Henry M. Levin will speak to the 2009 Symposium about the societal benefits and cost-effectiveness of high school graduation. Dr. Levin is the William Heard Kilpatrick Professor of Economics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is also the David Jacks Professor Emeritus of Higher Education and Economics at Stanford University, consultant to the World Bank and former economist at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. From 1986-2000 Levin served as the Director of the Accelerated Schools Project, a national school reform initiative for accelerating the education of at-risk youngsters.

Edmund W. Gordon addresses the 2008 Symposium with his research on "Supplementary Education," about which he has edited a book with the same title. Dr. Gordon is the John M. Musser Professor of Psychology, Emeritus at Yale University, Richard March Hoe Professor, Emeritus of Psychology and Education and Director of the Institute of Urban and Minority Education (IUME) at Teachers College, Columbia University. Currently, Gordon is the Senior Scholar and Advisor to the President of the College Board where he developed and co-chaired the Taskforce on Minority High Achievement.


Irving Hamer presents the 2007 Symposium with his tenents of excellence in out-of-school time learning. Dr. Hamer is one of the nation’s foremost leaders and activists for education reform. During his 30-plus years as an educator, Dr. Hamer served as New York City Deputy Commissioner of Education, Board of Education member, school administrator, teacher, and professor. Most recently, Hamer served as Deputy Superintendent of School Improvement for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida.


Susanne Randolph Sparks has presented the case for "summer learning" at each symposium since 2007 as the senior research coordinator at The Johns Hopkins University National Center for Summer Learning. Ms. Sparks administers the Center’s research agenda through project management with the goal of informing the field of program providers, teachers, librarians, researchers, and policy makers about effective practices. Sparks also assists with policy and legislative outreach as well as authoring and editing publications.

WHAT:
The Education Symposium is an opportunity for community partners, policy makers, researchers, youth development experts, funders, friends and colleagues to focus on relevant topics within the field of out-of-school time and summer learning.  The focus of this year's symposium is on the benefits and cost-effectiveness of high school graduation.

The 2009 Symposium will feature:
The Johns Hopkins University National Center for Summer Learning and Dr. Henry Levin, Professor of Economics and Education and expert on the benefits and cost-effectivness of high achievement.

WHY:
Despite low graduation rates in New York City and urban high schools across the nation, organizations that provide "supplementary education" have much higher graduation rates among their participants.  For example, Project Morry's graduation rate for high school students is consistently 100%.  The symposium discussions and outcomes guide program enhancement to better meet the challenging academic needs of the young people served by out-of-school time organizations.

WHEN:
Friday, May 15th, 2009

WHERE:
Held at Columbia University’s Teacher College.  Click here for directions.

WHO:
Each year nearly 30 participants representing practitioners, educators, funders and policy makers from around the Metro-New York area, enjoy a day of thoughtful reflection and call to action.  Attending organizations are invited to share information about their programs.  Presentations from previous years have included: The Johns Hopkins University Center for Summer Learning, Partnership for After School Education, Classroom Inc., Homes for the Homeless, the American Camp Association-New York Section, Trail Blazers, Fiver Foundation, Project Morry and the Heart of Brooklyn.

Space is limited and attendees are asked to RSVP.  Please let us know if you are interested in attending by sending an email to Lance Ozier, Education Coordinator: Lance@projectmorry.org

Project Morry Education Symposium Follow-up Reports
2006 Project Morry Education Symposium: "Learning Is…"
2007 Project Morry Education Symposium: "Getting our Kids Ready"
2008 Project Morry Education Symposium: "Measuring our Success"