FSCA NEWS

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SECOND ANNUAL FLORIDA COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (FCAN) CONFERENCE

Connecting for Students – Giving Power to Dreams

Registration begins at 9:00 am to allow plenty of time to arrive and get settled before the conference kicks off at 1:00 pm. Here are some highlights of our keynotes, great sessions, and panel discussions for the nest two days:

WEDNESDAY, September 20th, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

• Conference Opening and Welcome with Ms. Monica Hayes, Director of the Office of Equity and Access, Florida Department of Education.

• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Yvonne Freeman, Executive Director of SECME, Inc. formerly the Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering, hear how nation-wide programs have been launched that encourage students, educators, and communities to pursue education and careers in math, science, and engineering.

• Community and Faith Based Organizations and Grant-Writing Tips: Mark Nelson, Director of the Governor’s Faith Based and Community Initiative and Ruth Hall, President, Florida Association of School Administrators.

• Migrant Student Services and the Florida Migrant Interstate Program: Alice Matthews, Director, Florida Migrant Interstate Program, Florida Gulf Coast University

• College Goal Sunday: Mark Your Calendars!: Amy Albee, Coordinator, Outreach and Access, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education, Department of Education

• Centers of Excellence; Promoting a Culture of Achievement: Dr. Lawrence Morehouse, Executive Director, Florida Education Fund

• Cultural Competency: Monica Hayes, Director, Office of Equity and Access, Florida Department of Education

• College Readiness: PLAN/ACT: Tinsley Furry, Consultant

• College Reach Out Program (CROP): Dr. Adeola Fayemi, Senior Program Director; and Darrell McQueen, Program Specialist; Office of Equity and Access, Department of Education

THURSDAY, September 21st, 9:00 am through 7:00 pm
(Reception from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, hosted by the Florida Education Fund)

• General Session: Overview of A++ and Education Reform in Florida: Panel Discussion with Dr. Cheri Pierson-Yecke, Chancellor, K12 Public School System; and Dr. Bonnie Marmor, Vice Chancellor, Workforce Education, and Dr. Judith Bilsky, Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, both with the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education; and all with the Florida Department of Education.

• Engaging Latino Communities for Education. (ENLACE): Presenters from the University of South Florida will outline the mission, principles, and strategies of the Kellogg Foundation's ENLACE initiative, its transition to a university-sustained program, and the proposed ENLACE FLORIDA network which will constitute the third phase of Kellogg funding.

• Alternatives to Suspensions: Emma Banks, Principal’ Dr. Deokee Balliram, Principal; and Mr. Jack Myszkowski, Principal; all from Inlet Grove High School, Palm Beach County Public Schools

• Mentoring Initiatives: Kay Kammel, Vice President of Programs, Volunteer Florida Foundation

• Florida Virtual School: Michelle Kinley, Diversity Initiatives Manager, Florida Virtual Education

• FACTS.org and Career Counseling: Donna Haff, Director of Training, FACTS.org, Florida Department of Education.

• Luncheon Keynote Speaker: Ms. Kathleen Shanahan, Member, Florida State Board of Education  (tentative)

• General Session: Today’s Secondary Students: Real Issues to Address: Panel Discussion on topics of Health, Data Trends, Drop Out Prevention, Disabilities, and Discipline: Secretary M. Rony Francois, Department of Health;  Jeff Sellers, Director of Integrated Education Data Systems, Department of Education; Kimberly Davis, Director, Drop Out Prevention, Department of Education; Conney Dahn, Macy’s and Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year for 2007; and Emma Banks, Principal, Inlet Grove High School, Palm Beach County Public Schools

• School Choice and How it Serves Students with Disabilities and Minorities, Virginia Gentles, Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education

• Financing College: Loans, Grants, and Scholarships; What’s New, What’s Required: Cynthia Williams, Need Unit Program Director, Office of Student Financial Assistance, Department of Education

• College Readiness: PSAT/SAT, Summer Camps, and Summer Institutes: Jesus F. Jara, Senior Director, College Board

• Mentoring Initiatives: Kay Kammel, Vice President of Programs, Volunteer Florida Foundation

• Guidance Counseling: The Expanding Role

Everyone is invited to attend the FCAN RECEPTION, starting at 5:00 pm.
Hosted by the Florida Education Fund


Friday, September 22nd, 9:00 am to noon

• General Session: Connecting for Students: How Do We Do What We Do Better? Panel discussion with Dr. Judith Bilsky, Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education, Dr. Mark Rosenberg, Chancellor, State University System, Board of Governors (tentative), and two students.

• Our closing session promises to inspire and motivate us to collaborate, improve upon what we do, and stay committed to helping Florida’s students achieve all they were meant to achieve through education. Pastor Ken Scrubbs, First Baptist Church, Leesburg, Florida.