussion with Selected Practitioners on Accountability and Educational Reform Issues

• Initiating a District Curriculum/Assessment Alignment
• Test Item Development
• Developing Program Evaluation Designs
• The Internet as a Resource for Curriculum, Technology, Grants, Assessment and Evaluation
• Developing a Grants Program
• Meeting Charter School Accountability

Conference Socials

• Night Sights from the Highest Point at Tanque Verde
• Javalena Hunt and Hop
• Fireside Chats in Room 21
• Star Gazing Party

Keynote Speaker Chester E. Finn, Jr., Ed.D. Co-Chairman, Educational Excellence Network Hudson Institute Washington, D.C.

Chester Finn is Co-Chairman of the Educational Excellence Network of the Hudson Institute in Washington, D. C. He is one of the nation's leading experts on education. At the Hudson Institute he directs the project on "Charter Schools in Action" and serves as John M. Olin Fellow. Among his positions, Dr. Finn has served as Assistant Secretary for Research and Improvement and Counselor to the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Education, and Staff Assistant to the President of the United States. Dr. Finn serves on a number of boards and committees, has been a visiting lecturer in more than a dozen countries, and has written eleven books and more than 200 articles which have appeared in national publications.

Featured Guest Speaker James A. Williams, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Dayton Public Schools Dayton, Ohio

James Williams is Superintendent of the Dayton Public Schools in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Williams is a strong advocate of educational, excellence and has received numerous awards for his efforts including: the Richard R. Green Award as "Urban Educator of the Year", awarded by the Council of Great City Schools; appointed by the Governor of Ohio to the Committee of 100 of the Ohio 2000 Project; and recipient of the "D. C. Principal of the Year" award, from the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Williams consults, teaches, serves as a member of numerous boards and organization, and is the author of articles which have appeared in national educational journals.