Dr Stephanie Mckendry – University of Strathclyde
The National Association for Developmental Education (NADE http://www.nade.net) is FACE’s sister organisation in the USA. Representatives from both host reception events, deliver presentations and co-host an international committee at each other’s annual conference. This year, the NADE annual conference took place in Anaheim, California from 16-19 March, 2016. Dr Stephanie Mckendry from the University of Strathclyde represented FACE at the event.
Over 1100 delegates attended the conference from all states in the USA to celebrate 40 years of the Association, to discuss the progress made over that time and to consider how educational development might evolve in the future. The keynote session was delivered by Dr. Jonathon Brennan of Mission College, California and focused on the role of non-cognitive competencies in student success. He argued that there are many factors outside academic preparedness that can have an impact on a learner’s outcomes. Non-cognitive competencies, such as conscientiousness and resilience, could be learned and, therefore, explicitly taught. A lively townhall (panel) session provided an opportunity for delegates to ask questions of a retired US Senator and representatives from Complete College America and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As these newer organisations move into the field of college readiness, the models and practices of existing networks and staff has had to evolve. The townhall session celebrated the successes of the past 40 years whilst recognising that cooperation in a changing educational landscape would be essential.
As well as hosting the international delegate and newcomers reception, FACE delivered a presentation on Access in the UK at a well-attended parallel session alongside colleagues from Japan who discussed the secondary education system in Japan and its impact on the HE sector.
The next NADE conference http://www.nade2017okc.com/ will take place in Oklahoma City, March 1-4 2017. The theme is ‘winds of change’ and the deadline for proposals is July 15th, 2016.