NSBA General Counsel Francisco M. Negron, Jr. will discuss recent legal developments and how they will impact school district policies and procedures. Log in to view the live discussion on Monday, April 6th at 1:00 PM PDT.

“Every child can learn.” – Arne Duncan

When Arne Duncan gave his speech in that room, it not only gave me goose bumps and opened my eyes to new ideas, but also gave me an epiphany regarding certain issues back in my hometown about educational reform. (more…)

 Sectretary of Eduacation, Arne Duncan, expressed that we need to give our students real opportunities and real support. I believe that by doing so we will be able to nurture a real future. As a student board member, I’ve witnessed this “race to the bottom” that Secretary Duncan explained in his speech. To better the lives and futures ahead of us we need to “race to the top” by going beyond standards and stepping away from the status quo. I agree that there should be “no suprises” when it comes to our triumphs and victories because success should be expected. We need to continue to rise through these times of ecomomic downfall by telling the truth, or as Sectretary Duncan explained “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”  A better economy has its roots in  better education. “A race to the top”  in our schools is what needs to happen with no ifs, ands, or excuses.

Kiera Murphy

Sweetwater Union High School District Student Board Representative

NSBA Director of Federal Relations Reggie Felton will discuss the Obama Administration’s first 75 days and what that means for school boards and public education. Log in to view the live discussion on Sunday, April 5th at 1:00 PM PDT.

As a local San Diegan, I was wasn’t aware of how big of a deal the NSBA Conferance really was. I’m so fortunate to be a part of a conference that brings together people who share the love for our country and education system. As a current student board member, I participated in the Youth in Governance experience. I learned about school boards from all over the country. It was amazing to share what I had to say about my perspectives on students’ roles in government and the democratic process. It’s important to include students, because we bring the high school into the board room. Our inate qualities make the other board members step up and stay focused with what they are all there for, which is to make a better and brighter future for myself and my peers.

Kiera Murphy

Sweetwater Union High School District Student Board Representative

Visit the Youth-in-Governance website, www.civic-us.org, to find some basic information on the youth in governance institute. In the downloads section you’ll find the materials referred to in the Sunday, April 5th, 2009 Deeper Look Session in Room 26AB.

And, stay tuned for more information on this site, in the days, weeks, and years ahead. We have high hopes of supporting school boards across the United States, and around the world, attain the goal of highly effective student board representation.

Sunday, April 5th, at 2:00 – 5:00 pm, come to room 26AB in the Convention Center. The youth who are participating in the Institute will be presenting the 9 elements needed to have highly effective student representation on your local board. The Deeper Look Session will be highly experiential, energizing, and remind you why effective student representation is essential to your effort to ALL of your student achievement goals!

By participating in this Deeper Look Session, you will help us to write THE Book on effective youth representation that will be distributed, by email, in the fall of 2009.

We look forward to seeing you, working with you, and learning with you.

    I am a first year attendee of the NSBA Convention. From what I have experienced so far in my sessions, I can say that I am more knowledgeable about my role on the board as a Student Representative as well as the general role of the board itself. It was helpful as an incoming board member to interact with those who have been where I am going. This experience allowed me to share my ideas as well as hear the ideas of my peers. I think that this convention is an excellent opportunity for future board members to gain a better understanding of their school board and give them more experience going in. I will definitely use the knowledge that I have gained here during my term as Student Representative for the Board of Education in Illinois (District 129).

    As a honor student I am expected to perform academically at a certain level by my family as well as by those who don’t know me personally. The bar was set for me by my mother at a young age and it has become a goal of mine to meet and exceed the high expectations that I am faced with. Now, I set the bar for myself along with my family and mentors. Secretary Duncan mentioned that some may think that many kids can’t learn. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! If children have some adults that care enough to tell them that they can do better and raise the bar for them just like my family and mentors do for me, the community would be suprised at how much progress we would see. As young people we simply need someone to believe in us, and most importantly we need to believe in ourselves.

These are seven quick things I noted from Arne Duncan’s speech on Saturday, April 5, 2009. 

• He spoke of the $100 billion stimulus bill and how the money will be split up, which does sound promising.
• I question how the states will divide up the money to districts and what is the time line for the money to reach us in.
• I found it interesting when he referred to the No Child Left Behind Act as a race to the bottom instead of a race to the top, and how we desperately need to change that.
• I am glad he talked about how we need to raise the bar and our standards in order to compete with other countries through out the world.
• Duncan’s idea of tracking a child’s strengths and weakness is really Great and very valuable.
• I also like hi idea of tracking teachers to make sure they are doing the best job that they can.
• I think that making a school the focus of the community is very important.  It is something that truly needs to be done in order to bring the community together and create a more promising environment.