This year's conference theme is focused on politics, identity and practice. The political act of teaching, in combination with notions of identity that are often implicit, produces specific forms of practice. Practitioners, researchers, academics, teachers, and advocates are invited to widen the arena of discourse in this area of early childhood education by meeting and debating a wide range of perspectives on early childhood education.

Children: Representation and resistance

Culture and curriculum

The discourse of difference

Boundaries and pedagogy

Colonial/Post-colonial perspectives and early childhood education

Constructing and constructed identities

Language and identity

Locating the self

Stories and voices

Isolation and marginalization

Politics and pedagogy

Early childhood education, employment, economics, poverty

During the years of its existence, this conference has provided space for the exploration and debate of issues and theories (critical theory, postmodern and poststructural theory, feminist theory, queer theory, colonial/postcolonial theory etc.). In keeping with the history and nature of the reconceptualist focus, it is anticipated that conference proposals will challenge traditional assumptions about theory, research and practice in early childhood education. Priority will be given to proposals that incorporate the active participation of conference attendees.

Debate (90 minutes) This format is appropriate for presenters addressing current issues in the field that include personal, practical and/or political dimensions in their work. Presenters will represent/debate different aspects of the issue/s and then include opportunities for the audience to participate in the debate. For example, 2 or 3 presenters may begin the debate by discussing an issue from different perspectives. This is followed by audience participation in the debate, facilitated by the presenters. Proposals should provide information about the issue to be debated, the perspectives that will be explored and include the names of all panelists.

Work in progress roundtables (30 minutes per presentation) This format is suited to presenters preferring a small informal setting where issues and themes emerging in ongoing work can be discussed with other researchers and writers. Roundtables are designed to encourage immediate participant feedback and be highly interactive. Up to 3 presenters will be located at a specific table, with 30 minutes each (1.5 hour session) to discuss and share information. Three different presenters may agree to focus on a topic and use the 1.5 hour time slot for a similar purpose. Individual proposals should cover one presenter and briefly describe the nature of the work in progress. Trios who focus on a topic should present a joint proposal with details of individual presentations.

Cutting edge readings and dialogue (45 minutes) This format is appropriate for presenters who want to lead discussion of a classic or recently published/in press article (not necessarily their own) in an area related to conference themes. Participants would have read the paper prior to the session and have opportunities to discuss issues in a dialog which is led by the presenter. Papers will be provided by the presenters to conference organizers and be made available at the beginning of the conference.

Forum (90 minutes) This format is appropriate for discussion of questions of major public interest that are currently confronting early childhood education. Presenters would identify questions and issues, provide background information and adopt a position. As this audience will consist of the entire group of conference attendees, it is likely that the nature of audience participation will be somewhat limited, however at least 20 minutes of the forum needs to be devoted to discussion by the audience and presenters. Proposals for this option should include all presenters' names, clearly indicate the topic and briefly describe how it will be explored during the forum.

Alternative option The program committee welcomes provocative proposals describing original formats of your own design which may not fall into one of the above categories. Such proposals should include the desired time frame for the presentation, as well as the information specified below about proposals.

DEADLINE : February 15, 1999

All proposals will be peer reviewed and notifications of acceptance provided by early March 1999.

Proposals should be no more than two pages in length and include the following:

The names, affiliations, addresses and e-mail addresses of all presenters, as well as the contact person's phone number;

A brief title capturing the primary theme, concern, or topic of the session;

A brief rationale explicating the theoretical grounding of the session and its relevance to the aims of the conference;

Proposed session format, including specific provisions for participant involvement;

A fifty word abstract for inclusion in the conference program.

Send 4 copies of the proposal and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Dr S. Vianne McLean
Academic Affairs
Arizona State University West
PO Box 37100
Phoenix, AZ 85069-7100
vmclean@asu.edu
Ph: (602) 543 - 4514

Call or e-mail:

or contact:

Heather de Lair at (505) 265-3343
hdelair@unm.edu

Susan Matoba Adler
smadler @umich.edu

Fawcett Center
Double room $90 per night (2 double beds)
Queen room $90 per night (1 queen sized bed)
A small number of large suites @ $125 per night(3 beds)
Breakfast is included in costs per room.

Registration Fee

$100 - includes Thursday night opening night reception, snacks, lunches Friday and Saturday, wine, cheese and bar-b-que on the river Saturday night.