COURIC KICKS OFF SEMESTER-LONG FORUM ON EDUCATION ISSUES CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. , Sept. 9 -- State Senate hopeful Emily Couric will present her views on education issues during a talk Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. at the University of VirginiaÕs Curry School of Education. A former Charlottesville school board chairperson, Couric will offer her opinions on a wide variety of issues ranging from early childhood education to higher education. She is the first speaker in the Ò1995 Curry Forum on Educational Issues,Ó a credit course started two years ago to address topics of concern to parents and educators. Throughout the semester speakers will discuss a variety of subjects ranging from alternative schools for at-risk students to inclusion of special-education students. Future speakers include: Eric Smith, superintendent of Newport News schools, and Steve Staples, superintendent of York County schools, who will debate the popular reform idea of charter schools on Sept 27; William Bosher, Virginia State Superintendent of Schools, who will describe his perceptions on the direction of public education on Oct. 4; and civil rights historian Julian Bond and noted author Walter Feinberg who will discuss affirmative action on Nov. 15. All sessions, which will begin at 1 p.m. in Ruffner Hall auditorium, are open to the public. ### September 8, 1995 NOTICE TO THE MEDIA: A schedule of speakers is attached. For more information, contact forum coordinator James Esposito at (804) 924-0801. 1995 CURRY FORUM ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES SCHEDULE OF SPEAKERS September 13 Emily Couric Ms. Couric, a former Charlottesville school board chairperson, will present her ideas concerning the educational issues of today. September 20 Alternative Schools for At-Risk Students Several Fairfax County teachers and administrators will present an overview of two alternative programs currently operating in Fairfax County and a discussion of their experiences in working with at-risk students. September 27 Charter Schools Dr. Eric Smith, Superintendent of Newport News schools, and Steve Staples, Superintendent of York County schools, will debate the advantages and disadvantages of this popular reform idea. October 4 William Bosher, Virginia State Superintendent of Schools and Virginia Superintendent of the Year, 1993-94 Dr. Bosher will discuss his perceptions concerning the direction of public education in the State of Virginia and the role of the State Department of Education. October 11 Discipline in the Schools Robert Crane, Assistant Principal at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia and Daniel Duke, professor at the Curry School, will speak on discipline and the moral order of the school. The role of the assistant principal and other school administrators will also be discussed. October 18 A Discussion of the Inclusion Movement Dr. Marti Snell and Dr. James Kauffman, professors at the Curry School, will lead a philosophical discussion of the genesis of the inclusion movement, rationale why inclusion has become so popular in many school districts and a critical examination of both successful and unsuccessful inclusion programs in the United States. October 25 A Teacher's View of Inclusion General education teachers and special education teachers who have been directly involved in the development and implementation of inclusion programs will discuss their personal experiences, problems and recommendations for inclusion programs. OVER November 1 Harold Lawson, Virginia Principal of the Year, 1994-95 Mr. Lawson's presentation will include a discussion of his experience as an administrator in Henrico County, as well as a variety of other topics. Mr. Lawson has been a principal in Henrico County for 10 years and is currently the Director of Technology and Continuing Education for Henrico. November 8 Dewey Cornell, professor at the Curry School of Education Mr. Cornell will discuss violence in the schools. Cornell has authored numerous books and articles on the topic of youth violence and co-developed the VA Youth Violence Project, a series of training programs for educators and human service professionals concerned with preventing community and school violence. November 15 Julian Bond and Walter Feinberg will discuss affirmative action, a topic currently being reconsidered by the Republican-controlled Congress and by the Clinton Administration. Bond is a prominent Civil Rights leader, politician, reporter and writer. He has a BA from Morehouse College and honorary LLD degrees from at least 11 universities. He is currently a lecturer in the U.Va. history department. Feinberg is an internationally known philosopher and the author of a number of books on social philosophy and education. November 29 Cheryl Henig, Virginia Teacher of the Year, 1994-95 Ms. Henig will discuss her thoughts on her experiences as a teacher as well as future directions for public education. A veteran teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience, Henig is currently a teacher in the Hanover Public School System. All presentations will begin at 1 p.m in Ruffner Hall auditorium. For more information, call (804) 924-0801.