New Mexico

Public Education Department

300 Don Gaspar

                                                                    Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-2786

Dr. Veronica C. García                                                                                                                                             www.ped.state.nm.us

Secretary of Education

                       

Beverly Friedman

Public Information Officer

505.827.6661

 

News Release

 

For Immediate Release:  October 19, 2005

 

 

International Career Development and Transition Conference Begins Thursday

 

(Albuquerque, NM) – The New Mexico Public Education Department and the New Mexico Division on Career Development Transition are sponsoring an international career development and transition conference Thursday through Saturday noon at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

 

“Reaching New Heights: Improving Student Outcomes in a Diverse World” will offer conference sessions for educators of Students with Disabilities, but many of the sessions will benefit all educators.  National leader from the U. S. Department of Education will join New Mexico Education Secretary Dr. Veronica C. Garcia and New Mexico State Director of Special Education Denise Koscielniak at the conference.

 

Secretary Garcia said, “In September, Governor Richardson and I unveiled our Making Schools Work education reform initiative. One of the key components of Making Schools Work is parental partnership.  Involving parents, teachers and students working together on all aspects of education including transition planning is a vital aspect of our efforts to improve student outcomes.  In New Mexico, we value planning for all students, whether we do transition planning for our Special Education students or Next Step planning for all other students. I am so pleased that we have had such a high number, nearly 850 registrants, for this conference and I am proud to share with them the exciting work we are doing here in New Mexico.”  

 

The New Mexico Division on Career Development is a division of the Council for Exceptional Children and its members include New Mexico parent and educators of students with disabilities.  The NM Developmental Disabilities Planning Council donated $2500 which was awarded to NM parents and student as scholarships to attend the conference.

 

This year's conference presents informative discussions, presentations, and research to national, state, and local professionals, leaders, and families on critical issues facing, children, adolescents, and young adults with and without disabilities as they prepare for adult life. 

 

Keynote speaker Denise Bissonnette promises to deeply impress attendees with creative options and revitalized efforts for increased, improved employment opportunities. Luncheon speaker Jonathan Mooney offers equally energizing ideas for enhancing youth empowerment and skill development.  The conference offers 11 strands of 140 + regular sessions and 65 + poster sessions have been scheduled featuring the best and the brightest in career development/transition research, program development, and self-advocacy achievements.

 

For more information on the conference contact Beverly Friedman, NMPED PIO at 1-505-827-6661.

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