October 9, 2003

Dr. Elaine Liftin, Executive Director of the Council for Educational Change, participated in the U.S. Department of Education High School Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. The Summit was designed to “initiate and promote a national dialogue about transforming high schools and creating seamless transitions into and through postsecondary education.” She was one of only seven representatives from Florida to participate and shared some of the Council’s work where it related to the Summit agenda.

The Council, along with its partner Etraffic Solutions Inc, has created several programs relating to principal leadership including, The Accelerated School Administrator Program (ASAP)™ and the Principal Portal. Together they have also created the data assessment tool SP SnapShot™. Etraffic Solutions Inc is an international provider of online learning content and applications for K-12 and adult learning.

Dr. Liftin was invited to the event by Commissioner Jim Horne, based on the Council’s statewide, groundbreaking work in principal leadership, data-driven decision-making, parent and community involvement, and addressing critical education issues.

“We were able to share what is happening in Florida schools based on our Best Practices study,” said Dr. Elaine Liftin. “The sessions reinforced an emphasis on—Leadership, Leadership, Leadership—a primary focus area for us. Another focus area is data assessment and I shared our work in this area.”

SP SnapShot™ is a data tool that gives detailed analysis and information about achievement—school-by-school, student-by-student, or teacher-by-teacher—throughout the U.S. Visit www.studentperformance.com for more information.

PrincipalPortal.net™ is an online program providing useful and comprehensive information, development modules, and networking opportunities. Visit www.principalportal.net for more information.

The Accelerated School Administrator Program (ASAP)™ provides individualized professional development that prepares school administrators and teachers to be effective leaders and educators. Visit www.asapportal.com for more information.

The Council for Educational Change is a statewide nonprofit 501 (C)(3) organization. The Council’s mission is to improve education and raise student achievement. The Council focuses on and has programs in principal leadership, Partnership to Advance School Success (PASS), data-driven decision-making, public policy, and research and evaluation. Please visit our website, www.changeeducation.org, for more information.

Etraffic Solutions Inc is an international provider of Internet-based elearning applications specializing in online staff development training, online second language training, and peer-to-peer platform software development for the exchange of learning objects. For more information please visit our website at www.etrafficsolutions.com.