Black History timeline from Biography: This interactive timeline from Biography follows African American history in the United States from 1619 to the present, featuring fast facts, quizzes, and discussion starters. Biography also hosts a larger collection of black history resources, including study guides, videos, and games.
Celebrate African American Heritage with Scholastic: This rich collection of teaching resources covers a lot of ground, including The Civil Rights Movement, African American contributions to the arts, and slavery in America. Each topic is covered with lesson plans, multimedia, and reading lists.

Tips to Celebrate Career and Technical Education Month

February is Career and Technical Education Month, a time to show off all that CTE has to offer, Jennifer Koon, a 2015 Region IV Career Guidance Award winner, writes in this blog post. She suggests several ways to celebrate the month, such as inviting professionals to speak to students. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education

Coming Soon! Don't Miss Out!

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 and 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. Register Here.
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. Register Here.

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.

Archived issues of ILASCD Education Briefs are now available.

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.

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

ASCD Legislative Agenda Calls for Coherent System to Support the Whole Learner

ASCD has released its 2016 Legislative Agenda, calling on policymakers and stakeholders to align educational programs and create a coherent system to support and develop the whole learner, from early childhood to graduation. The agenda, developed by ASCD's legislative committee -- a diverse cross section of ASCD members from the entire spectrum of K-12 education -- includes specific recommendations divided into three key areas: conditions for learning, whole child accountability and educator leadership and support.

Celebrating ASCD Affiliates: Creating Value for ASCD on the Ground

This February is ASCD's inaugural Affiliate Appreciation Month, and in this Inservice blog post, senior director of constituent services Walter McKenzie shares success stories from some of ASCD's 54 affiliate organizations across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and East Asia. He shares some of the great programs ASCD affiliates run and explains that his favorite part of working with affiliates is how they push the envelope to innovate and create new value for educators where they live and work.

One Kid At a Time

"Here's to the kids who teach us so much and to the educators who learn from them every day," writes ASCD executive director and CEO Deb Delisle in this Education Update column. She shares that, throughout her career, she has had the fortune of collaborating with colleagues fueled by a desire to help all students, and that one of the important things she's learned is that the strong bonds forged between students and a caring educator can mean the difference between hope and despair.

2016 ASCD Annual Conference Registration and General Session Speakers Announced

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.

Leading for Differentiation: Workshop with Carol Ann Tomlinson and Michael Murphy

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.

Cambridge 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.

Global Policy Recommendations Focus on Reduced Testing Reliance, Whole Child Support

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.

A Lexicon of Educating the Whole Child (and preparing the whole adult)

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.

Whole Child Snapshots

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:

Whole Child Senate Resolution SR 0545

Whole Child House Resolution HR 0781

Illinois Education News

Primary Election March 15

Early Voting Schedule

Grace Period Registration and Voting - February 17 through March 15, 2016
Early Voting - February 4 through March 14, 2016

Please also contact your local election authority for early voting hours and locations.

State of Illinois 2017 Budget Roadmap

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Bi-iePG1O6N2FHWTZYSHUydHM/view?pref=2&pli=1

Madigan to Convene Hearings on Education Funding
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has announced that he will convene public hearings on the state's education funding formula. A bipartisan education funding task force will hold its first hearing February 16 in Springfield.

Illinois Governor Takes Steps Toward Chicago Schools Takeover Despite Lack Of Legislation
The Chicago Tribune reports that Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) has "directed his State Board of Education to begin a financial review of Chicago Public Schools and start a search for a new superintendent, even though legislation he wants to authorize a state takeover is dead on arrival in the Democrat-controlled legislature." The Tribune portrays Rauner's actions as part of a struggle with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Democrats in the legislature over a state budget impasse.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Rauner says "he's preparing for a state takeover of Chicago Public Schools and has told state Board of Education members to start looking for an interim superintendent for the city's cash strapped school district." The Sun-Times notes that the move came on the heels of the Chicago Teachers Union's rejection of a contract bid from the district, and quotes Rauner saying, "The state's going to be ready to step in and take action...I believe a state takeover is appropriate." WMAQ-TV Chicago (2/2) also covers this story online.

ISBE Illinois Science Assessment Update Illinois will administer an online science assessment to students in grades 5, 8 and once in high school using an open-source technology platform known as TAO. The high school assessment will be course-based and aligned to the content of Biology I. The testing window will be open throughout May, and we will try to open the window earlier in April, if possible, in order to provide additional flexibility to schools. We have an item-sharing agreement with the Office of the State Superintendent in District of Columbia, and we will be working in partnership with D.C. as we build our NGSS-aligned assessment. We are currently in the process of finalizing the forms for this upcoming spring, and we anticipate providing additional details about the assessment in early February. The high school courses mapped to the Illinois Science Assessment are listed below:

Visit ISBE's Assessment page

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

ASCD Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy

Richard Lange, ILASCD Advocacy, reports: Winter Storm Jonas caused the cancellation of this year's Leadership Institute for Legislative Advocacy (LILA). ASCD sent us the conference materials to make us aware of several opportunities to receive much of the policy and advocacy information that would have been provided during the sessions.

To that end, you will find the following materials attached:

Extending the Promise of #SchoolChoice
The last week of Jan marks the 5th annual National School Choice Week, a time for students, parents, teachers, local leaders, and policymakers to celebrate how school choice is paving the way toward a brighter future for millions of students. The numbers speak for themselves:

100,000 students graduate from home schools each year.
1,000,000 students participate in private school choice programs.
3,000,000 students attend public charter schools.
95 percent of magnet schools close the achievement gap.
69 percent of Americans support school choice programs.
25 straight years of increasing enrollment in school choice programs.

By empowering parents with alternative educational options, school choice is playing a vital role in helping children escape underperforming schools and access a quality education. And states and local communities remain at the forefront of this effort:

To support these efforts and further extend the promise of school choice to students and families, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act. The new law includes several important reforms that:

Strengthen charter schools and magnet schools, supporting the expansion and replication of high-quality, innovative schools.

Protect private schools from federal interference, as well as ensure low-income private school students continue to receive their share of federal services.

Support dual-enrollment programs, giving parents the option to enroll their children in college-level classes as they work toward their high school diploma.

Launch a pilot program that allows funds to follow students to the school he or she attends, encouraging excellent schools to enroll harder to serve students.

Obama Proposes $4 Billion For Computer Science Education
The Washington Post reports Obama is seeking $4 billion for the program as part of his budget proposal and, if approved by Congress, the funds "would be doled out over a period of three years to any state that applies for the funds and has a well-designed plan to expand access to computer science courses, especially for girls and minorities." The White House is also asking for another $100 million for a "competitive grant program for school districts with ambitious plans to reach more students, especially those who have been underrepresented in computer science classes."

New Testing Guidelines
Acting Secretary King announced new guidance to help states identify and eliminate low-quality, redundant, and unhelpful student testing. The guidance outlines how federal funding may be used to help reduce testing in schools, while still ensuring that educators and parents have the information they need on students' progress to improve learning. It also shines a light on innovative work already happening in states and districts to use high-quality, useful, and well-constructed tests and eliminate redundant and burdensome assessments. The Acting Secretary talked about the guidance in a video. The guidance builds on the President's Testing Action Plan, explaining that tests must be worth taking and of high quality, enhance teaching and learning, and give a well-rounded picture of how students and schools are doing.

The Department's ESSA web page -- all resources have been moved onto a subpage -- and questions may be directed to ESSA.questions@ed.gov

College Board to Offer Summer SAT
Students beginning in 2017 will have the option of taking the SAT during late August, the College Board has announced. Some say the change will help students focus on the exam before the regular school year gets underway. The summer testing time will replace the January exam date. The Atlantic online

11 States Create, Consider State-run Districts in 2015

Eleven states have created state-run school districts or have considered doing so in the past year, according to the Education Commission of the States. The state-run district model -- which has drawn criticism from some -- often aims to usher in aggressive changes. The Washington Post

Obama Nominates King To Become Tenth Secretary Of Education
The Washington Post reports President Obama nominated Acting Education Secretary John B. King to officially fill the position he has held since the start of the year. White House officials said prior to the announcement that Obama "was encouraged by the bipartisan support King has received in Congress." Senate education panel Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) "said he assured the president that he would work to see King through the nominating process, and that King would likely get GOP support." Yet, Republican congressional leaders "said they want King...to undergo the vetting process." The article profiles King, highlighting his work to quell "growing pushback" against Common Core standards in NY state.

Legislation Would Expand Access to Summer Meals

The US Senate agriculture committee has voted to advance the Hunger Free Summer for Kids Act. The legislation seeks to expand access to summer-meal programs and grab-and-go options.Portsmouth Daily Times

ASCD Educator Advocates: www.educatoradvocates.org

ASCD Legislative Agenda: www.ascd.org/legislativeagenda

ASCD Policy Points: www.ascd.org/publicpolicy

Follow news from ED at Homeroom, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Education.

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, 2 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.

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.

35th Annual IL ASCD Statewide Conference for PreK-Kindergarten Educators, Mar 2 - 4, 2016, Renaissance Hotel, Schaumburg, IL

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. Register Here.

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. Register 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.

Performance-Based Assessment in the Classroom, Jay McTighe, Mar 17, 2016, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Bobak's Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Dr.,Woodridge, IL

Design authentic performance tasks to promote meaningful learning and measure what matters most! Curriculum-embedded performance tasks are intended to engage students in applying their knowledge and skills in authentic and relevant contexts. Authentic tasks can serve as both rich learning activities and assessments of understanding and transfer. In this workshop, we'll apply practical and proven tools and templates for designing authentic tasks and associated rubrics aligned to core standards and 21st century skills. Participants will:

describe the "big picture" of how performance assessments fit into a standards-based system;
use a planning framework for selecting assessment methods for your classroom, school or district;
apply a variety of practical tools and templates for designing more authentic tasks for your classroom, school or district;
review the use of criterion-based scoring tools (rubrics, performance lists) for evaluating and enhancing the quality of student products and performances;
identify print and online resources to support the expanded use of performance-based assessments.

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.

NEW DATE-Transitioning Students to Appropriate Assessments in Math in the CCSS/PARCC World, Anita Reid, Apr 6, 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.

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.

Assessment 201 with Steve Oertle, April 13, 2016, NIU Naperville Campus, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Attendees will collaboratively review, evaluate and revise their own standard-aligned classroom assessments. A 30-minute overview of the components of high quality local assessments will allow the remainder of the training to lead participants through analyzing and revising the assessments they bring. The workshop will address paper/pencil assessments, rubric creation, performance tasks and incorporation of student learning objectives (SLOs). Feedback will be modeled and a large part of the process. Attendees will potentially leave the workshop with their classroom assessments reviewed, revised and at least partially completed. Bring materials or laptop with an electronic version. Registration includes, parking, breakfast, lunch, and 6 professional development hours.

Click here for flyer and registration.

An Evaluator's Guide to the SLO Process for Monitoring Student Growth, Jennie Winters (Administrator Academy Course #1679), Apr 21, 2016, SIU Carbondale, IL, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
This Academy will guide administrators in understanding their role in the SLO (Student Learning Objective) Process. Evaluators will understand the components of an SLO. They will evaluate the rigor of the SLO by examining the standards that are chosen and the assessment resources that will be utilized. They will learn strategies to facilitate development of SLOs and Type III assessments, as well as to monitor the SLO process. Jennie Winters will explain the variety of types of assessments that can be used in a Balanced Assessment System, with a focus on Type III assessments for the purpose of evaluation. Registration includes parking, breakfast, lunch and 6 professional develpment hours. Register here.

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.

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.

NCCE 2016, Feb 24 - 26, Seattle, WA

Join us for NCCE 2016, the 45th Annual Conference and Exposition held in Seattle, Washington, at the Washington State Convention Center, February 24-26, 2016. NCCE's conference and expo brings educators of all types and grade levels together to share discoveries and develop solutions for their greatest challenges-all while connecting to a global network of education resources. NCCE 2016 is expecting over 1800 attendees and more than 130 exhibiting companies. Learn More and Register Today

NEW-13th Annual Illinois Latino Law Forum, March 5, 2016, DePaul University College of Law, 25 E Jackson, Chicago, IL

Junior high, high school and college students come together once a year to participate in this unique program. It includes an introduction to the study of law from the perspective of fellow Latinos, the opportunity to meet prominent Latino lawyers and judges from Illinois, and discussions with Latino high school, college and law students committed to promoting diversity in the field of law. Registration required. More details soon. Contact Jessica Rodriguez or Elizabeth Rutiaga at llsa.depaul@gmail.com

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

Most Schools Are Not Required to Test Water Supply

Michigan state lawmakers -- in the wake of the water crisis in Flint -- are proposing legislation that would mandate annual water testing in schools. Most schools are not required to conduct such testing. The Lansing State Journal

National Movement Pushing For States To Protect High School Student Journalists From Censorship
The AP reports the "New Voices" campaign is pushing for legislation across the US to protect high school students' right to free speech. Last year, North Dakota passed a law promoted by New Voices that "guarantees student journalists the right to exercise free speech in school-sponsored media, regardless of whether it's for a class or the school supports it financially." Four states have introduced similar legislation already, and New Voices is promoting the introduction of similar bills in other states. The article relates the story of Matthew Smith, the campaign's coordinator in Wisconsin, who faced attempted censorship as a student journalist in high school when he tried to publish an article about sexual assault.

Chicago Teachers Reject CPS Contract Offer
The Chicago Tribune reports the Chicago Teachers Union has rejected CPS's offer of a four-year contract, citing concerns about "the cash-strapped district's ability to enforce the deal." The Tribune quotes CTU President Karen Lewis saying, "The real problem is the lack of trust in CPS." Lewis expressed enthusiasm about parts of the contract, the Tribune reports, saying that contract talks "will move into a final fact-finding stage that must proceed a potential strike."

The Chicago Sun-Times reports the union cited "a lack of trust and concerns about long-term school funding." Lewis said union negotiators were "concerned that CPS hasn't come up with a way to provide long-term financial stability for the cash-strapped district." CPS CEO Forrest Claypool expressed disappointment in the move. WLS-TV Chicago (2/2) and Reuters (2/2, Wisniewski) also cover this story.

WHO: Education Sector Has Role to Play in Curbing Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a global challenge that must be addressed with help from the education sector, assert Dr. Sania Nishtar and Sir Peter Gluckman, leaders of the World Health Organization's Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. However, they write in this commentary that there is no "magic bullet" to solving this global crisis. Newsweek

US, EU Agree to Data-transfer Deal
US and EU representatives have reached an agreement to head off European restriction of data flow from Europe to the US. The Privacy Shield agreement requires US companies to comply with stronger protection for Europeans' personal data, according to the European Commission. The framework also improves enforcement and monitoring of privacy protection by US agencies, the commission says. Reuters, The Hill ,Deutsche Welle (Germany)/Deutsche Presse-Agentur/Agence France-Presse

More Teachers Use Videoconferencing to Connect Their Classrooms
Using videoconferences to connect students to other classrooms around the world is one of the top trends in K-12 education, panelists said at the recent Texas Computer Education Association 2016 Convention and Expo. "It has allowed teachers to transform their learning environments and go beyond their four walls," said Rachelle Wooten, a digital-learning specialist from Houston. EdTech magazine online

The 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 so�tware 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

Educator Offers 10 Strategies for Writing Instruction
Teaching students how to write can transform their academic -- and personal -- lives by helping them gain confidence in their abilities and critical-thinking skills, educator and author Regie Routman writes. In this article, she shares 10 teaching strategies to improve students' writing, such as providing an audience, demonstrating the writing process in class and sharing personal struggles with writing. MiddleWeb

Platform Aims to Help Nonverbal Students Build Communication, Vocabulary Skills

SuperSpeak, an augmented and alternative communications tool, is designed to help nonverbal students develop vocabulary and communication skills. Students learn vocabulary by playing games that use photos and sounds from their environment. They can also practice forming sentences through the tool's visual interface.

Why School Curriculum, IT Leaders Should Work Together
School leaders should help bridge the gap between curriculum and IT, suggests Mike Patterson, a K-12 education strategist for CDW*G. This commentary outlines steps leaders can take to achieve this, including not classifying programs as "technology initiatives" or "curriculum initiatives," but rather instead as "learning initiatives." EdTech magazine online

College Board to Administer Redesigned SAT in March
Students will take a redesigned version of the SAT beginning in March. In this commentary, Flynn Ross, an associate professor of education, highlights some of the upcoming changes, including a return to the 1,600-point scoring system and an optional essay. The Conversation (U.S.)

Amazon Creates Website, Campaign to Improve Math Education
Amazon has announced the launch of a new website -- www.withmathican.org -- that will include free resources for educators. The effort seeks to change the way students think about math. Instead of saying they are not good at the subject, company officials are hoping students develop a growth mindset and focus on the learning process. The Seattle Times

What Recent GED Changes Reveal About Assessment Trends

The bar to earn a GED has been lowered in response to a drop in the number of those passing the exam after it was aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Some say this change reveals an assessment trend in which a high-school diploma -- or GED -- does not always equal college and career readiness. U.S. News & World Report

3 Benefits of Using Grades Less

In this Inservice blog post, science teacher Jasper Fox, Sr., shares ways that using numerical grades less, and instead giving timely and descriptive written feedback and allowing chances for reiteration with the material, can provide students with meaningful opportunities to truly learn. He has found that this approach promotes self-awareness in students, provides opportunities to build understanding, and establishes positive school/student relationships.

Your Guide to Finding and Using PARCC Test Items
Did you know that parents and teachers can view PARCC test items from last year's test? Almost 850 of the test questions are online in the Partnership Resource Center. This guide is designed to help you easily navigate the many test questions and related materials, including sample student responses to open-ended test questions, such as writing tasks, that received high scores and lower scores. The student responses also include annotations that give parents, teachers and students specific guidance on how student work is scored.

ISBE Test and Assessment Home

Many PARCC resources have been moved to the end of this newsletter under RESOURCES.

Elementary 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

Vacancy-Creve Coeur SD 76 Superintendent Position
Click here to download or view the Announcement of Vacancy. Applications are only accepted online by noon, Mar 3, 2016. Please click here to apply. For further information, please visit the IASB website.

Vacancy-Lyons Elem SD 103 Superintendent Position
Click here to download or view the Announcement of Vacancy. Applications are only accepted online by noon on Mar 4, 2016. Please click here to apply. For further information, please visit the IASB website.

Vacancy-Principal, Hubbard Woods School, K-4, Winnetka School District 36, Winnetka, IL

Description: Winnetka School District 36 seeks a principal for the Hubbard Woods School beginning July 1, 2016 or earlier. Hubbard Woods School is a K-4 facility with a student population of approximately 250. This is a twelve-month position with a highly competitive salary and benefit package.

Winnetka School District 36 is a prestigious school district located in the highly desirable North Shore area of suburban Chicago. It has been acknowledged for its focus on the "whole child" as well as for an extensive offering of programs and extracurricular activities for its student population. District 36 nurtures a unique environment known for its intimacy, small class size, personal attention, progressive educational philosophy and family-like atmosphere. Students matriculating from the Winnetka schools attend the highly regarded New Trier High School. This exciting and unique opportunity will afford the career-minded professional a chance to work with a collegial administrative team, and as a part of a collaborative leadership model. The new principal will have the opportunity to undertake numerous experiences in all phases of school and district leadership. It is therefore anticipated and expected that this will be a highly competitive search. The ideal candidate will have a strong record of accomplishment as an effective instructional leader, outstanding communication skills, a collaborative philosophy and the ability to involve all stakeholders in the continuing process of positive growth and change. Experience and knowledge of developmental and research based instructional practices for grades K-4 is desired.

Application Procedure: This will be a "Rolling Search" with applications being screened as they are submitted, beginning February 10, 2016. It is anticipated that formal interviews will be conducted in mid to late March 2016. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible but no later than March 12, 2016. To complete an online Applicant Data Form and electronically submit a resume, letter of interest, three up-to-date letters of reference, proof of appropriate licensure and copies of transcripts, please go to www.bwpassociates.com.

For additional information, please contact one of the BWP & Associates' search consultants: Dr. Mark Friedman at 847-975-8393 or Dr. Joe Porto at 847-533-3587.

US Dept of Education Summer Internships

The Department is accepting applications for summer 2016 internships through March 15. Interns will have an opportunity to learn about federal education policy while developing a variety of other skills, including communication, researching, and writing. They will also participate in group events, such as lunches with senior agency officials, local tours, and movie nights.

Library of Congress Summer Programs K-12 Educators

The Library of Congress is accepting applications for its week-long summer programs for K-12 educators through February 29. Held at the Library, the professional development provides educators with tools and resources to effectively integrate primary sources into classroom teaching -- with a strong emphasis on student engagement, critical thinking, and construction of knowledge.

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, Inc,

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

Businessman Introduces $100M Scholarship Program for Science
New York Daily News owner and publisher Mortimer Zuckerman has established a $100 million scholarship fund dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math. The STEM Leadership Program will give America's graduate students and postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to conduct science-focused research at one of four schools in Israel. "This would be a collaboration of thought and discovery," said Zuckerman. The Wall Street Journal

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

Report: Center of Digital Learning Shifts from States to Schools, Districts

Individual schools and districts are taking an increasingly active role in digital learning, rather than relying on statewide efforts, according to a report from Evergreen Education Group. More affordable options and greater expertise among teachers and others has made it easier for schools to become the center of digital-learning efforts, the report finds. District Administration Magazine

Report Reveals Narrowing Achievement Gap for Some Minorities

The achievement gap among some ethnic minority groups in Britain is narrowing, according to a report by the Social Market Foundation's Commission on Inequality in Education. Data show improvement among Chinese, Indian, Black African and Bangladeshi students. The Conversation (U.K.)

Study Examines Medical Treatment for Teens with Depression

A study in JAMA Pediatrics showed 36% of teens with depression didn't receive any treatment, while 68% didn't get a follow-up symptom evaluation with a specialist and 19% failed to receive any follow-up care within the first three months after the initial diagnosis. The findings, based on almost 4,600 teens with an average age of 16, revealed that 79% of teens diagnosed with major depression began treatment within three months. Reuters

Report Reveals More Inclusion in Schools
More than 6 in 10 students with disabilities spent at least 80% of the school day in mainstream classrooms in 2013 -- up from about 50% in 2004, according to a report from the US Department of Education. Data show about 95% of students with disabilities spent at least some portion of the day in mainstream classrooms during 2013. Disability Scoop

Report: How Technological Trends Will Transform Higher Education

Education and technology experts predict that blended learning and redesigned learning spaces are among the top trends higher education will experience over the next five years, according to the annual Horizon Report. As the changes occur, the experts say institutions will have to become more innovative and explore different ways to deliver learning experiences. eCampus News

Publications

Leading With Focus

In Leading with Focus: Elevating the Essentials for School and District Improvement, best-selling ASCD author Mike Schmoker builds on the three core elements described in his 2011 book Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning to show administrators, principals, and other education leaders how to apply his model to the work of running schools and districts. The three core elements are: a focused and coherent curriculum; clear, structured lessons; and purposeful reading and writing, or authentic literacy. In this new book, Schmoker offers

An overview of the case for simple, focused school and district leadership.
Examples of real schools and districts that have embraced focused leadership.
A practical, flexible, and easy-to-follow implementation guide.

>> Read the Introduction and Chapter 1 for free.

All students deserve to learn in schools where educators eschew distractions and superfluous activities to concentrate on what's most important. To that end, Leading with Focus is an essential resource for leaders ready to streamline their practice and focus their efforts on radically improving student learning.

Questioning for Classroom Discussion: Purposeful Speaking, Engaged Listening, Deep Thinking

What type of questioning invigorates and sustains productive discussions? That's what Jackie Acree Walsh and Beth Dankert Sattes ask in their book, "Questioning for Classroom Discussion: Purposeful Speaking, Engaged Listening, Deep Thinking," a passionate exploration of questioning as the beating heart of thoughtful discussions. Walsh and Sattes argue that the skills students develop through questioning and discussion are critical to academic achievement, career success, and active citizenship in a democratic society.

Igniting Teacher Leadership

In the new ASCD Arias short-form book Igniting Teacher Leadership: How do I empower my teachers to lead and learn?, William Sterrett explains how effective leadership leads to better teachers, who in turn design more powerful learning experiences, empower students, and create better schools. Sterrett offers strategies and examples for fostering teacher leadership, facilitating professional learning, and promoting "growing habits" to help translate key points into practical action steps.

>> See the table of contents and read free excerpts.

This ASCD Arias short-form book is designed to be read in one sitting with tips and techniques that can be immediately put into practice. ASCD Arias are available in print and e-book version.

Improve School Culture in the New Year

In "School Culture Rewired: How to Define, Assess, and Transform It," education experts Steve Gruenert and Todd Whitaker draw from their research on organizational cultures and school leadership to provide tools, strategies and advice for defining, assessing and transforming a school's culture. The authors share a framework for shaping a new school culture and instructions for creating and implementing a "school culture rewiring team." Gruenert and Whitaker also offer tips for recruiting and retaining teachers who want to improve their school's culture and provide "culture-busting" strategies that will help teachers develop better attitudes, outlooks and behaviors.

Internet Sources

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.

Free Webinar: Using Discussion to Inspire Writing

Join Terry Roberts, director of the National Paideia Center and co-author of The Better Writing Breakthrough, for a discussion of how to use formal classroom discussion to inspire student writing that is more clear, coherent and sophisticated. In particular, Roberts will show you how to use Socratic Seminar Dialogue to help students generate both new ideas and language with which to express those ideas in their writing. Register now for this Feb. 25th webinar. Register here.

How to Engage, Educate with Virtual Field Trips
Virtual field trips can be a fun educational alternative to traditional field trips, Discovery Education's Kyle Schutt suggests. In this commentary, he shares five tips to help educators make the most of virtual field trips and notes that, in his experience, event-based virtual trips are most effective. eSchool News

How to Use Blogs, Social Media to Engage Parents

Blogs and social media are great ways to engage parents and keep them informed, according to Jessica Cabeen, the principal at Woodson Kindergarten Center in Austin, Minn. In this blog post, she writes about how educators embed video and also link blog posts to social media pages. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education

Platform Offers Open Education Resources to Colleges, Universities
A new platform called panOpen offers Open Education Resources to colleges and universities. Faculty can choose from a library of peer-reviewed content on multiple subjects. The platform is designed to integrate with the school's existing learning management system.

Online Library Features Nonfiction Content for Science, Social Studies

Kids Discover Online is a Web library featuring nonfiction reading material in science and social studies for students in elementary and middle school. Teachers can search for content by subject and unit. Content is available in three Lexile reading levels.

SmartBrief Celebrates Education Bloggers: Meet the Winners
SmartBlog on Education's monthly content award recognizes content written by educators, for educators, that inspires readers to engage, innovate and discuss. Visit SmartBlogs to read about -- and be inspired by -- the winners.

National Geographic Learning offers CTE resources

National Geographic Learning is now offering print and digital resources for career and technical education. The resources include interactive features as well as tools for personalized learning and assessment. A catalog of offerings is available online.

Why Teachers Need to Make Themselves a Priority

Winter break afforded the opportunity for reflection on life balance, writes middle-school educator and teacher-leader Crystal Morey. In this blog post, she explores her decision to focus more on her physical, mental and emotional health and invites peers to share their own efforts with a hashtag.

Teaching Channel

How to Write a Powerful Education Tweet

In this commentary, Thomas Murray, digital-learning director for the Alliance for Excellent Education, shares several tips for writing education tweets. "Great tweets are relevant, usable, and/or thought-provoking for the viewer, thus it's imperative for educators to connect with others with similar passions and interests," he writes. eSchool News

Teacher shares lessons to connect math to everyday life

Third-grade teacher Meghan Everette in this blog post highlights two projects -- pixel art and tiny-house construction -- for connecting math lessons to students' everyday lives. "We know that showing students how classwork applies to their everyday world is key to making connections from abstract to concrete, as well as fostering understanding," she writes. Scholastic.com

RESOURCES:

FAFSA Available Online Jan. 1

To make sure that students do not leave money on the table, the Department has prepared a number of blog posts:

Also, Acting Secretary King recorded a video encouraging students to complete the FAFSA.Visit StudentAid.gov for complete information on federal financial aid, including types of aid available, qualification criteria, and managing loans.

Website Offers Resources for Using Tech With Struggling Learners

PowerUp WHAT WORKS offers resources and tools designed to help educators use technology to better support struggling students and learners with disabilities. The site offers curated materials for teachers, professional development coaches and school administrators.

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.

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.

Roundup of Top Tech Tips from 2015

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

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).

New Online Community Allows Teachers to Share Lessons

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.

Tips to Help Teachers Master Twitter

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

How Teachers Can Make the Most of Twitter, Google+

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.

ISBE-Developed Guidance Helps Schools and Teachers Implement New Math Standards

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

Specialists Highlight Free Resources to Teach Coding

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 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.

PARCC Unbundles Testing System
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

PARCC Creates Top 12 Resources for Educators

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

ASCD RESOURCES:

ASCD Resources on Assessment

ASCD Arias: Grading and Group Work: How do I assess individual learning when students work together? (print and e-book formats)
Educational Leadership: Using Assessments Thoughtfully
ASCD book: Assessment and Student Success in a Differentiated Classroom (print and e-book formats)
The ASCD Inservice blog: Using Formative Assessment to Meet the Demands of the Common Core
ASCD Express: Using Assessments Thoughtfully

ASCD Resources for Blended Learning

ASCD Resources on Common Core

Free ASCD webinars: Common Core Webinar Series archive
EduCore: Tools for Teaching the Common Core
Educational Leadership: "Common Core: Now What?"
ASCD books and e-books on the common core
ASCD's Common Core State Standards resource center

ASCD Resources on Data

ASCD book: How Teachers Can Turn Data into Action (print and e-book formats, preconference institute)
Educational Leadership: Data: Now What?
Professional Development Video: A Visit To A Data-Driven School District DVD And Viewer's Guide
ASCD Arias Publication: Ensuring Effective Instruction: How do I improve teaching using multiple measures? (print and e-book formats)
ASCD YouTube Channel: Teacher Effectiveness
2016 ASCD Conference on Teaching Excellence: Explore ways to make excellent teaching the reality in every classroom

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

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.

Find and follow us on Pinterest for ideas and inspiration.

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