IALA » Conferences

National and State Alternative Education Conferences

Wayne Jennings — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:22:03 +0000

Mark your calendar for any of the following conferences about alternatives of interest to you or colleagues.

The California Continuation Education Association will hold its annual conference April 26-29, 2012 in North Hollywood.

The Magnet Schools of America will hold its 30th annual conference May 18-21, 2012 in Dallas.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will hold its 12th annual conference June 19-22, 2012: in Minneapolis.

The Association of Recovery Schools will hold its 11th annual conference in Houston July 18-20, 2012.

The Alternative Education Resource Organization AERO will hold its annual conference August 1-5, 2012 in Portland, OR.

The Association for Experiential Education will hold its 12th annual conference November 1-4, 2012 in Madison.

The National Youth Leadership Council will hold its 24th annual conference in Denver March 13-16, 2013.

The International Democratic Education Conference will hold its 21th annual conference August, 2013 in Colorado.

Urgent to: Educational Alternatives Supporters

Wayne Jennings — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 03:27:20 +0000

The International Association for Learning Alternatives (IALA) has shifted its focus from conferences to policy advocacy with a Position Paper outlining broad concepts to advance educational alternatives. The National Association for Alternative Education (NAEA) has recently endorsed the IALA Position Paper as have several state associations. NAEA is a growing membership organization that holds an excellent annual conference and has partnered with the Association for High School Innovation (AHSI) in this endeavor. AHSI, formerly the Gates-funded Alternative High School Initiative, is a leading force for innovative educational options.

This year’s conference, February 9 – 12, 2011 in Nashville, will feature a President’s Business Meeting for State & National Leadership, similar to the Leadership Forum at past IALA conferences. We enthusiastically support this initiative and encourage organization leaders to attend and urge members to join NAEA. (membership is free!) Dr. Ray Morley of Iowa will represent IALA at the meeting of alternative organizational leaders.

Wayne Jennings, IALA Board Chair
Ray Morley, Vice-Chair
Dan Daly, Secretary/Treasurer

Courses Available on Alternative Ed and Starting a School

Wayne Jennings — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:10:56 +0000

The Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO) is providing courses on how to start an alternative school and on the history of alternative education. Start a School 101 begins September 15, 2008 and is taught by Jerry Mintz among others. The Theory and History of Educational Alternatives is taught by Ron Miller and will also start September 15, 2008. Both are experienced educators well versed in alternatives. You can enroll online or request information at amkaero@gmail.com. Scholarships are available.

What do Kids Learn from Virtual Worlds?

Wayne Jennings — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:48:20 +0000

More students are spending enormous amounts of time on their computers gaming in digital worlds. The question arises as to whether this is valuable or a waste of time. The MacArthur foundation has funded a series of forums to explore this question, one available via a fascinating video webcast. A number of scholars who study the subject find that many positive life learning outcomes result. Common Sense Media also explores the impact of media and entertainment on children and youth.

Global Kids, Inc. has received a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to accelerate the exploration of virtual worlds. Global Kids will use the funding to spark discussion about the use of virtual worlds for the public good.

State Alternative Education Conferences

Wayne Jennings — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:59:40 +0000

The Iowa Association of Alternative Education will hold their annual conference April 11-13, 2007 in Des Moines. The theme is “Raise Your Hand and Give Yourself a Pat on the Back.” Keynote speakers include Elliot Washor and Ray Morley. In addition to numerous breakout sessions other presenters include Donna Downing, Jerry Mintz and Ron Newell. The site is the Airport Holiday Inn. It promises to be stimulating and provocative. IALA will be represented by Executive Director, Dan Daly.

The Michigan Alternative Education Organization will hold their conference April 25-27, 2007 in Boyne Highlands, Michigan with the theme, Another Choice, Another Chance. Bill Sanders is the keynoter with breakout sessions on highly qualified, computer projects, math and new standards, administrative issues, violence assessments, Like Water Drumworks. It promises to be stimulating and provocative.

The Oklahoma Alternative Education Summer Institute will be held June 19-21, 2007 in Oklahoma City.

The New York State Alternative Education Association will hold their annual conference at Ithaca October 18-19, 2007.

The Washington Association for Learning Alternatives will hold its annual fall November 8-10, 2007 in Pasco.

Several other states have held their conferences earlier this year: Connecticut, Iowa, Virginia.

International Democratic Education Conference

Wayne Jennings — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 23:47:57 +0000

The 14th International Democratic Education Conference (IDEC) was held this past July in Sydney, Australia. 250-300 people from 15 countries attended. The event is relevant to today

State Alternative Conferences

Wayne Jennings — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 22:33:40 +0000

Here are known dates and links for state alternative education conferences:
-California Continuation Ed. Assoc. April 28-30, 2006, Los Angeles
-Connecticut State Alt. Ed. March 22, 2006
-Iowa Assoc. of Alt. Ed. March 31-April 4, 2006, Des Moines
-Michigan Alt. Ed. Organization April 27-29, 2006, Bay City
-Minn. Assoc. for Alt. Programs, Feb. 22-24, 2006, Duluth
-Missouri Assoc. for Alt. Ed. TBA
-New York State Alt. Ed. Assoc. May7-8, 2006, Binghamton, NY
-Pennsylvania Assoc. for Learning Alternatives, March 29-31, 2006, Lancaster
-Texas Assoc. for Alt. Ed., Feb. 2-4, 2006 San Antonio
-Virginia Alt. Educators Assoc. March 27-28, 2006, Roanoke
-Wash. Assoc. for Learning Alt. March 9-11, 2006, Ocean Shores

Note: several other states held fall conferences.

Conference on At-Risk Students

Wayne Jennings — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 17:11:12 +0000

The National Alternative Education Association will co-sponsor the Alternatives to Expulsion, Suspension and Dropping Out of School conference at Orlando, FL February 16-18-2006. This is the 12th annual conference. Registration form and other information is available. Also available are some 19 handouts from the 2005 conference.

National Charter Schools Conference

Wayne Jennings — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:49:48 +0000

Online registration for the 2006 National Charter Schools Conference has begun. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is hosting the conference in Sacramento, California from February 28 to March 3, 2006. The event will be held in partnership with the 13th Annual California Charter Schools Conference, hosted by the California Charter Schools Association. Participants can save 15% by registering between now and October 31. All early bird registrants will be entered into a drawing to receive one complimentary registration and three complimentary hotel nights. Virtual attendance will be available for sessions and chats with speakers. Access the conference website to register and to make hotel reservations. For general conference information, email conference@charterassociation.org or call 213-244-1446 x.201.

A Spectrum of Alternatives Conference

Wayne Jennings — Sun, 22 May 2005 16:12:09 +0000

The Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO) will hold its conference, A Spectrum of Alternatives, June 22-26, 2005 at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. The five day schedule includes workshop sessions and keynoters including Jerry Mintz, Ann Cook, John Taylor Gatto, Alfie Kohn, Matt Hern and Tim Seldin. Registration is $200 for the 5 days. Food is $112.50. One can register by the day for partial attendance.

IALA Conference

Wayne Jennings — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:08:00 +0000

The International Association for Learning Alternatives held its 34th annual conference April 6-8, 2005 in Waterloo in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Alternative Education. Everyone enjoyed a well-planned and stimulating conference. Keynoters were Gary Phillips and Ann White. Both were awesome and inspiring. A wide variety of breakout sessions featured practical, experiential, charter schools, powerful instructional strategies, differentiating learning, NCLB issues, STARS youth organization and many others. Tom Keating, Minnesota teacher of the year presented which was interesting as he was the first such from an alternative school.

Next year’s conference will be June 29-July1, 2006 in beautiful Ocean Shores, Washington. Save the date. Watch for information.

AERO Conference

Wayne Jennings — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 20:54:00 +0000

A Spectrum of Alternatives conference by the Alternative Education Resource Organization will be June 22-26, 2005 at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. Speakers include: John Taylor Gatto, Alfie Kohn, Ann Cook, Matt Hern, Tim Seldin and Jerry Mintz. Conference schedules, registration, speakers, etc. are on the conference web page.

International Democratic Education Conference

Wayne Jennings — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 18:33:00 +0000

Member John Loflin attended the IDEC conference last December (2004) in India. His report shows the great interest in alternative schools throughout the world. The next annual IDEC conference will be in Berlin, July 30-August 7, 2005 . The Education Revolution site managed by Jerry Mintz has valuable information about democratic schools including lists and links by country. There are many in the U.S.

Democratic schools generally are small private community based schools where all stakeholders have a voice in decisions. For an example of a public democratic school see the Village School of Northfield.

International Democratic Education Conference

Wayne Jennings — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 04:42:24 +0000

The 10 day 12th International Democratic Education Conference was recently held in Bhubaneshwar, India with a view to strengthen a global movement that aims to make both teacher and child participants in the process of learning through democratic ideals. Around 400 delegates, including students and adults form 19 nations, attended. The theme was Shanti (peace) in Education. Various workshops about free schools, alternative schools of choice, and democratic schools were held. There was a special effort to bring awareness of the learning alternatives provided by schools and groups working with poor children in marginalized communities in Asia, Africa, and South America.The report by John Loflin provides a good description of the conference and background information.

Education Activists Conference

Wayne Jennings — Thu, 13 May 2004 17:55:44 +0000

The National Coalition of Education Activists will hold its 15th annual conference July 29-August 1, 2004 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The NCEA describes itself as a “multiracial network of education activists working for equity and social justice in our schools.” The keynote speaker is Vincent Harding. Workshop topics include: student rights, small schools, challenging No Child Left behind, social justice, and many other topics.