Wrap up and homework from the NSBA Conference

Having been to many "trade" expos, my primary indicator of the value add provided by a conference is the amount of homework that comes out of the sessions. What new readings or websites do I need to review? What research and trends should I follow? Did I meet new people or hear speakers who have ideas and viewpoints needing to be heard?

The NSBA expo certainly provided me with a lot of homework!

Here are a few sites to research:
www.centerforpubliceducation.org
www.centerforpubliceducation.org
www.healthiergeneration.org
www.edfacilities.org

The first site has current research on a variety of public policy debates facing School Boards across the country including graduation rates,school calendars,etc..

The second site provides followup information on former President Bill Clinton's work on preventing childhood obesity and health problems.

The third site provides an enormous amount of information on school facilities. I am interested in the reports on indoor air quality.

It is also interesting to track the books being mentioned by speakers. Several of my favorites were mentioned frequently including Good to Great For Social Sectors, The World is Flat ,The Tipping Point, and A Whole New Mind.

A few books mentioned that I need to grab include: A World Lit only by Fire,Innovators Dilemma, Wikinomics, Leading Leaders

What caught my attention with all of these books is how educational leaders are striving to engage their boards, staff, and community in thinking about the WHY of education rather than simply the HOW.