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John White
State Superintendent of Education
877.453.2721
(toll-free)
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LDOE Weekly Newsletter 11/13/2012
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Dear Colleagues,
Louisiana Believes that educators know best how to educate each child to high standards. This year we are recognizing 440 schools where educators are doing just that. These schools achieved "Top Gains" designations for educators' exceptional academic gains with students. Congratulations to all the educators at these schools for the progress you are making with your students.
As we look to the future, we know that the stakes are being raised for all of our students. We cannot hold educators accountable for results and at the same time tell them exactly how to do their jobs. Teaching is about making choices; we need to let our teachers choose for our kids.
This means that teaching will be less defined by mandated activities and by uniform textbooks. Teachers will select academic content and texts on their own. Rather than simply using ready-made activities or scopes and sequences, they will analyze student work expectations and will collaborate to select and design units and lessons.
We can empower them to do this in two critical ways. First, we need to give our teachers a clear view of the end zone. This memorandum details changes in the state's tests over the next three years that will help teachers understand the shifts in expectations for student work. Detailed in the document are explanations of new questions in all four core subject areas that will be field tested this year and that will count fully next year. The document also notes how tests in all four core subject areas will be fully revised to align with the Common Core by 2014-2015. Please read it and share it with educators throughout your district or school.
We also need to continue our state's push to equip our teachers and learners with today's technology. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all texts, lessons, and assessments. Every one of the tests Louisiana will administer in 2014-2015 will require online administration. Districts and schools are rapidly preparing through assessing their current inventory. In December the state will begin making available contracts for shared purchasing of critical hardware. You can upload updated information on your progress towards digital readiness in your district here.
A clear vision of student success and the tools to deliver it are critical steps for our teachers. Let's get ahead of the change and put them in the best position to succeed with our kids.
As always, thanks for all you do for our children.
John
John White
Louisiana Department of Education
Twitter @LouisianaSupe
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Louisiana Believes Communications Survey
One of the Louisiana Believes teacher committees is focused on improving communication between the LDOE and teachers across the state. This group is eager to get feedback from Louisiana teachers in order to shape its recommendations to the superintendent on how the department can more effectively communicate about issues that impact teachers every day. Please share this survey link with teachers in your district and urge them to share their feedback. The survey will only take a few minutes, and responses are due by Tuesday, November 27, 2012.
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Update on Teacher and Principal of the Year Processes
The 2014 Teacher and Principal of the Year applications will be made available in early January. The application and selection processes will be updated to ensure alignment with Louisiana Believes and will be an efficient process for applicants and selection committee members. Please contact Molly Horstman at molly.horstman@la.gov with any questions about the Teacher or Principal of the Year programs.
HCIS Updates and Enhancements
Several enhancements were completed in HCIS this past week. These include:
- An improved log-in process to minimize number of de-activated accounts
- Completed observations, SLTs, and PGPs that are now printer-friendly
- Leader observations that now allow for Site Visits
- Enhancements for school counselors
Certified Teacher and Leader Evaluators
The HCIS team is working to update all certified teacher and leader evaluators in HCIS. Recently, your data specialist distributed instructions to your LEA for sending us your updated list. Please submit your list to your data specialist by Thursday, November 15 so that HCIS may be updated.
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Assessments and Accountability
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ACT
There are two types of accommodations for ACT. ACT-Approved Accommodations are reviewed and approved by ACT which makes those ACT test scores college reportable (i.e., usable for college admissions, college scholarships, and college athletics). The second type of accommodations is State-Allowed Accommodations. Parents must be clearly informed that State-Allowed Accommodations are not college reportable, which means the ACT score may not be used for college admissions, college scholarships, and college athletics. For more information about ACT-Approved Accommodations and State-Allowed Accommodations, refer to the ACT Website http://act.org/aap/louisiana/act.html, click on ACT, and then Accommodations.
All documentation for ACT-Approved Accommodations MUST be received by ACT by Friday, December 14. To support this process, two documents are attached. The first one is an ACT LA Accommodations Summary Table which describes the types of accommodations and deadlines. The second form is a Request for State-Allowed Accommodations for the ACT Testing which must be completed, signed by the parent, and filed in the student's cumulative record for all students taking the ACT with State-Allowed Accommodations. All questions about ACT accommodations should be sent directly to ACT at 1-800-553-6244, extension 1788, or via web: http://act.org/aap/state/contact.html.
Attachment 1: ACT LA Accommodations Summary Table
Attachment 2: Request for State-Allowed Accommodations for the ACT Testing
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USDA Policy Notifications for Child Nutrition Programs
Please forward to LEA Child Nutrition Program Supervisors.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2012 changed the meal requirements for the National School Lunch Program effective July 1, 2012. An additional reimbursement of 6 cents per lunch is available for school food authorities certified to be in compliance with the new school meal patterns.
The meal pattern requirement certification specifications developed by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will be used to certify school food authorities (SFAs) who demonstrate compliance with the updated meal pattern requirements to receive the additional 6 cent lunch reimbursement.
For a copy of the revised questions and answers related to the interim rule "Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010" click http://tinyurl.com/7aluvn4.
For further information, contact Judy Stracener by email at Judy.stracener@la.gov.
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Commission on Presidential Scholars
The Commission on Presidential Scholars has requested your assistance again this year with identifying nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Class of 2013. Nominations are due by November 30, 2012, in order to be included. Please click here for the text from the original letter.
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Additional State Provided Trainings
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Act 1 - Compensation Workshops - Save the date The LDOE will host another workshop on educator compensation. This workshop will include sessions on: - Sustainability testing
- Communication, including how to discuss the new system with teachers
The workshop will also include "office hours" with staff who are able to discuss or answer questions about your model or the sample models released in October. Dates and locations: - December 5 - North LA
- December 6 - Baton Rouge
We will issue more information next week and will provide a Coursewhere link to register for the workshops. For answers to specific compensation questions, please visit our recently updated Frequently Asked Questions document by clicking here. If your district needs ongoing support or individual consultation, please contact act1@la.gov or contact Gary Jones at gary.jones@la.gov. |
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