ASU hosts national conference for educational partnerships

Arizona State University educators will focus on the positive and share stories of academic and community success at a national conference this week in downtown Phoenix.

The Office of Vice President for Education Partnerships (VEPE), located on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus will host the “What Works” National Conference on Feb. 20-21 at the Hyatt Regency, 122 N. Second St., Phoenix. More than 150 expert educators from approximately 60 colleges and universities nationwide will gather to discuss successful educational approaches, strategies, and programs and partnerships at their respective institutions.

“We want to let other educators know what we’re doing at our schools, why we’re doing it and why it’s successful,” said Louis Olivas, VEPE’s assistant vice president. “Participants should be able to walk away from this conference with the ability to replicate these successful programs and strategies and so that their students and communities will benefit.”

Founded in 2003, the VEPE’s mission is to strategically engage in efforts that will enhance the academic performance of Arizona’s students and collaborate with community and corporate entities to leverage the power of combined resources. The result has been the establishment of five formal partnerships, three developing partnerships involving more than 20 ASU academic units, 60 faculty and 18 school districts.

The focus of the conference, Olivas said, will be on professional preparation, development and retention, student and family engagement, and private, public and community engagement in support of public education.  Topics include paving the way for underrepresented students to attend graduate school, post secondary alliances and collaborations, community partnerships, evaluation practice, teacher preparation and prioritizing urban children, teachers and schools.

The cost of the two-day conference is $150 per person, which includes a continental breakfast. To view the conference agenda online or to learn more about the “What Works” National Conference, visit http://educationpartnerships.asu.edu or call (480) 965-3538.