Summer Training Registration Changes and Deletions:
Registration for TNCore Summer Training is now closed. Thank you to all districts and schools for their efforts to register staff appropriately and on time.
In order to ensure consistent communication with districts about TNCore Summer Training attendance, a final district report will be sent to all districts by May 31. While no new registrations can be added, changes, substitutions and cancellations will be accommodated until one week prior to the start of each individual training cohort.
To request a change or deletion, registration coordinators and participants can use the attached form here.
While we hope to accommodate all change requests, we are not able to guarantee availability at all sites due to capacity constraints. All requests sent using the form will receive a response within three business days. Please email TNCore.Trainings@tn.gov with any questions. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
2013-14 Assessment Options:
This past February, we announced information about the 2013-14 Common Core State Standards implementation plan, including assessment options for the coming school year. We shared that we would be releasing a form in May to gather information from districts about which optional assessments you will utilize. For further details on the assessment options, please see the accompanying
memo.
The actual form that districts should complete with your 2013-14 assessment option decisions will be sent to system testing coordinators through EdTools. The form must be completed by June 26, 2013.
Please note that the form serves as a district's commitment to particular assessment options. For questions, please reach out to tncore.questions@tn.gov
Textbook Adoption Cycle Change:
On March 13, 2013, the Tennessee Textbook Commission voted to revise the textbook adoption cycle, based on the recommendation from the Tennessee Department of Education. The rationale for the revision is as follows:
- The direction of science standards is undecided: The State Board of Education has not yet determined the direction for science standards for Tennessee. Significant work will need to be done to determine the best direction for science standards. Continuing with the science adoption this coming year would lock districts into materials for the next seven years. Additional time to clarify the direction for science will allow for clearer direction for publishers and districts.
- Districts desire better-aligned math resources: The currently adopted math textbooks were reviewed against the current Tennessee mathematics standards. Teachers, school leaders and district leaders increasingly report concerns about the alignment of the approved math textbooks with Common Core State Standards. Student Achievement Partners released math publisher's criteria during fall 2012, and PARCC has released item prototypes, evidence statements and Model Content Frameworks to help inform understanding of the expectations of the Common Core State Standards. Publishers are now positioned to propose better aligned products and districts strongly desire math resources that will support student success in this transition.
Please see the textbook adoption cycle revision here for the new revision dates. The chart below lists some key revisions:
New Reimbursement Guidelines for AP, IB and Cambridge Exam Fees:
Important changes have been made for qualified, low-income students who take the AP, IB or Cambridge exams in the 2013-14 school year.
AP Exam Reimbursement:
Schools/districts will no longer invoice the state for AP low-income student fees. The College Board will now directly bill the Tennessee Department of Education for its portion of the 2013 AP Low-Income Exam Fee. Schools/districts will pay a $10 fee for each low-income student exam, and the College Board will invoice the Tennessee Department of Education directly for the remaining $45 per low-income student.
- School districts determine eligibility and are required to maintain a copy of the 2013 AP/IB Exam Fee Eligibility Assurances Checklist/Signoff Form (here).
- To ensure that your school/district receives accurate exam reimbursement costs, please refer to the letter from the College Board ( here), and follow the instructions provided. Questions about the College Board process should be referred to Janet Swandol at JFSwandol@collegeboard.org.
IB and Cambridge Exams Reimbursement:
- The procedure described above only applies to AP exams. As a point of clarification, please note that the U.S. Department of Education will fund states to reimburse fees for AP, IB, and Cambridge exams; however, IB and Cambridge registration fees are not refundable.
- School districts are required to maintain a copy of the 2013 AP/IB Exam Eligibility Assurances Checklist/Signoff Form (here).
- Requests for IB and Cambridge reimbursement must still be sent to the Tennessee Department of Education for district reimbursement. Please fill out the 2013 Low-income Fee Reimbursement Invoice form that is attached (here ) and return electronically to Charlotte Woehler at Charlotte.Woehler@tn.gov by June 15, 2013.
For questions, please contact tncore.questions@tn.gov .
