They're Inventing Better Education
Lewis Center Hosts National Conference on Laboratory SchoolsBy Emily Berg, Staff Writer
Scott Smeltzer/Staff Photographer Patricia Rifkin, a math and science teacher at the Academy of Academic Excellence, talks about the Messenger Mission to Mercury during the National Association of Laboratory Schools conference at the Desert/Mountain Educational Service Center in Apple Valley. |
The teachers, university deans and administrators are members of the National Association of Laboratory Schools.
The Lewis Center for Educational Research is hosting the three-day conference, and its Academy of Academic Excellence is one of two charter schools in the country designated as a laboratory school. Most are associated with colleges and universities, said Rick Piercy, the chief executive officer of the Lewis Center.
The purpose of laboratory schools is to create and pilot new curriculum and to provide a research environment to train teachers, said Kathleen McKenna, the president-elect of the association.
Having the conference in Apple Valley allows the association members to see how universities and charter schools can partner together as demonstrated at the Lewis Center.
"It would be a model for creating high-quality charter schools across the nation," Piercy said.
The partnerships with universities would add credibility to charter schools and provide more controlled environments to do educational research, which could ultimately change education throughout the country, Piercy said.
About 100 people from the association's 50 member schools will attend the conference at the Desert/Mountain Educational Service Center in Apple Valley.
"(The laboratory schools) are as different and varied as they can possibly be," McKenna said.
They are public, private or charter schools. Some focus on preschool while others are only high school or kindergarten through 12th grade. They also vary in the types of research they do, McKenna said.
This year's conference will have a special emphasis on charter schools on Friday, the last day of the conference.
"Everyone is very aware that charter schools are the new wave of the future," McKenna said.
The conference is the first national conference ever held in Apple Valley, according to the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce.
"National recognition from a conference of this caliber is key to bringing quality programs and individuals to our community," said Janice Moore, president and chief executive officer of the chamber.
"We welcome the challenge and look forward to showcasing our community and our hospitality."
The chamber helped raise about $1,800 as well as school supplies to send to an impoverished school in the Dominican Republic, which the association sponsors.
Emily Berg can be reached at emily_berg@link.freedom.com or 955-5358.
Used with permission by Daily Press, Freedom Communication, 2004