May 25, 2016
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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's website, www.illinoisascd.org
May is Asian American Heritage Month
Memorial Day - May 30
Congratulations to those with June Graduations! 
What an exciting opportunity for your school team coming up soon! Start the year organized and energized! 15th Annual Leadership Institute, July 31 - Aug 2, 2016, 444 Eagle Ridge Dr, Galena, IL, "Using Assessments to Empower Student Learning" with Diane Wolf, Steve Oertle, and Donald Viegut, AA #1577 or professional development hours
You will experience 2˝  days of dynamic professional discussion, learning and leadership building   from diverse perspectives for school leaders and leadership teams. Through ongoing dialogue, networking, presentations, and other sources, participants will have the opportunity to seek new directions for making powerful participant roads for their school district.

Sunday July 31, 2016
Noon - 3:00 p.m.   -  Resort Recreation
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.   -   Registration/Check-in (Register by June 30)
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.    -  Diane Wolf
6:30 - 7:00 p.m.    -   Welcome Reception
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.    -  Dinner/Networking

Monday Aug 1, 2016
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.    -    Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Noon   -  Steve Oertle
Noon - 1:00 p.m.   -  Lunch
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.     -   Exhibit Round Robin
Team Planning for Remainder of Day

Tuesday Aug 2, 2016
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.    -   Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Noon   -  Donald Viegut
Noon - 1:00 p.m.  -  Box Lunch
Team Planning for Remainder of Day

Leadership Institute Outcomes:
* Build leadership capacity among teams
* Acquire practical leadership strategies for application in the educational setting
* Develop long-range and short-range district improvement plans for the year
* Recharge personally and professionally
* Network with leadership from other educational teams
* Graduate Credit available on site

Illinois ASCD is a CPS Approved Provider: 24595
Recommended Pre-reading: Common Formative Assessments 2.0 by Larry Ainsworth and Donald Viegut
Administrative Academy #1577 or professional development hours.  Registration for hotel must be made by June 30, 2016. Register here.
 
Archived issues of ILASCD Education Briefs are now available on our website. 
 

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 
New models of professional learning, such as EdCamps, put educators in the driver's seat, so what are the advantages and challenges of teacher-directed professional development? In this Educational Leadership article, Jeffrey Carpenter explains how these successfully turn educators into motivated learners, create personalized and on-demand learning opportunities and increase leadership. He also explains that getting off to a good start, vetting your own content, and misalignment with district goals are among the challenges. 

ASCD members are part of a global community of dedicated educators and invaluable stakeholders in our mission to promote the success of each child. As a member, you are an advocate for the education profession and contributor to the creation of innovative programs, products, and services. Join ASCD or renew your membership by June 30 to save $20. Use code B38AC16 at checkout to receive the discount and begin receiving award-winning benefits. 

In the latest episode of ASCD Learn Teach Lead Radio, author Mike Anderson discusses effective strategies for allowing student choice in the classroom and helping them to make good choices. In this 10-minute chat with ASCD Emerging Leader Amanda Koonlaba, Anderson identifies some of the classroom joy killers to look out for and shares tips to restore joyful learning when it has been lost. You can also hear recent episodes with Starr Sackstein, Jeffrey Benson and more. Listen here.

In this issue of Educational Leadership, you'll hear from Carol Ann Tomlinson, James Popham, Cathy Vatterott, Myron Dueck and more leading educators with strategies to ensure you use assessments effectively and have them propel student success. You'll learn 10 principles for using formative assessments wisely, homework practices that develop persistence, ways to deal with late and incomplete work, and much more.

In the ASCD Arias, Teaching Students to Self-Assess, Starr Sackstein -- a National Board Certified Teacher -- explains how teachers can use reflection to help students decipher their own learning needs and engage in deep, thought-provoking discourse about progress. She explains how to help students set actionable learning goals, teach students to reflect on and chart their learning progress, and use student reflections and self-assessment to develop targeted learning plans and determine student mastery.

We're reinventing our annual conference for 2017. Get inspired with a new professional learning experience featuring a variety of innovative ways to network and learn, and feel empowered to transform your schools through content that will focus on the whole child, transformational leadership, global engagement, poverty and equity, teaching and learning, and redefining student success. Join us in Anaheim, Calif., from March 24 to 27, 2017. Be a leader, keynote, presenter or speaker. Request for proposals will open soon.

Cambridge has worked with members of ASCD for over 25 years to provide research-based test preparation programs that are proven to increase students' standardized test scores and ensure that students have mastered the necessary skills to be college and career ready. We offer supplemental curriculum, data services, test prep, and training for the SAT, PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/ NMSQT, ACT, Explore, Plan, Aspire, HiSET, TASC, GED, Career Interest Inventory, Learning Styles and WorkKeys tests. Our customized lesson plans guide your teachers in how to use data to improve teaching, engage learning, and plug college and career
skill gaps.
To schedule a free on-site presentation or visit, contact Mary Parks at
847-299-2930 ext. 226 or MParks@CambridgeEd.com .
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'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 House Resolution HR 0781 

Data show students who feel more connected to their schools are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors, Charles Mendez, managing director of the C.E. Mendez Foundation, writes in this commentary. He shares four ways to help foster school connectedness. Education Dive

Illinois Education News 

School Funding Reform Passes Senate
After almost two hours of debate, Senate Bill 231 (D-Manar) passed the Illinois Senate on Tuesday on a vote of 31-21-3. School funding reform measure passes Senate, fate in House uncertain (State Journal-Register)  While debate was taking place in the Senate on SB 231, the House Education Funding Task Force heard from Dr. Michael Jacoby, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials, and Brian Battle, President of the Barrington District 220 school board, about the Alliance and Vision 20/20-supported evidenced-based funding model for school funding. The task force has met several times this session to consider how SB 231 and other proposals would affect different school districts.

ACT Now Afterschool Quality Standards
ACT Now is excited to announce the launch of its Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards.  ACT Now is a statewide coalition that works to ensure that young people in Illinois have access to quality, affordable afterschool and youth development programs.  ACT Now has undertaken an initiative to develop Quality Standards in order to improve afterschool programming. These Quality Standards capture practices that have been demonstrated, through research, to lead to quality programs and positive outcomes for children. 

SAT Professional Development Modules
The College Board is excited to share with you a series of Professional Development Modules designed around the redesigned SAT. We will share with you information on the key content changes of the redesigned SAT and will review the Professional Development Modules that walk through key changes to the SAT. In this series, there are a total of 6 Modules for administrators, counselors, and teachers that help to gain a better understanding of the redesigned SAT. This webinar walks through the content within each module that is available for your use). At the end of the webinar series, viewers will be able to tailor content to  present information to colleagues in professional development sessions, school and district staff meetings, and professional learning communities.
In addition, we will review additional resources to support all educators on the redesigned SAT and share information on how schools can support students as they set up their Khan Academy accounts for practice. Join us for a webinar discussing these modules on the dates below:
May 25th  - 9 am CST and 3 pm CST
May 26th  - 9 am CST and 3 pm CST
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/college-board-pd-modules-webinar-registration-25275079443

May Vision 20/20
The May Vision 20/20 newsletter is now available. Highlights include a summary of upcoming pieces of legislation related to Vision 20/20 that have been introduced for the spring session of the General Assembly. Topics include Evidence-based funding, Reciprocity, Unfunded mandates, SAT/ACT choice for districts, State assessments, Third-party contracting, and Educator and substitute teaching licenses.

ISBE NEWS

ISBE DATA DASHBOARD SURVEY
ISBE is developing a data dashboard to provide information to Regional Offices of Education, districts, schools and classrooms, compiling local and state data in an easy-to-understand format to help educators. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to provide feedback on what data should be included in a dashboard at all levels. Input your feedback at this link and view a webinar about the new dashboard here.

Next election in Illinois:  Nov 8, 2016

ISBE Hot Topics
PARCC Score Toolkit - Communication tools for school leaders available
ISBE ESSA webpage - Click here to access

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

Education Dept. Co-hosts Summit on Teacher Diversity
Recruiting more teachers of color would benefit all students, US Secretary of Education John King Jr. said during an event held by the Department of Education, the two largest teaching unions in the country and Teach for America. "We will get closer to our goals of equity and excellence if we have a diverse teaching workforce," King said. The Washington Post

Congress is considering legislation to increase the participation threshold for the Community Eligibility Provision program, which allows school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students at high-poverty schools, instead of using an income-based individual application process. The bill proposes to raise to 60% from 40% the percentage of "identified students" a school, group of schools or district must have to qualify for the program, which could leave thousands of schools that now qualify for the program ineligible. The Atlantic online

Top Education Democrats Urge ED To Seek Full Participation In ESSA Transition
Andrew Ujifusa writes at the Education Week "Politics K-12" blog that the ranking Democrats on the House and Senate education committees are calling on ED to "help states gather an appropriately diverse level of feedback from civil rights advocates, teachers, and others, as states consider life under the Every Student Succeeds Act." The letter also "expressed concern that there are roadblocks in the way of gathering important input from these groups," admonishing ED to "provide clear guidance as well as technical assistance to states and districts to help them get a full range of views about how to approach ESSA."

In the latest Capitol Connection, learn about ASCD's latest Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) FAQ, which spotlights the law's accountability provisions and illustrates ESSA's major shift from No Child Left Behind's federally prescriptive mandates to greater state autonomy in designing their own accountability systems. The FAQ addresses essential questions about the new criteria that will be used to evaluate schools, ways that states will identify and help improve low-performing schools, and data disaggregation and reporting. Read on.

Obama Seeks Student Input About STEM
The White House will launch a website to gather feedback from students about science, technology, engineering and math. The website, WH.gov/KidScienceAdvisors, was created after a student asked President Barack Obama if he has a "child science adviser." "We should have a kid's advisory group that starts explaining to us what's interesting to them and what's working, and could help us shape advances in STEM education," Obama said. The Washington Post

The US House Education and the Workforce Committee voted 20 to 14 to support a bill that would reduce the number of schools that could offer all students free or reduced-cost meals, and would allow a greater variety of foods to be included in school lunches. The bill would create a trial block grant program in three states that would end unlimited federal funding for students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches and exempt states from having to follow most federal nutrition standards. The Associated Press

Media: White House's Transgender Guidance To Schools Escalates Debate On Issue
The Administration issued guidance that directs public schools to allow transgender students access to bathrooms and facilities of their choice, while also finalizing a new rule that prevents health insurers and medical providers from discriminating against transgender individuals. Massive media coverage - which includes a combined six minutes and 25 seconds on the three broadcast networks - overwhelmingly focuses on the bathroom guidance, highlighting that it escalates the ongoing nation-wide debate on the issue and received a mixed reaction from the public, politicians, and educators. The Washington Post reports on its front page, in an article that focuses on the healthcare aspect of the story, the two actions "reflect the Obama administration's push to affirm transgender rights as a central civil-rights question for the current era."
The Los Angeles Times reports a letter from the Education and Justice Departments "sets out the agencies' view of what schools need to do under current federal law to provide an environment for students free of discrimination." The Times says while the letter "carries no specific threat for schools that do not comply," the "threat is implicit because violations of federal civil rights laws can lead to a loss of federal aid to a school district" or Justice Department "enforcement action." The Times quotes Education Secretary John King saying, "No student should ever have to go through the experience of feeling unwelcome at school or on a college campus. Educators want to do the right thing for students, and many have reached out to us for guidance on how to follow the law. We must ensure that our young people know that whoever they are or wherever they come from, they have the opportunity to get a great education in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and violence." The AP reports that King said in a statement that "educators have been seeking guidance reports that King "told HuffPost last week that he condemned state laws prohibiting trans students from using sex-segregated facilities like restrooms that match their gender identity."

A new  report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) finds the Department of Education's proposed "supplement not supplant" regulation goes beyond "a plain language reading of the statute" and is likely against the law. The  CRS report was prepared in response to broad congressional interest in the proposed regulation on the new law that replaced No Child Left Behind and whether the department has the legal authority to issue the regulation. The report found that the department's "interpretation appears to go beyond what would be required under a plain language reading of the statute," and that proposed regulation "appear[s] to directly conflict with this statutory language, which seems to place clear limits on [the Education Department's] authority." The CRS report also states that a "legal argument could be raised that [the Education Department] exceeded its statutory authority if it promulgates the proposed [supplement not supplant] rules in their current form.
 
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.

   
Teaching the Standards: It's As Easy As ABC! with Sarah Martino and Kathy Brown, June 10, 2016, Thomas Jefferson Junior High, Woodridge, IL, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Are you struggling to incorporate the language arts standards and still maintain a developmentally appropriate environment? Do you need routines for collecting common core and KIDS aligned data that are woven into your everyday activities? Would you like to learn how to engage your students in collaborative conversations? Are you searching for just the right mentor texts and strategies to spark social and emotional learning? Do you want to spice up your read-aloud routine and encourage increased comprehension growth? Are you longing for a way to get your students to take the risk to write? Do you need visual anchor charts and graphic organizers to assist your students in remembering key academic vocabulary? Do you desire to create a classroom of clear procedures and easy routines that will empower your learners? If you answered "YES" to any one of these questions, then sign up for this workshop today! K-2 Teachers, ELL, Reading Specialists/Coaches, Special Ed. K-2, and Administrators. Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking, and 6 professional development hours. Register here.
 
ASCD 2016 Conference on Teaching Excellence, New Orleans, July 8 - 10, 2016, Preconference Institutes July 7, 2016
Do you want to get the latest innovations and best practices in teaching?  ASCD delivers what works best in classrooms and school districts.  Learn from today's thought-leaders and seasoned educators.  Then take what you've learned and apply it in your classroom.  You'll start the new year with fresh inspiration as well as more efficient and effective skills.  Meetings are at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
  • More than 150 sessions on subjects including instructional strategies, engagement and motivation, lesson planning, assessment, and leadership.
  • Keynote luncheon with Carol Ann Tomlinson.
  • Network with colleagues and experts at our welcome reception and networking breakfasts.
  • Save with a team discount where every fifth person you register from the same school or organization is free.*
Register online at  www.ascd.org/CTEregister. 
 
Flipped Learning: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day, Jon Bergmann, July 15, 2016, NIU Naperville, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Workshop Objectives:
Introduce the concept of flipped learning
Plan the steps for flipping a lesson or course 
Explore helpful tech tips for flipping 
Discuss strategies for dealing with anticipated obstacles to learning in a flipped learning environment 
Explore strategies to increase understanding of the flipped learning concepts by students and parents 
Examine the challenges of flipped learning faced by teachers and administrators 
Determine best practices for teachers and administrators whether their schools have already flipped or planning 
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking, and 6 professional development hours. Register here.

Summer Kindergarten Conference, Greg Smedley-Warren with Kindergarten Smorgasboard, July 27, 2016 at NIU Naperville, OR July 28, 2016 at ISU Alumni Center, Normal, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
1 /2 hours on each topic:
A Smorgasboard of Math Strategies
Discover how to build math skills each day using the calendar, math review,  mental  math,  groups,  centers and lesson  closures.  These strategies  will  help  you  meet  the  needs  of  your  students  while challenging  them to  reach  for  higher-order  thinking. Plus,  you  will find  out  how  to  integrate  technology  and  differentiate math instruction.
Common Core Centers & Management Made Simple
Get familiar with Common Core-aligned and differentiated math and literacy  center  ideas  and  explore  ways to effectively  manage  your math or literacy centers. See how easy it is to integrate technology into your center time.Plus discover how center wheels and tubs help make  managing  and  rotating  centers  simple  for  you and  your students.
A Compilation of Classroom Management Ideas & Tips
You won't believe how many new and fresh classroom management strategies, tips, tricks and ideas you'll discover in this session! Plan on learning about different types of behavior systems, rewards and consequences, the  importance  of  routines,  expectations  and procedures, and ways to bring free and low-cost incentives into your classroom.
Kick Off Your Day RIGHT With Morning Meeting
See  how  10-20  minutes  each  morning  can  change  the  dynamics  of your  classroom  and  make  your classroom  more  like  a  family. You'll learn  the  components  of  morning  meeting  as  well  as  ideas  for greetings,  activities  and  morning  messages  to use in your classroom.
Registration includes breakfast, lunch, parking, and 6 professional development hours.
Register here

Don't miss this summer opportunity for team planning.  Start the school year organized and energized! 15th Annual Leadership Institute, July 31 - Aug 2, 2016 ,444 Eagle Ridge Dr, Galena, IL, Using Assessments to Empower Student Learning with Diane Wolf, Steve Oertle, and Donald Viegut
You will experience  2˝  days   of   dynamic   professional discussion,   learning   and   leadership   building  from   diverse perspectives  for  school  leaders  and  leadership  teams. Through  ongoing dialogue, networking, presentations, and other sources, participants will have the  opportunity to seek new directions for making powerful participant roads for their school district.
Sunday July 31, 2016
Noon - 3:00 p.m.   -  Resort Recreation
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.   -   Registration/Check-in
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.    -  Diane Wolf
6:30 - 7:00 p.m.    -   Welcome
Reception
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.    -  Dinner/Networking

Monday Aug 1, 2016
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.    -    Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Noon   -  Steve Oertle
Noon - 1:00 p.m.   -  Lunch
1:00 - 1:45 p.m.     -   Exhibit Round Robin
Team Planning for Remainder of Day

Tuesday Aug 2, 2016
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.    -   Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Noon   -  Donald Viegut
Noon - 1:00 p.m.  -  Box Lunch
Team planning for rest of day

Leadership Institute Outcomes:
* Build leadership capacity among teams
* Acquire practical leadership strategies for application in the educational setting
* Develop long-range and short-range district improvement plans for the year
* Recharge personally and professionally
* Network with leadership from other educational teams
* Graduate Credit available on site

Illinois ASCD is a CPS Approved Provider: 24595
Recommended Pre-reading: Common Formative Assessments 2.0 by Larry Ainsworth and Donald Viegut
Administrative academy #1577 or professional development hours.  Registration for hotel must be made by June 30, 2016. Register here.

Promoting Excellence Through Equity with Dr. Pedro Noguera, Sept 12, 2016, Roosevelt University, Goodman Center, 11:30 am - 7:30 pm
Promoting Excellence Through Equity-If  policies,  strategies,  practices or procedures work for our most vulnerable  communities  and students,  they  will  work  for everyone.  The  reverse, however, IS NOT true. Across  our  nation,  courageous  conversations are underway on confronting the fundamental ways inequalities affect students' learning and opportunities to reach their full potential. But talk isn't good enough, and more work must be done to attain  greater equity and opportunity for all students.
IL ASCD continually engages and supports its members to understand the drives and biases of institutional inequities and to shape their  school cultures, change practices and lead  teams that   deliver  high-quality instruction for all students. To deepen these conversations and cultivate more  effective practices, we have partnered with the American Reading Company to bring Dr. Pedro  Noguera for a day  of  thought-provoking discussion  that advance our shared  work in attaining  equity and opportunity for all students.
Agenda
11:30 - 12:00 p.m.  Registration and light lunch
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.  Welcome
IL ASCD, Roosevelt University & American Reading Company
"Learning Around Access and Equity" Dr. Pedro Noguera, "Access and Equity:
From Exploration to Theory of Action," Amelia Van Name Larson
1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Team Collaboration: Teams will work to identify gaps, apply
new knowledge, and plan to develop systems and structures that will ensure access and equity for all students. Facilitated by Dr. Pedro Noguera and Amelia Van Name Larson
4:45 - 5:45 p.m  Hosted Reception Sponsored by IL ASCD System II & Roosevelt University New Deal Program in the Roosevelt University Auditorium Library
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Keynote Address: "Excellence Through Equity: Five Principles of Courageous Leadership to Guide Achievement for Every Student" Dr. Pedro Noguera
Register here 
 
Student Self-Regulation:  The Foundation for Learning Autonomy featuring Richard Cash, September 21, 2016, Crystal Lake Country Club, Crystal Lake, IL, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
For students to achieve their potential, they must be competent in the academic, emotional and social skills tasks that lead to success.  Self-regulation involves the beliefs and determination that students need to accomplish tasks, both dependently and independently.  Topics include:
  • Applying the self-regulation model in today's classroom
  • Closing the achievement gap through self-regulated learning
  • Building self-regulation by developing a growth mindset
  • Creating a student-centered classroom
  • Using the TLC (Teaching and Learning Continuum) to achieve success through learner autonomy
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, handouts, parking and 6 professional development hours. ILASCD is a CPS Approved Provider #24595. Register here
 
An Evaluator's Guide to the SLO Process for Monitoring Student Growth featuring Jennie Winters, October 4, 2016, SIU, Carbondale, IL, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, AA Course 1679
Jennie Winters will explain the variety of types of assessment that can be used in a Balanced Assessment System with a focus on Type III assessments for the purpose of evaluation.  This Academy will guide administrators in understanding their role in the SLO (Student Learning Objective) Process.  Participants will understand how to analyze assessment resources to determine alignment to the rigor of the Illinois Learning Standards.  Strategies for data management, including collection, analysis, disaggregation and triangulation of data will be covered.  Registration includes Administrator Academy credit, breakfast, lunch, parking, handouts and six professional development hours.  ILASCD is a CPS Approved Provider #24595. Register here

Save the dates!Conference on Learning and EXPO, October 26 - 27, 2016, Roosevelt University, Schaumburg, IL Two big days!  Top speakers!  Mike Schmoker, Ray Louk, Aaron Brengard, Steve Zipkes, and Scott Estes
Illinois ASCD is requesting presenters for its Conference on Learning 2016. We seek presenters on current learning issues in education and developmentally appropriate practices in today's learning environments. All sessions are 60 minutes in length.  The strands addressed at this year's conference are Whole Child, 21st Century Learning, Principal Leadership, Classroom Leadership, Learning Leadership, Curriculum Leadership Development Network Topics. Please email Ryan Nevius at rcneviu@me.com with further questions.
 
Prioritizing for Powerful Results:  Five Levers to Improve Learning featuring Tony Frontier, October 12, 2016, Crystal Lake Country Club, Crystal Lake, IL, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Where do we exert influence in classrooms, schools, and districts to obtain a desired goal?  What are the characteristics of initiatives that have a transformational impact on student learning as compared to initiatives that require significant efforts and resources--yet merely perpetuate the status quo?  This workshop will provide participants with a framework, resources and tools to guide classroom, school and district improvement efforts as described by the author and presenter of the ASCD book Five Levers to Improve Learning;  How to Prioritize for Powerful Results in Your School.  
  • Develop an understanding of how nearly all educational practices and mandates can be grouped into one of five categories; and the relative utility of each of these categories to leverage school improvement.
  • Understand typical "leverage errors" and how to avoid them.
  • Tap the owner of "leverage advantages" that maximize the potential to influence student learning.
  • Understand the critical differences among status quo planning, transactional change and transformational change; and how to align efforts to intended results.
  • Ask critical questions to prioritize initiatives and efforts across classrooms, schools and districts.
  • Utilize the Five Lever framework to create more powerful strategic plans, utilize fiscal resources more efficiently and ensure team meetings, faculty meetings and board meetings are focused on high leverage initiatives.
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking and 6 professional development hours.  ILASCD is a CPS Approved Provider #24595.  Register here

The Breakthrough Coach 2-Day Course, "How to Work Less, Produce More
and Still Get the Job Done," November 3-4, 2016, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, 19th Century Club,
178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60301
The 2-Day Course is unlike any other, designed to present and teach administrative teams The Breakthrough Coach's Fundamental Practices™. With a focus on executive management rather than on education, the 2-Day Course provides you with the structure and systems you need to get it all done, and produce the results you're after, all in a sensible work week.
Who Should Attend?  Site Principals, District Office Supervisors, Cabinet-Level Administrators, and their Secretaries.
Course Format:  Conducted over two full days; Includes lecture, small group discussion, Q&A, and hands-on implementation between administrators and secretaries.  Administrators attend Day 1 & 2; Secretaries attend Day 2 ONLY with their administrators.
The  Breakthrough  Coach is an educational training firm that supports school administrators to be  transformational  leaders who achieve student success.  The Breakthrough Coach's Management Methodology™ teaches school leaders how to build productive front-office  environments that then  free them up to focus on creating sustainable, school-wide improvement. The  Breakthrough  Coach  provides you with a proven structure to:
  • Spend 2 full days each week observing classrooms
  • Work more efficiently
  • Empower and coach your staff
  • Achieve work/life balance
  • Raise student achievement all in a sensible work week
Course includes continental breakfast, lunch, materials, free parking and Professional Development Hours. Walk from the CTA Green line or Metra. IL ASCD is CPS Approved Provider # 24595.  Register here.

NEW-Curriculum 2020, Dylan Wiliam, Embedding Formative Assessment with Teacher Learning communities, November 9, 2016, NIU DeKalb, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
There is now a large and growing evidence base showing that helping teachers develop their use of minute-to-minute and day-by-day assessment is one of, if not THE most powerful ways to improve student learning.  Formative assessment involves far more than adding a few "quick fixes" to teachers' classroom repertoires.  It involves a fundamental shift in focus, from what the teacher is putting into the process to what the students are getting out of it.  In this interactive one-day workshop participants will learn:
  • WHY we need to increase educational achievement, what's been tried, and why it has worked
  • WHY formative assessment needs to be the priority for every school
  • WHAT formative assessment is (and isn't)
  • PRACTICAL techniques for implementing formative assessment
  • HOW TO sustain the development of formative assessment with teacher learning communities.
Course includes continental breakfast, lunch, materials, free parking and 6 Professional Development Hours. NIU DeKalb, Ellington Ballroom, Holmes Student Center, 340 Carroll Ave, DeKalb.  Park in Guest lot on Carroll Ave.  Registration coming soon.

ARIE's Global Project Based Learning Academy, June 28-30, 2016, Forest View Education Center, Arlington Heights, IL
Advanced Research in Education's team will advance your readiness and fill your toolbox with the practical methods they perfected in their own classrooms.  Their approach is in demand worldwide as they are the only provider who brings 100% all day every day PBL experience to you.  We are proud that AIRE selected IL ASCD to partner in this summer program. For more info go to: http://www.ilc21.org  For registration go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/think-forward-arlington-heights-illinois-regional-conference-registration-15463754506.

NEW-International EdCamp Leadership, July 11, 2016, Galesburg, Roselle, OR West Frankfort, IL
EdCamp Leadership is an international event taking place on Monday, July 11. Illinois will host three sites around the state. This FREE event is geared toward all educators looking to connect, network, and engage in professional conversation to grow as educators.  Edcamp is a form of unconference designed specifically for educators and their needs. What makes Edcamp an unconference? Unlike traditional conferences which have schedules set months in advance by the people running the conference, Edcamp has an agenda that is created by the participants at the start of the event. Instead of one person standing in front of the room talking for an hour, people are encouraged to have discussions and hands-on sessions. Built on principles of connected and participatory learning, Edcamp strives to bring educators together to talk about the things that matter most to them: their interests, passions, and questions.  Register at one of three Illinois locations.

Cowin Fnancial Literacy Institute, July 11-14, 2016, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City
Pre-registration for the 2016 Teachers College Cowin Financial Literacy Institute is now open.  This year's summer program will held on July 11-14 Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City.  The
No Obligation Pre-registration comes with no strings attached.  It allows you to express interest in attending and stay abreast of the latest developments, such as confirmed speakers and guests, regarding the conference.   
Conference attendees will receive
  • A $200 stipend
  • A certificate of completion that may be used for professional development hours
  • A chance to earn a Certification in Personal Finance
Register today!
 
IASA Aspiring Superintendent Summer Academy, July 11-15, 2016, Springfield 
The Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) Aspiring Superintendent Summer Academy is a program for school leaders who are thinking about becoming a superintendent. The five day summer leadership academy will hone participants' leadership knowledge and skills and give them a view of the modern superintendency.  This summer learning academy, aligned with the ISLLC Standards, will be a fast-paced, authentic Learning Academy where attendees will participate in simulations and produce meaningful activities that reflect the modern job of the superintendent. Have you ever wondered what you may not have learned in graduate school but you may need to know in order to be an effective leader?  Find out more!
 
Southland Learning Conference, August 8, 2016, Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, Oak Lawn
In an effort to connect and learn from each other in Oak Lawn-Hometown SD123, and with other educators in surrounding school districts, D 123 has created an opportunity on Aug 8th, 2016 called The Southland Learning Conference.  The event is scheduled from 8:30a-1:00p.  The Southland Learning Conference is currently looking for educators to present at its inaugural event. Presentations should be approximately 40 minutes in length and can focus on any educational topic. Additionally, we have also added a "poster session" option. Poster sessions are informal presentations similar to what you would experience at a science fair.   For more information please check the link below or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email Laura Ferrell at (708) 499-6400 or lferrell@d123.org.  For more information: http://www.southlandlearning.org/ 
  
T21CON 2016 
The College of Education at Illinois State University, September 23, 2016, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Bone Student Center, ISU, Normal, IL 
The College of Education at Illinois State is now taking presentation proposals for the 7th annual Teaching in the 21st Century Conference (T21CON) taking place on Friday, September 23 at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Teaching in the 21st Century Conference (T21CON) is a hands-on, engaging learning opportunity designed for current and aspiring educators to gain an edge in using technology in the classroom. T21CON connects attendees with resources, strategies, and a network of experts to support their careers in education. Attendance is free for all practicing educators and ISU students.  Have questions about T21CON 2016?   Contact The College of Education at Illinois State University.
From the Field
Consider Finland for Educational Inspiration
Finland's approach to education can serve as inspiration to educators worldwide, William Doyle, a Fulbright Scholar who joined the faculty of the University of Eastern Finland last year, writes in this commentary. He suggests the system offers global best practices, such as an emphasis on the whole child and research-based practices. The Washington Post

Student Helps Launch Middle-school Gaming Club
Students interested in online gaming at a California middle school now have a club where they can connect with peers and live-stream their gaming experience. The club, which uses the Twitch app, was launched by a 13-year-old student at the school. Los Angeles Times

Build Positive School Culture to Curb Violence
A positive school culture can help curb physical violence on campus, some high-school educators say. They also point to the value of strong staff-student relationships. U.S. News & World Report

Ahead of the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen this week, leaders from some of the world's largest women's rights organizations issued statements on what actions must be taken to address gender inequality by 2030. Prejudice against women, under-education and ensuring girls receive access to the same opportunities as boys were just a few of the issues UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and other leaders addressed in their calls for action. Thomson Reuters Foundation 

Greece Announces Education Plan for Refugee Children
Children living in refugee camps in Greece will have access to language learning and activities beginning this summer. The EU-funded pilot programme will include construction of classrooms that can serve about 150 students each. Newsweek
 
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 
Cengage has released a new series of web-based interactive 3D modules for human anatomy, chemistry and high-school science classes. The curriculum, designed for colleges and high schools, lets students perform virtual dissections, explore chemical elements and reactions and conduct virtual research, among other activities.

Award-Winning Teacher Describes Creating STEM Lessons Based On Students' Interests
US News & World Report profiles Julie Harp, a Maryland middle school science teacher who "was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science by President Barack Obama in 2015." In an interview, Harp discussed "new STEM teaching practices, and creating science lessons that speak to students' interests." Harp discusses differences in students' interests at the high school and middle school levels.

Q&A: Using the Arts to Teach STEM to Preschoolers
Integrating the performing arts into preschool lessons can help bridge the achievement gap and build students' understanding of any subject, including science, technology, engineering and math, asserts Jennifer Cooper, director of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. In this Q&A, Cooper explains how the nonprofit's teaching artists train educators to use performing, musical and dancing arts. U.S. News & World Report 

Feedback can help reinforce a growth mindset in students, educator Tim Kramer writes in this commentary, where he reflects on the role of feedback in one of his lessons. "In the vast majority of cases, the feedback received helped the student recognize a mistake or an area of weakness in their learning and/or production process," he writes. MiddleWeb

Sixth-grade teacher Kevin Hodgson rolled out digital writing portfolios for his students this school year. In this blog post, he shares insights about transitioning from three-ring binders to Google Apps.

One-to-one Programs Help Boost Student Performance
Students improved their achievement when they used laptops in science, math, writing and English classes, according to a study by researchers from Michigan State University. Devices should be used to enhance the curriculum and promote 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, said Binbin Zheng, lead author of the study. Michigan Radio

PARCC "College-ready" Scores Could Predict Higher-ed Success
Students who do well on the "college-ready" portion of the PARCC test are likely to earn good grades in college, according to a study. "It's a strong signal that in terms of that aspect of what PARCC was designed to do -- to give a strong indication of college readiness -- it succeeded in doing that," said Ira Nichols-Barrer, lead researcher of the study. Education Week

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
NEW-White House Student Film Festival
From now through July 15th, 2016, we'll be accepting submissions for the third annual White House Student Film Festival. Our theme is "The World I Want To Live In" and we're inviting U.S. students,
grades K-12 (including seniors from class of 2017), to participate. Tell us what you hope the future
will hold for us - sci-fi lasers? flying cars? yourself as President? - in the form of a short film. It can be fictional, animated, live-action documentary, or anything else you dream up. We're just excited to
see what you make!

NEW-Indian Creek SD 425, Superintendent, Shabbona, Illinois 
Click here to download or view the Job Description.  Applications are only accepted online BY NOON,
May 27, 2016. Please click here to apply.  For further information, please visit the IASB website.

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
ASCD Announces Grants to Support Teacher Leadership Projects
ASCD announced its Teacher Impact Grants program, which will provide direct grants to teacher leaders to fund initiatives that improve student outcomes. The program is part of ASCD's commitment to Teach to Lead, an initiative jointly convened by the U.S. Department of Education, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and ASCD. Learn more about the grants: http://ow.ly/4nnEkn

The Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) is soliciting applications under several grant competitions.
  • The Investing in Innovation (i3) program announced its Development competition, focusing on generating new approaches to implementing rigorous standards and assessments, improving school climates and developing alternatives to exclusionary school discipline, improving student outcomes and closing opportunity gaps for underserved students through fostering racially and socioeconomically diverse schools, and addressing the unique challenges of rural areas.  The competition will award up to $3 million each to 9-11 grantees.  Applications are due by May 25.
In the weeks ahead, OII will launch additional grant competitions, to create new  Promise Neighborhoods,teacher preparation programs, and district-level educator support systems.
 
Empower Young People Through Music
Classics for Kids Foundation supports school and community youth music programs in need by providing matching grants for new, high-quality stringed instruments, such as violins, violas, and
cellos. Schools and nonprofit organizations must raise at least half of the funds to purchase the
requested number of instruments, using a provider authorized by the foundation. Programs that serve K-12 students are eligible for grants. The website offers guidance for starting a stringed instrumental program, including a proposed startup budget. Deadline: June 30, 2016, for applications

Make Your Dream STEM Lab a Reality
Northrop Grumman Foundation aims to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by making five grants of up to $100,000 each available to public middle schools for a fabulous school lab makeover. To enter the Fab School Labs Contest, applicants should create a video or submit photos, along with a written essay describing their current classroom and their vision for a school lab makeover. The foundation will choose up to 25 finalists and make their videos and photos available for viewing on Facebook. Five winners will be selected based on a public vote. Interested participants will find this opportunity on GetEdFunding, a free database sponsored by CDW*G of thousands of funding opportunities for educators.
Deadline: June 17, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. (PT), for entries
Click Here to Access GetEdFunding

Grant Opportunities Available
Chicago-based Illinois Humanities has revamped its grantmaking guidelines, and is hoping that high schools will apply for some of its new grants opportunities. In particular, the Illinois Speaks program may be interesting to high school faculty and students. The program works like this: Illinoisans who would like to host public discussions in their communities apply for an Illinois Speaks micro-grant. In return, once chosen, they receive three things: a stipend of $250 to help make the event possible, resources on various topics, and a training in how to facilitate the conversation. Anyone 16 years of age or older can apply. The three suggested topics for 2016 are: "Water and the common good," "The future of public education," and "The Aftermath of Ferguson, Mo." though applicants can propose variations of these topics or their own topics altogether. Deadlines are May 15 and Sept. 15. For more information, and to apply, visit here. Reach out to Mark Hallett at Illinois Humanities for more information.

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
The State of Racial Diversity in the Educator Workforce
Educator diversity, a priority of Secretary of Education John King, gets the spotlight in this new research from the U.S. Department of Education. The report finds that elementary and secondary school educators in the United States are relatively homogeneous racially; 82 percent of public school teachers are white despite the dramatically changing demographics of public school students. Only 20 percent of school principals in 2011-2012 were individuals of color. Some other findings include: Diversity decreases across the teacher pipeline; fewer students of color start bachelor degrees; fewer major in education; and fewer complete their degree. Retention rates are also lower for teachers of color than white teachers. U.S. Department of Education.

In partnership with Gallup, the Northwest Evaluation Association surveyed parents, teachers, principals, and students their opinions about assessments and what they know about the new education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The survey found that parents value tests given by their child's teacher, and teachers prefer multiple assessments rather than a single state test. All groups reported confusion and distrust of the state tests. Principals' most preferred formative assessments and tests were designed by teachers to evaluate learning progress. Principals were skeptical that policymakers in their states understood the purpose  of assessments and were neutral on the effect ESSA would have in their schools.  Read full report from NWEA.

Personalized digital learning will be most successful if it includes a social element, according to a study examining five years of the CPB-PBS Ready to Learn Initiative. The report lists seven other trends for the future of educational digital media. eSchool News

Studies Find Cognitive, Academic Benefits of Meditation
Students can benefit from meditation, according to several recent studies. Researchers have identified several benefits, including improved cognitive control and memory and higher grades in math. The New York Times

Study Reveals Math Advantage for Left-handed Teenage Boys
Teenage boys who write with their left hands may perform better in math, according to a study of 2,300 students. "This study found there is a moderate, yet significant, correlation between handedness and mathematical skill," lead researcher Giovanni Sala said. ScienceAlert

Survey Finds Frustration Among Teachers Over Policy Debates
Education Week reports that a survey by the Center on Education Policy finds that "many teachers feel ignored in education policy discussions and are frustrated with the constantly changing demands on them." The survey of 3,328 public school teachers "paints a picture of a profession that has become increasingly demanding and discouraging, leaving many teachers who entered the profession for mostly altruistic reasons feeling stressed and discounted."

Can Genetics Determine Academic Success?
While research shows genes play a small role in education attainment, there are no specific "genes for education," according to a recent international study. However, researchers found variants of 74 genes associated with staying in school and pursuing postsecondary education. The Atlantic online

Civil Rights Report
The Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published its Fiscal Year 2015 annual report, detailing efforts during the past year to protect students' civil rights and increase educational equity nationwide.  The report, "Delivering Justice," cites examples of OCR's enforcement activities, including processing a record 10,392 civil rights complaints, opening more than 3,000 investigations, and reaching more than 1,000 substantive resolutions with schools that included with remedies or changes designed to protect students' civil rights.

Reports indicate that the nation's current and future in-demand jobs require workers who have some form of postsecondary education, as well as work-based experience. Associate degrees, industry-recognized certificates, apprenticeships and workforce-training programs all are ways students can achieve these requirements, experts suggest. The Cincinnati Enquirer

Data: 43% of Students Proficient in Tech, Engineering
Forty-three percent of students scored proficient on the National Assessment of Educational Progress' technology and engineering literacy test. Data show girls outperformed boys on the exam by three percentage points.  The Washington Post
Publications
Educators can learn what data truely mean when analyzing student learning by reading "How to MakeDecisions with Different Kinds of Student Assessment Data." Education consultant and best-selling author Susan Brookhart discusses how teachers and administrators can use assessment data to improve teaching and learning in schools and districts. "What sets this book apart from other data books is the focus on a deeper understanding of the different kinds of student assessment data," said Brookhart.

The Framework for Intentional and Targeted Teaching -- or FIT Teaching -- is a research-based, field-tested, and experience-honed process that captures the essentials of the best educational environments. In this new book from Doug Fisher, Nancy Frey and Stefani Hite, you'll be introduced to the powerful FIT Teaching Tool, which harnesses the FIT Teaching approach and presents a detailed continuum of growth and leadership. It's a close-up look at what intentional and targeting teaching is and what successful teachers do.

Celebrate Visual Storytelling
A new quarterly print magazine for creative youth and their grownups, ILLUSTORIA celebrates visual storytelling, makers, and DYI culture. With backgrounds in design, comics, illustration, writing, and publishing, the magazine's contributors share a belief in the power of stories, art, and creative expression. In the first issue, all about beginnings, readers will learn from Cece Bell about the making of her graphic novel El Deafo. They will also discover how Andrew Bird prototyped a makeshift violin at age 4 and glimpse into Aaron Becker's process illustrating Journey. The magazine has original contributions from dozens of new and familiar artists and writers in the form of illustrated stories, comics, DIY activities, and more. Click Here for More Information About Magazine

 Cathy L. Seeley, former president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, turns the spotlight on administrative leaders who are seeking to improve their math programs, offering an overview of what an effective program looks like and examples of actions to take to achieve that goal. Along with the companion book for teachers, "Making Sense of Math," this book is an essential tool for leaders facing the critical task of revising their math program.

The Highly Effective Teacher: 7 Classroom-Tested Practices That Foster Student Success
In the new ASCD book The Highly Effective Teacher: 7 Classroom-Tested Practices That Foster Student Success, teacher and professor Jeff Marshall introduces the Teacher Intentionality Practice Scale (TIPS), a framework for both supporting and measuring effective teaching. Taken together, the framework's seven TIPs provide a research-based, classroom-tested guide to help teachers
  • Create coherent, connected lessons;
  • Use strategies and resources, including technology, that truly enhance learning;
  • Organize a safe, respectful learning environment;
  • Develop challenging and rigorous learning experiences;
  • Promote interactive, thoughtful learning;
  • Nurture a creative, problem-solving classroom culture; and
  • Deliver feedback and formative assessment that inform teaching and learning.
The Highly Effective Teacher is a guidebook for thoughtful, intentional teaching with one goal: success for all students, in every classroom.

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.


On-demand Webinar: Steps to Becoming a Highly Effective Teacher
Join Jeff Marshall, author of the new ASCD book "The Highly Effective Teacher: 7 Classroom-Tested Practices That Foster Student Success," for a webinar that guides you through critical teacher actions that are within your control to improve and that influence student success, such as creating challenging, rigorous learning experiences and facilitating interactive, thoughtful learning. Marshall helps participants learn to identify where they are on the continuum of performance for each action. Watch the webinar.

In the latest "The Techy Teacher" column in Educational Leadership, Catlin Tucker shares five tips for avoiding technology overload. Because learning is no longer limited to a certain time or place, connected educators face an interesting dilemma: When, and how often, should we unplug? Tucker's tips will help you maintain the benefits of connectivity while setting clear boundaries for the work you do.

3D Printer Comes with Mobile App for Remote Printing, Monitoring
Dremel has released its new 3D printer for education, the Dremel Idea Builder 3D40. The company also has introduced a free app that lets users print, monitor jobs and download designs, using their mobile Android or iOS device. A video showing students using the printer is available online.

Resources to Help Educators Access OER
Open educational resources can be found in various ways, including eight curated collections highlighted in this article. Collections include OER Commons and Khan Academy. T.H.E. Journal

Special-education teacher Patrick Delaney was able to curb his anxiety by practicing mindfulness. In this blog post, he shares how the practice can help teachers, students and athletes live in the moment -- rather than worry about the past or future. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education

In this commentary, Jonathan Schweig, an associate social scientist at the RAND Corporation, takes a deep dive into the opt-out movement. "The opt-out movement raises some difficult and important questions regarding how and when standardized tests should be used, and their complex, multifaceted role in the educational system," he writes. U.S. News & World Report

How Deep Listening Can Improve Leadership
School leaders must learn to deeply listen to others with both empathy and mindfulness to foster good relationships, Valerie Brown, president of Lead Smart Coaching, suggests in this blog post. "Too often school leaders listen to 'fix or solve' a perceived problem that calls for empathetic listening," Brown writes.  Education Week

RESOURCES:  

Don't miss these additional teacher-themed blog posts:
Check out Real Learning for Real Life for assessment resources for families and educators, including videos and downloads, and  sign-up for the newsletter!

The GreatKids Illinois Test Guide for Parents is a free, online tool organized by grade and subject to help parents use their state test scores to support their kids at home. The guide was developed by the national nonprofit GreatSchools, in collaboration with leading educators and PARCC assessment designers.
 
Check Education Briefs Archived issues now available on our website for previously listed resources.
  
ASCD RESOURCES:

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. 
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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