Department of Education Reform
  
 
 
 
 
Conference

Date: Friday, September 28, 2007
Time: 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m.
A continental breakfast will be available starting at 7:30 a.m., and lunch will be served at 12 p.m.
Location: Embassy Suites Hotel of Northwest Arkansas (3303 Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Rogers, AR;
PH: 479/254-8400)

Click here to register!

What can distance education do to help rural schools satisfy increasing academic requirements? What are the legal and technical barriers to its use in Arkansas? What is the demand for these services in the state? These are only a few of the questions facing policymakers, schools, and parents as we consider how best to serve our students. The Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas invites you to a one-day event featuring experts on distance education as we try to answer these questions. For more information, e-mail jbutcher@uark.edu or call 479/575-7024.

Click here to learn more about the Embassy Suites Hotel of Northwest Arkansas. PLEASE NOTE: For a limited time, a block of rooms has been set aside for our attendees. The special rate will be $119 per night. Please call the Embassy Suites to reserve a room at this rate. Thank you!

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(Tentative agenda)

University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform
2007 Conference Agenda
September 28, 2007
Embassy Suites
Rogers, Arkansas

Can Distance Education Save Rural Schools?

Friday, September 28
Grand Ballroom 2

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:45 – 9 a.m. Welcome

Reed Greenwood
Dean, College of Education and Health Professions
University of Arkansas
9 – 10:15 a.m.

What is the Potential of Distance Education?

Panel:
Peter Stewart
Senior Vice President of School Development, K12, Inc.

Dr. William Mathis
Adjunct Professor, Continuing Education, University of Vermont, Superintendent, Rutland School District

**New panelist**
Cindy Green
Arkansas Department of Education Distance Learning Center
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

What Are the Legal Barriers in Arkansas to Distance Education?

Panel:
Karen Ghidotti
Arkansas Virtual School

Mike Lar
Program Coordinator, Distance Learning Center, Arkansas Department of Education

Legislator
Sen. Gilbert Baker (R-30)
12 – 1 p.m.

Lunch (Grand Ballroom 3)
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

What are the Technical Barriers to Distance Education?

Panel:
Pam Scarber
Assistant Director of Education, AETN

Bruce Terry
Director, Southeast Arkansas Educational Cooperative

Chris Robbins
Arkansas Distance Learning Coalition
2:45 – 3 p.m. Break
3 – 4 p.m.

So, What Now?

Panel:
Legislator
Sen. Jim Jeffress (D-24)

Legislator
Sen. Kim Hendren (R-9)

Legislator
Sen. Steve Bryles (D-15)

Jay P. Greene
Endowed Chair and Head of the Department of Education Reform,
University of Arkansas
4 p.m. Closing Remarks

Jay P. Greene
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