Willard R. Daggett, Ed.D., Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education, is recognized worldwide for his proven ability to move preK-12 education systems towards more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for all students. He has assisted a number of states and hundreds of school districts with their school improvement initiatives. Dr. Daggett has also collaborated with education ministries in several countries and with the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Governors Association, and many other national organizations. He serves on several advisory boards, including:
NASA Education Advisory Board – 2008 to present USA Today (national newspaper) Education Advisory Board Before founding the International Center for Leadership in Education in 1991, Dr. Daggett was a teacher and administrator at the secondary and postsecondary levels and a director with the New York State Education Department, where he spearheaded restructuring initiatives to focus the state's education system on the skills and knowledge students need in a technological, information-based society. Dr. Daggett is the creator of the Application Model and Rigor/Relevance Framework™, a practical planning and instructional tool for determining the relevance of curriculum and assessment to real-world situations. Dr. Daggett’s Rigor/Relevance Framework has become a cornerstone of many school reform efforts throughout the United States. Dr. Daggett is the author of numerous books about learning and education, textbooks and research studies, reports, and journal articles. Dr. Daggett has spoken to hundreds of thousands of educators and education stakeholders in all 50 states. His enlightening, entertaining, and motivating messages have helped his listeners to look at education differently by challenging their assumptions about the purposes, benefits, and effectiveness of American schools. Dr. Daggett inspires his audiences both to embrace what is best about our education system and to make the changes necessary to meet the needs of all students in the 21st century. Dr. Daggett has been recognized as a distinguished alumnus by both Temple University and the State University of New York at Albany. Dr. Daggett has a special commitment to individuals with disabilities. He and his wife, Bonnie, volunteer their time and lend their support to Wildwood Programs in upstate New York. Wildwood serves the needs of people of all ages who, like their daughter Audrey, have neurological impairments/learning disabilities or autism, by enabling them to become the best that they can be. For more information on the International Center and Bill Daggett, please contact Karen Wilkins at 518-723-2057

2013 Presentation Topics
Dr. Willard R. Daggett, Founder and Chairman
International Center for Leadership in Education, Inc.
The presentation topics below can be tailored to meet the needs of the audience. They can also be combined for half-day and full-day presentations.

• Preparing Students for the 21st Century
  The skills, knowledge, and attitudes today’s learners bring to our schools and the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they will need to be successful in the technological, globally driven world in which they will live and work have changed dramatically. Dr. Daggett will describe what schools must do to prepare students for their future rather than our past.
  
  
• Leading Change During Challenging Times — Lessons Learned from Our Nation’s Most Rapidly Improving Schools
  Three evolving challenges are about to accelerate simultaneously, causing the perfect storm for K-12 education. Dr. Daggett will describe the implications of 1) the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Assessments, and teacher evaluation systems, and how they will fundamentally change what and how we must teach; 2) the increasing financial pressure that schools will be forced to deal with; and 3) the challenges/opportunities that emerging technologies and tech-savvy students will pose for all K-12 educators. He will then provide a snapshot of how the nation’s most rapidly improving schools provide solutions to these complex challenges.
  
  
• Preparing Students to be College and Career Ready
  To successfully meet the growing demand to make all students college and career ready, K-12 educators must overcome a series of challenges. Schools will be required to make a fundamental shift in both what is taught and how it will be taught. Students will be assessed on standards that are far more rigorous and much more applied than in the past; therefore, teachers will need to match their instruction to those higher levels of rigor and relevance. Dr. Daggett will lay out why these changes are being made, the impact they will have on curriculum and instruction, and ways that the nation’s most rapidly improving schools have developed and used a blueprint to meet these challenges successfully.
  
  
• Creating a Culture of High Expectations
  The nation’s most rapidly improving schools have created a culture of high expectations for all students, not simply because of the pending demands of the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Assessments, and new teacher evaluation requirements, but rather because they understand the need to prepare their students for our increasingly technological, globally competitive society. Dr. Daggett will explain the imperative for high expectations and provide suggestions on how schools can achieve them.
  
  
• Creating Systemwide Focus on Effectiveness and Efficiency — The Daggett System for Effective Instruction
  To improve student performance, especially during times of declining financial resources, the nation’s most rapidly improving schools have found that it is essential to align priorities and initiatives, and work of all levels of the system, from classroom to school to district; around instructional effectiveness. The design of the Daggett System for Effective Instruction incorporates the best practices in these schools and is based on an extensive review of research and a deep understanding of what schools can reasonably afford and reasonably impact. Dr. Daggett will describe the system and specific tools and strategies that schools can use to improve the performance of all students, even during times of declining financial resources.
  
  
• Preparing for the Challenges and Opportunities of the Common Core State Standards
  Over the next few years, schools will face a series of challenges and opportunities that will have a major impact on both students and teachers. Fueled by moving to the Common Core State Standards and, more importantly, new assessments tied to these standards, schools must make a fundamental shift in both what is taught and how it will be taught. Students will be assessed on standards that are far more rigorous and much more applied than in the past; therefore teachers will need to match their instruction to those higher levels of rigor and relevance. Dr. Daggett will lay out why these changes are being made, the impact they will have on curriculum and instruction, and ways that the nation’s most rapidly improving schools develop and use a blueprint to meet the challenges successfully.
  
  
• Rigor and Relevance for ALL Students
  Highly successful schools have academically rigorous curricula that also incorporate real-world relevance. These schools understand that rigor, while essential, is not adequate to lead all students to high levels of achievement. Dr. Daggett will provide an in-depth look at the Rigor/Relevance Framework®, created by the International Center for Leadership in Education, which has become a cornerstone of curriculum and instruction throughout the country and abroad. Two additional Rs, which are also critical to maximizing student success, will be described: relationships between student and teacher, student and student, and teacher and teacher, and opportunities for reflective thought on what is being taught and learned.
  
  
• Teacher Evaluation – Take Control or Be Controlled
  Over the next two years, the most intensely debated issue in and around our schools will be teacher evaluations. Pending federal legislation will require it, governors are calling for it, and the media are embracing it. As educators we can either take control of the teacher evaluation process or be controlled by external demands. Dr. Daggett will highlight essential considerations that will ensure teacher evaluations focus on instructional improvement. Specific strategies to meet school and district goals through a teacher evaluation system will also be identified.
  
  
• CTE at a Crossroads
  For both academic education and career and technical education, the next few years will be “the best of times” or “the worst of times.” The last decade has presented great challenges for all educators, brought about first by No Child Left Behind and now by Race to the Top, coupled with dramatic changes in the workplace. Dr. Daggett will describe how outstanding programs have responded to the challenges by well preparing students for academic and workplace success by making CTE and academic education a seamless system.
  
  
• Literacy Across the Curriculum
  Both the workplace and postsecondary education are demanding higher levels of literacy. This reality is behind the higher expectations that underpin the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Assessments. Meeting these demands means literacy must become a bell-to-bell responsibility of all educators. Dr. Daggett will describe the nation’s most rapidly improving schools’ best practices for driving literacy across the curriculum.
  
  

"Thank you for an outstanding presentation at our Spring Meeting and celebration of our 50th anniversary. You made the event one to remember. The evaluations of your presentation are among the best we’ve ever received for a presenter. I especially appreciated your message about the need to shift from 'learning to do' to 'doing to learn.' It drove home one of my favorite comments – there is no merit in doing something well that doesn’t need to be done at all. I have reviewed my notes a couple of times, and feel that I personally have a lot of 'take aways' from your presentation. " "The only feedback I have is that it was perfect. Dr. Daggett just gets “it” about schools and how administrators and teachers think so much that his message is even more impactful than the facts he presents." "I would like to thank you for your outstanding presentations in our school district on Friday, May 2, 2008. Your morning program for all school staff members provided a thorough overview of the challenges we face in providing an educational program that will properly prepare our students to achieve success in a global society. Also, your in-depth overview on educational reform for our high school professional staff members served to reinforce the significance of the efforts necessary to achieve this goal.

As we continue to strive to provide educational excellence for our students, it is increasingly important that we address the much broader and more complex educational area and its impact in order to deterrmine our program planning and development. We greatly appreciate your efforts in delivering this timely and pertinent information. " "Dr. Daggett’s work has been an inspiration to anyone who wants to make the changes needed to move education into the 21st century and beyond. He has given concrete direction and asset the stage for why we need to change and helped with process that lead us in the right direction.

Dr. Daggett’s work has been most effective in demonstrating why the schools need to change." "Thank you very much for helping make the 2007 SAANYS Annual Conference a success. Your keynote presentation was a highlight of the conference! Attendees repeatedly told us the keynote was not only informative but inspirational. Participant comments such as "great insight", "so pertinent", "great presentation", "we need his voice!", "one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard", "inspirational" and "should be Commissioner" indicated the groups appreciation of you and your message. You certainly helped make the conference professionally rewarding for all of us.

The Conference is designed as an opportunity to foster the growth of school leaders. Session presenters like you certainly made this growth possible. We appreciate the quality of your thoughts and your energizing presentation style." "The support of Bill Daggett and the International Center has helped move our district forward with critical initiatives which has resulted in improved academic achievement. Bill’s work has been the foundation upon which we developed our strategic plan which includes our mission, vision, and values. These drive our district as we continue to welcome the challenges of educating students for the 21st century. It is refreshing to work with a company that stays on message. "

Prepare all students for college-level work and ensure they understand college-readiness standards.
July, 2011
http://dww.ed.gov/Increasing-Postsecondary-Access/Prepare-Students-Academically/learn/?T_ID=32&P_ID=85&intID=1701&t=1#learn

Changing world: Daggett plots a path for educational progress
February 21, 2011
http://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/feb/21/changing-world-daggett-plots-path-educational-prog/

Educational guru Bill Daggett to bring ‘relevance and rigor’ message to Maryville
February 9, 2011
http://www.blounttoday.com/news/2011/feb/09/educational-guru-bill-daggett-bring-relevance-and/

Education expert returns to Blount County
February 5, 2011
http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Education_expert_returns_to_Blount_County_id_007534

Education Expert Stresses Relevance in Public Schools
January 13, 2011
http://concord-ca.patch.com/articles/daggett-relevance-needed-in-us-schools

Interview with Dr. Willard Daggett
November 29, 2010
http://blog.learninginafterschool.org/2010/11/interview-with-dr-willard-daggett.html

Daggett: Relevance makes rigor possible
November 2010
http://www2.acs.ac/Default.asp?PN='News2'&SubP='DNewsStory'&gn=
&DivisionID=&DepartmentID=&SubDepartmentID=&NewsID=23739&ShowNav=&StoryGroup=Current

Public education needs higher standards: Daggett
September 8, 2010
http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/9427246/article-Public-education-needs-higher-standards--
Daggett?instance=homefirstleft

American Leadership Forum and Houston A+ Challenge Present the 2010 Convocation on Public Education
Published March 15, 2010
http://www.educationnews.org/pr_releases/73353.html

Education speaker coming to Souderton Area
Published March 6, 2010
http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2010/03/06/news/srv0000007578949.txt

The three R's' have changed: Relevance, rigor and relationship
Published February 27, 2010
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/feb/17/three-rs-have-changed-relevance-rigor-and-relation/

Relevance, Rigor and Relationships: Bill Daggett’s Three R’s for American Schools
Published Winter 2010
http://www.leadered.com/pdf/relevance_rigor_relationships_BillDaggett.pdf

Expert: Society – not students – changing
Published October 13, 2009
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_286100649.html

Major change to education system needed to prepare students for future
Published August 6, 2009
http://www.cantonrep.com/communities/canton/x1331799631/
Major-change-to-education-system-needed-to-prepare-students-for-future

John Fidler: One Berks school district trying to set a higher standard
Published February 27, 2009
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=127373

Speaker at Berks County Community Foundation meeting says schools stuck in 1980s
Published November 1, 2008
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=113390

Teachers Heard Some Crucial Education Advice
(OPINION)
Saturday October 18, 2008
http://www.timesleader.com/opinion/columnists/guydish/Teachers_heard_some_crucial_education_advice_MARK_GUYDISH_OPINION_10-17-2008.html

Expert: Mandates hindering Luzerne’s schools
Published: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
http://www.standardspeaker.com/articles/2008/10/14/news/hz_standspeak.20081014.a.pg17.hz11_cvedconvention_s1.2009303_loc.txt

Business-Education Strategy Urged Changes in global economy demand new ways of learning.
Published: Saturday, November 3, 2007
http://www.theledger.com/article/20071103/NEWS/711030358

DEF brings Dr. Bill Daggett to Dare County
Published Sep 18, 2006
http://www.darecountyschoolsonline.com/moxie/superintendent/burgess-daggett.shtml

Topic	Related Resource(s)	Related White Papers	Related Workshops
Improving Student Performance During Times of Declining Resources		Improving Student Performance in Times of Declining Resources Efficiency and Effectiveness Framework — A guide to focusing resources to increase student performance Stimulus Webinar	Efficiency and Effectiveness Review
Preparing Students for the 21st Century	It’s Not Us Against Them – Creating the Schools We Need (available June 2009) Rigor and Relevance From Concept to Reality Reinventing 9th Grade – Academics Through Personalization Making Grade 12 Meaningful Kit	Preparing Students for Their Future Globalization - Tipping the Scale of Economic Supremacy	Reinventing 9th Grade Making Grade 12 Meaningful Using the Rigor/Relevance Framework Student Engagement Personal Skill Development
The Nation’s Most Successful Schools – Lessons Learned	America’s Most Successful High Schools – Case Studies and Resources on Best Practices Elementary School Profiles of Successful Programs Middle Grades Profiles of Successful Programs	Successful Schools: From Research to Action Plans	Whole School Reform Process including: -We Surveys -Needs Assessment/Strategic Planning with on-going implementation support -Annual Model Schools Conference
Bringing Focus and Effective Practices to Our Classrooms	Achieving AYP Using State-specific Curriculum Matrix Data Academic Excellence Through Career and Technical Education Using the Rigor/Relevance Framework for Planning and Instruction Instructional Strategies Gold Seal Lessons for Rigor and Relevance in Grades K-8 Gold Seal Lessons for Rigor and Relevance in Grades 9-12	Successful Schools: From Research to Action Plans Achieving Academic Excellence through Rigor and Relevance	Dependent on clients needs some examples are: R/R workshops Integrating CTE and Academics Meeting the Needs of Struggling Learners Aligning Standards, Tests, and Essential Skills to Improve Instruction: How to Use the Curriculum Matrix to Improve Student Achievement and Meetintg AYP Data-Driven Achievement Meeting High Academic Standards Through the Arts
Components and Characteristics of Successful Schools	America’s Most Successful High Schools – Case Studies and Resources on Best Practices Middle Grades Profiles of Successful Programs Elementary School Profiles of Successful Programs Extraordinary Teachers – Differences that Make a Difference Character-Centered Teaching Creating Small Learning Communities	Successful Schools: From Research to Action Plans	Dependent on clients need, some examples: Whole School Reform Defining the Extraordinary Teacher – Differences that Make a Difference How to Create Small Learning Communities   Student Engagement — Creating a Culture of Academic Achievement
Rigor and Relevance for ALL Students	Using the Rigor/Relevance Framework for Planning and Instruction Instructional Strategies – How to Teach for Rigor and Relevance   Using Assessment for Instruction Algebra Mastery Through Relevant Applications in Grades 6-10 Gold Seal Lessons for Rigor and Relevance in Grades K-8 Gold Seal Lessons for Rigor and Relevance in Grades 9-12 How to Design Gold Seal Lessons Manual Instructional Strategies – Teacher Handbook Rigor and Relevance Handbook Rigor and Relevance From Concept to Reality	Achieving Academic Excellence through Rigor and Relevance How Brain Research Relates to Rigor, Relevance and Relationships	Any R/R workshops Creating Gold Seal Lessons Rigor/Relevance in the math classroom Algebra Mastery Through Relevant Applications in Grades 6-10
Developing 21st Century Literacy in Students	Strategic Writing Across the Curriculum in Grades 7-12 Strategic Reading in the Content Areas – Boosting Achievement in Grades 7-12 Leading with Reading in Grades 7-12 Reading Strategies for Career Academies and Career-Technical Education Redefining Literacy in Grades 7-12 – Strategies for Document, Technological, and Quantitative Literacy	Achieving Reading Proficiency for All What We Know About Adolescent Reading	Boosting Achievement through Content Area Reading Instruction Redefining Literacy in Grades 7-12 Strategic Writing Across the Curriculum in Grades 7-12
Making Academics and CTE a Seamless System	Academic Excellence Through Career and Technical Education- A Resource Kit Incorporating the CTE Curriculum Matrix Reading Strategies for Career Academies and Career-Technical Education	The Future of Career and Technical Education	Data-Driven Achievement
Leadership for the Components of School Excellence	Leadership for Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships Leading Change in High Schools School Performance – How to Meet AYP and Achieve Long-term Success It’s Not Us Against Them – Creating the Schools We Need (available June 2009)	The Process of Change — Why Change, What to Do, and How to Do It	Building Leadership Capacity Leading Change in High Schools Leadership for Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships Using the Learning Criteria to Support 21st Century Learning