The following is cross-posted from the NIFL-Assessment discussion list:


>Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 10:12:28 -0400 (EDT)

>From: Diane Gardner <dgardner at utk.edu>

>Subject: [NIFL-ASSESSMENT:1228] EFF Conference

>Sender: nifl-assessment at nifl.gov

>To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-assessment at literacy.nifl.gov>

>

>You Talked

We Listened!

>

>

>If you ask anyone associated with the EFF Center for Training and 

>Technical Assistance what they've been doing the past year, you're likely 

>to hear a common response  we've been listening!  That's right, we've been 

>listening to you and all of our customers to find out how we can best 

>focus our efforts to better meet your needs.

>

>Since EFF was first initiated in 1994, more than 30 states and programs 

>have benefited from our work.  We have new and ongoing state initiatives 

>in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington, DC, and Maine.   We have 

>new initiatives planned or in process with many local providers as well 

>-  in New York, Michigan, New Mexico, New Jersey, Oregon, DC, Virginia and 

>Texas. During the past 11 years, we have learned a lot along the way.  We 

>have listened to your concerns and your recommendations.

>

>YOU SAID:

>        EFF was too confusing --  too overwhelming, particularly for 

> part-time teachers.

>        Teachers needed more guidance and user-friendly products to 

> implement EFF in the classroom.

>        You wanted curriculum frameworks that more clearly illustrated the 

> skills that teachers should be teaching in the context of EFF content 

> standards.

>        EFF needed to be aligned with NRS-approved assessments.

>       EFF needed some products that would directly link to business and 

> industry.

>

>You talked, and we listened.  We listened, we adapted, we revised, and we 

>created.  Now, we would like to share our results with you!

>

>Announcing the EFF Institute!

>December 14 & 15, 2005

>Trump Plaza Hotel     Atlantic City, New Jersey

>

>

>The EFF Center for Training and Technical Assistance, in partnership with 

>the New Jersey State Employment & Training Commission, is planning an EFF 

>Institute on December 14  & 15, 2005 at the Trump Plaza Hotel in Atlantic 

>City, New Jersey.  The institute will feature practical strategies and 

>techniques at the state and local levels for implementing standards-based 

>instruction.  Complete registration information will be forthcoming in the 

>near future.  Based on our conversations with many of you, we have some 

>ideas on what the institute should include, but we want to make sure we 

>are right on target.  We want to ensure that the institute includes the 

>topics that you need the most.

>

>Please take just 10 minutes of your time and complete our online survey by 

>September 21, 2005.  It's quick and simple, but it will really help us 

>design an institute that's right for you.  If you are unable to complete 

>the survey, please ask a staff member who works with professional 

>development and/or curriculum and instruction to respond.

>

>You may respond to the survey by clicking on the following 

>URL:  http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com/default.asp?SurveyID=29840

>

>Thank you for your cooperation, and don't forget

.We want to hear from you 

>because WE ARE LISTENING!

>

>The EFF Institute is supported in part by funding from The UPS Foundation.

>

>

>Diane P. Gardner

>EFF Center

>The University of Tennessee

>Center for Literacy Studies

>600 Henley Street, Suite 312

>Knoxville, TN 37996-4135

>865-974-9949

>dgardner at utk.edu