Be a part of the 12th annual Schools of the Future Conference! We are seeking proposals related to pedagogy and best teaching practices to help educators prepare student learners for the future. This year's conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday, October 26-27. For more information about the conference, please visit the HAIS SOTF Webpage. Stay tuned for Early Bird Registration, which will open in March.

To submit a proposal, please complete the 2020 SOTF Submission Form. Please note that student participation in presentations in highly encouraged.

The deadline to submit a proposal is March 15, 2020 and notifications will be sent by April 30, 2020.

Conference Tracks:

The Schools of the Future Conference explores a wide-range of topics and ideas. Conference tracks are offered as a means of illuminating content that is of most interest to attendees. Session proposals can be submitted in one of the conference tracks listed below, but can encompass a variety of topics. For sessions that may fall under multiple tracks, please submit the proposal under the best-fitting track.

Each conference track offers general guidelines and keywords that best represent the interests of this year's conference. These guidelines are offered to assist and are by no means limitations.

• Early Childhood Learning: Presentations should be geared towards Preschool through grade 3 educators and should aim to explore the latest trends and research in the early childhood field.
• Learning Variabilities & Individualized Learning: This track will encompass differentiated and personalized learning, exploring how to make learning accessible to all students.
• Equity and Diversity: Sessions in this track should explore how we are addressing equity and diversity in our schools. This could include examples of learning opportunities that value students’ culture and identity while addressing assumptions about inclusion and equity.
• Project and Place-Based Learning: Sessions in this track should aim to advance PBL practices by exploring the knowledge and skills needed to design, assess and manage high quality, authentic Project/Inquiry/Problem/Place-Based Learning.
• Social and Emotional Learning: This track will explore best practices and strategies for effective SEL implementation, while also exploring evidence and research supporting the impact of SEL.
• Teaching and Learning with Technology: This track will explore resources and strategies for transforming teaching and learning through the use of edtech and computer science.
• Best Practices in 21st Century Learning: This track will encapsulate a wide-range of best-practices that address topics ranging from student engagement, school culture and climate, assessment and other innovative practices transforming student learning.
• Leading Schools of the Future: This track is intended for administrators and school leadership. Proposals should address topics such as institutional transformation strategies, approaches to school renewal and innovative initiatives.
• Cultural and Place-Based Education: Cultural and Place-Based EducationSessions in this track will explore culturally relevant teaching and learning, which can also include immersive learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom environment.

Session Format Type:

• Presentation - Traditional seated audience presentation or Interactive lecture involving participant-engaged learning experiences. Room set-up will be theater-style seating.
• Panel - Presentation involving a designated moderator facilitating discussion among 3 or more panelists on a particular topic. Room set-up will be theater-style seating.
• Workshop - In depth exploration of a topic over the course of 1 session that provides for a hands-on, interactive exploration of a particular topic, resource, or tool. Room set-up will include table rounds, with 8-10 seats per table.

Note: All presentation formats may involve 1 or more presenters. Student participation is encouraged.

Proposal Submission Guidelines:

When completing the Proposal Submission Form, you will be asked to include the Presentation Title - 100 characters maximum – and a Presentation Summary - 3-10 sentences or 750 characters maximum. If your proposal is selected, the description provided will appear in the SOTF program and will be made viewable on the conference program app. Please be sure that it fully and accurately describes the topic on which you will be presenting and what you will be doing during your session. Please make sure that all content (including spelling and grammar) is suitable for public reference.

Primary Presenter Discount:

If your proposal is selected, the Primary Presenter will receive a 50% discount on the conference fee in effect at the time of registration. All additional co-presenters must pay 100% of the regular conference fee if they wish to attend the conference. If co-presenters are middle or high school students, they will be able to register at the 1 day $50 student discount rate with a maximum of 3 per school/presentation. Please note that the conference does not cover any travel expenses (hotel, airfare or other) for presenters.

Proposal Review Criteria:

Keep in mind that the proposal reviewers may not know you or your reputation or be familiar with the specific technologies, models or instructional strategies you are addressing. Be sure to provide sufficient detail including full names (not acronyms) and brief descriptions of all such elements in your proposal summary so reviewers can evaluate the relevance and usefulness of the information to attendees.

Specifically, reviewers will evaluate your proposal for its:

• Relevance of the topic to the educational track and SOTF audience.
• Educational significance and contribution to the respective topic.
• Ease of replication and application.
• Value to participants.
• Presenter knowledge and experience.