Educators Gather at the College Board Southwestern Regional Forum in Dallas, Feb. 27–28

NEW YORK — On Feb. 27 and 28, the College Board Southwestern Regional Office will host a conference of approximately 600 secondary school and college educators, administrators and counselors from Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The event will take place at the Westin Park Central in Dallas.

The theme of the conference, "Collaborate! A Blueprint for Student Success," sets the tone for thought-provoking sessions specifically geared toward the Southwestern Region and its distinct issues. Participants will come together to discuss, among other topics, rigorous instruction and strategies to make assessment data transparent, accessible and actionable.

Wes Moore, youth advocate and author, will begin the conference with a keynote address. Moore, author of The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, will share his compelling personal story, which begins with a troubled childhood in an underprivileged neighborhood and ends with a Rhodes Scholarship and national accolades for service to his country. Because he knows from firsthand experience the importance teachers, mentors and volunteers can play in a child’s future, Moore has committed himself to helping kids find the support they need to create the lives they want for themselves. Moore will give his address on Wednesday, Feb. 27, starting at 9:30 a.m.

In addition, exceptional teachers, institutions and initiatives will be honored with several national and regional awards on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Thursday, Feb. 28. Awards to be presented include:

• Bob Costas Grant for the Teaching of Writing (Feb. 27, 9:30 a.m.)
• 2013 CollegeKeys Compact™ Innovation Awards (Feb. 27, 12:30 p.m.)
• 2013 Regional Awards for Excellence in Service and Advanced Placement®(Feb. 28, 12:45 p.m.)

Dozens of additional sessions will examine the most timely and relevant topics in education, including:

Wednesday, Feb. 27

• "Power of Admission Tests to Provide Financial Funds" (11 a.m.)

• "Breaking Through: Communicating to Students and the Public in the Noise and Clutter of Today’s Media" (12:30 p.m.)

• "Career and Technical Education (CTE): What Is the College Board’s Role?" (3:30 p.m.)
• "International Recruiting at Southwestern Universities: New Approaches" (3:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Feb. 28

• "College Affordability: Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid" (8:15 a.m.)
• "Pre-AP®, AP® and STEM Partnerships to Achieve Academic Success" (9:45 a.m.)
• "An Early College Readiness Diploma: Results from a Texas Pilot Project" (11:15 a.m.)
• "College Planning in the Digital Age: Using Online Resources to Engage and Guide All Students to College" (11:15 a.m.)

All sessions are open to the media. To arrange for a press pass or interviews, please contact the College Board Communications office at 212-713-8052 or[email protected].