June 7-8 Conference to Equip Educators for a New Generation of Learners

WACO, Texas –Generation Next, also known as the Millennials, is a consumer-oriented, tech savvy generation according to Pew Research Center. Born into a world with personal computers and cell phones, this group does not respond well to traditional classroom paradigms, such as commanding attention and teaching through lecture. Today's high school students fall right in the middle of this generation, and therefore, it is necessary for educators to stay ahead of the latest technology and trends to keep students engaged.

With a focus on Generation Next, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 will host the 4th Annual Career & Technical Education (CTE) Conference. Educators will learn the latest strategies to engage Generation Nexters and effectively prepare them for the high-tech, high-skill careers of the 21st century.

Keynote speaker, Bryan Fiese, will present No Teacher Left Behind, his seminar on tactics for teaching Generation Next students. This play on words refers to No Child Left Behind (NCLB), 2001 legislation which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. One part of NCLB requires states to give basic skills assessments to students at select grade levels to track student progress and support low-performing students from falling behind. Similarly, Fiese's presentation sets a standard for teaching methods, keeping them up-to-date with students' needs and technology.

Three pre-conference sessions on work-based learning are also available Thursday, June 6. One of the three pre-conference workshops will cover requirements to Advanced Technical Credit (ATC). ATC is a program that allows high school students to receive credit at community colleges across Texas for completing technical courses in high school.

The conference will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday at ESC Region 12 in Waco. Find out more about the event at www.esc12.net/connect3.

The center is expecting more than 100 participants from 31 area school districts.

-esc12-

About ESC Region 12
One of 20 regional education service centers statewide, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 is dedicated to serving school districts, charter schools and area private/parochial schools in improving student performance. ESC Region 12 partners with school districts to deliver services and solutions to educators so they may help all children be successful.