After the 2009 EdSource forum, we asked attendees to respond to the following:

"Help us report to our funders! What is the value to you in general of EdSource's Annual Forums on California Education Policy? How do you benefit from attending? Why are they important?" 

Below are their verbatim responses.

 

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"This year I suspended attendance of all conferences except EdSource. It is uniquely informative and consistently of the highest quality." 

"Another opportunity to hear from education leaders, movers, and shakers. Important to attend to do my job as board member."

"Attendees are exposed to imperative data direct from the horse's mouth. Also, if the MC asks the questions we hand her/him, we can ask questions of concern."

"Best benefit is hearing the latest thinking about educational issues from the state's education policymakers. Second benefit is opportunity to network with policymakers and colleagues."

"Broad statewide, national and international perspective helps a lot. High caliber, real decision-makers and leaders give credence to the material. Positive examples of success are inspiring."

"EdSource brings together top California education and ed-funding experts. The value for this conference can't be beat!"

"EdSource is always great because they are able to present very reputable, knowledgeable speakers in one event."

"Great to have the opportunity to listen to knowledgeable people in the field who know what they're talking about and needs to be done."

"Heard Jack O'Connell and other speakers."

"Hearing from great speakers of knowledge, networking with all groups, important to keep up with latest news and meet and see people who are involved on all levels."

"High value, perspectives from a variety of stakeholders."

"I believe it is important to hear from the experts who have worked in education for so long and can speak to the history that precedes the budget crisis we face."

"I feel much better prepared to talk about education issues - Thanks for having our state Supt. of public instruction and Mac Taylor. Both did a great job."

"I have learned a great deal from the presentations."

"I learned a lot from the legislative analyst and from the first panel. Good, solid, factual information that will be helpful to me in bargaining was presented."

"Information current and candid viewpoints - reinforces the need for educators to have a common message around funding and the budget. Top notch presenters in terms of knowledge/influence and for locals, true movers and shakers."

"It is an opportunity to hear some first hand accounts from the experts on the state of K-14 education. I personally benefit from being educated in the issues. It plays a big part in my life. The importance is due to the applicability to my everyday life."

"It's a great way to hear from the ‘experts' directly and in these tough times the price ($50 early bird) was right. However, these forums should never take the place of your excellent pubs - which have no equal in explaining complex issues in laypersons terms."

"It's great to get direct information (up-to-date) from people with a lot of experience and with a depth of knowledge."

"Learn about current issues from ‘experts' and those in the field, networking opportunity"

"Opportunity to hear from high-level state and district policymakers on their perspectives on key education issues."

"Panels are particularly helpful. It's good to hear discussions on controversial topics to understand multiple sides of an issue."

"The knowledge of the people that you brought to this event is invaluable, we would not get this level any other way."

"The knowledge of the people that you brought to this event is invaluable, we would not get this level any other way."

"The manner of the conversations and body language of the major decision makers present in the forum was critical in my assessment of the potential timeline and solutions that are coming down the road. This is invaluable insight we cannot get by watching a podcast, reviewing a PowerPoint, or reading a written opinion document."

"The single source, one stop shop for non-partisan, professional expertise on status of education system. Permits me to maintain my advocacy among my peers, neighbors, coworkers, family (VOTERS!)"

"There is no other resource like this forum. Smart and knowledgeable presenters on relevant topics."

"There needs to be a place to get unbiased information from people who KNOW, especially in the crisis situation."

"They bring together the 'movers and shakers' and it is important to hear from them. The variety of speakers helps me to understand the various aspects and outlooks in education - I like the discussion on what to expect in the future. Helps in my job as an aide to government."

"This forum was valuable in helping me plan the future (our district response). It's better to hear the conversation of the speakers in person than to read about it."

"This is an excellent resource for education information from the people who know in Sacramento."

"This is an important event - all the stakeholders can come together to share ideas and agree to disagree."

"This is my first experience attending. Please keep this going. It is so important to know what others think and actually meet these special people who are at the front of the class."

"This presentation was fantastic. EdSource is a trusted resource. Hearing experts talk about education in the format provided is enriching. No other organization provides this type of quality policy discussion."

"Time to hear experts share out, networking, and getting ideas from others."

"Up to date information on current education topics - great speakers, very knowledgeable."

"Very useful to hear from the leaders in the Education area on a broad vision of what is ahead for Education."

"Current topics and information, experts contribute, critical questions raised, very excellent organization of the event. Thank you!"

"EdSource has more depth, credibility, and expertise to offer than any other agency. It's independence and long-range viewpoint make information from EdSource particularly useful."

"Good information, loved panel discussions."

"This year I suspended attendance of all conferences except EdSource. It is uniquely informative and consistently of the highest quality." 

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"League of Women Voters uses this information to help educate the public and advocate for good government policy."

"A better understanding of the crisis in our schools. More clarification to our parents=the voters."

"As an educator interested in reform, it's important to have a broader context for the issues at hand."

"Excellent value! Will bring more staff next year. I benefit by hearing from the experts and transferring that important information to my school district clients."

"Funders make this affordable to many, allows parents/PTA leaders to attend and bring information back to all parents at all schools, this is a complex issue - this forum allows more to understand this topic by having it broken down."

"Get credit for renewing credential, use material in newsletter articles, use information in lobbying, access to state and nationally prominent education experts."

"Global Perspective. Increase knowledge > understanding > hopefully better decisions."

"Good information to take back to board and parents. More information is always good."

"Great information to disseminate to our PTA members."

"Helps me explain to my parent community. Great background information."

"Helps me to be an informed citizen."

"I am a bargaining chair and president-elect of our association and intend to come back every year. I learned a lot and getting this global perspective is an invaluable tool in my current and new job. I'm glad I attended."

"I am a PTSA president, work on council level and lobby regularly in Sacramento. I believe the information I gleaned today will help to inform others in my school district. It helped me understand the crisis better and gave me material to use at my next trip to Sacramento."

"I am operating a nonprofit and starting a leadership program. It is very powerful to hear the issues and all the views in one place."

"I learned a lot today. It definitely gave me a lot of food for thought on how I am going to vote on these issues and information that I can take back to my school to other parents."

"I will bring back to our county information on creative projects in other counties and districts. Now informed about likelihood of budget cuts and timing of such."

"Important for providing information regarding issues. Information will be taken back to others who are encouraged to support local and state efforts to improve education in California."

"Invaluable! I'm going to invest and be a regular participant!"

"It helps me to be informed and to be able to share information."

"It helps to broaden my perspective - get outside the box I live in. It also helps me to realize the difficult task administrators face each day in public education." 

"It helps to broaden my perspective - get outside the box I live in. It also helps me to realize the difficult task administrators face each day in public education."

"League of Women Voters uses this information to help educate the public and advocate for good government policy."

"My first attendance, but won't be my last. A very good experience. I oversee all state and federal categorical programs. I was able to benefit from the information and will share with my district. Although much of the information was not new, it was clarified and provided good ideas for future issues."

"Opportunity for hearing from different individuals with different backgrounds about similar topics. This forum is very beneficial for our organization to listen to different points of view and take back to our members."

"Provide information to my school district, hear from very informed/knowledgeable individuals on the topic(s) being covered."

"The EdSource forum is most valuable. Covering key items regarding education helps to an active change agent for education."

"The education received by the audience is immeasurable. You cannot put a price on informing people of the facts that we must face for the greater good: children in California."

"The forums ensure I have a broad, thoughtful perspective on current issues that informs my own work - makes sure I'm sharing accurate information with others."

"The topics are helpful for me because these issues are discussed often in my organization."

"These are very important and it's a shame there are no longer two (North and South). It's always good to hear experts discuss the issues. It gives us a fresh perspective. We love EdSource because it's non-partisan and we always take this information (handouts and newsletters too) to our grassroots (PTA)."

"They are important because parents of local schools can attend and gain an update on the state of education for the state and how our local school will be impacted."

"This event is critical for turning latent interest in education into active engagement. The open registration of this conference is very important."

"Value - increased awareness of education issues. Benefit - we go back and share all we've learned. Important - much better informed community."

"Very helpful and informative. Better informed. I can plan with the information."

"Very important to hear the need for planning."

"Very useful information, gather information to pass along to district stakeholders, very important to the success of our schools." 

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"Always walk away with great insight into how education issues/challenges are dealt with across our diverse state." 

"A place to share ideas on relevant topics."

"Always walk away with great insight into how education issues/challenges are dealt with across our diverse state."

"Beneficial to see where the whole state is coming from and trying to find out where we are going. I had the pleasure of sitting with Kenn Young - Supt of Riverside County and he spoke of his special challenges - non-English speaking students. We are all facing such shortages that it's overwhelming."

"Excellent opportunity to hear the perspectives of different individuals in education. Appreciate the hard work you do to put on these forums."

"Great place to get current, timely information - much easier than any other. Also, good place to meet regional people."

"I appreciated the honest debates. I learned more about upcoming propositions. I met old and new colleagues. All in all, a very good and memorable experience."

"I think this is a great way to bring all parties together and hopefully a great opportunity to bring together all perspectives so solutions can be achieved."

"Informed decision making, collaboration, with other educators simply by being here, the best professional development I've attended. Real world, practical, and most inspirational."

"It is important for practitioners to be constantly exposed to what thoughts and trends are developing at the state level."

"Opportunity to gather with other education leaders and learn about current issues."

"Thank you for funding such a great way for so many to come together and hear the latest on topics affecting the children of California."

"The diverse representation in the audience is remarkable. Many here have not - or do not - hear the information that EdSource presents consistently. EdSource fills an unmet information need. Those present spread the word. Wish it were possible to do a North and South presentation - as prior to last year. Webcast worked, but not nearly as much fun."

"The timeliness of the conference (when it is scheduled) and the variety of attendees (jobs/interest) and their various points of view on the day's topic is particularly interesting to me and very educational. I appreciate hearing CTA's position on the current financial crisis and their perspective of what is needed. I also appreciate the attendee list year to year. This year I notice a different balance than usual - maybe due to district budgets?

"This is my first forum. Networking with others having common goals will be invaluable."

"To hear different views, talk with other school district representatives, to hear ideas from FCMAT, other school districts, etc."

"Valuable networking opportunity. Combination of both big picture perspective and focus on issues of particular concern."

"Attending helps me understand the emerging issues directly from key leaders. This is a one of a kind event and is extremely valuable." 

"Value is great! Beneficial hearing information to help fill the gaps of what one reads! As a PTA president loved being in room with the diverse group all focused on education."

"Great place to meet up with the influential leaders in education. Also a good way to get clarification on what actually is happening, since it seems to change every day."

"Valuable service - promotes many points of view."

"Sharing ideas"

"Translating tricky education concepts for a wide audience."

"This was a great opportunity to get a lot of information and perspectives at one time."

"This is an excellent conference because the information helps to clarify difficult issues, and it also provides a window on our situation for the next several years."

"This is a very important event. It helps us to understand the problem and how we need to think outside the box. It is important to see how other districts are handling this situation."

"Provides big picture perspective - positive to the dire discussion regarding varied possible solutions."

"One opportunity to get big picture from various districts - takes people out of their sides. Various viewpoints - CTA, Administration, State."

"Learned a lot. Saw it all fit together."

"It's helpful to see and understand the ‘big picture' and not just what's happening in your own backyard."

"I better understand the magnitude of the financial issue and it gave me some food for thought."

"Gave me, as a PhD student, a great insider perspective into education policy. As a classroom teacher, I don't often see the issues from a policymaker's role/viewpoint."

"During these difficult times, EdSource's Annual Forums are even more critical! We need to be informed of all the issues and not just the issues that the 'government' wants us to know about. EdSource provides a 'no bull' approach to understanding what is 'really' happening!!!"

"Because you give the perspective of both sides it helps me understand more of our state's problems and positives."

"Attending helps me understand the emerging issues directly from key leaders. This is a one of a kind event and is extremely valuable."

"I have a greater understanding of where different groups, i.e.: CTA, LAO, FCMAT... stand on the school funding issue." 

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"Cutting edge information, keeps me up to date, also broad range of ideas/opinions, passionate, provocative, polarized ideas, but respectfully presented." 

"As both a school board member and State PTA representative, the conference provides current knowledge on hot topics from a broad perspective. Need to have a State PTA board member."

"Current trends on a state and federal level communicated to the audience personally - the format was formal but very engaging. The small group and hotel setting met the needs of the human element which allowed the attendee to fully grasp the magnitude of the current crisis, financially, in education."

"Cutting edge information, keeps me up to date, also broad range of ideas/opinions, passionate, provocative, polarized ideas, but respectfully presented."

"Eye opening variety (yearly) of topics - EdSource seems to always have an outstanding eye on the ball for each year's topic."

"Helps to keep current on educational issues."

"I always enjoy these conferences because I become informed on current issues in ed as a former teacher, parent, and ed commission on the California state PTA, I value the information and expert opinions I hear at the EdSource forum."

"Keeps me abreast of what the education world is thinking and doing."

"Most recent data available! Networking."

"Mostly updates, current 'state of the state.'

"Quality and relevance of information are the determining factors of the success of this conference."

"Reading your reports keeps me up to date on important issues. However, attending an event such as this allows me to discuss these issues in-depth and consider other relevant issues."

"Receive the most updated information available to education."

"Stay current."

"The forum is viewed throughout PTA as an avenue to the latest information available statewide. I think the topics need to pass the test of interest to a wide number of people and organizations."

"These forums are important because they bring the most current information on critical issues facing education."

"This is informative and current."

"This keeps us current. Teams that attend can stay on message - on the same page. (LEA level leadership, CBOs, Categorical Directors, etc.) I work at the County Office and LEAs look to me to be up-to-date and accurate."

"We hear current issues and get detailed information about current focus points." 

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"It is critical to have an organization like EdSource do what it says it does, i.e. 'clarify complex education issues.' And EdSource is doing a great job in my view." 

"Educational, impartial information."

"Excellent information. Community outreach."

"It was very informational, I really enjoyed it."

"It is very professional and puts you in the know."

"Staying informed!"

"Supported/refined understanding of school finance issues - state budget, federal stimulus."

"Very informative. I learned so much."

"Very worthwhile - worth my time."

"Value to all stakeholders in the room. Understanding the challenges we're facing. Good for Sacramento to hear from local communities. Will media cover some of this?"

"This is one of the best forums I have been to."

"The messages were not much different than I have heard in other venues, however the perspective/different lens was very helpful."

"Stimulates thought. Provides perspective."

"Really good to focus thoughts."

"It is critical to have an organization like EdSource do what it says it does, i.e. ‘clarify complex education issues.' And EdSource is doing a great job in my view."

"I am a HUGE fan of EdSource. I promote you all the time."

"Great topic - it helps to know how it is interpreted."

"For years I have advocated a colloquium to focus on education policy issues around English language learners - bring in only policymakers to have these discussions - not only educators but also legislators - have EdSource sponsor the event."

"Always enjoy it."

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