Washington, D.C.—The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) will hold its first-ever leadership conference October 21–23, 2012 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana. The conference will offer superintendents and education administrators a comprehensive professional development experience where they can join the discussion of national and international curriculum trends and education policy. Education leaders will have the opportunity to explore best practices and research-based solutions for the challenges they face.

Administrators bear unparalleled pressure to deliver results while working with ever-dwindling budgets. They are responsible for creating a vision for their schools, while also equipping educators and students with the resources needed to harness the power and joy of learning. The leadership conference will allow superintendents and their school administrators to participate in formal and informal sessions and discussions surrounding these issues.

The theme of the ISTE 2012 leadership conference is Focus Forward: Visionary Leadership for Digital Age Education. Likewise, the conference will focus on forward thinking leadership methods in the digital age, with content centered on ISTE’s NETS for Administrators, essential conditions, digital age teaching and learning, and technology skills. Education leaders will be able to engage with their peers in a forward-thinking environment to discuss the issues challenging administrators in the ever-changing landscape of education.

Michael Fullan will be the keynote speaker for this event. Professor Emeritus of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, Fullan is renowned worldwide as an authority on education reform. Fullan is dedicated to education reform and improving teaching and learning by engaging with policymakers and local leaders around the world.

“ISTE's leadership conference takes the powerful framework of the NETS for Administrators, also known as Standards for Digital Age Leadership, and combines it with the globally respected work of educational change expert Michael Fullan,” says Leslie Conery, Deputy CEO of ISTE. “Leaders will develop action plans based on system-reform best practices as they focus on meeting the needs of today's learners.”

Attendees of the new ISTE leadership conference will experience the same high-quality sessions, professional development, and networking opportunities provided at ISTE’s annual conference and exposition (formerly NECC), held in late June for all educators. The new leadership conference will focus on issues and solutions most relevant to superintendents and administrators.

“ISTE's Leadership Conference is more than a traditional choose-your-session conference. Author and change expert Michael Fullan will introduce the leadership framework in the first work session that participants will build upon throughout the conference,” says Conery.  “Superintendents and cabinet members with experience leading technology-rich reform efforts will share their experiences and facilitate work sessions designed to answer your questions and provide solutions to common challenges.”

In the first year of ISTE’s leadership conference, the objective is to empower education leaders and promote forward thinking in digital age education environments. Education leaders will leave the conference with a vision for the future, equipped with the resources and support to implement change within their districts and schools.

As preparation for this event continues to take place, visit the ISTE leadership conference website for the most up-to-date information on program content, registration, and more.