Lead Learners Update 3.11.13

“Learning is the discovery that something is possible.”

                                                                        Fritz Perls

Calendar of Events                                
3.11-15 Elementary Conference Week
3.11 Curriculum Alignment - ELA (Creek)
3.12 PHS AIW Day
3.15 Crest AIW Day
3.19-22 Spring Break

Interview Days (Ying Ying Chen)
John and ESC set the following potential interview days for all district positions such as HR, principal and coaches.  We understand that schedules are very tight for all.  So, letting you know the dates in advance may be helpful.  We will keep you posted on the specifics later.
April 16 and 17
April 22, 23 and 24
April 26

Principal Leading Common Core (By Ying Ying Chen)
Are you aware of the 12 major shifts in Common Core?  Do you need some tools and tips to start or sustain the conversation?  Here are a few tools for a busy principal:
Very short version: 12 shifts in both Literacy and Math
Shifts with some supporting background in both Literacy and Math
Math - Shift and Focus (Over all shifts + Grade by Grade Detail)
Literacy Shifts with instructional strategies
A power point version of shifts
A video version of the shifts
America Achieves Sample Lessons: America Achieves has assembled a set of videos of educators teaching lessons aligned to the “shifts”.  The lessons are coded when a “shift” was emphasized by the teacher.  Use with a critical eye as not all demonstrations are masterful teaching. (Use it with the mindset that all teachers are learning and we are all on the journey!)  You must sign in to access the videos.

Important Communication Regarding Assessment and Data Management for Early K-6 Literacy (Bill Poock and Ying Ying Chen)
DE made an important announcement about a statewide data system and assessment.
Click this link to access the announcement
Key points included in the announcement:

• The state will scale up the implementation of evidence-based early literacy practices.
• Tools, resources, and supports will be identified and made available to Iowa schools and teachers with no charge to the schools/districts.
• Implementation schedule: Fall, 2013-14
• Contracts have been awarded for a statewide electronic data management system and for the statewide purchases of universal screening and progress monitoring assessments in literacy for pre-kindergarten through sixth grades.
• The contract for the statewide electronic data system to support Response to Intervention (RtI) implementation, the Individualized Education Program (IEP), and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) has been awarded to Technology and Information Educational Services (TIES) of St. Paul, Minnesota.

• The contract for valid and reliable universal screening tools and progress monitoring tools in kindergarten through sixth grades has been awarded to FAST Labs at the University of Minnesota. The vendor is providing a suite of assessments known as the Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST).
• The contract for universal screening and progress monitoring in 4-year-old pre- kindergarten programs has been awarded to the Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota in cooperation with Early Learning Labs, Inc. The vendor is providing a suite of assessments known as the Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDIS).
• A webinar was broadcasted on March 4.  It contains important concepts of RtI (worth to review for all) and the information about FAST. Click the link to access the 35 minute webinar: https://sites.google.com/site/datasystemassessmen
• Further training on the use of the new data system will be made available in summer of 2013--more information will be shared as it is announced.
• IEP and IFSP related implementation will not be formally introduced until 2016.

Professional Learning Plan (Ying Ying Chen)
While PLP is not the main component  of the professional career plan, it is the foundation for a growth mindset culture.  The PLP committee suggested this document and asked principals and teacher leaders to review it throughout the year.  As you plan for April PL day with your cadre, be sure you have some time to review the PLP USE scales, the end of year procedures and how to use PLP for self and team reflection.

Digital Literacy Summer PL Options (Craig Barnum)
I know I’ve share a few of these both here and on Tech Hawks, but here’s an updated list of all the summer digital literacy professional learning options this summer.  

• The iLife Suite and Mac OS X basics, June 6 and 7th.  See my Tech Hawks post for details.  Staff should contact Angela to sign up.
• AEA 1 Technology Integration Conference in Dubuque on June 18th and 19th.  Registration starts after May 1st.  We are planning to send as many of the digital literacy trainers that are available  to this experience.  But, it would be great for the rest of our staff as well.
• iPad U  -- Grant Wood AEA on July 11th-12th.  This is a great local opportunity to learn more about iPads from a national expert, Kathy Schrock.
• The Iowa Google Apps for Education Summit, Van Meter, IA on July 25th.  We do a great job with Google here already, but there’s always something new to learn.  This would be a great place to do it.  There will be many nationally certified Google trainers available.  

Curriculum Matters  (Bill Poock)

For K-6 Math Textbook Vendor Presentation Day:  The schedule below has been communicated with the textbook representatives.  I would welcome K-6 administrators to this day if you are able to make it work in your schedule.  You have very passionate representatives on the Math Textbook Adoption team and they have taken a very comprehensive approach to this important task!
7:45 – 8:00    Opening/Connector (just with our teachers)
8:00 – 9:30 enVisions Presentation (including presentation and Q&A)
9:30 – 10:00   debriefing session
10:00 – 11:30  Go Math! Presentation (including presentation and Q&A)
11:30 – 12:00  debriefing session
12:00 – 1:00   LUNCH
1:00 – 2:30 Math in Focus Presentation (including presentation and Q&A)
2:30 – 3:00 debriefing session
3:00 – 3:45 data review and recommendation

Writing Task Force Update:
At our most recent Writing Task Force meeting, we engaged your teacher reps in the following components:

• scoring writing using a proficiency scale directly correlated to specific writing standards (opinion writing; narrative writing; and/or informative writing)
• introduced and used genre specific writing rubrics (by grade level) to score student writing so that teachers can better understand why we need to use both tools
• rubrics are useful for scoring student samples like a writing sample and are used to measure students’ progress towards specific criteria (i.e. word choice; focus; or organization)
• proficiency scales are useful for measuring students’ progress in relation to meeting a particular learning standard from CCSS
• revising district writing assessment procedures for 2013-2014
• different levels are working on making changes to the administration of writing assessments for implementation NEXT school year
• K-6 writing task force reps would like to meet for an additional 2-hour session AFTER SCHOOL in the near future to finalize plans for any changes decided upon and to work on genre specific rubrics (additional information will be shared with you as soon as that work is completed)