Marvin Cetron can't predict the future, but he can project what will happen.

The founder of Forecasting International is a futurist, or someone who tracks relevant trends, analyzes them and thinks creatively about their direction and meaning.

Cetron spent 20 years forecasting with the U.S. Navy. He's also written more than three dozen books and has appeared on "Today," "Good Morning America" and "Larry King Live."

He's credited with forecasting the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and sat on an expert panel commissioned by the Pentagon to scrutinize potential terrorist attacks in the United States.

Cetron will share his thoughts on how world events impact the future of our nation, state and education in this city during Wednesday's Futures Forum.

The free event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Cente r.

The evening is a part of the Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success developed by the Virginia Beach School Board.

The forum will focus on 10 trends affecting Virginia Beach City Public Schools, including general long-term economic and societal, labor force and work, technology, and environmental, as well as trends in value, concerns and lifestyles.

"We examined 55 global trends and took a look at the future and what it means to education, " said Centron, whose business is based in Falls Church.

Director of organizational development Toni Patterson said forum guests will learn how Centron thinks these trends may affect Beach schools.

"We will look at things we are doing well and things that we need to improve on to remain ahead of the curve. Part of that process means looking at the future, and this is a way of starting the conversation to be more future-focused in our planning," she said.

The next step in the Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for Student Success will be a Town Hall meeting from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 15 at the convention center.

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net