Magnet Schools National Meeting in Charlotte

"BANKING ON MAGNETS" is the title for the 27th annual Magnet Schools of America conference. We have talked briefly about Magnet schools in our class and I thought it interesting that the National Meeting is being hosted by the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System which is really close to home. I also thought it interesting that I have not heard about it until now and it actually started on Sunday. I am guessing it had to be overshadowed by all of the other news. This conference, though, is designed for teachers, principals and administrators from magnet schools across the nation. Attendees will be able to interact and share with one another their experiences and successes, along with making connections and discovering new possibilities in magnet schooling.

I am not a product of magnet schools, but have heard so many people who are that speak of their amazingly enriching experiences at their magnet school. They accredit their educational experiences as being so powerful that they in effect, had much to do with shaping who they became and feel wholeheartedly that without these experiences would have undoubtedly turned out completely different. I know that everyone is shaped in some way by their educational experiences, but the people who attended magnet schools talk about these experiences really changed who they were to become. I wonder how these student's grammar of schooling would compare to my own?

Magnet schools, as we learned in class, originated in the US as an option to traditional public schools because of racial segregation in public schools. One of the goals of magnet schools is to prepare students to function in a diverse society and help reduce patterns of racial isolation. Magnet schools also serve as models for school improvements and reforms. Another function of magnet schools is to provide the students with a stronger knowledge of academic subjects and vocational skills.

Want to go?
When
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Where
The Westin Charlotte
601 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

Websites
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/690131.html
http://www.magnet.edu/modules/content/index.php?id=72
Magnet Schools of America
MSA Charlotte LinkMSA Charlotte Website