Schlechty Center

Working on the Work Conference (Atlanta, GA) 10.17.10 - 10.20.10

This year's Working on the Work Conference will feature Phil Schlechty's newest thinking about the Working on the Work framework. In the past eight years--since the original Working on the Work book was published--Phil has learned much from educators, and his newest rewrite of the book has given him the opportunity to clarify, refine, and rethink some of the key concepts/components of the framework.

 

This conference provides attendees an opportunity to learn firsthand Phil's newest thoughts on how to create an engagement-focused school. Attendees will experience activities and processes to deepen their understanding of key concepts: engagement, design, innovation, prototyping, design specifications, and what Phil means by "work."

 

These key ideas will be presented within the context of the Directional and Knowledge Development and Transmission Systems, because these systems are the supports for making engagement central to schools.

 

All attendees will participate in three general sessions and will have a choice of one of three concurrent sessions. This year's sessions will be Engagement 2.0, Design 2.0, and Beliefs 2.0.

 

Engagement 2.0

This session will focus on the foundational concepts--such as beliefs, student voice, School Standards, Classroom Standards, Design Qualities, and the design process--that assist one in creating the conditions for design to happen in classrooms or schools. This session is designed for those who have had little experience with the Working on the Work framework. Throughout the session,  participants will maintain a Reflection Journal that will serve as a resource for them upon their return from the conference.

 

Design 2.0

This session will move the foundational concepts from theory into practice. All participants will experience the Schlechty Center's design process while being coached through a learning experience. The work product for this session will be a prototype of a learning experience for either students or adults. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of design and the relationship of design and engagement.

 

Beliefs 2.0

The work in this session focuses on the Directional System. Participants will be taken through the process of learning how to lead their district or school in revisiting and/or creating beliefs that support the transformation necessary to create engagement-focused schools. Experiences will be designed so all learners participate in each activity, to be followed with guided discussions to determine best strategies in leading their own staff members in the d evelopment of compelling beliefs.

 

Dates and Times: We will begin on Sunday evening at 5 p.m., with registration beginning at 4 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday mornings, we will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. We will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude by 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Registration Fee: $900 per participant. This price includes materials and conference meals.

Standard-Bearer School District: $800 per participant. This price includes materials and conference meals. Active Standard-Bearer School Districts have an option to use units to pay registration fees. The registration price is a half unit per participant. The superintendent of an active Standard-Bearer school district may attend at no fee or unit cost.

Not sure if you qualify for Standard-Bearer pricing? Both Active and Affiliate districts will receive the discount. (view list)