Jump to page content

Forum 2008

Education First: Our Future Depends On It

Hilton Americas
Houston, Texas
November 5-8, 2008

Forum—the annual conference of the College Board—brought together professionals from across the educational spectrum to engage in the vital discussions on the critical issues challenging educators today and in the future:

  • Collaboration and Alignment—How can two- and four-year systems collaborate effectively with K-12 schools to present a coherent, systemic approach to educational choice and opportunity?
  • Preparation and Persistence—What strategies and practices best support learning in subjects critical to student success?
  • Complexity—Why has the high school to college transition process become so confusing, unpredictable, and fraught with anxiety?
  • Price and Aid Policy—In order to foster equal access for all students, how must educators address issues of cost and availability of financial assistance?
  • Demographics—How are changes in the population of future college-bound students impacting the admissions process?
  • Professional Standards—Are we properly supporting the current generation of counseling, aid, and admissions professionals? Is the upcoming generation of educators prepared to deal with the changing landscape of their fields?

 

Overview of Forum Days 

Wednesday, November 5
Noon Pre-Conference Workshops and Meetings
3:00 PM Breakout Sessions
4:30 PM Breakout Sessions
6:00 PM

Opening Ceremony: Education First in the Twenty-First

Author and essayist Richard Rodriguez moderated a panel discussion with leaders of the College Board's member-led, member driven commissions and task forces:

  • Commission on Access, Admission, and Success in Higher Education
  • Task Force on Admissions in the Twenty-First Century
  • Rethinking Student Aid Study Group
  • CollegeKeys™ Compact

Panelists:

  • Sandy Baum, Senior Policy Analyst, the College Board and Professor of Economics, Skidmore College
  • Steve Brooks, Executive Director, North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
  • Youlonda Copeland-Morgan, College Board Vice Chair and Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at Syracuse University
  • William Kirwan, Chancellor, University System of Maryland
  • Jerry Lucido, Vice Provost for Enrollment Policy and Management, University of Southern California
  • Michael McPherson, President, the Spencer Foundation
  • Lester Monts, College Board Chair and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University of Michigan
Thursday, November 6
7:30 AM Regional Breakfasts
9:00 AM Breakout Sessions and Guidance and Admission Assembly
10:30 AM Breakout Sessions and College Scholarship Service Assembly
Noon

Presidential Luncheon

  • Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University
  • Recognition of the 2008 winners of the Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing  
2:00 PM Breakout Sessions and Academic Assembly
3:30 PM Breakout Sessions
5:00 PM

Classroom Roundtables and College Fair Receptions

7:00 PM

Party Texas Style 

  • Attendees enjoyed a barbecue and Tex-Mex dinner with dancing and live entertainment throughout the evening.
Friday, November 7
7:00 AM

Breakfast

8:15 AM Breakout Sessions
9:45 AM

Inspiration Awards Ceremony 

  • Recognition of the College Board Inspiration Awards winners
  • Houston mayor Bill White and superintendent of schools Abelardo Saavedra
11:00 AM Breakout Sessions
12:30 PM

Plenary Luncheon

  • Bud Selig, President of Major League Baseball
  • Peter and Edith O’Donnell, O’Donnell Foundation of Dallas 
2:15 PM Annual Meeting of the Members
3:45 PM Breakout Sessions
5:30 PM

Friday Night Flick! 

  • The evening featured a screening of The Great Debaters, which tells the inspirational true story of Melvin Tolson and the Wiley College debate team of the 1930s.  Attendees celebrated the important principles reaffirmed by this moving film with actors Nate Parker and Voltaire Sterling, screenwriter Robert Eisele and historian Maghan Keita. After the film, there was a live debate featuring current Wiley College student debaters and a Q&A with the actors and screenwriter.
Saturday, November 8
8:30 AM AP® Workshops
9:00 AM

Saturday Institute:  Valuable professional development with thought-provoking leaders from the admissions, financial aid, and counseling communities

Back to top