Educational Strands and Topic Categories
Strand 1: Leadership or Policy
These presentations focus on teacher leadership and other leadership roles required in
education or the legislative policies associated with a topic. Presenters share ways they network,
collaborate, and lead others in creating change in education.
Strand 2: Practice or Instructional Strategy
Presentations in this strand focus on innovative and practical implementation of research-based
topics in a classroom setting. Presenters share techniques that have produced successful results.
Strand 3: Research or Action Research
These presentations focus on current educational research that has been conducted on a topic.
Presenters share the methodology, findings, and recommendations from a study that focuses on a topic
area.
Topic Categories
For any of the three strands, select a topic area for the focus of your proposed presentation. Some
suggested topics are listed here. In keeping with the conference theme, KDP particularly encourages
presenters to submit proposals that focus on or incorporate multicultural education, social-emotional
learning, social climate, environmental literacy, environmental justice, and place-based and communitybased education. Possible audiences include undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, administrators,
and P–12 practitioners.
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, Management
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Education for sustainability
International elements in the curriculum, Global challenges in education
STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
21st century skills, Innovation/creativity, Problem-solving, Higher-level thinking
Standards, Common core standards
Brain-based teaching
Literacy, Content area literacy, Scientifically based elementary reading instruction
Curriculum design, Integrated curriculum
Classroom management
Technology
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Digital/cyber citizenship
Digital classroom
Social media tools (e.g., Twitter) in the classroom
Tablets, phones, computers
Online video networks, discussion websites to improve instruction
School Setting
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Equity in the learning environment
Urban classrooms
Rural classrooms
Charter schools
Today’s Diverse Learners
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Differentiated instruction
Children living in poverty
Special education students
Gifted students
English language learners
Teacher Professionalism
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Evaluating teacher effectiveness
Improving student achievement
Professional Learning Communities
Mentoring
Collaboration, Co-teaching, Team teaching, Team lesson planning development strategies
Data-driven decision making
Professional/Scholarly Writing
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Securing grants and scholarships
Thesis and dissertation process
Writing for publication
Beyond the Classroom
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Service learning
Experiential learning
School communities
Parent involvement
Higher Education-for Faculty and Administrators
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Leadership
Navigating a career in higher education
Best practices in higher education administration
Assessment
Research
Professional development