INVITED PANEL SESSIONS
Thursday, November 18 through Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Invited Sessions are panels of invited education scholars, members of the media, government officials, and other education stake holders that address current issues affecting the education of all children — in particular those of African descent.

Download printable copy of the schedule of Invited Sessions.

INVITED SESSION I: Thursday, November 18, 2010 2:00pm - 4:00pm

The Obama Education Agenda: The Impact on Children of African Descent
Invited panelists will include members of the President's Domestic Policy Council and members of national think tanks who will discuss President Obama's Education Agenda and its impact on children of African descent.

INVITED SESSION II: Friday, November 19, 2010 10:30am - 12:00pm

Does Texas Lead the Way on Restructuring American Textbooks?
The Texas State Board of Education overhauled its existing social studies and history curriculum during its last state board meeting in May of 2010 by a majority vote of 9-5. The overhaul included a strong injection of politics and ideology including the role of Thomas Jefferson in history, the discussion of slavery in history and the definition of our government as not being a democracy, but rather a constitutional republic. Texas will provide textbooks for 4.8 million public school students over the next 10 years. Given the size of the Texas textbook market, what are the influences on publishers nationwide and ultimately, the cost to children of African descent?

INVITED SESSION III: Friday, November 19, 2010 2:15pm - 4:00pm

The Paradox of the African American Teacher
Is the traditional role of African American teachers as community liberators still relevant? Or, is public education so disconnected from the Black community that African American students and parents no longer rely on education as the way to a better life?

INVITED SESSION IV: Saturday, November 20, 2010 10:30am-12:30pm

How Do We Talk To "Kids" About Race?
In 1947 African American psychologist, Dr. Kenneth Clark and his wife Mamie Phipps-Clark conducted a study on racial identification as a factor of ego development and self awareness in black children. That study became one of the anchors of the Oliver L. Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka (KS). On May 17th, 2010, the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, CNN released a study conducted by African American professor, Dr. Margaret Beale Spencer from the University of Chicago some 62 years later "to determine the status of children's racial beliefs, attitudes and preferences." This invited session will discuss the results, implications and future classroom implications for children of African descent. Invited participants include: Jill Billante, CNN Senior Producer, national curriculum experts as well as participants from the sites where the study was conducted.