I again wish to thank all of you who attended the November 2003 Conference for making it one of the best conferences ever. I was very happy to see so many familiar faces and also delighted in meeting new first time members as well. The MAG Conference this year focused on a variety of issues surrounding assessment at the federal, state and local levels. We looked at the impact that NCLB will have on all organizational levels, ESOL, Title I, and Special Education. We heard from representatives of the United States Department of Education, Maryland State Department of Education and for the first time, the President of the Maryland State Teachers Association. What I took from this was that the discussion from all sides must continue to be heard, and MAG once again proved to be the best forum for this.

I want to thank Dr. Richard Stiggins for his most excellent presentations. They were not only well attended but well received. I also want to thank all the presenters and vendors for their continued support. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Patricia Foerster, President of the Maryland State Teachers Association, for her electrifying keynote presentation during our closing brunch. The MAG Resources Page now has a link to the MSTA site and an e-mail link to Mrs. Foerster.

Thank you all for making the 2003 Conference the success that it was, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2004.

2002 MAG Conference
November 20-22, 2002
Ocean City, Maryland

The November 2002 Conference was a great success. Not only did we have major presenters like Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, we also provided our participants with up to the minute information about No Child Left Behind and The Maryland School Assessment program. In addition, we were pleased to have presentations and representation from two major Virginia educational groups; the Virginia Association of Test Directors and The Virginia Educational Research Association. This conference also had participation from both Maryland and Virginia Universities.

Based on the positive response from our members, it is our plan to expand our scope and provide more multi-state sessions at future conferences. However, as always our main theme will be to provide activities and sessions that will help Maryland educators get the skills and tools needed to make certain that No Maryland Child is Left Behind.

Click Here for the 2002 Program documents.

2001 MAG Conference
November 14-16, 2001
Ocean City, Maryland

Close to 1000 Maryland educators attended the 17th Annual Maryland Assessment Group Conference in Ocean City, Maryland. The theme for the 2001 conference was "Teach - Learn - Assess - Report". Attendees were able to choose from over 35 presentations on Assessment Issues and Instructional Strategies. The keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Slavin from the Success for All Foundation, provided examples of how through the adoption of proven, effective programs, school reform becomes a reality.

Click Here for the 2001 Program documents.

The complete 2001 Program of Events is available, and you may view and save the presentations that have been submitted for access via the MAG Web Site.

If you would like to submit your 2001 presentation for inclusion on this web site, please email it to mag@customconference.com

Thanks for your interest in the MAG program. The 2003 MAG Conference will be held again in Ocean City, Maryland in November. Watch for announcements on date, schedule, and on-line registration. We will also begin calling for presentations, soon.

As Maryland and the school districts are changing their assessment and education programs in response to the federal initiative "No Child Left Behind", MAG is committed to providing current information to teachers and administrators about the changes in regard to Assessment, Instruction and Program Evaluation.

The 2002 featured presenters will be Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, who will conduct sessions on the overall impact of instruction as it relates to student achievement and school improvement. Rejoining us this year will be the Maryland Assessment Consortium who will be working on "Imbedded Assessments". We will have presenters from MSDE and are working to get representatives from the U.S. Dept. of Education who will help us work our way through pending assessment changes.

Julian Katz, Executive Director, MAG