An Evaluator's Guide to the SLO Process for Monitoring Student Growth, Jennie Winters, Dec 3, 2015, ISU Alumni Center, Normal, IL, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Jennie Winters will explain the variety of types of assessment that can be used in a Balanced Assessment System, with a focus on Type III assessments for the purpose of evaluation. We will discuss the role of quality assessments and performance level criteria in the SLO (Student Learning Objective) processes to use them to monitor student growth. Participants will understand how to analyze assessments resource to determine alignment to the rigor of the Illinois learning Standards. Strategies for data management, including collection, analysis, disaggregation, and triangulation of data will be covered. This workshop includes: Six professional development hours, Administrator Academy Credit, breakfast, lunch, parking, and handouts.  Register here.

Balancing Evaluation, Supervision and Reflection, Tony Frontier, Dec 15, 2015, 8:30 am - 3:30pm, Seven Bridges Golf Club, Woodridge

• Develop an understanding of the critical distinctions among systems of evaluation, supervision, and reflection.
• Learn strategies to lead and implement transformational systems that emppower teachers as compared to transactional systems that emphasize the role of administrators.
• Apply a three-phase model of implementation of processes that ensure ownership and engagement in their goals for growth and ensure each teacher is his or her own best supervisor.
• Acquire dozens of practical strategies and protocols for teachers, coaches, principals, and district office administrators to ensure their system of evaluation improves, rather than merely measures, teaching.

MS/HS RtI/MTSS Roundtable Conference, Jan 15, 2016,The McHenry County College Conference Center, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Call for presenters.  Please review our RFP, complete the online form and submit by Nov 15, 2015.

MS/HS administrators, RtI/MTSS coordinators, social workers, psychologists, deans and counselors.  Attendees with similar roles/positions will be grouped to share ideas and programs focused on Tier 2 Interventions.  A facilitator will coordinate the discussion.  Potential topics:  Attendance; Truancy; Discipline; Support Groups; Targeted Programs for academics, behavioral or social-emotional; RtI/MTSS roles; Coordination of RtI; Communication systems; Drug & alcohol; Data.  Attendees are asked to bring at least one description of an RtI/MTSS program/service being offered in the school/community.  Please bring 25 copies to the conference. Breakfast, snacks, free parking, materials, 4 PDH, 4 Social Worker continuing education hours.  Register for the roundtable here.

Transitioning Students to Appropriate Assessments in Math in the CCSS/PARCC World, Anita Reid, Jan 20, 2016, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, ISU Alumni Center, Normal

We will look at various means to implement an instructional and assessment process moving students towards being more successful on CCSS aligned PARCC assessments for middle and high school math.  This information provided will assist you in taking your existing classroom to the next level of student engagement and eventually achievement.  Topics discussed will be Backward Design lesson planning, Creating Engaging Assessments, Finding Engaging Tasks, and Writing Your own Engaging Tasks.  Numerous resources will be shared. This workshop includes breakfast, lunch, free parking, 6 Professional Development Hours.  Register here.

 

Building Teachers' Capacity for Success, Pete Hall, Jan 20, 2016, Crystal Lake Holiday Inn, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

In this workshop, you'll find tools specifically made to enhance self-reflection on professional practice, including the Continuum of Self-Reflection and the Reflective Cycle. You'll be able to assess your current self-reflective tendencies, identify opportunities to reflect on your instruction, and begin to forge a path toward continuous growth and educational excellence.  Continental breakfast, lunch, free parking and 6 professional development hours included. Register here:  https://illinoisascd.org/professional-learning-opportunities/upcoming-conferences-workshops/event/2016/01/building-teachers-capacity-for-success

LILA: Where Educators Become Advocates

Sign up for ASCD's 2016 Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy-happening January 24-26 in Washington, D.C.-to hear from education policy expert and whole child champion Paul Reville, collaborate with other civic-minded educators, and learn to amplify your advocacy voice. Visit www.ascd.org/lila for more information.

Empower All Staff to Exceed Their Potential, Greg Wolcott, Jan 28, 2016, ISU Alumni Center, Normal IL 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Leadership in today's educational climate is all about creating an environment that builds upon existing teacher knowledge and embracing new demands as opportunities for system-wide improvement. Today's successful leaders exercise leadership by empowering staff to solve the challenges of the day. In this day-long workshop, Greg Wolcott will share Student Centered Leadership work by Viviane Robinson, The Progress Principle by Teresa Amable, Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Succeed; How We Can Reach Our Goals by Heidi Grant Halvorson. Teachers and principals will gain insight into how to EXCEED in helping learners in successful learning growth. This workshop includes: Six professional development hours, breakfast, lunch, parking and handouts. Register here.

Listen! Students are Talking to Us in Their Assessments - Bobb Darnell, Feb. 3, 2016, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Holiday Inn Crystal Lake  
Learn the difference between Assessment of learning and assessment for learning to find out what you are looking for in formative assessments. After attending the workshop you will be able to:  1. Explain what students need from us to demonstrate high achievement.  2. Be familiar with assessment practices that you and your colleagues use.  3. Know how to use data to measure and "cause" student learning and growth. Haven't heard Bobb present? Here he is presenting on Common Core and Assessments: https://vimeo.com/78481157   

 

Lead and Teach - Classroom Assessments that Empower, Diane Wolf, Feb 11, 2016, Classroom assessments should not be overwhelming, but empowering! This is a dynamic workshop that will have you analyze your own assessment beliefs and talents as you begin to formulate your own professional plan for assessment literacy. As leaders in buildings and classrooms, teachers are transitioning to a new assessment era.  This session will be divided into four parts and will have practical suggestions at each turn: * BIG PICTURE: Formulate a "big picture" view of assessment in schools and districts and their different purposes * MINDSETS: Connect how the mindset of the teacher impacts the learning in the classroom * USERS: Determine who are the users of assessments and the data that should be inferred from the assessments * RELATIONSHIPS: Decide how the relationships in a classroom and school influence, for good or bad, the learning that occurs.  Breakfast, lunch, parking, 6 professional development hours are included. Register here. 

Registration Now Open for ASCD 2016 in Atlanta, GA, Apr 2 - 4, 2016

From hands-on workshops to inspiring speeches, the 2016 ASCD Annual Conference has more than 200 sessions on an extensive range of topics. So whether you are a new teacher or a seasoned administrator, you can customize a program to meet your professional needs.  Join your peers to share knowledge, learn from others, and gain tools to help lead education into the future. Learn more. 

To register online today:  click here  for Wed., January 13, 2016 (Springfield)