“Synergy is almost as if a group collectively agrees to subordinate old scripts and to write a new one. The essence of synergy is to value differences – to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses.”
- Stephen Covey

 

 

Dear ABEC friend,

According to the dictionary, synergism is “the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.”  In today’s world, in order to solve complex problems with limited resources, this is how we all must work. We must seek collaborations that in the long run, create that “magical” synergism. We’re seeking those collaborations now, as we develop our pilot for our middle school project. We’re exploring ways with the Arizona K-12 Center and others to provide staff development for participating school districts; seeking partnerships with organizations such as the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Phoenix Community Alliance and other business groups to provide classroom speakers for middle schools; and working with ADE to ensure our project supports the Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP) that 9th graders must now complete.

 

The synergism created among the many ABEC organizations is a great influence on public policy. In preparation for moving the school finance proposals to the next level, we’ve just conducted three more public forums in Prescott, Yuma and Mesa. The attendees represented a great mix of educators, business people, legislators, and even students. A couple of “last thought” contributions as we wound up each forum included “keep up the work,” “I admire you and ABEC for doing this important work, no matter what” and, from the students, “Our friends don’t understand why everything is being cut. They think no one cares about us. It’s good to know that you are trying to make a change. It’s good to know that there are some who do care.”

 

Educators across this state are depending on the synergism among parents, business leaders, retirees, and every other voter in the effort to pass PROPOSITION 100. ABEC supports the passage and we encourage every business member of ABEC to also advocate for its passage. If it fails, the educational system in Arizona will not look as it does today. The upward trajectory we’ve worked so hard to put in place will be crushed – perhaps forever.

 

ABEC depends on the synergy our members and board of directors create by being ABEC “champions.” We’ll feature these wonderful opportunities created for ABEC by members in a “spotlight” that will appear periodically in upcoming newsletters. We’ll also spotlight our new and renewing members on occasion. Membership dues are the primary financial support for ABEC operations. Especially in these tough times, it’s important to note that without revenue produced by payment of dues, ABEC’s work could diminish or disappear. We are in the middle of the most important policy work ever undertaken by ABEC – that of school finance reform.  We hope our members will stand by us as we continue our work to bring that proposed policy change to policy makers. We’re counting on it.

 

And don’t forget the best opportunity to learn about leadership and collaborations – the ABEC Annual Conference. You’ll have a chance to hear from a former National Superintendent of the Year and a clear example of synergy that resulted in increased student achievement. Attend our conference.  Commit to sponsoring the event. If your organization cannot sponsor, give us a referral or a cyber introduction to someone who might.

 

Is collaboration easy? Not always. Does it take work? Absolutely!

 

Sincerely,

Susan Carlson
ABEC executive director

 

 

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• 90% believe there is a strong tie between education and economic development; that the state’s future is at stake
• 75% believe that we are losing economic opportunity and talent
• 70% will elect leaders who hold education as a top priority
• 92% say everyone has a role to play to improve education

• Is education one of their top two priorities? 
• Do they have a clear plan with specific strategies for how they will address the biggest issues affecting education in our state?
• Are they willing to invest resources in education to support Arizona’s log-term success?
• How will they challenge Arizonans to expect more and do more for education?

Education supporters are also asked to take these 4 actions:

1. Vote Yes on 100
2. Protect the Voter-Approved Early Childhood Health and Development Funds (commonly known as First Things First)
3. Make sure candidates are unwavering advocates for education
4. Rally 10 friends to vote with education as their “hot button” issue

• Why serve?
• Do you have what it takes? 
• What school board members do (and what they don’t do)
• Eligibility and the basics of running for office
• Commonly asked questions about board service
• Support available to board members once elected

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 ABEC 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

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Leadership+Collaboration = Results for every student
 
2010 ABEC Annual Conference
Monday June 7, 2010
Doubletree Guest Suites - Phoenix Airport
320 North 44th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008

 

Featured speakers:

• Arthur Rothkopf, senior vice president, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Lois Adams-Rogers, senior advisor, Council of Chief State School Officers
• Dr. Timothy Waters, president and CEO, McREL
• Dr. Mark Keen, superintendent, Westfield Washington Schools (Indiana)

Why You Should Attend - We listened to our evaluators from last year’s conference who told us "we want to hear about efforts that are working" – so, this year:

• Hear speakers from a national level talk about issues of importance to Arizona, your organization and, specifically actions you might take in the short term.
• Learn about what's working, nationwide, in collaborations and think about how they might be replicated.
• Hear about how the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is involved in supporting public education and collaborations, and consider how that information could be applied in your community.
• Explore leadership skills you can count on to manage through crisis or capture opportunity.

Want to attend?  Register Today>

Want to become a conference sponsor?  Download Sponsor Form>

Want to advertise or be a resource exhibitor?  Download Request Form>

 

2010 Conference "WORLD SPONSORS": 

        

… Arizona Foundation for Resource Education (AFRE) has changed its name to the Center for Teacher Success with a new mission: to advance the academic achievement of K-12 students by elevating the professional performance of teachers and education leaders.

… Take Your Child To Work Day, June 17, 2010 – ABEC has long advocated that parents interested in taking their son or daughter to work, do so on the 3rd Thursday of June (this year, June 17), rather than the national designated day in April, so that children are not taken out of school.

… and finally, the ABEC newsletter will be moving to its summer schedule!  The May/June newsletter will be sent the last week of June and the July/August newsletter will be sent the last week of August.  ABEC will return to its monthly distribution of its newsletter in September 2010.

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 EDUCATION NEWS & SPECIAL REPORTS

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EDUCATION NEWS:

Arizona to reapply for federal education grant – The Arizona Republic, 4/29/2010
Despite an embarrassing review of its first application, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer will announce today that the state again will compete for a piece of the $4 billion Race to the Top federal grant.
   
RELATED:
    - Delaware and Tennessee Win First Race to The Top Grants