Oakbrook Terrace, IL (June 29, 2010) – The Curriculum Institute, a non‐profit organization dedicated to providing research and effective models for teaching and learning, held its second Curriculum Institute Conference June 25‐27 at the Hyatt Regency in Philadelphia. The Institute’s focus was on key education issues facing administrators and teachers today. Attendees from the U.S. and International locations gathered to hear from leaders in the area of education research and were given the opportunity to learn from, and interact with, nationally‐ recognized education professionals with first‐hand experience tackling today’s toughest issues.

This year’s engaging keynote speakers included Grant Wiggins, author of A Mission‐and‐Best‐Practice Driven Curriculum: Why and How?, and Peg Portscheller, author of From Surviving to Thriving – Education in the 21st Century. Opening remarks by Pamela Brown, Chief Academic Officer for the School District of Philadelphia, welcomed the audience of over 300 to the city of Philadelphia, and Rolf Blank from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), who provided up‐to‐date information on the new Common Core Standards. Over 50 workshop sessions and presentations were conducted on a variety of timely topics. Some examples of session content: Curriculum Mapping for 21st Century Initiatives, Leadership Planning for Administrators, Instructional Practices, Assessment and Grading Strategies, and Curriculum Improvement Tactics.

"The Institute is very pleased to once again bring together an impressive group of thought leaders who represent such high abilities, backgrounds, and interests" says Michael Rush, Executive Director of the Curriculum Institute. "The value in having these educational leaders at one conference is that it provides a rare opportunity to exchange ideas on a wide‐range of issues and topics in a very stimulating environment. This is particularly important as the educational landscape begins to change as states transition to the Common Core State Standards."

In addition to the conference sessions, a new Leadership Academy strand, added this year, was designed for school administrators to learn strategies that will help them cope with and manage the complexities of leading school districts in the 21st Century. Kicking off the Leadership Academy was keynote speaker, Cameron Evans, U.S. Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Corporation, who spoke on 21st Century technologies that will change our future. The Franklin Covey organization was represented by Muriel Summers, Principal of AB Combs Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC, who shared specific student, building, and community practices that lead to student success, based on The Leader in Me book….the vision of Sean Covey.

“As a corporate sponsor, we are especially pleased that the Institute is growing each year and that they had such a strong line‐up of education visionaries,” says Kathryn Allen, EVP, Collaborative Learning Inc. “The combination of inspirational discussions with the presentation of original, solid research will help the attendees create unique education environments supporting 21st Century skills.”

The Institute also presented awards to recognize members who demonstrated excellence. The awardees included the following district leaders:

Dr. Linda Dzialo, Deputy Superintendent, Lawton Public Schools, Lawton, OK, Outstanding Achievement
Dr. Patricia Johnson, Park Ridge School District, Park Ridge, NJ, District Visionary
James E. Cooney, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum, Diocese of Orlando, FL, Leading Exceptional School Change
Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, O.P., Associate Superintendent for Staff Development, Leading Exceptional School Change
Joanne DeMizio, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Staff Development, Archdiocese of New York, Staten Island, NY
Zoilita Herrera, Superintendent for Staten Island, Archdiocese of New York, Staten Island, NY, Partnership

For more information about the Conference or to request an interview with a speaker, contact, michael.rush@curriculuminstitute.org.

About Curriculum Institute

The Curriculum Institute is a non‐profit research and education body dedicated to connecting today’s leading research on effective education and best practices, with leaders and teachers in real schools. Our programs are underwritten by Institute sponsors. For more information, visit our website: www.curriculuminstitute.org, or contact Michael Rush, Executive Director at 630.282.1639.