Message from the President
The conclusion of the 2011 NEI held on the historic grounds of the University of Mississippi, in Oxford, Mississippi, provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the Consortium for Research on Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation (CREATE) over time. Although we are a relatively small organization in terms of our membership numbers, CREATE is a giant relative to the quality of our membership and the acclaim of the researchers in the field of education who associate with our organization.
The 2011 NEI was one of the finest conferences to date – bringing together a host of cutting‐edge researchers and scholars with practitioners of exceptional caliber who are committed to CREATE’s mission of improved student learning, development, and achievement in PK‐12 schools, institutes of higher education, and other educational settings. From the keynote addresses to invited presentations, along with breakout sessions and round table discussions, the 2011 NEI provided exceptional learning and networking opportunities.
This year’s Millman Award winner, Rick Stiggins, spoke in frank and compelling terms about redefining assessment for a new school mission. Dr. Stiggins challenged participants to create a culture of confidence in learning and assessment and reminded us of our responsibility as researchers and practitioners to continue to define and refine best practices and the appropriate use of data.
William Sanders, the leading national authority and scholar on value‐added assessment and student performance growth modeling engaged in a dialogue with us about the history of value‐added assessment, lessons learned and the future of performance growth models. Dr. Sanders cautioned us about the use and potential for misuse of value‐added models that are simplistic and not thoroughly researched for validity and reliability.
Thomas Guskey, Professor and researcher at the University of Kentucky, provided us with alternative ways for thinking about and using traditional grading systems for assessing student performance. Dr. Guskey suggested that we become unreasonable in our approach for assessing student growth and performance and focus on formative evaluation and mastery.
As we look toward the 2012 NEI in Washington, DC next fall, we are proud to be partnering with The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Our theme for the 2012 NEI is “Educational Accountability and Teacher Evaluation: REAL Problems, PRACTICAL Solutions.” As an organization, we identified this theme to underscore the importance of keeping our focus on the challenges presented through the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the shift to national standards for accountability and assessment. Although we recognize that politics do influence and shape policy, our role as researchers, scholars and practitioners is to influence and inform the policy makers to develop policies that embrace sound research and best practice.
Finally, let me take this opportunity to encourage you to attend the 2012 NEI in Washington, DC. If you are already a member of CREATE – I look forward to reconnecting with you at the 2012 NEI in our nation’s capitol. If you are not already a member, I invite you to become a part of the CREATE family. As a member of the consortium for over 15 years, I can attest to the professional and personal collaboration, networking opportunities, and lifelong friends I have gained from my association with CREATE. Please visit our website, www.createconference.org, for information regarding the 2012 NEI in Washington, DC.
Sincerely,
Marguerita K. DeSander
President, CREATE