School Transformation...THE "GREAT EXPECTATIONS" BUZZ! 

Twelve youth-adult teams from Vermont's "Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together" initiative (YATST) are excited to once again "Be the Buzz" at this second annual conference.  The theme this year is "Great Expectations".  Why?  Because there is no more powerful predictor of how well a person will do academically than his or her own self-expectations.  We will explore this fact first through the story of students and faculty from BFA St. Albans.  Several years ago a number of members of the science department, as well as freshmen Team Odyssey, decided that each and every student would reach a level of mastery of the subject matter equal to a B grade.  Many students were initially skeptical; most parents were ecstatic.  We will be challenged to re-think expectations and grading through this provocative story. 

We will all then be treated to a play entitled, "This is Your Brain....on Information", discovering the vital links between the science of learning, expectations and school transformation.  This play has been featured at several district-wide in-services and has proven to be both humerous and informative for teachers and students alike.

Two rounds of "learningshops" will follow, assuring that there is ample time for engaging activities and deep discussions focusing on 1) why schools need to transform, 2) how schools might engage youth in the process of transformation, and 3) what transformed schools might look and sound like. 

Participants will leave informed and inspired.  They will also leave with a "Tool Kit" of activities, videos, dialogue options and readings to open the door to school-wide transformation in their own communities.