New Mexico Senator Howie Morales is one of only 11 U.S. state legislators to be invited to take part in the National Conference of State Legislatures, The Forum for America's Ideas, International Learning Tour: Lessons in School Leadership from Ontario. The conference will take place Oct. 22-25, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario.

He and the other legislators will join three guests, one of whom is the Utah superintendent of public instruction, and two from the National Center on Education and the Economy.

"I wanted to share (with local press) this opportunity I was chosen for in hopes of learning, participating and giving input of a transformational education system," Morales said in the notice he sent.

The following was taken from the letter of invitation he received:

"The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is pleased to invite you to participate in an International Learning Tour, Lessons in School Leadership from Ontario.

"The learning tour will commence in Toronto, Ontario October 22-25. The tour will bring together a bipartisan group of twelve leading education state legislators to study the school leadership policies that Ontario has put into place to ensure effective school principals are leading every school.

"This prestigious group will identify legislative policy options, obstacles, and recommendations for their home states to move forward with systems that support effective school principals. The group will learn about Ontario’s school reform through the lens of principals, specifically the Principal Qualification Program regulated by the Ontario College of Teachers and the Ontario Leadership Framework.

"The six components of the Ontario Leadership Framework:
• Statewide leadership standards
• Recruitment, selection and retention
• Principal preparation design and accreditation
• Licensure and certification
• Evaluation
• Mentoring and professional development

"Participation in the International Learning Tour, Lessons in School Leadership from Ontario is your unique opportunity to learn alongside your colleagues and benefit from a place-based meeting."

The invitees receive full hotel, airfare and ground transportation expenses paid with support from The Wallace Foundation.