Vice President Education Report
USAS Convention 2003

I am very pleased to report that 2003 was a very good year for education. Jodi Silotto was promoted to Education Director at the end of last year's convention. Jodi should be credited for doing a great job at building strong momentum in regards to developing and delivering education programs. Working closely with Jodi were Nancy Wightman, Emerging Programs Director; Jennie Harper, the new Programs Administrative Assistant; Linai Vaz De Negri, National Team Director; and head CCP clinicians Pam Edwards and Jeanne Struck.
Educational highlights include;
Coaching Certification Program (CCP)-Level 3 was piloted in December 2002; Level 4 is underdevelopment by Esynchro and will be piloted this coming fall; major enhancements were made to Levels 1 & 2; there has been tremendous interest in Levels 1, 2 & 3 courses; the Challenge Test for Level 1 will premier at this convention.
Coaches College-A very successful Coaches College was held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs last December, featuring our national coaching staff. The 2nd annual Coaches College is Dec. 5-7 2003.
Zone Clinics -Annual zone clinics were reestablished in partnership with eSynchro. The format will be expanded this coming fall to serve a larger number of swimmers and a variety of skill levels.
Recreational Programs-Get in Synch (piloted as Summer In Synch) will be ready for distribution by convention.
Convention 2003-We have two primary educational missions for this convention: 1) to offer continuing education and 2) to discuss at the Education Board Mtg (Fri., 9/12, 9-10:30A) and LSSC Chairs Mtg (Fri., 9/12, 10:30-Noon) ways to improve communication and to organize volunteers in regards to identifying educational needs and promoting and delivering programs.
Scholastic Development highlights:
USA Synchro attended ECAC, NACWAA, NCAA, AAHPERD, NACDA events to promote the sport of synchronized swimming to athletic directors, university presidents, and other important potential supporters of synchro. Local Advisory Committees have been formed to assist with support and development efforts.
Now available in the National Office is the "How to Start a Collegiate Synchronized Swimming Program" booklet and the NCAA "Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete". Two advertisements have been placed in the NCAA News, the official bi-weekly publication of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. New on the market is the 2003-2004 Collegiate Planner.
At the Esynchro Age Group meet, Nancy Wightman gave a Collegiate Presentation. Many other articles and web site additions have continued to focus on assisting those swimmers interested in continuing synchro in college.
Plans are in place for a full time Emerging Programs position this coming year.
Looking to the future:
I feel that it is important for our organization to develop of a systematic and integrative approach toward planning and development in the areas of education, competitive program, event management, officials, and national team. Better coordination could greatly improve utilization of our resources, staff and volunteers and improve our ability to serve our varied membership.
In this upcoming year, we are looking to build upon our current educational programs and to add a camp program. The development of SNAAP and CCP Level 5 have been moved to FY 04-05.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Paulk