The APA Education Directorate's 2006 programming slate will showcase the work of psychologists striving to build better schools, aid community college teachers and explore current training and marketplace trends in specialization. Here are some highlights.

Better schools, better teachers

APA's Center for Psychology in Schools and Education (CPSE) is sponsoring two sessions that will highlight psychologists' work to improve the nation's schools through education research.

The first, "Psychology in Schools and Education: Work of the APA Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education," Friday, Aug. 11, 12–1:15 p.m., will showcase the work of CPSE's Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education, which is working to help teachers better collaborate with parents and caregivers and prompt psychologists to become more involved in educational research. Panelists will share results from the coalition's Teachers' Needs survey of teachers' perceptions of their professional development in such areas as classroom management, instructional practices, classroom diversity and family and community outreach. V. Scott Solberg, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, will chair the session. Speakers include: Larry Alferink, PhD, of Illinois State University; Marc Atkins, PhD, of the University of Illinois, Chicago; Cindy Carlson, PhD, of the University of Texas at Austin; Robert Felner, PhD, of the University of Louisville; and Rena Subotnik, PhD, of APA's Education Directorate.

The second session, "Applications of Psychological Science to Teaching and Learning Task Force," Saturday, Aug. 12, 3–3:50 p.m., will provide an update on the work of the task force, which was created by the Board of Educational Affairs to explore the implications of the 1997 document "Learner-Centered Psychological Principles: Guidelines for School Design and Reform" on evidence-based practices in pre-K–12 teaching. Speakers include: Joan Lucariello, PhD, of Boston College; Barbara McCombs, PhD, of the Denver Research Institute; Margaret Semrud-Clikeman, PhD, of the University of Texas at Austin; Tom Kratochwill, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin; Robert Pianta, PhD, of the University of Virginia; Sandra Graham, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles; and Carol Dwyer, PhD, of the Educational Testing Service.

Community college pedagogy

Psychology Teachers at Community Colleges will sponsor the session "Teaching, Learning and Assessing in a Developmentally Coherent Curriculum" on Friday, Aug. 11, from noon to 1:50 p.m. Donna Killian Duffy, PhD, of Middlesex Community College, will chair the session.

Session speakers and their topics are:

• Patricia Puccio, EdD, of the College of DuPage, "Undergraduate Learning Goals and Outcomes: Past, Present and Future."

• Jerry Rudmann, EdD, of Irvine Valley Community College, "Applying the Student Learning Outcomes Developmental Rubric to Assess Learning."

• Joseph A. Mayo, EdD, of Gordon College, "Linking Authentic Assessment to Pedagogical Applications of the Developmental Rubric."

• Vincent J. Granito, PhD, of Lorain County Community College, "Community College Program Review: Assessment, Student Outcomes and Curriculum Changes."

Specialization trends

APA's Commission on the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology will sponsor two sessions on psychology specialization.

"Specialties and Specialization in Psychology: What's in a Name? Education and Training in Psychology" will address current practices in education and training in specialization. The session will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, from 1

p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Lynn Rehm, PhD, of the University of Houston, will chair the discussion hour. Participants include: Michael Roberts, PhD, of the University of Kansas; Ronald Rozensky, PhD, of APA's Board of Directors and the University of Florida; and Beverly Thorn, PhD, of the University of Alabama.

"Specialties and Specialization in Psychology: What's in a Name? Professional Practice" will address the issues and challenges practitioners face in the marketplace related to specialization. The session will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, from 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. Elena Eisman, EdD, the executive director of the Massachusetts Psychological Association, will chair the session. Participants include: Eugene D'Angelo, PhD, of Children's Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School; Nancy Lane, PhD, CEO of the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership; and Katherine Nordal, PhD, chair of APA's Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice.

—Compiled by APA's Education Directorate

Note that all session dates and times are subject to change.

All dates, times and locations for programs will be listed online at www.apa.org/convention in June and in the convention program, available in July.

For to-be-posted information on education sessions and activities, visit www.apa.org/ed.