I really need your help and feedback at least on the registration form, which includes the agenda format. We need to get these out to schoools before the end of the school year. My questions are: (1) Does the addition of the questions on the front page (which neeed to be reformatted) help or hinder understanding of the nature of this conference? (2) Is the verbage sufficent or too wordy to create realistic expectations for the institute? (3) Are the descriptors of the interactive seminars realistic?
I also need your help in recommending names of people who could lead each of the intractive seminars. I am going to be out of touch from May 4 through May 28, so I would appreciate as much help before then as possible.

Oops! I just read my own comments--I'll be back the 18th, not the 28th--a long-planned vacation in Spain. I plan to check email, but will answer ONLY if it's an emergency!

In reflecting upon the agenda for the three days, I'm wondering about what is proposed for the third day. Is there enough there? My experience tells me that we may lose people during the school team planning time...especially is someone is attending as an individual or as a small team. Will there be a structure for this time or a facilitator? What is compelling about the third day for one to attend? Is there a way to create time and space for a PLC meeting or for an interactive seminar? I'm just not sure.......

I really like the first two days...A focus on quality teaching and learning using video footage feels authentic. Also, having fewer high quality interactive seminars is definitely a strength.

As far as recommendations for interactive seminar "presenters", some resources I can think of include NSRF, AISR, as well as the A+ Program Coordinators from the different initiatives. Also, Sharon Koonce (HISD's Professional Development Manager) may be a good contact as well.

In response to Lynn's questions:
1. I suggest taking the questions off the front cover of the registration packet. Keep the cover really clean and simple with just the HA+C logo, the FRSSI 2005 logo, and title, date, and place. That's enough info to get people to open up the brochure.
2. OK
3. You could probably cut out the descriptions of the semimars. At this point, people are not signing up for specific seminars. In fact, we do not know exactly who will be leading each seminar. Keep it simple.

Like Lance, I really like the agenda for the first two days, but the third day seems weak.

Upon reviewing the documents here are my suggestions:

Regarding the cover, I would simplify and take off the question. It's easier to read and more accessible as a marketing tool.

Regading descriptors, I have a question in letter H about collaborative inquiry. Is the topic just about teachers or does it include anyone else who wants to engage in research? In letter I, how about changing it to "Reducing school isolation by increasing community involvement". Lastly, in letter J how about "Moving from Cooperation to Shared Leadership".

Also, in day three, I wonder if there could be an opportunity to work on a plc activity to model for participants so they can take away a concrete activity to instill in their own learning about a PLC.

Alejandro

Front cover-leave off the questions, BUT use them on the inside. I think they catch attention and fous the reader. I also like the visual of the funnel.

Application-no changes to note

Descriptors needs to be left on, since time is running short for teams to talk about sessions.

For future conversation-
Looking at each session noting quality teaching and learning, I am wondering how they will differ? For example, to go from the 1-hour meeting in large group session A to a 2-hour meeting in the PLC Meeting 1, how will the converstainos be different? I'm imagininng that it will take a really good facilitator to move the converstation.

What kinds of converstaions need to be held with individuals that form a PLC about 1. how to impact learning as an individual? 2. how to start a PLC?

Re: the registration form. I, too, recommend leaving the first question on the cover page as a teaser and removing the others. The funnel should stay, too, as it also is an effective attention getting device. Very thorough descriptions on page 3 of this year's changes and clear explanations of why we made them. But pages 4 and 5 are quite text dense. I wonder if the seminar descriptions can be collapsed into one or two sentences??