There is competition for air time. Conversation is group-facilitated. Conversation is leader-facilitator. There is a free flow of ideas. Ideas are shared according to agendas and goals.
Participants suspend their assumptions.
Participants defend their assumptions. Consensus tends to emerge from broad-based understanding. Consensus tends to be limited to myopic opinion. Our expectation is that through true dialogue, participants will be able reach beyond any differences and disagreements toward a better understanding of how to improve education for all of our children. In this context, our participants' diversity of opinions, experiences, and backgrounds will serve only to strengthen our collective effort.