FUNDING WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION - What do we know about the use of public funds in education? Learn how researchers in a national project funded by the Gates Foundation approached these questions and more - and be among the first to hear their findings.

ACHIEVING WORLD-CLASS: A PARTNERSHIP How do key business leaders demonstrate "corporate responsibility?" How is corporate responsibility being lived out locally? Hear from business leaders how they've contributed to educational achievement.

HEAR FROM KEY NATIONAL LEADERS INCLUDING:

• Jacob Adams, professor of education at Claremont Graduate University and the principle investigator and chair of the School Finance Redesign Project.
• Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former Governor of West Virginia.
• Dave Gonzales, senior vice-president, State Farm Insurance.
• William Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University and international expert in TIMMS and researcher in math and science teacher development.
• Kati Haycock, president of the Education Trust.

• Every organizational member of ABEC
• Any business or education leader interested in ABEC and its work
• K-12 Arizona teachers, interested in issues of education reform and implications for their work
• District office and department administrators with interest in school finance and education policy
• Higher education administrators who work with Arizona's K-12 system
• School board members, parent group and civic leaders, interested in public policy affecting the K-12 system
• Local & state government employees concerned about Arizona's public K-12 education as a key element of communities and the workforce
• Any business located in Arizona concerned about their pool of future employees, educational policy, and effective partnerships
• Chambers of Commerce and Education Committees interested in education policy and partnerships

Orange Tree Golf Resort
10601 North 56th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: (480) 948-6100
Toll free: 1 (800) 228-0386

Conference Room Rate
The Orange Tree Golf Resort is a family-friendly resort - pool, golf course, and recreation - so make a weekend of it prior to the conference! ABEC has secured a special room rate of $89 per night (plus tax) for those attending the annual meeting and conference. To reserve a room, contact the resort by calling (480) 948-6100.

Directions to Orange Tree Golf Resort
The resort is located on 56th Street between Shea Blvd. and Cactus Rd. with easy access from SR 51 (Squaw Peak Expressway), and is central to most locations in the greater Scottsdale / Phoenix metropolitan area.


View full map

From Sky Harbor Airport

• Exit the Airport following the sign for SR 51 (Squaw Peak Expressway).
• Proceed north on the SR 51 for approximately 13 miles taking the Shea Blvd. exit.
• Turn right (east) on Shea Blvd. approximately 2.5 miles to 56th Street.
• Turn left (north) on 56th Street.
• The entrance is located on the right hand side (east) of 56th Street.

From I-10 Eastbound - Exit onto SR 51 (Squaw Peak Expressway) north

• Proceed north on the SR 51 for approximately 13 miles taking the Shea Blvd. exit.
• Turn right (east) on Shea Blvd. approximately 2.5 miles to 56th Street.
• Turn left (north) on 56th Street.
• The entrance is located on the right hand side (east) of 56th Street.

From I-10 Westbound - Exit onto SR 51 (Squaw Peak Expressway) north

• Proceed north on the SR 51 for approximately 13 miles taking the Shea Blvd. exit.
• Turn right (east) on Shea Blvd. approximately 2.5 miles to 56th Street.
• Turn left (north) on 56th Street.
• The entrance is located on the right hand side (east) of 56th Street.

From I-17 & SR 51 (Squaw Peak Expressway) South

• Exit at the Thunderbird exit and turn left (east).
• Proceed approximately 10.3 miles until you reach 56th Street. (During this portion of your trip the road you are traveling on, Thunderbird Rd will change its name to Cactus Rd. Do not be alarmed -- you should remain on this street.)
• Turn right (south) on 56th Street.
• The entrance is located on the left hand side (east) of 56th Street.

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon   ABEC Annual Membership Meeting & Celebratory Luncheon ~ Members Only

ABEC is wrapping up another successful year - and we need YOU. After only five years, we were named "Leaders in Public Policy" in education by the Capitol Times. The State Board of Education became a partner in the promotion of the Arizona Academic Scholars Initiative and took the action we've been requesting: to increase high school graduation requirements. Legislative leaders included ABEC members and the coalition in their stakeholder meetings to get input on important policy issues. There is great reason to celebrate!

We need YOU. We need YOU to help us celebrate. We need YOU to talk with us about the direction for ABEC. We need YOU to keep us moving forward. ABEC is only as strong as its members, and this is the time and the place for our members to influence ABEC.

Representatives from member organizations and their staff colleagues should plan to attend this very important meeting. During this meeting, we will:

• Celebrate ABEC's 5-year anniversary as a non-profit organization
• Learn of ABEC's past year's accomplishments
• Provide input and feedback into ABEC's future direction and strategic plan
• Elect new board of directors, executive committee and ABEC officers
• Honor special members, partners, and legislative friends.

Any staff member employed by a member organization of ABEC is welcome to attend this meeting, but should register since seating may be limited. A complimentary, celebratory lunch will be provided. To reserve seats, contact Karen Kehlenbach by calling (602) 261-6702 or e-mailing Karen@azbec.org.

11:00 a.m.	Conference Registration Opens
1:00 p.m.	Opening Welcome World-class Schools: Do They Require World-class Funding? Hear recommendations from a national project that will inform Arizona policy-makers about redesigning school finance systems to better support the student performance ambitions that public consensus now demands. Speaker: Jacob Adams, professor of education at Claremont Graduate University and the principle investigator and chair of the School Finance Redesign Project. Panel Respondents: Representative Andy Tobin, vice-chair, education committee, Arizona House of Representatives Tom Horne, superintendent of public instruction Panfilo Contreras, executive director, Arizona School Boards Association Chuck Essigs, director of governmental relations, Arizona School Business Officials Myriam Roa, CEO, Phoenix Elementary School District Christopher Smith, manager, government relations, Cox Communications
5:00 p.m.	Welcome Reception

8:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.	Welcome World-class Standards: Does Arizona Measure Up? At a time when technology and postsecondary education requirements are rising dramatically in the workforce, the literacy skills of adolescents are not keeping pace. Hear from a respected, national leader who has a plan to make our students more competitive and change the course of our nation's future. Speaker: Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former Governor of West Virginia World-class Partners: National Leadership and Local Partnerships Learn how businesses fulfill four key roles to support education and advance education reform: leadership, advocacy, expertise, and strategic philanthropy. Speaker: Dave Gonzales, senior vice-president, State Farm Insurance Panel Respondents: Mike McAfee, director of education, Arizona Auto Dealers Association Suzanne Taylor, senior vice president of public policy, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mary Baldwin, global corporate citizenship manager, The Boeing Company Kathy Mitton, manager, IBM Software Group, IBM
12:00 p.m.	Lunch
1:00 p.m.	World-class Competition: Can the United States Survive? Hear about the TIMSS assessments and the international context in which Arizona standards should be aligned and compared. Learn about international research on developing today's math and science teachers. Speaker: William Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University Becoming World-class Performers: Lessons From Performing Schools Hear national data on student achievement patterns with a special focus on low-income students and students of color. Learn about the schools and districts that are tackling those problems and getting results. Speaker: Kati Haycock, president of the Education Trust Implications for Teaching in Arizona Panel: Karen Butterfield, associate superintendent of public instruction, Arizona Department of Education Kathy Weibke, executive director, Arizona K-12 Center Andrea Stouder, vice president of teacher support and development, Teach for America Pete Turner, co-chair, Teacher Education Partnership Commission Robert Kelty, 2008 Teacher of the Year, Arizona Educational Foundation World Class: Does Arizona Have the Leadership and Commitment? A panel for local experts representing various industries vital to Arizona's economic success will give us a sneak peek into their forecasts and what they will need from Arizona in order to meet the demands and needs. Panelists: William C. "Bill" Harris, president & CEO, Science Foundation of Arizona Mark Dobbins, chairman, Arizona Manufacturers Council Bob King, president & CEO, Arizona Community Foundation Taking Action: ABEC Word-class Partnership Award Launch of ABEC's first-ever award for "best practices" business-education partnerships
5:00 p.m.	Conference Close

	ABEC Members	Non-Members
Full Conference	$225	$325
Day 1 only	$75	$125
Day 2 only	$200	$250

NOTE: A late fee of $50 will be added to ALL registrations RECEIVED after the close of business on Friday, May 23, 2008. Refunds, minus a $35 administration fee, will be granted if requested before the close of business on Friday, May 23, 2008. Refund requests received after this date will NOT be granted.