State Director's Meeting: Information from Liz

Leadership Team 06-07: Let me know if you are going to this. Meals are provided. I don't believe hotel rooms are, but I will ask Liz. BWP can not pay for this travel, but if you wish to go, notify me and I'll notify Liz.


Dear NWP-TX Directors,



Our fall retreat will be held October 20-21 at the Texas State University LBJ Student Center. This message is the first in a series of messages that will provide details about the gathering. Please mark your calendars and forward this message to your co-directors and TCs.



Highlights



We are very fortunate to have three national-level leaders joining us this year: Sherry Swain, Paul LeMahieu, and Richard Graves. All three are focused on research of writing and writing instruction at the national level. They are interested in our assessment and evaluation of the work our sites are doing, and they are coming to assist us in our plans for conducting local and state-wide studies that are thoughtfully designed. If you have been participating in NWP-TX meetings in the last few years, you know that we have addressed the issue of state-level research numerous times. Having these three guide us and link us to the national studies they are doing is an incredible opportunity. I will send more information on this shortly.



We have two sites that are completing their first year and two universities that are writing proposals for sites next year. If the proposals are accepted, we will have 13 sites in Texas. Our state meetings are more important than ever because they provide potential, new, maturing, and mature sites a place to share ideas, questions, and products. By sustaining the community we’ve created, all of our sites will benefit.



Schedule



Thursday, October 19: We will meet for an informal dinner. Information about the restaurant, time, etc. will be sent soon.

Friday, October 20: All day meeting at the LBJ Student Center. Sherry, Paul, and Richard will guide us through thinking about research and getting involved in the Local Sites Research Initiative (LSRI).

Saturday: October 21: Teachers Conference—all Texas teachers, student teachers, preservice teachers, and administrators are invited to come. Keynote speakers are Sherry and Richard. Ten 75-minute breakout sessions will be on the program. You and your team are encouraged to consider presenting at this conference. A call for proposals will be sent shortly.

Note: Lunch and dinner on Friday will be provided.



Lodging



We have reserved 20 rooms at the Comfort Suites Hotel. It’s an easy to find hotel that opened 6 weeks ago. Rooms are very clean and comfortable. Following are details:

· Address: 104 N IH-35, San Marcos, TX 78666

· Phone: 512-392-1006

· Fax: 512-392-9162

· E-mail: GM.TX905@choicehotels.com

· Cut-off date: October 7 rooms will be released

· Must present any tax exempt forms/cards when you check in

· $79/night

· 1 king or 2 queens—all rooms have a sofa bed

· Free wireless internet in rooms

· Exercise room and business center

· Non-smoking facility

· The rooms are under Texas State - NWP of TX

PLEASE RESPOND to let me know you received this. We will need to know how many are coming from your site in order to plan for meals, etc. As soon as you know that number, please forward it to me or Diane Osborne (DO11@txstate.edu).



As always, I look forward to seeing you!



Liz


Liz Campbell Stephens, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Texas State University Dept. of C&I
Director, Central Texas Writing Project
Program Coordinator, Educational Technology
512-245-3102