Symposium purposes: Do you feel these purposes were met?

The planning committee planned this symposium with the purposes of:

2.) crafting a regional education vision;

     laid the foundation for crafting; in progress

Please give a brief explanation. Use the back of this paper, if necessary.

But it is too early to expect 1 &2 to be accomplished. There was not really sufficient closure on issues 2,3,4.; place based ed/network of varied background & interests. Coming eventually to form concerning issues.

6.) Do you see the region that was described as "meaningful?"

I'm not sure of the definition in this context…it's quite varied but by Venn Diagram there are meaningful overlaps. Not sure about VA-no one was here-not convinced they need to be involved. Don't know what this question means!

7.) Do you feel that regional communications have been established?

Begun. Unsure what is meant here. Somewhat.

8.) Do you believe that the relationship between education and workforce development was clearly defined?

Begun; generally.

8a).   If no: What do you feel needs to be explained or further clarified?

In part--we needed to hear about economic development priorities and job/wage opportunities in the region/_ (?) presentation of national data by Gibbs. Ideas were shared once. We've got the whole elephant coming towards us and we need to take in a part at a time. But needs more. What are the needs of the growing Hispanic population? It will take a while. For now. Need to continue this dialogue--needs to be ongoing. A specific seminar or meeting of smaller number of stakeholders to identify the relationship and then share with larger group for review & discussion & confirmation. It will take a while. The defining role that the local job reality has on education. For education to be valued, local jobs have to need it and the pay has to recognize the preparation.

13.) What do you feel should be next steps?

Pursue research discussed at the forum. Bring issues identified to public's attention

Small action groups on specific tasks such as developing Place based assessments.

More in-depth discussion and focus

Focused work groups--professional educators + "stakeholders" a good start.

Establish & convene special task forces perhaps.

Create a clearinghouse for information exchange

Form a legislative advocacy or lobbying group--without which the shore will continue to get short shrift when it comes to the allocation of State resources.

See # 4--a steering committee?

Develop research plan--prioritize--Implement

Define one or two issues and define problems then draft possible solutions for grant funds.

1) Identifying the purpose of what we're doing. 2) Targeting a few key projects; select 1 or 2 and do them.

1) Distribute proceedings. 2) Develop series of task forces that will meet to develop agenda for further (research) studies.

Assimilate data into a mission.

Look at distilled ideas--take one or two that would have strong support to move forward with research.

Has it been done anywhere else? Can DEF help educators influence economic development efforts?

Defining rural/bringing in key people from church community/create a gallery walk of statements already developed from this session.

1) Organize committee/goals; 2) Market organization to communities; 3) Involve business leaders

Choose 2 main issues to begin this mission.

Summarize findings, make recommendations to be reviewed by group! Consolidate recommendations to be studied by the DEF Board.

14.) What are at least 3 regional educational policy issues for which additional research data could be helpful?

Educational attainment/employment of immigrant population. Importance of math competency to college attendance/graduation. Transportation as a barrier to college attendance.

Marketing of public education by communities. Closing the achievement gap in rural areas. Full service school centers (schools being open from dawn to midnight for all community)

1) Resources and funding. 2) Capacity building/sustainability. 3) Maximizing achievement.

Obstacles to high school completion; -workforce develop/training funding availability

The effect of testing. Who is being "left behind."

1) The biggest overlooked issue facing Delmarva is the rapid growth of the Hispanic population. Research is needed to assess the impact of this major demographic trend. How will our region accommodate the educational needs of this sector of the population? 2) Why is it that K-12 and higher education institution on the E. Shore never get their fair share of the Md. Budget "pie" going to higher education? 3) Why is bachelor's degree attainment so low on the lower E. Shore?

Models for rural education that work. How can we use changing demographics to our advantage? (Involving educated moving in)  Resources available for collaborative efforts.

1) Role of school in community; 2) how do we integrate social skills with academic preparation; 3) place-based education. Will that model work in our region?

1)With the growing H.S. population there may not be sufficient capacity in colleges to absorb these numbers. How significant a problem is that locally? 2) What are the educational needs of the growing "new" minority populations and retirement population? 3) The ultimate question is can we find a way to resolve the rural education issues with a regional, multi-state approach? The main barrier is political funding lines.

1) Role/impact/significance of education (marketing, raising perceptions); 2) place-based education; 3) combined connection between workforce & education.

1) Do a 3-4-pronged "needs assessment" 1) students--what courses, etc., would be helpful? 2) business-what skills do you need? 3) schools--what do you need? 4) young adults--what would keep you here? What would we need to develop an effective & seamless school-to- career strategy for our area? How do various parts of the community see the value of education?

Work to secure funding, grants, etc. Concentrate more effort on place-based education.

Use schools 12 months of year. Insure "place-based" education is folded into school mandated requirements. Find one (no more than one) issue that real progress can be made with wide practical use. (School improvement goals; teacher retention)

1) Closing the achievement gap. 2) Affective domain (sensitivity). 3) Local sustainability.

Testing issues; accountability policies; budget

I think it would be wonderful to reach out to high school students to motivate them and increase their awareness of educational (AAS, bachelor's & Master's degrees) opportunities. It was mentioned many times during today that in order to do this we need to reach out to the parents as well.

Place-based education, maximizing _____(?) workforce in school system of new "___?" folks with college degrees to include ____. How can we work across county and state lines?

1) Place-based ed: what we have in common (MD, DE, VA); 2) why such low ed rate when we have so many colleges? 3) what does at risk population want from their educational experience? Focus groups

1) funding and resources available in area; 2) effective practices

1) How do we address the achievement gap? 2) can we help schools align school professional development of the curriculum and instructional issues that will accomplish the above.

1) communication--public access to meaningful information about education resources. 2) focus on non -college or vocational ed. p.r. 3) highlight current school community partnerships--identify gaps.

Accountability impact on regional needs. Further study of colleges in "twin" situations.

15.) In what capacity would you like to be involved in the future in a continuing mechanism of communication?

Receive follow-up information from symposium. Identify how our college can be a resource and partner in region.

However you might find me useful.

1. Active participant. 2 facilitator. 3. Team leader. 4. Presenter. 5. Etc.

In whatever needed

Continue as consultant

Offering web site for further links to homeschool community

Salisbury University hopes to continue to play a large role in meeting the educational needs of our region. Principal contact person should be Dr. Ellen Zinner at SU (410-543-6011).

Continuing conversations--issues haven't been defined yet.

Continue my support as a Board member and other appropriate venues the Board recommends.

I'll be a willing participant.

Not sure what options there are. Please keep me on the mailing list.

A member of the group

Committee member; resource for information

A participant

16.) What would you like to see changed in the process?   

Great start. I learned a good deal. It was very hard to give up a full day. During the school year, two halves would be easier. Excellent format as is, but I would like to know more about specific regional issues and initiatives. Not sure. Thanks for inviting me to participate. Community stakeholders & educators not be segregated into five groups. Mix them ! Full day programs are difficult. Half day would be preferred in the future. The full day program was appropriate and important today! Better focus at the beginning; have the 3 experts work with us over a longer period of time. Thanks for including me! More interaction between educ & business people. Continue along the same line. Well done with very good participation. Excellent process. Thank you! Continued emphasis on the main categories already listed. More consensus-building issues. There was much discussion RE: Hispanics needs with little Hispanic representation. More time allocated to small group discussion.