Pre-Conference Workshops

Arrive early and attend a pre-conference workshop on Friday, April 3. All pre-conference workshops are ticketed events. They are open to all conference registrants, and tickets must be purchased in advance.

• Full Day Workshops | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  #1: The Student Support Card
  Are you getting outcomes you expect from your investments in social-emotional learning programs, your caring school climate efforts, or your family and community engagement initiatives? Students who come to school with a thick developmental ecology that is sustained by the school sustains, and ideally increased perform better in school. The Student Support Card can assist you in measuring what matters in the schoolhouse and beyond. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $275 | Regular: $325 
  
  #2: Leading for Equity Framework - A Practical Guide for School Boards Looking to Begin or Accelerate Their Equity Journey
  The topic of "equity" is increasingly part of discussions about improving educational outcomes for our students. Far from being a buzzword or a passing trend, equity is the necessary path to achieve success for each student. Join us for this informative and interactive workshop that will walk you through the Arizona School Board Association's Leading for Equity Framework which includes specific steps boards can take to begin or accelerate their district's equity journey. In this workshop, boards will learn strategies for defining equity, getting familiar with their demographics, digging into data, practicing cultural agility and incorporating student voice. ASBA's Associate Executive Director, Communications Director and Board Support Specialists (who are both also sitting school board members) provide multi-dimensional insights and resources for school boards looking to progress their education equity efforts. Participants will leave with ASBA's Equity Framework Document containing guiding questions and resources. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $275 | Regular: $325

  
  

• Morning Workshops | 9 a.m. – Noon

  #3: Understanding the Key Works of School Boards
  In today's high-stakes educational environment, the daily pressure on governance leaders is enormous. The more effective the board, the better a school district's students perform. NSBA's The Key Work of School Boards provides a framework that reflects "best governance practices" that are traceable to high performing boards and high performing school districts. This session provides an overview of a relevant and reliable governance guide with strategies and ideas that reflect board best practices. You'll explore the five Key Work action areas. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235
  
  #4: Are you Asking the Right Questions When Analyzing Data to Improve Student Outcomes
  Boards receive data reports on a variety of topics from staff, but how many analyze that data through an equity lens to improve student learning? In this interactive session, participants will practice analyzing student achievement data and leave with a tool to more effectively ask questions about the data using an equity lens to inform their board work. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
  
  #5: Becoming More Engaged & Inclusive Educational Leaders: Strategies for Supporting Our LGBTQ & Historically Underrepresented Students
  Are you interested in a deeper understanding of issues of identity and diversity? Do you think about the climate in your schools? If you answered yes, then we hope you'll join us for an in-depth and engaging workshop for school board members and administrators to explore issues of social identity (specific focus on LGBTQ), privilege, oppression, and power that have a direct impact on schools. The program will help you strengthen your capacity and abilities to ensure all children feel respected, engaged, and welcome. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205 
  
  #6: Turning High-Poverty Schools into High-Performing Schools - The Board's Role and Actions
  How do some schools overcome the powerful and pervasive effects of poverty to become high performing? Shouldn't every school be able to do the same? Board members will explore the critical role School Boards play in guiding and supporting district leadership to accomplish this work. The author will share compelling new insight and strategies from a recently completed study of 16 high-performing, high-poverty schools, adding to a growing consensus of what School Boards must do to improve under-performing, high-poverty schools. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235
  
  #7: You've Been Hacked! A Step-by-Step Guide on What to Do When You've Suffered a Breach
  You just had a data breach at one of your schools, what happens now? Do you know how much it's going to cost you to fix the problem? Do you know what is required to return to compliance with state and federal law after you've been hacked? Data breaches and hacks are an ever-increasing problem facing schools these days. It's no longer a matter of if it will happen, it's a matter of when it will happen. This workshop will provide a step by step road map of what to do after you've been hacked or if your data is being held for ransom. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205 
  
  #8: Fostering Grit - Encouraging Your Students to Succeed
  Grit is something we're all born with - from the homeless person on the street to the Harvard business grad. Most of us just haven't learned how to access what's already inside of us. In this workshop, participants will learn about the vital skills of grit and the 3 keys to creating a resilient climate. This engaging workshop will empower you to deliver these skills to students of any background and learning style, enabling them to thrive not only in school but in life. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
  

• Afternoon Workshops | 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

  #9: Governing Your District for Student Success: School Board Actions that Make a Difference for Students
  Research backs up what most of us intuitively know - school board governance truly does make a difference in student outcomes. But the rest of the story is not as intuitive. Multi-state research shows a correlation between certain board actions and student academic success, both positive and negative. Learn what your board should focus on to improve student outcomes, including closing the opportunity gaps for students of color and those living in poverty. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205

  
  #10: Be an Undercover Mentor - Empowering this Generation
  It is harder to be a student today than ever before. Jessie Funk and A’ric Jackson understand not only the struggles faced by today’s teens, but also how to ignite honest conversations about the problems they face, and the tools needed to support them. The workshop is divided into two components: Leadership Styles and Conflict Resolution Styles. In this workshop, participants will leave with real tools they can use to better understand, inspire, and set positive boundaries with challenging teenagers who need to be invested in. You do not want to miss this workshop. NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
   
  #11: From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse - Hot Topics in School Law Today
  This popular program, presented by members of the NSBA Council of School Attorneys, provides an overview of key principles of school law, and an in-depth look at several issues of key significance today. Participants will walk away with a better awareness of the questions you should be asking your school attorney before problems arise. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
  
  #12: The Work of Highly Effective School Boards & the Challenges of Poverty
  Highly effective school boards ensure that they align their work and engage stakeholders to focus on student achievement. These school boars take a team approach, plan strategically, understand and use data and technology and conduct superintendent evaluations and board self-assessments that clearly align with the most important work of the district. This session led by two experienced board trainers and an outstanding superintendent will focus on these best practices. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
  
  #13: Building a High-Impact Board-Superintendent Partnership - 5 Critical Questions You Need to Answer
  Drawing on Doug Eadie's newest book, Building a High-Impact Board-Superintendent Partnership: 11 Critical Questions You Need to Answer, this session will provide participants with detailed, practical, thoroughly tested guidance for building the kind of rock-solid board-superintendent partnership that is key to effective district governance. Participants will be actively engaged in real-life discussion exercises.
  NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235
  
  #14: The Problem with People - Coping with Malcontents
  The Bully. The Victim. The Gossip. The Know-It-All. We all have people who push our buttons. They drain our energy, take us off track and infect other areas of our life. From co-workers to friends to family members, negative people create situations and drama in which we become frustrated, powerless, and ill-equipped to find solutions. This negativity costs you, your business and those around you. Unfortunately, there is no getting around the fact that some people are just difficult. What you CAN change is your reaction and your tactics. The key is finding effective ways to work with negative people by building positive, successful relationships. Success depends on being able to recognize and respond appropriately to different behaviors and situations. This workshop will teach you specific strategies and effective communication skills for dealing with all kinds of People. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $185 | Regular: $205
  
  #15: School Leaders Guide to Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
  One in four children in every classroom have been exposed to early childhood trauma. The toxic stress that results from early exposure to traumatic situations leads to changes in brain development that can be connected to bullying, attendance and discipline problems. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study discovered that childhood trauma leads to the adult onset of chronic diseases, depression and other mental illness, violence and being a victim of violence. School board members can bring attention, focus, and resources to the goal of becoming a trauma-informed school district through effective leadership and policy oversight. In this interactive session, school board members will learn about trauma-informed education and how they can implement change in their districts. 
  NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235 
  
  #16: Ready-Set-Govern! Beginning Your Board Adventure
  Welcome to your new role and the opportunity to make a difference for all kids in your district. Now that you are on the board where do you begin? How do you get your questions answered? What is your exact role? How do you handle those difficult questions by the same people that elected you? Join us for this fun, interactive session with your colleagues and members of different state associations as we explore the ways to make you the best board member possible. Ready! Set! Govern will be full of opportunities to ask questions in a safe and fun environment. NatCon/CUBE: $215 | Regular: $235

  
  

Meal Events

Dine with your school board colleagues and NSBA council boards while hearing from distinguished speakers at these popular events.

• Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Keynote Luncheon

  Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Keynote Luncheon
  Tony Plana, actor, co-founder and executive artistic director, East LA Classic Theatre (ECT)
  Saturday, April 4 | Noon
  
  Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90

• National Hispanic Council of School Board Members Keynote Luncheon

  National Hispanic Council of School Board Members Keynote Luncheon
  Sonia Nazario, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author
  Saturday, April 4 | Noon

  Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90

  
  

• National American Indian/Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN) Keynote Breakfast

  National American Indian/Alaska Native Council of School Board Members (AIAN) Keynote Breakfast
  Dr. Stephen Sroka, speaker, trainer, author, teacher and educational consultant
  Sunday, April 5 | 8 a.m.

  Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90

• National Black Council of School Board Members (N Lunch & Learn BC) Keynote Luncheon

  National Black Council of School Board Members (NBC) Keynote Luncheon
  Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., chair of the Center for African American Studies and the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University
  Sunday, April 5 | Noon

  Council Members: $75 | Regular/NatCon/CUBE/State Association Staff: $90

  
  

• Lunch & Learn

  Lunch & Learn is a unique opportunity to network with your peers and discuss a wide range of timely topical areas such as school safety and equity in education. These informal sessions enable you to take part in important district-level conversations moderated by an experienced facilitator. Each table has a different topic, and you can choose to spend the entire time at one table topic or move about based on your interest level. A box lunch is provided, so skip the long lunch lines at the conference center and be part of what is sure to be a rewarding educational networking session.

  Fee: $25

• CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO)

  CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO)
  Saturday, April 4 | 6: 30 p.m.
  
  CUBE Districts: Free | NatCon: $85 | All others: $100
  

Programming Highlights

• Equity

  As part of NSBA’s dedication to ensuring that all students receive the resources and support they need to succeed, we are offering sessions throughout the conference focusing on a range of equity issues. Our goal is to provide you with crucial background information and specific strategies and plans to advance your work towards providing an equitable education to every child.

• New Board Member Training

  READY-SET-GOVERN!
  
  Essential training to help new board members hone their leadership skills and give others a chance to refresh their knowledge while networking with colleagues from across the country.
  
  

• School Board/Superintendent Relations

  NSBA 2020 is packed with peer-selected educational sessions on the most pressing topics and issues faced by superintendents and administrators. Hear from expert speakers and participate in educational sessions designed to inform and inspire.
  

• School Business Officials

  Whether you’re new or seasoned in managing district operations, the following sessions were designed to deepen your knowledge and skills essential to optimizing business operations for your school district.
  
  

• School Safety

  Supporting and promoting the physical and emotional safety of students is critical for student success. Learn best practices that promote safe and supportive learning environments for every child.
  
  

Conference Information

• Directions and Parking

  Click here for directions to McCormick Place and parking information. NSBA recommends parking in Lot A, which is connected directly to the West Building.

• NSBA 2020 Chicago Hotels

  You must be registered for the conference before you can reserve housing. All reservations should be made prior to February 28, 2020. Room availability and conference rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.

  View the Chicago Hotel Map.

• Destination and Travel

  Add some adventure into your NSBA 2020 Annual Conference experience. We've got you covered with resources to help you plan your trip to Chicago. Click here.