It won’t be “your father’s Workshop.” In fact, Workshop 2006, on October 25-27 in Atlantic City, will offer new and expanded opportunities for school officials to highlight exemplary educational programs in their districts and share their expertise with colleagues throughout New Jersey. But your chance to be a presenter is nearing an end: Workshop 2006 Program Proposals are due on March 17.

Action Labs will be shorter than in the past (90 minutes), and there will be more of them. The hands-on sessions will involve numerous activities directed by the presenters. Admission is limited to 24-48 participants. Also this year, a select few Action Labs – those which have been traditionally “sold out” – will be repeated on Friday morning. This will give presenters a chance to reach a greater number of people.

Group Sessions will present information that brings education philosophy, best practices, contrasting viewpoints, etc. These programs are also scheduled for 90 minutes, with at least one-third of the time devoted to questions and answers. You may choose as your format a single speaker, a panel, a debate, or some other program structure. Group Sessions are limited to three presenters and can accommodate 300 people.

Program proposal forms were e-mailed to all board members, superintendents, and business administrators in January, and again this week. If you did not receive one, click here.      

For further information, call Mark Bonjavanni at 1-888-886-5722, extension 5207, or Walt Meyer at extension 5236. Remember, March 17 is the deadline to submit program proposals for workshop 2006.