Exhibitions are student presentations representing a culmination of their independent learning. Students present to a panel of community judges to share what they know, what they have learned and what they are able to do. National Exhibition Month is a campaign sponsored by CES to show that exhibitions effectively and comprehensively assess student progress toward proficiency in the real world and meet state and school standards. Responding to the limitations of a single, high-stakes standardized test, many states are exploring ways to integrate forms of performance assessment into education policy. Rhode Island leads the nation as one of the few states to adopt performance assessments as a requirement for high school graduation.
This symposium convenes state policymakers and school officials from across New England to learn about performance assessments and to explore Rhode Island’s inclusion of them in its Diploma System, with attention paid to the resulting impact throughout the region.
Agenda
8:30-9:30am
Breakfast and Registration
9:45-10:00am
Welcome and Remarks by Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Peter McWalters
10:00-11:00am
Panel I: Defining Exhibitions and Performance Assessments
11:00am-12:00pm
Panel II: Exploring Performance Assessment in a Single District
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch
1:00-2:00pm
Session III: Student Demonstrations of Exhibitions and Portifolios
2:00-3:30pm
Panel IV: Policy Implications for New England States
3:30pm
Adjourn
Featured guests will include:
The Honorable Donald Carcieri, Governor of the State of Rhode Island
Peter McWalters, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Roy Seitsinger, Director of Middle and High School Reform, Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Ted Sizer, Founder, Coalition of Essential Schools (invited)
Lewis Cohen, Executive Director, Coalition of Essential Schools
David Ruff, Co-Executive Director, Great Schools Partnership
Charles Fadel, Global Lead for Education, Cisco Systems, Inc., and member of the Partnership for 21st-Century Skills
Panel of educators from a single district implementing the Rhode Island Diploma System
Group of Rhode Island students presenting their exhibitions and portfolios
School Visits
On the following day, May 29, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, a small number of attendees will have the opportunity to visit one of two Rhode Island schools to observe performance-based assessment in action. Space is limited so please register early.
Barrington High School is a residential community located on upper Narragansett Bay. Barrington High School was the first Rhode Island school to institute exhibitions as a performance-based graduation requirement. Students have been presenting their Senior Projects for eight years. Barrington High School is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and ranked as a High Performing Rhode Island High School with an enrollment of 1130 students.
Portsmouth High School is a residential community located on Aquidneck Island. Portsmouth High School recently implemented exhibitions as a graduation requirement. This multi-community high school of 1074 students is ranked as a High Performing Rhode Island High School.
Buses will depart from the Westin Providence Hotel at 9:00 am and will return at 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided.
Registration
Space is limited for both the symposium and school visits – registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
A limited block of rooms have been set aside at a conference rate of $139.00 + taxes. Reservations must be made before May 24th to receive this rate. Please call 1-800-937-8461 and mention the New England Symposium on Performance Assessment when making reservations or use the secure
online reservation form.
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