Advanced registration open for AASL's Fall Forum

Contact: Melissa Jacobsen


AASL Communications Specialist


(312) 280-4381


mjacobsen@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


April 27, 2010

CHICAGO – Registration is now open for the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Fall Forum. "In Focus: The Essentials for 21st-Century Learning" will be held Nov. 5-6, 2010 in Portland, Ore. More information on registering and programming can be found at
www.ala.org/aasl/fallforum.

"In Focus" is designed to aid school librarians in focusing learning on the essentials, as students distill and isolate information, think and re-think the world inside and outside the classroom. Using AASL's learning standards and program guidelines, attendees will connect school library programs to current educational concepts at the core of curriculum, and leave with new insight to encourage, elevate and evaluate information literacy in their programs.

The three breakout sessions will be led by Gail Dickinson, Leslie Maniotes and Ross Todd. As experts in the school library field and these essential skills, they will help attendees delve deeper into essential questions, enduring understanding and evidence-based practice. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the theories and put them into practice.

The keynote speaker for Fall Forum will be Paige Johnson, Global Manager of K-12 education for Intel's Corporate Affairs Group and past-chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21).

"Only through your own deep thinking and understanding will you be able to guide your 21st Century students through meaningful learning experiences. Joining in this forum will enable you to use the best teaching practices, meshed with the national standards, to prepare this generation of students for 21st Century study and work," said National Institute chair, Hilda Weisburg.

The Fall Forum occurs in the years that AASL does not host a National Conference. For more information about the 2010 Fall Forum and to register, visit the AASL Web site at
www.ala.org/aasl/fallforum. Attendees will receive a price break for registering before October 5. Rates on or before October 5 are: AASL members, $289; ALA members, $339; Non-members, $404.

The American Association of School Librarians,
www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.