ROCKLAND — The Island Institute will sponsor the 12th Island Schools Conference on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4, at the Trade Winds Motor Inn in Rockland.

The program is designed for teachers, parents and school board members, and provides a variety of workshops.

“Alternative Assessments Practices” will describe alternative ways to assess student progress. “Introduction to Mediation and Conflict Resolution” will be of interest to parents and school board members.

There will also be a session on gender equity and one on Isleboro’s Link program, which stresses school and community interaction.

Roland Barth, author of “Improving Schools from Within” and a Guggenheim Fellow, will be on hand to to sign copies of his latest book on the state of American education, “Relationship at Sea.”

Activities for children whose parents attend will also be available.

The Island Institute is a private, nonprofit organization devoted to assisting people who live on Maine’s islands.