Arkansas ASCD is an organization that has a diverse membership of educators and supporters of education.  As an affiliate of ASCD Worldwide, Arkansas ASCD is rich in resources to support best practices in education for Arkansas educators and their students. Arkansas ASCD is rich in its primary resource, people. During the year of 2007, Arkansas ASCD saw another growth in membership.Our goal for 2008 will be to surpass 1000 affiliate members.

As a member of Arkansas ASCD you will receive newsletters and have electronic access to briefing papers on current issues and research. We will be moving the research journal, Focus, to an electronic version in the near future. As a member you receive a registration discount for the Annual Conference. Most importantly, you will become a member of a professional learning community.  Arkansas ASCD continues to offer Regional Shareholders meeting through out the state focusing on state initiative in curriculum, instruction and assessment.  Most recently we met across the state to discuss P-16 curriculum alignment. The results of statewide alignment efforts will be presented at the 2008 Annual Conference in Hot Springs.

The Arkansas ASCD Board of Directors is taking a bold step in moving the 2008 Annual Conference from the historic Arlington Hotel to the Hot Springs Convention Center with blocks of rooms available at the Embassy Suites and Austin Hotel.  In keeping with the national agenda of ASCD, The Whole Child, this year’s conference theme will be “The Whole Child: Fitting the Pieces Together”.  Access the registration form on the web page for registration information and make plans to join us now.

Best wishes for the holiday season and the coming New Year.

Dr. Mary B. Gunter