CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The transition into adulthood will be the topic at a public forum April 1, the last this school year in an education-related series at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Saturday morning forum, "Young People, Entrapped, Endangered or on Their Way - The Transition into Adulthood," will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign.
"It's definitely more confusing now for young people moving into adulthood," says Anne Robertson, coordinator of school-university research relations in the university's College of Education, and the organizer of the event.
Many young people feel disconnected from their families and communities, and "there are a lot of issues when a young person turns 18 that have potentially serious consequences," she said. The forum will explore those issues and examine strategies that families, schools and the local community can use to help.
Parents, teachers, administrators, university faculty and students, and anyone with an interest in education are invited to attend.
The event will start with presentations, followed by a town hall-style panel discussion. A continental breakfast will be offered at 8:30 a.m.
Scheduled presenters will be Debra Bragg, a U. of I. professor of education; Linda Moore, dean of students at Parkland College; Kathleen Oertle, a U. of I. doctoral candidate in special education; Linda Page, coordinator of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program for the Champaign School District; Dale Petre, director of community services for Cunningham Children's Home; Dave Requa, superintendent of Rantoul Township High School, and Peter Thomas, director of Lincoln's Challenge Academy.
Joining the presenters as panelists for the town hall discussion will be other educators, officials and youth.
The forum series is sponsored by the university's College of Education and organized by the university's chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional association for educators. Co-planners include Parkland College and the Champaign and Urbana school districts. Co-sponsors for the forum include local school districts and community organizations.
Teachers and school personnel can earn CEU and CPDU credits by attending.