March 26, 2008

The Renaissance Group will hold its annual spring conference April 9-11 at California State University, Fresno. The conference theme is "Closing the Achievement Gap through University Partnerships."

A consortium of 32 universities nationwide, the Renaissance Group focuses on teacher preparation as a total campus effort. Its 2008 Spring Conference will emphasize higher education and K-12 partnerships. These partnerships are seen as crucial in closing the student achievement gap in public schools.

At the start of the conference, Fresno State faculty members will exhibit numerous examples of partnerships with school districts currently in place throughout Central California.

On April 10, participants will observe classroom teaching during a visit to a partnering school district with ethnically diverse students, including many English as a Second Language (ESL) students. That evening at 6 p.m., Fresno State President Dr. John D. Welty will host a dinner at the University House and welcome conference attendees.

The conference will conclude April 11 with a bus trip to Yosemite National Park, where participants will hear from Fresno State instructors about the formation and development of the park.