8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Studio Foyer, Concourse Level

Registration & Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Welcome Remarks

• Hon. Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Councilmember, City of New York, New York; Former Vice President, NALEO

• Mr. Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, NALEO Educational Fund

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session I:

The Imperative of Starting Early: Foundations of Early Childhood Education

There is growing research demonstrating the short and long-term benefits of early childhood education for children, families, and communities. Evidence shows that a child’s brain has the greatest potential to grow by the age of three and it is in these first three years of life that children’s brains must be exposed to quality interactions to stimulate and strengthen brain development, an important precursor of school readiness. This session provided an overview of brain development research and highlighted the best approaches to setting up children for lifelong success.

Session Chair:
Hon. Christopher Rosario, Connecticut State Representative; Chair, Black and Puerto Rican Caucus

• Dr. Amelia Bachleda, Outreach and Education Specialist, Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington
Resource: 1

Additional Resources: 1 | 2 | 3

AECF State Profiles: Connecticut | Delaware | Maryland | Massachusetts | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Texas | Virginia

NIEER State Profiles: Connecticut | Delaware | Maryland | Massachusetts | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Texas | Virginia

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session II:

Developing Healthy Environments: Strategies to Prevent and Address Toxic Stress

Young children exposed to healthy and nurturing environments develop the foundation needed for positive brain development and school readiness. Exposure to factors such as poverty, abuse, neglect, and family separation can trigger the development of toxic stress in young children and can have lasting emotional, social, physical, and cognitive effects. Recognizing the limitations of a child’s environment is important, but strides can be made when the strengths their families and communities hold are uplifted to tackle the factors associated with toxic stress. This session provided an overview of the research on toxic stress and ways in which policymakers can develop policies to support healthy environments while strengthening family, community, and cultural connections.

Session Chair:
Hon. Jeffrey Sánchez, Massachusetts State Representative; Chair, Joint Committee on Healthcare and Financing; Board Member, NALEO

• Dr. Leonell Torres-Pagán, Research Associate, Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, The City University of New York (CUNY)
PRESENTATION | AUDIO

• Dr. Heather Koball, Director, Family Economic Security, National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University
PRESENTATION | AUDIO

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Studio 3 & 4, Concourse Level

Luncheon Program:

Census 2020, Make it Count

• Mr. Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, NALEO Educational Fund
PRESENTATION

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session III:

School Discipline in the Early Years: Leaving No Child Behind

The earliest years of a child’s education experience lay a critical foundation for later success in school. When the youngest students are suspended from early childhood education settings, they lose out on the opportunity to gain important skills and experiences with their peers. Recognizing and addressing the factors and risks that these students face can help us work toward better long-term outcomes for children and communities. This session equipped policymakers with best practices and policy recommendations to ensure children do not lose valuable time in school and that we promote the optimal development, learning, and overall wellbeing of all young children.

Session Chair:
Hon. Marcos Crespo, New York State Assemblymember; Chair, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Taskforce

• Dr. Chin Regina Reyes, Associate Research Scientist, Yale Child Study Center
PRESENTATION

• Ms. Lauren Hogan, Senior Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
PRESENTATION | AUDIO

Additional Resources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session IV:

Meeting the Needs of Undocumented Children and Families

Across the United States there are approximately 5.1 million children living with at least one parent who is undocumented. Regardless of citizenship status, current law allows for children residing in the country to have access to educational services, health care, and child care settings. Given the long-term benefits of access to quality health care and early childhood education, greater awareness of services is necessary among mixed-status families. This session offered policymakers with an opportunity to learn more about the resources available to immigrant families and the policies that regulate the access to educational and child care settings for mixed-status and undocumented families.

Session Chair:
Hon. Nellie Pou, New Jersey State Senator; Chair, Latino Legislative Caucus

• Dr. Jacqueline Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Child Development
PRESENTATION | AUDIO

• Ms. Wendy Cervantes, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
PRESENTATION | AUDIO

• Ms. Jackie Vimo, Economic Justice Policy Analyst, National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
PRESENTATION | AUDIO

Additional Resource: 1

AFT Resources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

CLASP Resources: 1 | 2 | 3

NILC Resources: 1 | 2 | 3

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Institute Wrap-Up for the Day

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wall & Water Main, 2nd Level

Opening Reception

Hosts:
Alliance for Early Success
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
State Farm™

Opening Reception Patron:
Wells Fargo

Opening Reception Donor:
American Federation of Teachers

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Studio 3 & 4, Concourse Level

Breakfast & Welcome Remarks

• Hon. Carmen Piñeyro, Trustee, Village of Freeport, New York; Former Board Member, NALEO

8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session V:

ESSA 101: What is in the Law? Why does it Matter?

In December 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), replacing No Child Left Behind (NCLB) with a new federal K-12 education law that grants more flexibility—and responsibility—to states and local communities. ESSA contains a number of levers that state and local policymakers, advocates, parents, and community members can use to advance opportunity and achievement for all students, especially low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners. In this session, experts identified some of these levers, as well as highlighted the questions that state and local policymakers can emphasize to ensure the successful and inclusive implementation of ESSA. Participants also received up-to-date information on the current implementation process for ESSA in their respective states.

• Ms. Daria Hall, Vice President for Government Affairs and Communications, The Education Trust

• Ms. Natasha Ushomirsky, Director of P-12 Policy, The Education Trust
PRESENTATION | Resource: 1

State Accountability Plans: Connecticut | Massachusetts | New Jersey

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Break

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session VI:

Leading for Equity from All Levels of Education Policymaking

Effective education policymaking and implementation requires leadership from all levels of government, including the U.S. Department of Education, State Education Agencies, State Legislatures, State Boards of Education, and local boards of education. In this session, current and former education policymakers discussed the unique roles of different policymaking bodies, as well as the best practices and critical importance of strategic collaboration to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Session Chair:
Dr. Lynn Jennings, Director of National and State Partnerships, The Education Trust

• Dr. John B. King, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, The Education Trust; Former U.S. Secretary of Education; Former New York State Education Commissioner

• Dr. Lillian Lowery, Vice President for P-12 Policy and Practice, The Education Trust; Former State Superintendent of Schools, Maryland State Board of Education; Former Delaware Secretary of Education

• Hon. Ana Sol Gutierrez, Maryland State Delegate; Member, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families; Former Board Member, NALEO

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session VII:

Leveraging Opportunities in ESSA: Table Conversations

This session offered participants an opportunity to share insights and lessons learned from the morning sessions. Through a facilitated conversation, participants were able to strategize about the specific areas and opportunities to shape and influence ESSA implementation. Participants drew from their respective roles as policymakers to identify and discuss how they can strategically work with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve successful and inclusive outcomes for students and families.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Studio 3 & 4, Concourse Level

Luncheon Program:

NALEO Educational Fund’s Policy and Civic Priorities

• Mr. Roberto Frugone, Northeast Civic Engagement Director, NALEO Educational Fund

• Ms. Juliana Cabrales, Mid-Atlantic Director, NALEO Educational Fund
PRESENTATION | Resource: 1

Additional Resources: 1 | 2

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session VIII:

Deep Dive on ESSA and English Language Learners

ESSA shines a brighter spotlight on the education of English Language Learners (ELLs) in our nation’s elementary and secondary schools than did its predecessor, NCLB. However, state and local officials have a lot of discretion in implementing the requirements of this new law, and ultimately the choices states make will determine how schools will identify, serve, and track the progress of the growing ELL population. In this session, participants learned about the key provisions of ESSA surrounding ELLs, as well as the challenges and strategies ahead in implementing these provisions.

• Ms. Delia Pompa, Senior Fellow for Education Policy, Migration Policy Institute (MPI)

2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Session XI:

Diverse Perspectives on Education Equity

The effective implementation of ESSA requires concerted efforts to collaborate directly with community stakeholders and advocates. Similar to many policymakers, state and local advocates are also promoting the advancement of equity and achievement through ESSA. To better understand the nuances and benefits in forging partnerships, participants had an opportunity to engage with members of the Equity in Education New York Coalition. The coalition represents the perspectives of diverse communities, including the business sector, civil rights groups, and parent advocates, which collaboratively work together toward a common goal for students. Through this session, participants learned more about the key policy priorities and perspectives on ESSA directly from advocacy groups to better inform their insight on ESSA development and implementation.

Session Chair:
Mr. Ian Rosenblum, Executive Director, The Education Trust-New York

• Ms. Diana Noriega, Chief Program Officer, Committee for Hispanic Children and Families

• Mr. Samuel L. Radford III, President, District Parent Coordinating Council of Buffalo, New York

• Ms. Amber L. Mooney, Manager of Government Affairs, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

2:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level 

Session X:

What’s Next on ESSA?

Dr. King reflected on themes from the day, and identified ways in which The Education Trust can be a resource as participants work to advance educational equity through ESSA and beyond.

• Dr. John B. King, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, The Education Trust; Former U.S. Secretary of Education; Former New York State Education Commissioner

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Studio 1 & 2, Concourse Level

Closing Remarks and Evaluations