To help stimulate discussion, conference organizers began by asking the questions: What do we mean by heterogeneous groups? and Is it our job to sort kids? Following the discussion, keynote speaker Tony Terceira spoke about When Equity Means All Students. As a former administrator for the Providence Public Schools, he shared his experiences working in a district committed to having all students enroll and succeed in algebra in the first year of high school.

The conference offered several breakout sessions to help participants raise awareness in their own schools about the connection between grouping strategies and equity. Topics included professional development and the heterogeneous classroom, using data to identify classroom inequities, and complex instruction.

During a panel presentation that focused on who wins and loses with different grouping strategies, panelists presented research and offered their own personal experiences. To illustrate that no one needs to lose when you make changes directed at improving access and opportunities for individuals, one panelist offered this story.

"I arrived at the doctor’s office and needed to use the restroom. I noticed that it was equipped to assist physically challenged people. There were handle bars of varying heights along the wall next to the toilet, which was a bit lower than usual. The sink was also lower and had large handles for hot and cold water. I was struck by the fact that none of these modifications interfered with what I had to do."