2021 National ESEA Conference: Recommended Sessions to Attend

    

TransACT’s Parent Notices team looks forward to the National ESEA Conference every year. It gives us the opportunity to meet with and learn more about our current customers as well as stay up to date on the topics that are at the forefront for educators working in ESEA (ESSA) programs across the country. We’ve poured over the schedule and wanted to provide you with some presentations that we think would be worth checking out at the virtual National Association of ESEA State Program Administrator's Conference, February 8-11, 2021.  

The National ESEA Conference brings some of the highest quality presentations related to issues and concerns regarding the implementation of ESEA (ESSA) programs and best practices that can be extremely helpful to educators tasked with managing these programs. When you visit the exhibit hall, be sure to stop by the virtual TransACT booth. We will be sharing new functionality available in TransACT ParentNotices, such as storing existing notices, creating new notices mobile-friendly notices, collecting secure-digital signatures and resources about our other products that serve programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs 

The sessions are separated by day and in chronological order. Additionally, we have linked each session to the description. Note that the session marked with an * are presented by education experts that have previously presented as a part of TransACT's monthly webinar series. 

Jump to: Monday 2/8 | Tuesday 2/9 | Wednesday 2/10 | Thursday 2/11 

Monday (2/8) Sessions:  

When Black Minds Matter: Schools Where Black Students Excel 

  • 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM  
  • This presentation focuses on schools where Black Students excel. The principles that are used to help students excel can be applied across student groups to promote student success. 

Updates from the U.S. Department of Education

  • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM  
  • With the advent of a new presidential administration, these updates from the U.S. Department will be of significant interest.  

Pandemic Distance Learning Resources Focused on Special Populations

  • 1:15 - 2:45 PM 
  • This presentation from the U.S. Department of Education will provide important information for educators working with ELs, Students with Disabilities, and other Special Populations. 

The Power and the Process: Comprehensive Needs Assessment

  • 3:00 - 4:00 PM 
  • The use of needs assessment in driving educational programs is a little discussed but extremely important element of planning for student success. Check out what the U.S. Department of Education has to say on this topic. 

Tuesday (2/9) Sessions:  

Legal Requirements for Communicating in Parents’ Primary Language* 

  • 12:45 - 1:45 PM 
  • This session focuses on outlining the requirements legal to communicate with parents in a language they can understand. The presentation covers the requirements in ESSA, The Civil Rights Act, The Equal Educational Opportunity Act, and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. 

The Rights of Immigrant Students and English Learners in the Public Schools * 

  • 4:30 - 6:00 PM  
  • This workshop provides extensive information that educators working with ELs and Immigrant students need to know. Covering Civil Rights and other legal requirements, this presentation provides details for the implementation of programs for these often overlapping student groups. 

Wednesday (2/10) Sessions:  

Federal Updates: Education Policy and Politics 

  • 12:45 - 1:45 PM  
  • If you want to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of education policy and politics, this is the presentation to attend. Current and relevant information is provided that will benefit educators working in federal education programs. 

Collaborating to Improve Instruction for English Learner Learners with Disabilities 

  • 1:00 - 2:30 PM 
  • ELs with disabilities is a super-at-risk, difficult to serve student group due to being dually identified in two at-risk groups. Any insights into serving this high need group are always welcome. 

Thursday (2/11) Sessions:  

Success for Students with Limited or Interrupted Education - Face-to-Face or Online* 

  • 10:00 - 11:30 AM 
  • Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education or SLIFE, whether English Learners or not, face significant challenges due to interrupted learning and learning loss. The presenter provides excellent tools and ideas on providing services to this student group that are effective in improving academic achievement and student engagement. 

Increasing McKinney-Vento Grants as a Tool for Social Justice* 

  • 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM 
  • Students experiencing homelessness are one of our most at-risk student groups and one of the most difficult to serve. Check out this presentation to learn more about leveraging McKinney-Vento grants to increase equitable services for this student group. 

Be sure to stop by our virtual booth and use the live chat feature to say hello to the TransACT team. We will have resources about parent and family engagement under ESSA21st Century Community Learning Centers, and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs. 

Dr. David Holbrook

About The Author

Dr. David Holbrook is a nationally recognized leader in federal programs administration and monitoring with expertise in Title I, Title III, Native American Education, and Federal Programs. Dr. Holbrook has also worked as a consultant with Title III of the US Department of Education and now serves as Executive Director, Federal Compliance and State Relationships with TransAct.