Looking for more learning opportunities at the National Leaders Conference? While our general sessions and workshops are sure to provide an array of insights and tools for you to take back home with you, these three optional intensives on Friday afternoon will let you take an even deeper dive.
All intensives begin at 1:00 p.m. and are scheduled until approximately 4:00 p.m. Childcare is not provided during this time, so please plan accordingly.
We encourage you to sign up for one of these engaging and interactive sessions when you register for the conference; this will help our planning team prepare most effectively. (If you change your mind once you get to the conference, it's totally fine!)
Available Intensives
Cutting-Edge Homeschool Research
Get the latest data on the experiences and outcomes of homeschooled students! In this panel presentation, Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute and Dr. Albert Cheng from the University of Arkansas will analyze the findings of two new research studies. The 2023 Cardus Education Survey yields rich information about how individuals who were homeschooled now fare as adults. A range of outcomes will be discussed, including labor-force participation, wellbeing, civic engagement, religious formation, and family formation. The Cardus data also offers a first-ever look into how long formerly homeschooled adults were home-educated and how often they entered and exited homeschooling from kindergarten through 12th grade. The other study highlighted in this intensive is Dr. Brian Ray and Dr. Danish Shakeel’s groundbreaking research into whether home-educated students are abused and neglected at a different rate than other students—the only study of its kind on this very sensitive issue. Implications of both studies' findings for homeschooling practice, leadership, and policy, will be examined, along with plenty of time for audience Q&A.
High-Stakes Communications: A Media Relations Playbook for Policy Advocates
In this hands-on intensive, Richard Lorenzen of PR firm Fifth Avenue Brands will help you master the mechanics of media relations in the context of public policy. We’ll cover message development, media training, spokesperson strategy, and crisis communications, providing the skills needed to drive legislative narratives and manage media moments with confidence. Attendees will engage in real-time practice scenarios and group coaching to refine their messaging and strengthen their presence across media platforms. Whether the goal is to shift public opinion or shape policy outcomes, this session equips you to do both effectively.
The Secrets of Synergy: The Six Foundations of Interdependence
When it comes to teams, there's good news and bad news. The bad news is: Most teams have capable participants and meaningful missions, but fail to find the extra gear that lets them transcend the sum of their parts and accomplish extraordinary things. The good news? You don’t need to settle for second-rate teams or simply cross your fingers and hope for the best. You can change the game! In this provocative and engaging development experience, Dr. Andrew Johnston demystifies the art of building a high-performing team. He identifies “quiet constraints” on team members’ accountability and collaboration and reveals six foundations of interdependence. These key commitments and practices transform team culture and interpersonal dynamics to increase trust, build capacity, and unlock the full potential of a team, and they give leaders a roadmap for diagnosing and improving the performance of their teams.