The F Bomb in Education: Do All Students Have the Right to Fail? With Mary Catherine Swanson

AVID Australia and Victoria University invites you to a unique opportunity to share in the wisdom of a truly inspirational educator and innovator, Mary Catherine Swanson.

Named the 2001 Time and CNN Best Teacher in America, for creating AVID – the longest running whole school reform program in the USA, and now in Australia – Mary Catherine has influenced the lives of millions of students.

From her first class of 32 students in 1980 to the over 1.6 million students being taught AVID strategies every year, in the modern day, the AVID program has focussed on equipping students with the cognitive and academic skills they need to thrive. Her approach, informed by research-based evidence, the insights of former students and the program’s lasting belief in improving teacher quality, has seen AVID go from strength to strength.

In Australia, the recent Grattan report found that as many as 40 percent of students in Australian schools are unproductive and disengaged, taught by teachers who feel ill prepared and supported for the challenges they face in the classroom. With 37 years of experience and success, the AVID program provides a time-tested template to address these issues.

Mary Catherine’s keynote will be followed by a panel discussion, which will feature Michael Traill AM, founder of Social Ventures Australia (SVA), an AVID school principal, and a leading academic on school education. Peter Goss from the Grattan Institute will act as the discussant on the night. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear from Mary Catherine Swanson in what is likely to be her only trip ever to Australia.

Event details

Date: Thursday 30 March 2017
Time: 5.30pm (for a 5.45pm start) – 7.30pm
Venue: Victoria University Convention Centre, City Flinders Campus
Level 12, 300 Flinders Street, Melbourne, 3000
RSVP: Tuesday 28 March 2017

Register now!

We look forward to seeing you there.