The 6th Annual Ford PAS National Networking Conference was held June 24–26, 2008, at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage, California. Each year the annual Ford PAS Networking Conference brings together teachers, coordinators, and administrators as well as college, university, community, and business partners to share what they are learning, network with colleagues, meet Ford PAS students, and find out about new resources. This year’s conference highlights included the following:
2008 Ford PAS National Networking Conference Sessions:
Program Session Descriptions
Find PowerPoint presentations and other materials from the 6th Annual Ford PAS National Networking Conference below.
National Networking Conference Opening PowerPoint Presentation 
A New Ford PAS Science Course: Working Toward Sustainability
Rebecca Lewis, Education Development Center, Newton, MA
Emily McLeod, Education Development Center, Newton, MA
Francis “Bud” Muylaert, West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield, MI
Ford PAS Students
Dan Sorgen, West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield, MI
Albert Ware, West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield, MI
This summer Ford PAS will roll out Working Towards Sustainability, a new course for ninth-grade students. The course's four modules – We All Run on Energy, Is Hydrogran a Solution?, The Nuclear Revolution, and Energy from the Sun – will engage students in investigating fuel sources that can serve as alternatives to fossil fuels. Given the political, economic, environmental, and social concerns over the use of fossil fuels, people are seeking cost-effective and sustainable alternative sources of energy to power their lives. Come and learn more about how this course builds students' knowledge of the key physical science concepts essential for understanding how energy is stored and used as fuel. This session includes (1) an overview of each modules, (2) a hands-on module activity led by a Ford PAS teacher who has pilot-tested the module in the classroom, (3) an opportunity to preview modules, (4) and a discussion of how this course can be used in schools.
Ford PAS Curriculum Theme: Living in a Global Economy
Eliza Fabillar, Education Development Center, Newton, MA
Wendy Nichols, Tolles Career and Technical Center, Plain City, OH
Margaret P.Roberson, Redan High School/Dekalb Schools, Stone Mountain, GA
Aleida Villarreal, Sidney Lanier High School, San Antonio, TX
Ford PAS Students
Amber Guerrero, Sidney Lanier High School, San Antonio, TX
Samantha Luna, Sidney Lanier High School, San Antonio, TX
Ford PAS communities across the country are increasingly using all or some of the modules from the Ford PAS curriculum theme: Living in a Global Economy in existing economics and international business courses. This session includes: (1) ideas to replicate this effort in your community, (2) a hands-on activity from a relevant modules from this theme led by Ford PAS teachers and partners, (3) a panel discussion with experienced Ford PAS community representatives who have used or supported the use of modules with different student populations, (4) and presentations by Ford PAS students and alumni who have experienced the modules.
Introducing a New Ford PAS Module—Calculating Your Future: Personal Finance
Jen Clarke, Education Development Center, New York, NY
Donna Gilley, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
Lynelle Kreider, La Academia: Lancaster Partnership Charter School, Lancaster, PA
Carlos Treadway, Ford Motor Credit, Dearborn, MI
Ford PAS Students and Alumni
Jennifer Morales, La Academia: Lancaster Partnership Charter School, Lancaster, PA
Ashton Williams, La Academia: Lancaster Partnership Charter School, Lancaster, PA
How do I set financial goals? How will I pay for college? How risky is investing? Will using credit to borrow money help me achieve my goals or keep me from reaching them? These are some of the questions that students in grades 10 to 12 will explore in the new Ford PAS module Calculating Your Future: Personal Finance. During this 10-to-12-week module, students apply algebra and data analysis to real-world decisions about spending, saving, investing, and using credit. In this session, you will learn about the rationale for teaching personal finance through the lens of algebraic thinking, and how this math-integrated module can increase students' understanding of short- and long-term financial goals and foster their capacity to apply algebraic concepts to real-world situations. An overview of the module will be presented, and you will engage in a hands-on activity about credit led by a teacher who has recently pilot-tested this new module in the classroom.
Session PowerPoint Presentation
Evaluating the Impact of the Ford PAS Curriculum and Program
Eliza Fabillar, Education Development Center, Newton, MA
Beverly Farr, MPR Associates, Berkeley, CA
Lynelle Kreider, La Academia: Lancaster Partnership Charter School, Lancaster, PA
Heidi Nissly, La Academia: Lancaster Partnership Charter School, Lancaster, PA
Rosio Pedroso, MPR Associates, Berkeley, CA
Laurel Sipes, MPR Associates, Berkeley, CA
Many educators involved with implementing Ford PAS can attest to the positive effects this program has on students. Indeed, there is an abundance of anecdotal examples of the positive effects that Ford PAS has on students, teachers, and classrooms. In order for the Ford PAS program to grow and improve, however, it is essential that evaluation mechanisms be put into place where data on the effects of Ford PAS are systematically collected and aggregated across programs. Such data will be invaluable in providing timely feedback to teachers about program implementation and effects on students and can also be used to communicate with key stakeholders who may want to adopt the Ford PAS program within their own setting, provide time or fiscal support to Ford PAS, or help the program further expand and improve.
The purpose of this session will be to provide an overview of a multi-year evaluation effort on Ford PAS that will be undertaken by a team of independent researchers. This session will also provide an interactive opportunity for those involved in implementing Ford PAS to help identify the type(s) of outcomes of interest and ways to facilitate the collection of such data across programs.
Session PowerPoint Presentation
Ford PAS Coordinated Learning Experience (CLE): Business Roundtable Discussions
Rita Brincat, Ford Motor Credit, Dearborn, MI
Donna Gilley, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
Tyrone Golden, Tom Holzer Ford, West Bloomfield, MI
Lynn Hawks, Circle Take Media, Indio, CA
Henry T. Hudson, III, Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA
Deborah McGarry, Sunrise Community Bank, Palm Springs, CA
Sandy Miller, Ace Direct, Palm Springs, CA
Raymond Smith, The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, CA
Carlos Treadway, Ford Motor Credit, Dearborn, MI
What is a Ford PAS CLE, its purpose and why should you incorporate them into your Ford PAS program? During this session you will learn about CLEs and you will participate in an engaging CLE with business representatives from the local community and the national Ford PAS network.
Ford PAS Successful High School Implementation Models
Pete Bermudez, Miami-Dade Schools, Miami, FL
William Giovannetti, Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove, CA
Maria Luisa Guerra, Edinburg School District, Edinburg, TX
Dr. Steven Ladd, Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove, CA
Gilbert Maldonado, University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
Christy Moustris, Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove, CA
Glenn Smith, Ohio Department of Education, Columbus, OH
Ernesto Villarreal, University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
What makes a Ford PAS community, partners and school/program sites successful? What are the indicators of success for these Ford PAS Implementation Models? Each panelist will highlight key features of their models including: connections to existing high school redesign efforts and/or other initiatives, community-wide support for the program (administrators, key university representatives, teachers and other stakeholders), on-going professional development, a Ford PAS community culture within entire schools, and much more.
Session PowerPoint Presentation
Just Try It On: Planning Sessions
Pete Bermudez, Miami-Dade Schools, Miami,, FL
Leah Felcher, Felcher First Class Consulting, Stockbridge, GA
Donna Gilley, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
Phyllis Baca, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Don't be afraid to try something new. This year we have enhanced the planning sessions to provide you an opportunity to learn about all the modules and connect with others who share you same specialty area and/or interest to identify an activity that you will commit to trying – Just Try It On. You are attending the conference as part of a team that will attend different sessions to maximize the experience for your community.
PowerPoint Presentation | Planning Form | Subject Matrix
Guided Tour of the Ford PAS Print Material
Lynnette Rodriguez, Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove, CA
Lorena Martinez-Diaz, Education Development Center, Newton, MA
Are you aware of the "nuts and bolts" of the Ford PAS program and the print material? Have you wondered what types of adaptations you could make? Can you use the material if you have block schedules? This session includes: (1) the exploration of the print curriculum materials, (2) hands-on discovery of the material, and (3) an opportunity to win a prize by applying what you learn in the session.
Guided Tour of the Ford PAS Web site and Online Forum
Angela Polk, Ford Motor Company Fund, Dearborn, MI
Sonya Tung, Education Development Center, Washington, DC
Are you using all the resources and new features on the Ford PAS website? Did you know that you could engage in a live chat with your Ford PAS community on the Online Forum? The session includes: (1) the exploration of the Ford PAS website, (2) a hands-on discovery of key website features and resources for the Ford PAS program, and (3) an opportunity to apply what you learn in a fun game you'll wish didn't end.
Millennials in the Workplace: Plenary
Rick Delano, SMS, LLC, Bridgehampton, NY
Learn about today's youth generation, known as Millennials, they are our newest workers, teachers, voters, military recruits, and younger parents. We know them as our sons and daughters, perhaps as our grandchildren. What you will learn about them as a generation will surprise, intrigue, inspire, and inform you.
Ford PAS Curriculum Themes:
Data, Decisions and Design
Cindy Andersen, Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn, MI
Phyllis Baca, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Jamie Cisneros, Edinburg High School, Edinburg, TX
Steven Wachira, Dunbar Pre-Engineering High School, Washington, DC
Ford PAS Students
Anthony Riddick, Dunbar Pre-Engineering High School, Washington, DC
Kacey Ryan, Cathedral City High School, Cathedral City, CA
Victoria Valdez, Edinburg High School, Edinburg, TX
Christina Zerda, Edinburg High School, Edinburg, TX
Foundations in 21st Century Skills
Sal Flores, McAllen High School, McAllen, TX
Donna Gilley, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
Ford PAS Students
Antwon Crutcher, Nashville State Community College, Nashville, TN
Clarissa Guerra, McAllen High School, McAllen, TX
Crawford Higgins, McAllen High School, McAllen, TX
Getting Smart about Business
Louisa Benavidez, Business Education Technology Academy, Edinburg, TX
Sarah Cahill, Horizon Community Learning Center, Phoenix, AZ
Jen Clarke, Education Development Center, New York, NY
Leah Felcher, Felcher First Class Consulting, Stockbridge, GA
Ford PAS Students
Martin Martinez, Business Education Technology Academy, Edinburg, TX
Elida Christina Munoz, Business Education Technology Academy, Edinburg, TX
Amy Weaver, Michael Berry Career Center, Dearborn, MI
Ford PAS communities across the country are increasingly using all or some of the modules from the following Ford PAS curriculum themes: Data, Decisions, and Design; Foundations in 21st Century Skills; and Getting Smart about Business. These themes have been updated from last year to reflect the Ford PAS community feedback and implementation information. Once again, three sessions will focus on the Ford PAS content themes. Each of these sessions includes: (1) connections to the real-world and local community, (2) hands-on activity from a relevant module led by a current ford PAS teacher and/or partner, (3) a panel discussion with experienced Ford PAS community representatives who have used or supported the use of those modules with different student populations, and (4) presentations by Ford PAS students and alumni who have experienced the modules.
Session PowerPoint Presentation
Ford PAS Post-Secondary Implementation Models and Articulation Agreements
Phyllis Baca, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Dan Garcia, Mercedes High School, Mercedes, TX
Barry Hawthorne, Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn, MI
Dr. Rodney Lowman, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI | Articulation Agreement
Susan Mann, Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV | Syllabus
Christina Salas, Region One ESC, Edinburg, TX
Did you know that the post-secondary community is also implementing the Ford PAS curriculum? During this session you will learn about their models and why they decided to use the curriculum with their students, and you will hear about several local articulation agreements for Ford PAS. You will have the opportunity to explore how you can replicate these models in your community and create a pipeline for students in your region.
Session PowerPoint Presentation
Session PowerPoint Presentation (Ford PAS Settings)
Marketing Ford PAS in Your Community: Creating a Message Matrix
Randall H. Duckett, A3 Creative Group, Powell, TN
Sandra Nicholls, Ford PAS, Dearborn, MI
Every local Ford PAS program needs a comprehensive communications plan to build support among students, parents, educators, employers, policymakers, and others. The session will start by introducing "The Seven 'A's" of Effective Marketing, including a focus on branding. It will continue with an exercise in which you will be asked to identify the key target audiences you want to reach in your community. You will then brainstorm targeted messages for each constituency, channels to reach each constituency, and ways to overcome those barriers. You will walk away with a rough draft of a message matrix for your community, which is one of the key components of a comprehensive communications plan. You will also have the chance to ask questions of communications experts about any aspect of marketing Ford PAS at the state, regional, or local level.
Nips, Tucks, and Tweaks: Enhancing the Ford PAS Experience
Cindy Andersen, Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn, MI
Gilbert Maldonado, University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX
Kim McNulty, CVEP Career Pathways Initiative, Indio, CA
Charlie Mojkowski, Big Picture Company, Cranston, RI
Gina Morrisey, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Kate Soderstrom, West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield, MI
Ernesto Villarreal, University of Texas- Pan American, Edinburg, TX
A small group of Ford PAS users is working on new proposed initiatives for Ford PAS in business engagement, professional development and support, parent information and involvement, and middle school applications. You will learn about these proposed projects, have an opportunity to contribute to the design, and learn how you can get involved in the work going forward.
Ford PAS Student Prerequisites | Middle School Implementation
A project of EDC. Education Development Center, Inc., works closely with Ford Motor Company Fund
