December 23, 2015
Quick Links

IL ASCD News 

ASCD News 

Advocacy / Governance 

Conferences / Workshops   

From the Field 

Curriculum / Common Core 

Opportunities 

Grants / Awards 

Research 

Publications 

Internet Sources 
Mission Statement:
To build the capacity of educational leaders to enhance
 the quality of teaching and learning.

IMPACT     SERVICE     ADVOCACY
IL ASCD NEWS
CHECK OUT IL ASCD revised website at  www.illinoisascd.org
Enjoy your holiday break!
Happy New Year!
What Kind of Educator Superhero are You?
Do you read books at lightning speed? Are you known for your magnetic personality? Have you appeared to be in two places at one time? All educators are heroes, but some just might be superheroes! Take this fun quiz to find out what your superhero persona may be, and get some great gift ideas -- and a discount code -- from ASCD. Take the quiz.

Winter Weather Preparedness 
IEMA, the NWS and the American Red Cross developed a winter weather preparedness guide that covers winter weather terms and tips for staying safe at home, in the car and at school. The guide is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov. Winter weather preparedness tips also will be posted on the Ready Illinois Facebook  and Twitter. 

Know Your IEIN?
Professional Development Requirement- IEIN Number * When registering and signing attendance for future professional development opportunities provided by school districts, ROE, professional association, or other approved ISBE Provider, you will be required to provide your IEIN which is your Illinois Educator Information Number. * Your personal IEIN can be found on the ELIS site, which is the ISBE site for licensure renewal and PD hour entry. * Please know your IEIN when registering and attending. This requirement protects YOU when ISBE decides to audit your attendance at events.


Check out our Conferences/Workshops section and choose an opportunity for professional development!   

ASCD congratulates 2014 Affiliate Overall Excellence Award recipient Illinois ASCD. ASCD annually recognizes affiliates to honor their exemplary service to the education community.

IL ASCD Illinois Office
P.O. Box 852
Normal, IL 61761

Please send me good news about your school!  Anyone taking a new position for next school year or retiring this year, please let me know!   Glenna Adams, Editor gladams@wideopenwest.com 
 
Renee Phillips, Administrative Assistant, reneephillips@mac.com, phone: 309-820-9100. 
Ryan Nevius, Assistant Director, rcneviu@me.com, phone: 618-203-3993.
Katie McKay-Phillips, Social Media & Events, kathrynmckay20@gmail.com 
 
 
Are you already on Facebook?  Check out and LIKE the ILASCD Facebook page  
IL ASCD is now on Facebook!  Visit us at IL ASCD.
  
  
 
 
IL ASCD has a Twitter channel!  Stay current at IL ASCD.      
 
  
 
miller_guidance 
The Common Core State Standards, Teacher Evaluation Systems, Race to the Top funding....Is your system ready?
Built on leading scientific research the Miller Guidance System puts into practice the theoretical underpinnings of federal school reform initiatives.  Created and refined by practitioners, in a variety of settings our practical tools and processes provide the blueprint for school improvement. Is your system ready?
Click below to see a video of what your colleagues are saying about Miller Guidance!
www.millerguidance.com 866-364-9535
ASCD News 
Improve How You Differentiate Instruction
Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching in which educators actively plan for students' differences so that all students can learn best. In a differentiated classroom, teachers divide their time, resources and efforts to effectively teach students who have various backgrounds, readiness and skill levels, and interests. This month, ASCD has gathered our full suite of differentiated instruction resources to help educators identify areas where improvement is needed and opportunities to enhance instructional ability. Find great resources.

In this Educational Leadership article, Marceta Reilly shares ways to give a colleague feedback that will both promote change and preserve your professional relationship. Conversations involving difficult feedback are never easy, she notes, but good frames can help you enter them without immediately igniting defensiveness. "By speaking your truth honestly and listening to the truths of others, you'll help the conversation become more authentic and your relationships become deeper and more trusting."

Check out this week's posts on SmartBlog on Education. Want to join our blogger community? View our submission guidelines to learn how. Engage. Innovate. Discuss.

Last Wednesday, the Senate voted to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and on Thursday, the President signed ESSA into law, replacing the expired No Child Left Behind law. ASCD released a statement from Executive Director and CEO Deborah S. Delisle applauding this bipartisan effort to rewrite the nation's preeminent federal education law and achieving an appropriate balance between federal and state authority for education.

Save 20% on all ASCD memberships
From now until Jan. 31, 2016, ASCD is offering a 20% discount on all individual membership categories for new and renewing members. ASCD membership offers instant access to a community of dedicated educators and award-winning professional development resources, including books, newsletters and Educational Leadership® magazine. Each membership category comes in either the print and online format or the online-only format. To receive the 20% discount, use promo code A62-AZM9-AZNL. Sign up.
 
The 71st ASCD Annual Conference and Exhibit Show will be held in Atlanta, Ga., April 2-4, 2016. Keynote presenters will include Carol Dweck; Mike Schmoker; Manny Scott; Pedro Noguera and Alan Blankstein; and Shanna Peeples. The conference will have more than 200 sessions for educators of all roles and interests and special events for attendees to network with educators from across the world. Early bird pricing is available until Feb. 3, 2016.
 
At this three-day institute before the 2016 ASCD Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga., the authors of Leading for Differentiation will provide an opportunity to explore with fellow leaders the tools and strategies necessary to deepen the motivation, learning and practices of teachers who are responsible for ensuring the growth of the full spectrum of learners in today's schools. From March 30 to April 1, participants will learn what they can do to successfully and collaboratively initiate, implement and institutionalize differentiated instruction practices. 

LILA: Where Educators Become Advocates
Attend ASCD's 2016 Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy (LILA) -- happening January 24-26, 2016, in Washington, D.C. -- to hear from education policy expert and whole child champion Paul Reville, meaningfully collaborate with other civic-minded educators, build your advocacy skills, and meet with your federal lawmakers to discuss key education issues in your community. Visit www.ascd.org/lila for more information. Learn more.

Cambridge Educational ServicesCambridge has been working with members of ASCD for nearly 25 years providing data-informed lesson plans and supplemental materials to increase ACT/ASPIRE/PSAT/WorkKeys/GED test scores while mastering skills aligned with College Readiness and common core standards.
 
Schools select after-school, semester-long or alongside-the-curriculum models using their own teachers or ours. Professional development, Parent Admission and Student Motivation workshops assist with systemic efforts for greater student achievement.

Contact Mary Parks at 800-444-4373 ext. 226, 847-204-0502(C), or MParks@CambridgeEd.com for additional information.
Advocacy / Governance
IL ASCD's purpose is to inform.  We encourage you to be an informed, involved educator. Watch local, state, and national news for most current events.
 
ASCD has released its first Global Policy Agenda, which makes recommendations to promote the success of students, educators, schools and communities worldwide. The specific global recommendations include establishing a multimetric accountability system, reducing the reliance on standardized testing, promoting a whole child education, and honoring and supporting the education profession. View the agenda. 

The latest issue of Policy Priorities examines the vocabulary that various stakeholders -- including communities, administrators, teachers, parents and students -- use to discuss a whole child approach to education. It reviews similarities and differences among common terms, provides definitions used by specific educational associations, and calls for building a whole-child lexicon that all stakeholders can use -- the aim is to build a vocabulary that is practical, that everyone can use.

ASCD has released updated Whole Child Snapshots for each of the 50 U.S. states to display the progress our nation has made in supporting the whole child as well as the areas where negative trends have continued. The snapshots encompass various stages of a child's development, from prekindergarten through postsecondary education and provide a picture of child success and well-being that extends beyond academic performance.

ASCD's Whole Child Initiative in Illinois
Launched in 2007 ASCD's Whole Child Initiative is an effort to change the conversation about education from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long term development and success of children.  Illinois ASCD supports this premise.

Are you receiving the ASCD Whole Child Newsletter?  Sign up on http://www.wholechildeducation.org  to receive this biweekly free resource and stay up to date on policies and practices, data, strategies, and tools to help you ensure that each child in your community is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.  In addition to this information from ASCD, we are running a series on the Whole Child within our Illinois ASCD Newsletter.  To read the latest edition of our newsletter, visit http://publications.catstonepress.com/i/566315-fall-2015 

In 2012, Illinois Legislature Declared March to be "Whole Child Month."
With the help of Illinois ASCD members, we continue to keep the names of ASCD and IL ASCD in the minds of Illinois legislators as the go-to organization on learning.  They helped us enable the passage of the Whole Child Resolution in Illinois in both houses on March 9, 2012.  As the years progress, our members will continue to keep in touch with our legislators and feel that we have had a say in helping to promote strong educational issues in our state.  Copies of these resolutions can be found below:

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.

Illinois Education News
   
16 Illinois Schools Bestowed 'Blue Ribbon' Award in 2015
Sixteen Illinois schools are being recognized as outstanding by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department's Blue Ribbon Schools program awards public and private elementary, middle and high schools for academic excellence and improvement in closing the gap between privileged and underprivileged students.

Illinois Law to Require Schools to Rethink Discipline
A new law will require Illinois schools to develop more measured discipline policies beginning next school year. A bill signed into law this summer by Gov. Bruce Rauner requires schools to end zero-tolerance policies, limit out-of-school suspensions, address bullying and create a parent-teacher advisory board on school discipline. The law also requires that sending students to alternative schools be a last resort, The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reported.  

We've set a high standard for quality teaching and leadership through new evaluation systems that incorporate student growth along with professional practice. We've also worked to enhance and strengthen teacher and leader preparation programs. 

Trailer Bills On Civics And Concussion Protocols Signed Into Law
House Bill 800 and Senate Bill 219 were both signed into law on November 20th, delaying implementation of civics instruction and new concussion protocols, respectively, until the 2016-2017 school term. House Bill 800 requires that civics instruction be implemented beginning with the incoming 9th graders in 2016-2017. Senate Bill 219 requires that the provisions of Public Act 99-245 be implemented beginning with the 2016-2017 school year.

Guidance Available For Carbon Monoxide Detector Legislation
Implementation guidance for  Public Act 99-470, which requires carbon monoxide detectors within 20 feet of carbon monoxide emitting devices, is available here. Districts are encouraged to delay purchasing equipment until rules are promulgated on January 1, 2016. Full enforcement will not occur until the regulations have been approved.

Thousands of Illinois Students Skipped Standardized Test Last Year
Tens of thousands of Illinois students - the most in recent history - sat out the state's standardized exams during the last school year as resistance to testing gained momentum nationwide, new state data show.

ISBE Hot Topics
PARCC Score Toolkit - Communication tools for school leaders available

Click this link for a pdf listing of all House and Senate PK-12 committees. 

Bill Text/Status: Illinois General Assembly www.ilga.gov. Click on Dashboard.    
  
Federal Education News
 
Congress Releases Final Text Of ESEA Rewrite Bill
The Washington Post reports that the final text of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which would reauthorize ESEA, was released Monday, Nov 30. The bill, described as a "true compromise," would "largely shift authority from the federal government to states and districts," as states will be able to set their own academic goals, design their own systems for judging schools and what should be done for schools that struggle. The bill "attempts to thread the needle between conservatives" who want smaller federal control in education and civil rights groups "who worry that some states...will obfuscate or ignore the poor performance of schools serving low-income and minority students." The legislation won endorsements on Monday from the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National PTA and the National Governors Association, along with the nation's two largest teachers unions. The House is "widely expected" to vote on the bill "as early as Thursday."  With only a short time before an expected vote, the final rewrite of No Child Left Behind is now available to the public.  

There is much to be figured out as the nation moves to implement the new law, but the White House and the Department have released a number of materials to help educate the public about the ESSA, including:
Many of these materials are posted on the Department's ESEA web page, and additional materials will be posted as they become available.  In the meantime, questions may be directed to ESSA.questions@ed.gov

How Will ESSA Change Teacher Training?
Under the new Every Student Succeeds Act, states will have flexibility to create nontraditional teacher-training programs. Examples include teacher-residency programs and degree-granting academies that operate outside of the traditional higher-education system. The Hechinger Report

Will ESSA Expand Computer-science Education?
The new Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaces No Child Left Behind, includes a focus on science, technology engineering and math, as well as computer science. ESSA includes computer science among core subjects, such as writing and science. EdTech magazine online

New Acting US Education Secretary Will Have Full Agenda
John B. King Jr. will become the acting US secretary of education on Jan. 1. This article features eight key challenges he will face in 2016, including continuing the transition to the Common Core State Standards and efforts to expand access to preschool education. Education Dive 

National Education Technology Plan
The Department released the latest National Education Technology Plan and announced new commitments to support personalized professional learning for district leaders working to improve teaching and student achievement through the effective use of technology.  Updated every five years, the plan is the flagship educational technology policy document for the country.  The latest plan outlines a vision of equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible.  While acknowledging the continuing need to provide greater equity of access to technology itself, the plan goes further to call upon all involved in American education to ensure equity of access to transformational learning experiences enabled by technology.
In addition, the Department celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Future Ready initiative with the announcement of new commitments, including the launch of 17 statewide Future Ready initiatives.  Since the launch of Future Ready in 2014, more than 2,000 superintendents have signed the pledge and committed to foster and lead a culture of digital learning in their district and to share what they have learned with other districts.  Some 44 national and 12 regional partner organizations have committed to assisting states, districts, and schools become Future Ready.
Moreover, the Department's Office of Educational Technology unveiled a set of professional learning resources to help superintendents and their teams effectively lead the transition to digital learning.  These resources include personalizable video playlists for district leaders that highlight exemplary, peer-based stories and practices from districts across the nation.

What Does "Future Ready" Leadership Look Like?
More than 2,000 superintendents have signed the Future Ready District Pledge, an initiative of the US Department of Education and the Alliance for Excellent Education. Education writer Rusul Alrubail and the Alliance's digital learning director, Thomas Murray, highlight five issues to help administrators and teachers become "future ready" leaders. EdSurge
 
The Promise and Pitfalls of Charter Schools After 25 Years
The latest issue of Policy Priorities examines the ideas that spurred the charter school movement, the evolution of the concept and rationales behind charters, and their current status as an education reform. These publicly funded institutions, which receive freedom from the rules and regulations of traditional district schools in exchange for meeting agreed-upon performance targets, now serve an estimated 2.9 million students in more than 6,700 schools around the country.

US First Lady Seeks Greater Access to Education for Girls Worldwide
US first lady Michelle Obama spoke at the recent World Innovation Summit for Education about the importance of expanding access to education for girls worldwide. She also stressed the need to make more workplaces welcoming to women. Education Week

ASCD Educator Advocates: www.educatoradvocates.org  
ASCD Legislative Agenda: www.ascd.org/legislativeagenda  
ASCD Policy Points: www.ascd.org/publicpolicy 
To reach Senator Mark Kirk:  Chicago 312-886-3506, in Springfield 217-492-5089, in Washington DC 202-224-2854, by email at Senator@Kirk.Senate.gov. You can also contact Sen. Kirk's outreach person, Randy Pollard at gop2525@gmail.com or randy_pollard@kirk.senate.gov. 217-492-5089.   

To reach Senator Dick Durbin:  Chicago 312-358-4952, in Springfield 217-492-4062, in Carbondale 618-351-1122, in Washington DC 202-224-2152, by email at  www.durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm.You can also contact Sen. Durbin's outreach person, Justin Cajindos, 525 S. 8th Street, Springfield, IL 62703, Phone: (217) 492-4062. E-Mail:Justin_Cajindos@durbin.senate.gov   
Conferences / Workshops
Please note that most workshops/conferences close registration one week prior to the event.  The last day to register is on the registration form.

Successful Assessment 101:  Everything You Need to Know about Tests in a Standards-Based Learning Environment
ILASCD presents Video Workshops for use in Department meetings, Faculty meetings, PLC teams, college classes, parent meetings, Board of Education meetings, grade-level meetings, individual PD.
Not webinars, but live-capture presentations defining and exploring how testing in standards-based learning environments leads to successful growth model attainment.  Each video begins with definitions of the tests in the area being covered. Detailed information about their impact on the learning in classrooms will be provided. Each video allows break times within the 30-45 minute time period for discussion by the viewing group under the leadership of the local host (principal, professor, department chair, PLC leader, etc.).  Each module is $69. What's Included:
  • Downloadable HD Videos
  • Facilitator Directions
  • Participant Handouts
  • PowerPoint Slides
Module Descriptions
  • Module 1: Overview of Assessment Types
  • Module 2: National Assessment
  • Module 3: District Assessment
  • Module 4: Local/Classroom Assessment
You'll get everything you need to facilitate an effective professional development session for your group.  Each video is timed to fit within a 1-hour staff meeting (35 to 45 minutes running time), including ample time for discussion, the included activities, and opening/closing time.The videos are provided in high-definition 1080p MP4 format. We recommend using a large screen with a high-definition projector for the best experience, and providing slide handouts if a smaller screen will be used.less total about 15GB in size. If download speed is a concern, you can also order the program on a USB flash drive.  30-Day Money Back Guarantee  Your purchase is 100% Risk Free.  If you're not happy for any reason, simply let our friendly support team know (via email) and we'll happily refund your money.  Get started now!  

  
Know Your IEIN?
Professional Development Requirement- IEIN Number * When registering and signing attendance for future professional development opportunities provided by school districts, ROE, professional association, or other approved ISBE Provider, you will be required to provide your IEIN which is your Illinois Educator Information Number. * Your personal IEIN can be found on the ELIS site, which is the ISBE site for licensure renewal and PD hour entry. * Please know your IEIN when registering and attending. This requirement protects YOU when ISBE decides to audit your attendance at events.
 
2015-2016 Cohort, 4 sessions of CLDN - "ONE DAY AT A TIME" AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3
Ideal for those responsible for curriculum leadership in a school or district setting.  Learn to enhance instructional leadership and gain skills on implementation, data analysis, and implications for curriculum development. Gain invaluable knowledge on PERA, Assessment, NGSS, and PE Standards. Learn how to lead PLC's.  Network and connect with other curriculum leaders. Share resources, explore topics relevant to school improvement planning AND you will also get access to experienced mentors. Frequently we have been asked, "Can I sign up for part of the program?" Now the answer is YES! CLDN sessions will be expanded to include educators and TEAMS OF EDUCATORS who wish to select from varying topics. 1. WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS? * Select one topic on one date, or select two or more. * Come alone or as a team. * Select Administrators Academy Credit or CPDU's. * Customize to your individual, your school or district needs. 
Jan. 25 - "Visible Learning Research for Teachers & Students," Greg Wolcott, Asst. Superintendent for Learning, Woodridge; "Evaluating as Student Centered Classroom/ Danielson," PJ Caposey, Superintendent, Stillman Valley SD
Feb. 22 - "Vertical/Horizontal Viable Curriculum," Jill Gildea, Superintendent, Fremont SD 79, Elizabeth Freeman, Curriculum Director, Fremont SD 79; "Instructional Rounds" Anne Roloff
April 25 - "Vision, Values & Goals: Leading Change in a Professional Learning Community" AA # 940, Doug Lillydahl, Adlai Stevenson HS; Jill Kingsfield, Ranjana Rajendran, Fenton HS
Meetings take place at HSD 218 Academy, 10701 S. Kilpatrick, Oak Lawn, IL 60543.
Continental breakfast, lunch, free parking, 6 professional development hours, and some sessions offer Administrator Academy credit. Register here for Nov 30. 

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
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. 
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   
Holiday Inn Crystal Lake, 800 S. Illinois Rte 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Registration includes: Breakfast, lunch, and six professional development hours. To register, click here. 
 
PERA--From Joint Committee to Student Growth, Jennifer Garrison, Feb 10, 2016, Forest View Educational Center, Arlington Heights, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
This workshop will share how one district successfully collaborated to make decisions at the local joint committee level to design a teacher evaluation plan aligned to PERA requirements. A student growth model based on Student Learning Objectives developed by the Sandoval CUSD #501 and the joint committee will be shared. Attendees will develop an action plan to implement in their own districts. Attention will be paid to the make-up of the Joint Committee Timeline, PERA implementation timeline and the components of the professional development necessary to implement a student growth model. Teams will develop an action plan using the Sandoval Guideline/Toolkit and the  PEAC Guidance Student Learning Objective for Type 3 Assessments and the Guidance on Creating Operating Guidelines for Student Growth Models in Teacher Evaluation Systems. Six professional development hours, breakfast, lunch, parking. Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Register here.
 
Lead and Teach - Classroom Assessments that Empower, Diane Wolf, Feb 11, 2016,
8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL
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. 

NEW-35th Annual IL ASCD Statewide Conference for PreK-Kindergarten Educators, Mar 2 - 4, 2016, Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, IL
Please join us for an exciting 35th Annual Illinois ASCD Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Conference at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel on March 2-4, 2016. We are excited by some new faces, new concepts, and new ideas. We will have 25 Featured Presenters and over 65 Concurrent Presenters. As always, you can register for Thursday only, Friday only, or both! School administrators may attend free if you register a team of two or more. Come learn, enjoy, and have fun listening, participating and visiting our exhibit hall. Choose from a wide selection of sessions and explore the extensive exhibit area.  See booklet. Register here.  
 
Special Presentations-Evenings options with Pre-K Kindergarten Conference
Mar 2, 2016, An Evening with Jack Hartmann "Cool Beats to Help Children Read," 6 pm - 8 pm, Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, IL
Mar 3, 2016, Books That Nourish the Needs of the Whole Child:  Spark Social and Emotional Learning in Your Classroom, featuring Kathy Brown & Sarah Martino, 6 pm - 8 pm, Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, IL
Registration coming soon. Check out page 8 in pre-K K booklet by clicking here.

Student-Centered Leadership: 10 Strategies Leaders Need to Know, PJ Caposey, Mar 15, 2016, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Woodridge
This  course  offers  practical  strategies  that  will  help district  and  school  leaders  create  and maintain  an effective  student-centered  school  environment.  The session  will  provide  evidence  to show  the  relationship between leadership, student-centered practice and high academic  achievement. Participants  will  leave  with an understanding of how to analyze their leadership style and  current  school  practice.  They  will  also  learn practical techniques to create a plan for increasing the student-centered nature of their school.
OUTCOMES
  • Participants   will   be   able   to   demonstrate   an understanding  of  what    student-centered  leadership means and their influence as a leader in their school.
  • Participants  will  be  able  to  analyze,  develop  and communicate student-focused practices to the school community.
  • Participants will be able to examine their own leadership philosophies and behaviors and will assess their abilities to model and prioritize student-centered practices.
    Participants  will  communicate  their  leadership  story and learn to relate with all stakeholders of the school community  in  the  context  of  a  student-centered school environment.
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.   

Using Protocols to Guide Professional Learning, Conversations with Don Kachur (Administrator Academy #1544 ), Apr 7, 2016, Seven Bridges Golf Club, Woodridge, IL 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Protocols are a tool for guiding professional learning conversations, whether they occur at grade level or department-level meetings, professional learning community team meetings, or any other meetings where educators are focused on improving student achievement. Protocols provide a structure or guide for conversations--a series of steps, each with a recommended time frame for completion that a group follows in fixed order, and they specify the roles different people in the group will play (typically a facilitator, a presenter, and participants). Participants in this workshop will learn of the value of protocols and how they are designed to structure conversations when educators within school groups study together, work on problems of practice, and examine student work and other data. Registration Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, 6 Professional Development hours or 6 Administrator Academy Credit.  Register here.   
 
Steve Oertle on Assessment, April 13, 2016 at NIU Naperville Campus, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm 
This is a dynamic workshop in which we will work our way up Bloom's Taxonomy over four separate sessions:
  • understanding the background on assessment research
  • applying the assessments
  • analyzing through application of the research
  • creating items for a common assessment
Registration includes, parking, breakfast, lunch, and 6 professional development hours.
Click here for flyer and registration.

Science is a Verb, not a Noun!, Craig Gaska, Apr 29, 2016, 3:30 am - 3:30 pm, 7 Bridges Golf Club, Woodridge, IL
Science is a verb, not a noun! Science is something that students do. The goal of this workshop is to help you use the Next Generation Science Standards to invigorate science in the classroom. You will learn how to bring the standards to life by using strategies that integrate the NGSS into your current curriculum, not an "add-on." Dr. Gaska will show you how to apply the standards, using a practical unit and lesson planning model that will help you create lessons that will turn your students on to science. Participants need to bring examples of current science units to this hands-on workshop to make the most of the day. Continental breakfast, lunch, free parking, 6 professional development hours. Register here.

NEW-School Leadership Practices for Transforming the Attitudes of At-Risk Students, Baruti Kafele, May 5, 2016, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Goodman Center of Roosevelt University, 501 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL  60605
The complex role of the educational leader is the most important role in bridging the attitude gap!  In this high-energy, highly-interactive workshop, Principal Kafele discusses the characteristics of an effective leadership team in an underperforming school comprised of an at-risk student population.  He will outline what he di to lead the transformation for four low-performing public schools in New Jersey.  Before we can focus on closing the achievement gap, we must first focus on closing the attitude gap-the gap between those students who have the will to strive for excellence and those who do not.  Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking, and 6 professional development hours.  Register here.

The Illinois Association of School Boards and the Illinois Association of School Administrators present: Professional Advancement Seminars, Seeking the Superintendency, Jan 13, 2016 (Springfield)
This intensive one-day seminar is designed to assist anyone seeking employment as a superintendent and will include a detailed description of the Illinois Association of School Boards' Superintendent Search process. You will learn how to evaluate and improve your opportunities for professional advancement through presentations by those who work with the process and through printed materials that are yours to retain. For a pdf of the brochure regarding these events: click here. To register online today: click here for Wed., January 13, 2016 (Springfield)

NEW-IPA Assistant Principals Forum, Jan 27 & 28, 2016, Effingham, IL
Wednesday, January 27
  • Program: 7 Ways to Use Ed Leaders Network for Personal and Staff Development
  • Presenter: Arlin Peebles, IPA's Online PD Director
  • Time: 3 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Reception: 5 pm - 6:30 pm
  • Location: Tuscan Hills Winery, 2200 Historic Hills Drive, Effingham, IL 62401
Thursday, January 28
  • Administrator Academy # 1415 - The Legal Rights of Students
  • and Parents: Balancing Best Practices and the Law
  • Presenter: Brian Schwartz, IPA Legal Counsel
  • Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm (breakfast and lunch provided)
  • Location: Keller Convention Center, 1202 North Keller Drive, Effingham, IL 62401
Cost: $189 IPA Members/ $250 Non-members, Administrator Academy #1415

Need a room to stay overnight? Contact the
Holiday Inn, 1301 Avenue of Mid-America, Effingham, IL 62401
$99/code "IPA" Call 217-540-7777

Leadership Legacy Summits, David Anderson, 3 sessions, Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, IL Attend one or all three!
Begin your journey to GREAT leadership by attending the Leadership Legacy Summits.  This quarterly series focuses on YOUR leadership, and helps participants to fully understand what true, authentic leadership really is! This Summit will give you the tools to practice great leadership and allow you to find better relationships, improved organizations, increased profits, and new cultures, just to name a few.  The Leadership Legacy Summits will give you a strong foundation for building sound leadership and raising the "lid" on your current leadership quotient.  This is a DO NOT MISS opportunity!
February 19, 2016 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
"What Are You Afraid Of?,"  Getting Out of Your Own Way
May 20, 2016 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
"Think Like a Leader,"  Always Taking the Leader's Perspective
August 26, 2016 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
"360 Degree Leadership,"  Lead from Anywhere.  Take on the Leadership Lifestyle.

Where:  Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL
Cost:  $249 per session, including Networking Luncheon
Register by visiting:  www.theleadershiplegacysummits.com 
From the Field
Data: High-school Graduation Rate Reaches 82%
The US high-school graduation rate reached 82% during the 2013-14 school year -- a record high for the nation -- according to data released by the Department of Education. Iowa and Nebraska had the highest graduation rates in the country at 90%. U.S. News & World Report  
 
Naperville, IL Students Learn About Hollywood Careers During Worldwide Skype-a-Thon
Students around the world logged some 2 million virtual miles last week during Microsoft's first-ever worldwide Skype-a-Thon. An Illinois class of middle-schoolers talked with a software developer at Pixar about the coding and math skills they would need to pursue such a career. Chicago Tribune 
 
Chicago Teachers Vote To Authorize Strike
The Chicago Tribune  reports that the strike would be the second in three years, saying that CTU reported that some 88% of members voted to authorize the strike, clearing a 75% threshold under state law. Meanwhile, CPS CEO Forrest Claypool renewed calls on the state to provide more funding for the district, calling on CTU "to join that fight amid the district's latest budget crisis, rather than move toward a strike." Barring more state money, district officials say that "layoffs and more unsustainable borrowing will be necessary."

STIThe use of technology in classrooms appears to range from none, or minimal, to frequent. STI focuses on teaching strategies that give diverse students multiple options for taking in and processing information, making sense of ideas, and expressing learning. Technology tools can support good instruction and personalized learning environments in which students can interact with soîtware and applications, conduct research, create products, and communicate with others. STI staff work closely with school personnel to produce professional development that integrates the use of existing technologies, connects curriculum and incorporates: Innovation, Curriculum Development Response to Intervention Strategies, Interim Assessments, and Modeling. 
Curriculum / Common Core 
States Put Next Generation Science Standards to the Test
Twenty-six states have adopted the Next Generation Science Standards. Ten school districts in California are piloting the standards. Educators profiled in this article say the approach has energized students about learning science. The Hechinger Report

Should Computer-science Courses Count as Math Credits?
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested that the state's university system count high-school computer-science classes as math credits, rather than electives. The goal, supporters say, is to encourage high schools to expand computer-science courses and encourage more diversity in the field. San Francisco Chronicle

Tips to Take Coding to the Next Level
Tools used to teach coding should approach the concept as a type of literacy students can use to organize and express their ideas, says early-childhood and coding expert Mitchel Resnick. He highlights such tools, including an updated version of ScratchJr, which features characters from PBS Kids. "Coding is not just a set of technical skills," he says. "It's a new way of expressing yourself." National Public Radio

Illinois Considering Offering SAT to High School Juniors
The state of Illinois is closing in on a deal to give high school juniors the SAT college entrance exam next spring, potentially ending decades of regional preference for the ACT exam.

Local Free Community College Plans May Be Template for U.S.
Thousands of high school graduates have just started community college for free, with the first batch enrolled in independent first-year programs in Tennessee, Chicago and soon Oregon doing so under different price tags and philosophies - offering templates of how a federal program might look and potential glitches.  

More High Schools Offer Free College Courses
A growing number of US high schools are seeking to close the achievement gap by adopting an early-college model in which more students have access to free college credits. Such programs can help make college more affordable for students and ease their transition from high school to college. The Boston Globe

By Marti Shirley
Each student will be given an individual report for both the English language arts/literacy and mathematics tests that describes his or her current level of performance and their abilities in subcategories. In the classroom, my students will be reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses, and identifying their personal needs. As a teacher it is important to look at the sub claims and see areas where your students overall may have struggled; knowing this will allow you provide more opportunities for students to practice and learn these skills. For my own students, I anticipate needing to focus more on mathematical reasoning, as historically my students haven't had to justify and explain their answers in math.

PARCC Releases Translated Score Reports
The sample score reports are now available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Navajo, Haitian, Marshallese, Polish, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.  The translated reports are available on the PARCC website.

National Parent Teacher Association President Promotes UnderstandtheScore.org
Laura Bay, president of the National Parent Teacher Association, recently took part in a 14-station radio tour to help parents understand their children's score reports and learn how they can support their children in improving academically. "I'm here to encourage parents to check out the resources, to check out the score reports, and to have a conversation about how their child did on the PARCC assessments," Bay told WBZ in Boston.

ISBE Test and Assessment Home
 
Many PARCC resources have been moved to the end of this newsletter under RESOURCES. 
 
LEARNING.COMElementary STEM- Engage and encourage your elementary students to develop strong STEM skills that will keep them excited and excelling in their later school years. Request a whitepaper: Integrated STEM Education through Project-Based Learning or contact Mark Adzick - Territory Manager, madzick@learning.com or 800-580-4640 x4560, Daniela Kaelin - Inside Sales Representative, dkaelin@learning.com or 800-580-4640 x4495 for more information.
Opportunities
Green Ribbon Schools
Every school in Illinois can start on the path towards a more green and sustainable future. The  Illinois Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that are leading the way to promote sustainability and environmental education. Working in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), USGBC-Illinois is accepting applications from schools that integrate best practices in energy, water and waste management, healthy school environments, and environmental education.
Applications are due Monday, January 11 at 6:00 PM. The top scoring schools are submitted to the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Program for consideration at the national level.  
To complete the application click here.

NEW-Superintendent of Schools, Peoria District 150, Peoria, IL
Click here to download or view the Announcement of Vacancy. Click here to view the Job Description.
Applications are only accepted online by noon on Jan 11, 2016. Please click here to apply.For further information, please visit the IASB website.

Superintendent, Proviso Township High School District 209, Forest Park, Illinois
Description:  The Board of Education for Proviso High School District 209 in Cook County, Illinois announces the commencement of a search for a new superintendent of schools who will assume responsibilities on July 1, 2016.   This is an outstanding professional opportunity for a qualified and experienced transformational leader to work with a diverse community of high school learners.
Proviso Township High School District 209 is located in suburban Cook County with close proximity to the city of Chicago. The district is made up of three high schools:  Proviso East, Proviso West and the award winning Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy. The communities of Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park Northlake, Stone Park and Westchester matriculate into the three schools. With a mission "to provide opportunities for successful experiences, so that upon graduation, the satisfied student may pursue an avenue of choice," Proviso Township High School District 209's vision is to be "the best high school district in Illinois." Additional information about the school district can be found at www.pths209.org . A regionally competitive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate.  This will be a rolling search, with applications being screened as they are received.  Candidates are urged to respond as soon as possible but no later than January 15th, 2016.  
Application Procedure:  Please go to www.bwpassociates.com to view a detailed vacancy notice, complete the online application process, and submit required materials. For additional information, contact BWP search consultants:  Dr. Anne Noland, 630-624-3336; Dr. Phil Ehrhardt, 630-514-7003; Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams, 708-935-0471; or Dr. Nick Wahl, 630-965-3367.
 
Vacancy:  Superintendent of Schools, Township High School District 113, Highland Park, Illinois
Description:  The Township High School District 113 Board of Education announces the commencement of a search for a new Superintendent of Schools who will assume responsibilities on July 1, 2016.  This is an outstanding career opportunity for a qualified and experienced professional administrator to provide leadership to a two campus, grades 9-12, school district in the highly desirable North Shore suburban area of Chicago, Illinois.  District 113 serves students from the communities of Deerfield, Highland Park, Bannockburn, Highwood and Riverwoods. The district is served by two high schools, Highland Park High School and Deerfield High School. The total combined student population is approximately 3,700. District 113 students are high achieving and perform well above state averages on all standardized measures. Approximately 95% of students matriculate to institutions of higher learning.  The schools are supported by a highly qualified and committed faculty and by a dedicated Board of Education. A very competitive salary and benefit package will be offered. Additional information about the school district may be found at www.dist113.org.
Application Procedure:  Interested candidates need to complete the online application process at www.bwpassociates.com.  This will be a "rolling search" with applications reviewed as they are submitted. Candidates are urged to respond as soon as possible but no later than January 4, 2016.  Application materials should include the following: a completed online Applicant Data Form; letter of interest; resume; a brief description of major professional accomplishments; College/University transcripts; four to six letters of recommendation; and evidence of eligibility to be a Superintendent in Illinois.  All of the required materials may be submitted online at www.bwpassociates.com. Application materials will be treated confidentially. Applicants are requested not to contact members of the Board of Education.  Each candidate will be informed of the Board's selection and appointment of the new Superintendent. The final selection and appointment is the sole responsibility of the Board of Education.
For additional information, please contact one of the BWP search consultants:  Dr. Mark Friedman at 847-975-8393, Dr. Anne Noland at 630-624-3336, or Dr. Debra Hill at 847-204-0462.

2015-2016 Moon Scholarship Program 
Are you a superintendent or an aspiring superintendent? Are you pursuing graduate study to become the best superintendent you can be? Do you know there are scholarships available through IASA to help offset the costs of your coursework?  Established in 1993 in memory of Dr. James V. Moon, a former superintendent at Morton High School District, the James V. and Dorothy B. Moon Scholarship program is committed to improving the education and qualifications of school administrators. Since its inception, 90 scholarships totaling nearly $196,000 have been awarded to current or aspiring superintendents.
 
Practicing school administrators in Illinois qualify if they are college graduates pursuing an advanced degree in educational administration at an accredited college or university. Several scholarships ($2,500 minimum each) are awarded each year and are paid directly to the college or university to cover tuition, fees and/or textbook expenses.  To obtain more information on the application and awards process, click here or contact Cherry Middleton, IASA Executive Secretary/Office Manager, at 217/753-2213 or email at cmiddleton@iasaedu.org. This year's application deadline is Friday, January 1, 2016.

Free Tutoring
Mark Smith mark.smith@tutorhunt.com a completely free service for both tutors and students to locate each other.  The website is at www.tutorhunt.com/.

The Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) is pleased to announce the newly redesigned Illinois Education Job Banks at https://www.illinoiseducationjobbank.org.
 
Job Banks At Illinois State Board of Education
The Illinois State Board of Education has two links to job bank sites, click here.    
 
ASCD Job Ramp: A Careers Site for Educators
Developed through a partnership between CareerBuilder and ASCD, the free ASCD Job Ramp website was developed to simplify the job hunt for educators of all professional levels. Access the jobs site day or night, weekend or weekday, to browse U.S. openings in education. And don't forget to take advantage of custom search options and personalized alerts. Browse openings in your area 
 
Collaborative Learning
 
 
 Grants / Awards
The Big List of Educational Grants and Resources
Get a roundup of educational grants, contests, awards, free toolkits, and classroom guides aimed at helping students, classrooms, schools, and communities. Check this page weekly to get the latest updates! www.edutopia.org/grants-and-resources

Campbell's Labels for Education
The Campbell's, Inc. Labels for Education Program gives schools free educational equipment in exchange for labels from Campbell products. Maximum award: varies. Eligibility: Schools or parents coordinate label drives to raise resources for schools. Deadline: N/A.
http://www.labelsforeducation.com/About/about-the-program.aspx
 
WAVELENGTH the Chicago-based, award-winning ensemble of actors and educators, offers an assortment of proven keynotes and workshops that use humor, laughter and improvisation to train, motivate and inspire educational professionals. New options include Uncommon Core Comedy, Those Who Laugh, Last,The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Educators, Faculty Lounge, Musical Staff, and The Sense™ of Humor. DVD training also available. For keynotes, workshops or DVDs, please call 877-LAUGHS2 or www.wavelengthinc.com. 
Research
Illinois Schools' Strengths, Weaknesses Exposed in Statewide Survey

A Policymaker's Guide: Research-Based Policy for Principal Preparation Program Approval and Licensure
This report explores state legislative code, rules and regulations, and State Board of Education documents for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. around state policies guiding the approval of leadership preparation programs and the licensure of educational leaders have received relatively limited attention. Just two states (4%) meet criteria for all five high leverage policies, Tennessee and Illinois. 

A majority of school districts have invested in additional resources, including hiring more staff, to support digital-learning initiatives, according to a survey by Learning Counsel. Data show 16% of the districts surveyed meet monthly to manage their digital curriculum. T.H.E. Journal

How Colleges Can Encourage More Women in STEM Fields
Colleges and universities can increase the number of women enrolling -- and succeeding -- in science, technology, engineering and math fields by focusing on closing the gender gap in engagement and class participation, according to new research. Leaders must address the "confidence gap" between male and female students by offering various ways for students to contribute to class discussions and projects, researchers say. eCampus News  

Almost every state has improved its grade in the annual National Council on Teacher Quality report on states' teacher policies since it began in 2007. Policies examined include teacher preparation, compensation, professional development, licensing and evaluation, and dismissal. The highest grade, a B+, went to Florida.T.H.E. Journal 

Report: Students read more nonfiction under Common Core
Students are reading more nonfiction texts under the Common Core State Standards, according to the 2016 "What Kids Are Reading" report, which examined the reading practices of 9.8 million students in the US in the 2014-15 school year. Findings, however, show that students are reading on average about 15 minutes per day, and the materials are not complex enough to prepare them for college-level work. T.H.E. Journal 

Study: Delaying Kindergarten Improves Academic Skills
The  Deseret (UT) News covers a study by Stanford Graduate School of Education professor Thomas Dee which suggests that delaying kindergarten by one year can improve learning because of the young learner's ability to focus longer. According to Dee, "The reading, writing and other academic skills are more easily learned when a child is able to better self-regulate, even if that happens at an older age." Dee added that, "This is some of the most convincing evidence we've seen to support what parents and policymakers have already been doing - choosing to delay kindergarten entry."

Researchers Examine Brain Networks of Children With ADHD
A study in the journal Biological Psychiatry showed children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder had weaker interactions among the salience network and two other brain networks involved in focus than those without ADHD. Researchers analyzed the functional MRI scans from 180 children with and without ADHD and found more severe attention problems among those with weaker brain connections. HealthDay News 
Publications
In How to Make Decisions with Different Kinds of Student Assessment Data, best-selling author Susan M. Brookhart helps teachers and administrators understand the critical elements and nuances of assessment data and how that information can best be used to inform improvement efforts in the school or district. Readers will learn
  • What different kinds of data can-and cannot-tell us about student learning;
  • What different analyses reveal about changes in student achievement;
  • How to interpret, use, and share relevant data.
How to Make Decisions with Different Kinds of Student Assessment Data includes easy-to-understand explanations, supplemented by examples and scenarios from actual schools, that offer a path to more effective use of data to improve teaching and learning.

This book, by Jackie Walsh and Beth Sattes, explains how questioning and discussion are important components of classroom instruction that work in tandem to push learning forward and move students from passive participants to active meaning-makers.
This book includes
  • Guidelines for developing powerful questions for discussion.
  • Concrete classroom examples of questioning and discussion techniques.
  • Tips to help you keep discussions focused and student thinking sustained.
Questioning for Classroom Discussion offers numerous strategies and tips to help you engage students in thoughtful and respectful discourse with their peers by focusing on the use of quality questioning techniques.

Sparking Student Creativity: Practical Ways to Promote Innovative Thinking and Problem Solving
In Sparking Student Creativity, author and researcher Patti Drapeau explores and explains research related to creativity and its relevance in today's standards-based, critical thinking-focused classroom. No matter what grade levels or content areas you teach, this book will help you to produce creative lesson components that directly address critical content, target specific standards, and require thoughtful products from students as they grow into independent learners and become successful adults. Read a sample chapter.
Internet Sources
SuperKids
Are your students reading as well as they should be? We can help. Learn about The Superkids, the strongest K-2 reading program in America. Read teachers' raves, see results-and improve reading scores at your school. Contact Susan Quarino at sue.quarino@rowlandreading.org or click here for more details, www.superkidsreading.org.


Website Offers Free Hands-on Science Activities
The Exploratorium, in San Francisco, has launched "Science Snacks," an online library of free hands-on science activities for students in grades 6-12. Each "snack" is designed to be built with inexpensive, common materials. Activities come with instructions, suggestions and explanation of scientific theory employ.

This blog post includes a summary of the top tech tips from 2015. They include tips to help determine how much students are grasping in a one-to-one classroom, ways in which to use Google Tone, and pointers to help create how-to videos in the classroom. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education

Education leaders can use eight best practices to shape their use of social media, suggest principal Michael Roe and Superintendent Luvelle Brown. Practices include keeping parents, students and others in the loop about social media polices and using social media to enhance instruction. District Administration magazine

RESOURCES:

Visit the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Accelerated Model Course Pathways - a resource that offers guidance to schools and districts seeking to organize NGSS performance expectations into a compressed time frame.

ACT Releases 2015 STEM Report
The Condition of STEM 2015 is now available on the ACT website. This is the third edition of our annual Condition of STEM report series.

The English Learner Toolkit is a companion to the English Learner Guidance released by the Departments of Education and Justice in January 2015, consisting of 10 chapters, each chapter aligned to one of 10 sections of the guidance.  Included within the toolkit are tools and resources for identifying students as English Learners (ELs), delivering high-quality EL programs, evaluating the effectiveness of EL programs, preventing unnecessary segregation, providing qualified staff, ensuring access to school programs and activities (including disability-related services), exiting students from EL programs at the appropriate time, monitoring students' progress, and supporting EL parents.  The free toolkit can be easily downloaded and printed online (blog post).

A new online community, called Playbook, is providing teachers a place to share best practices and learn about classroom strategies used by other educators. The community, provided by Panorama Education, also includes a student-feedback loop to assess effectiveness of the lessons. Xconomy

Website Offers Open Education Resources, Online Community for Educators
Educators have a new way to access Open Education Resources. Curriki.org
offers free, vetted learning materials, plus a professional network (called Curriki Groups) where educators can collaborate and exchange ideas. 

Website Offers Free Instructional Resources for K-12 Teachers
Educade, from GameDesk, is an online library of free K-12 instructional resources, including lesson plans, applications, games and hands-on activities. Teachers can search for resources by grade level, subject matter and technology type. Users must register in order to access the library.

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) is an online teaching and learning resource from federal agencies. Topics that enhance the academic growth of all children can be found at http://free.ed.gov/, the FREE homepage.   

Social media can be a powerful learning tool for educators, asserts Steven Anderson, a former teacher and technology director. He spoke recently at the TCEA 2015 conference, where he offered seven tips to help teachers use Twitter more effectively. EdTech magazine online 

Google+ and Twitter offer teachers an opportunity to build their professional learning networks, according to Thomas Murray, a director at the Alliance For Excellent Education, and Steven Anderson, a former director of instructional technology in North Carolina. In this article, they share eight ways that teachers can make the most of social networks, including how to use hashtags effectively. eSchool News 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources presents:  
Standards-based Lesson Plans
The IDNR offers lessons developed with Illinois Learning Standards as their foundation. You can download them at http://dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/Kits.htm or http://dnr.state.il.us/education/standards.htm. You'll find several topics to choose from for a variety of grade levels.

Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois districts are piloting state-developed model math units to help students master concepts at each grade level as schools implement internationally-benchmarked learning standards that emphasize depth of knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The nationally-recognized units are the first of their kind, developed by a statewide team of educators...  Check out the models 

Resource: Mathematics Guides
Newly created Informational Guides to the Summative Assessments in Mathematics provide information about the design and structure of the PARCC mathematics assessments for each grade/course. These guides were created to assist educators in understanding the mathematics content, inform instruction, and provide information about the mathematics test administration policies. The guides were developed by the PARCC Mathematics Operational Working Group, a group of PARCC state content and assessment specialists who work together to make PARCC mathematics policy decisions and ensure the quality of the assessments.

Lesson Plans to Teach Students About Data Breaches, Online Privacy
Cyberattacks and data breaches at some major retailers and government websites have been big news. This blog post offers tips and lesson plans to help educators teach students about topics including cybersecurity, online safety, privacy and digital citizenship. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/The Learning Network blog

Digital-learning specialists Anna Adam and Helen Mowers offer a roundup of free resources to introduce students to coding. "Graduates with programming skills are in high demand, and it's clear those numbers will only increase," they write. Edutopia.org/Coding in the Classroom blog
 
PARCC/Common Core Resources

PARCC Unbundles Testing System
States now can purchase test questions from the system developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, according to a recent announcement by the group. The new tiered system includes several customization options. The move seeks to provide "different tiers of participation and opportunities for customization," said Laura Slover, PARCC's chief executive officer. T.H.E. Journal, Education Week

Check out the Student Achievement Partners' Coherence Map. Their interactive website illustrates the connections between Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

Webinar: Sarah Martino and Kathy Brown Present:  Kindergarten and the Common Core: It's as Easy as ABC!  
Kindergarten teachers everywhere are currently stressed about meeting the new rigorous common core standards. How can we possibly teach with such high expectations and maintain developmentally appropriate environments? Don't let these demands defeat you. Join us as we unfold how to create a magical common core aligned kindergarten.  Webinar registration link https://vimeo.com/84910703 

We have gathered a list of our favorite PARCC resources for educators. Each resource is paired with a brief description to ensure that educators can quickly locate important information about PARCC.

PARCC Illinois Resources
The Illinois State Board of Education created a helpful resource for teachers and parents outlining the top 10 things teachers need to know about the new Illinois assessments. 

The National Association of Elementary School Teachers has created "Implementing the Common Core Standards: The Role of the Elementary School Leader Action Brief," a guide outlining best practices for transitioning to the Common Core. Click  here to read the guide.

Blended Learning Resources

10 Tips to Help Schools Share Blended-learning Efforts
Communications planning may not top school leaders' to-do lists when implementing a blended-learning initiative, but it should be a cornerstone of the process, writes Kira Keane, a communications and public affairs specialist. Keane offers a step-by-step communications process to help school leaders share blended-learning goals. EdSurge

There are many ways that teachers are using blended learning experiences in their classrooms, but these hybrid experiences don't need to begin and end with students. In the spirit of Connected Educator Month, ASCD author William Kist shares many different blended experiences that can enrich educator PD in this Inservice blog post. When you use these yourself, you'll also be discovering the best ways to take advantage of these kinds of opportunities with your students.

Blended learning can be messy, but it's a hallmark of modern learning, history teacher Bill Tolley writes in this commentary. He offers tips to help schools get started, with an emphasis on three essential components -- online delivery, student control and the brick-and-mortar experience. Education Week Teacher 

Educators now have a framework by which to determine their online and blended-learning competencies. The framework, which includes a list of competencies and effective practices, was developed by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning and nonprofit Learning Accelerator. T.H.E. Journal  

ASCD RESOURCES:

ASCD Resources on Assessment
ASCD Resources for Blended Learning
ASCD Resources on Common Core
ASCD Resources on Data  
ASCD Resources for Educational Leadership
ASCD's PD In Focus platform gives you and your colleagues online access to ASCD's extensive library of videos demonstrating effective teaching practices. Each video clip is designed to be used with additional provided resources in group learning.
The premier collaborative, on-demand professional development system for professional learning communities, schools, districts, and states, PD In Focus has the features you need to integrate video into your PD, including
  • Hundreds of hours of classroom examples that bring successful teaching to life
  • Group discussion boards.
  • Search by topic, grade level, subject area, classroom type, pedagogy, and more.
  • Ability to suggest assignments and monitor learning activity.
Your free 14-day trial includes access to all channels and topics. Explore the potential of PD In Focus to create powerful, ongoing professional development that is differentiated to all kinds of users and groups. Learn more about PD In Focus and start your free trial today!

ASCD -- There's An App For That
The free ASCD application for iPad brings valuable professional development content to educators everywhere. The app enables you to read ASCD e-books and, if you're an ASCD member, access issues of our flagship publication, Educational Leadership. Members will also be able to access ASCD newsletters, including Education Update and Policy Priorities. Download the app. 

Browse EL, Our Blog, and Many Other Educator Resources on ASCD's Mobile Site
Whether you'd like to access an archived Educational Leadership article for today's faculty meeting or just want to read the latest education policy post in our Inservice blog, use ASCD's mobile site as your one-stop-shop for resources. Simply go to www.ascd.org on your mobile device to access the site and explore the wealth of resources we've opened to you. Visit our mobile site now  

Follow us on Twitter ASCD has five Twitter channels, each intended to connect you with different aspects of our work and the latest developments in our field. Stay current on education news, policy developments and general education discussion by following @ASCD our main channel. Don't forget to take advantage of additional opportunities to connect with ASCD experts in real time.  Engage ASCD blogger Laura Varias @ASCD_Inservice, join the Whold Child team for important updates @WholeChildAdv, get the latest ASCD resources from @ascdmember and follow the Educational Leadership team @Ed_Leadership.Connect with all five channels   
ASCD curates six boards that are home to pins on topics ranging from professional development to a whole child approach to education. 
logo
This electronic publication is sent to you every other Wednesday. This is a benefit brought to you as part of your membership in Illinois ASCD. We hope you will share with other educators. "Education Briefs is an electronic publication of Illinois ASCD and not a publication of ASCD and the views expressed or implied should not be construed as official positions of Illinois ASCD nor ASCD."

Sincerely,
Illinois ASCD