The Education Law Association's 48th Annual Conference Features National Experts on Education Rights

Dayton, OH — September 20, 2002 — This year's conference begins with a point/counterpoint dialogue between John W. Whitehead, President of The Rutherford Institute, and Edwin Yohnka, Communications Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois. Taking place in New Orleans, November 14-16, 2002, the conference develops the theme Balancing Rights: Education Law in a Brave New World. Both Whitehead and Yohnka make regular appearances on TV and radio as spokesmen for their respective organizations, addressing human rights and legislative matters.

Current ELA President and practicing attorney R. Craig Wood of Charlottesville, VA, reminds members that ELA was formed in 1954 in response to Brown v. Board of Education. "Today," Wood maintains, "educators face a mountain of legal issues not even contemplated in 1954 .… Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need for timely, intelligent, and reliable information on educational law." The ELA conference will help educators, administrators, and attorneys keep current with the latest changes and trends in education law.

The ELA 48th Annual Conference fills that need with over 50 concurrent sessions on hot topics such as charter schools, liability, teacher accountability, and testing. This year ELA will also be offering five general session speakers well acquainted with issues of rights and education. In addition to the keynote address by Whitehead and Yohnka, the business luncheon speaker will be Brian W. Jones, General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Education. In the past, Jones has worked in private practice as an attorney, as well as in federal and state government and nonprofit sectors. Jones will address attendees on the topic of "No Child Left Behind."

The two other general speakers have local connections. The Honorable C. Hearn Taylor, Juvenile Justice for the Parish of New Orleans since 1991, will speak on the topic of juvenile justice. John W. Borkowski, a partner at Hogan & Hartson LLP who practices in New Orleans, will offer attendees the latest U.S. Supreme Court Update.

ELA Executive Director Mandy Bingaman asserts that "in the 21st century, most school districts and individuals would prefer to focus on providing a quality education instead of the oftentimes costly issues of litigation and legislation. Yet the best way to protect students, employees, and districts while improving education remains knowledge of the law and preventative measures. With this conference and its publications, ELA offers unbiased, accurate information on vital topics in education law."

In addition to the annual conference, ELA co-sponsors regional seminars throughout the year. ELA also publishes a quarterly newsletter, a monthly school law journal, and a variety of books, including the Yearbook of Education Law.

For more information: http://www.educationlaw.org or
Contact: ela@udayton.edu
Phone: (937) 229-3589





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