Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers | 2024 Summer Symposium | July 31 - August 1, 2024 | San Francisco, CA

Call for Presentations

The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) is seeking proposals for more than 80 breakout sessions across five conference strands at the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) 2024 Summer Symposium in San Francisco, CA July 31-August 1. This year's Symposium theme is The Bridge to Excellence:  Together We Can, Together We Will.

Deadline for submission: Friday, March 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET

Call for Presentations Informational Webinar (optional):  Wednesday, February 28, 2024 1:30 p.m. ET.

The Department will hold an optional Informational Webinar reviewing the Call for Presentation submission process.
Click here to Register for the Webinar

Who Can Submit Abstracts for Consideration

  • 21st CCLC State coordinators
  • Afterschool practitioners
  • Evaluators
  • Network representatives
  • Program directors
  • Researchers
  • Subject matter experts
  • Others

Guidelines

  • Time: Design content for delivery in a 75-minute time block.
  • Session design: Use interactive strategies and follow best practices for adult learning to make your session engaging. Include activities that invite audience participation, like polls and hands-on activities.
  • Utility of strategies and information: Provide practical strategies and information that participants can take home to improve or enhance their programs — things like concrete examples, samples, and interventions that can be implemented in a reasonable timeframe.
  • Audience awareness: Target one or more of the following audience role groups: project directors, site coordinators, program evaluators, local school system officials, State educational agency coordinators, program finance staff, community partners, program staff, and school-day leaders.
  • Relevance to 21st CCLC programs: Offer actionable strategies, insights, and information that will help 21st CCLC programs support students who need intervention and support to improve academic achievement and other outcomes. Many of these students attend schools that are implementing comprehensive or targeted support and improvement activities. Some may be at risk for academic failure, dropping out of school, and involvement in criminal or delinquent activities. Others may lack strong positive role models, or they may have experienced trauma. Make sure your session addresses the real-life strengths and needs of students and their families.

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of outside experts and Department staff and will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 

  • Alignment with proposed conference strand: The extent to which the design and intent of the proposed presentation align with the theme and desired outcomes of the selected conference strand.
  • Statement of session outcomes and how they will be attained: The extent to which the proposal states the intended objectives and outcomes of the proposed presentation and how those outcomes will be attained.
  • Clarity of session description and relevance to expected audience: The extent to which the session abstract communicates the proposed presentation’s structure, content, and applicability/relevance?to the expected audience.
  • Presenter(s) expertise: The extent to which the submission demonstrates the presenter’s (or presenters’) level of expertise with the content to be delivered.
  • Engaging, interactive techniques suited to adult learners: The extent to which the proposal includes engaging, interactive presentation techniques and adheres to adult learning best practices.

Proposal Submission

To be considered, proposals must be submitted through the online form by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 22, 2024. You must submit a brief biography and resumé for each session presenter and answer questions regarding your presentation aligned with the selection criteria. You must also provide information relevant to your proposed presentation, such as target audience(s); student grade level(s); and locale type (e.g., rural, suburban, urban). If your submission is accepted, you will be notified via the email address you provide with your submission. 

Audience

Sessions should target one or more of these audience roles:  

  • Project directors
  • Site coordinators
  • Program evaluators
  • Local school system officials
  • State educational agency coordinators
  • Program finance staff
  • Community partners
  • Program staff
  • School-day leaders

Presenter Information

All personnel who will take part in the presentation must be listed in the submission or they will not be allowed to present. Also, please note the following: 

  • Please note that The Department does not provide reimbursement for any expenses. All presenters taking part in the approved sessions are responsible for any costs related to attending the 2024 Summer Symposium (travel, hotel, etc.).? 

  • Session size will vary. Presenters should be prepared to present to large audiences (150 or more people). The Department’s contractor, Leed Management Consulting, Inc. (LMCi), will provide an estimated number of people expected in each breakout session one week before the Symposium. 

  • Department staff will review all final presentation materials (PowerPoint slides and handouts)  before the Summer Symposium to ensure that they are informative and unbiased in their presentation, meet the selection criteria, and are free from any conflicts of interest. Instructions for submitting presentations and other materials will be provided in the acceptance email. If your slides are not received and approved, you will not be allowed to present at the conference. 

Conflicts of Interest

Presenters and their organizations must be free from any conflicts of interest regarding the 21st CCLC program. Presentations and/or presenters may not engage in the following activities: 

  • Endorse or otherwise require the use of a particular product or service to obtain the stated outcomes.

  • State that the Department (or another federal government agency) certifies or endorses a particular product or service. 

  • Receive any monetary benefit from the publication or distribution of materials or recordings used in or as the basis of the presentation. 

All presenters must certify that they, their family members, colleagues, or any institution(s) or entities that they represent, or with which they have a professional affiliation, will not benefit financially from their presentations. If it is determined that a violation of the above requirements has occurred, you may not be allowed to present at future Summer Symposia for up to three years.

We look forward to receiving your proposal for consideration. Mark your calendar today and prepare to inspire others — and be inspired — by joining us in San Francisco in 2024!