TopOctober 2014
In This Issue
Quick Links
Stay Connected to ADE's K-12 Standards Section
Subscribers Receive Information on Training Sessions and More

 

Do you want to receive the latest news from the Arizona Department of Education's K-12 Academic Standards group? Join their exclusive mailing list! You will receive regular updates on professional development activities, engagement opportunities and general topics of interest. Complete this brief form to join.
K-12 Standards October Newsletter Now Available

For more information on current
K-12 Standards happenings, please click here to read their October newsletter.

Included in this month's edition is a comprehensive list of professional development opportunities.
Seeking Success Stories
Do You Have a Success Story You Would Like to Share?

 

We would love to hear it, from students excelling in statewide or national competitions to teachers being honored for their passion and dedication.

Please send your Success Story suggestions to [email protected] and a member of ADE's Communications team will reach out for more information.
  
Thank you for helping us share the great work that Arizona students, teachers, and schools are doing every day!
Arizona's New Statewide Achievement Test: Additional Resources Now Available

With the State Board of Education's adoption of a new statewide achievement test coming soon, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has developed a series of helpful resources to help communicate the purpose of the new test and several important aspects of the upcoming implementation process. We hope that our newly established web site, www.azed.gov/newtest, will help guide all of Arizona's education stakeholders through the transition.

 

ADE is also seeking educator involvement in several projects related to the new assessment. If you are interested, please complete or update a committee application.

 

If you have any questions about the site or the assessment transition, please email [email protected].

 

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A Message from Superintendent Huppenthal
 

Late last week, the United States Department of Education (USDOE) announced that Arizona has received approval for an extension of Arizona's flexibility from certain provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), through the 2014-2015 school year.
 

This approval allows public schools in Arizona to have confidence that they can continue operating as they have since Arizona's initial request was approved in July of 2012. Under this request, Arizona schools receive relief from certain requirements of NCLB that punishes schools that do not meet unattainable goals.

 

I am very proud of the work our schools have been doing over the past several years, and this approval is a validation of that work. Change is never easy, and we've had a lot of it. But Arizona has always been at the forefront of education reform, and our schools' commitment to quality has never wavered.

 

That same commitment remains in place here at the Department of Education. We will continue providing dedicated service while working to implement education reforms that go beyond the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's rigid, top-down requirements.

 

Over the course of the next several months, I look forward to making sure that Arizona can continue building on its many accomplishments as the transition to a new administration takes place.

 

Sincerely,

John Huppenthal

 

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Updates on School Health Concerns
U.S. Department of Education Releases Resources for Schools and Parents to Help Address Concerns Over Enterovirus D68 and Ebola
In response to concerns over the nationwide outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), which has been associated with a severe respiratory illness that has been especially harmful to children, and questions about the Ebola virus, the U.S. Department of Education and federal health organizations have created a number of informational resources to share.
 

 

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) are working closely as partners to monitor the status of these two diseases. As soon as more information becomes available, particularly as it relates to Arizona schools and students, ADE and ADHS will reach out the education community with updates.

 

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Success Stories
Congratulations to Arizona's Four National Blue Ribbon Schools!
Late last month, Superintendent Huppenthal had the pleasure of announcing that four Arizona schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The four schools receiving this honor are Benson Primary School in Benson, Franklin Police and Fire High School in Phoenix, Mesquite Elementary School in Tucson, and Reid Traditional Schools' Valley Academy in Phoenix. These schools are among 287 public and 50 private schools that will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 10-11.
 

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for these four schools," said Superintendent Huppenthal. "This award recognizes a commitment to all students - and more specifically, a commitment to ensuring that all students achieve high levels of academic excellence. I want to thank the principals, teachers, staff, and students whose hard work helped to earn their schools such a highly coveted national award."
 

 

The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories: "Exemplary High Performing" and "Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing." The first category is based upon state assessment or nationally normed tests. The second category is based upon a school's improvements in closing achievement gaps between subgroups and all students over the past five years. Benson Primary School was recognized as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School. Franklin Police and Fire High School, Mesquite Elementary School, and Reid Traditional Schools' Valley Academy were each recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.

 

For more information, visit www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/.
Littleton Elementary District Receives $100,000 K-12 Center Partnership Grant

The Littleton Elementary School District (LESD) recently received a $100,000 grant from the Arizona K-12 Center at Northern Arizona University to partner with the SEED Master Teacher Program. The grant funds include guided support for new teachers with two years or less experience in LESD, and National Board Certified Teachers will be used to successfully implement the program. The school district has a strong foundation in its support of National Board Certification and the Arizona K-12 Center believes this is the cornerstone for a successful partnership.

 

National Board Certification in teaching is the equivalent of an advanced degree in a specific subject area and is the most respected professional certification available in education. Developed to retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to provoke ongoing improvement in schools nationwide, it also provides numerous beneficial factors for not only teachers, but schools and students too.

 

Dr. Roger Freeman, LESD's superintendent, stated, "This is the fuel that will solidify teachers' investment in their profession. With the high turnover rate of teachers nationally and especially in Arizona, we feel fortunate that this grant will provide the investment we need to grow our teachers into the proud professionals in their field who want to inspire future generations of students."
SkillsUSA Arizona's Fall Leadership Conferences Impact Over 2300 Students and Teachers

Earlier this month, SkillsUSA members from across Arizona attended two leadership development conferences, designed to enhance their career and technical education experience. In Tucson, Chapter Leadership Conference participants were engaged in workshops focused on bringing excitement to their local SkillsUSA classroom calendar. Workshop topics included building an online brand, planning activities, and conflict resolution. In Phoenix, Employee Leadership Conference attendees took a more outward approach as they prepared for leadership in the world of work with sessions that concentrated on time management, professionalism, and interviewing. Sessions, presented by TRI Leadership Resources and SkillsUSA student leaders, were designed to help maximize students' potential as champions of personal achievement, online image, future careers and self-marketing. Students equipped themselves to become the ultimate SkillsUSA Champion, who is Educated and Skilled to Lead America. 

 

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 300,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. It has the active support of over 1,100 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions at the national level. Student membership in SkillsUSA offers leadership, citizenship and character development programs and activities to complement skill training. Its programs help students prepare to go to work and on to further education.

Pendergast's Desert Horizon School Receives "Run for Something Better" ING Grant

Last month, K-8th grade students at Pendergast District's Desert Horizon School's Running Club received a $3500 grant from ING's Run for Something Better Program. The students were able to experience the true feeling of running to achieve their goals and succeed by working diligently. This is the first year the school has received the grant and they aspire to continuously receive the grant in future years. Desert Horizon has become one of sixty schools across the country that has received Run for Something Better grants.

 

Pendergast District Superintendent Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux couldn't wait to share the great news. "As BEElievers in PESD, we encourage our staff to seek every opportunity to engage our students in rewarding activities that will positively impact their lives and establish lifelong relationships with active lifestyles. With childhood obesity rates reaching alarming rates in Arizona, running programs such as this set the tone for good health and bright futures for our Desert Horizon students."

 

The Run for Something Better Program grant is sponsored by SHAPE America whose mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance, and sport.
School Updates

Need Support? ADE's Call Center Options Have Changed

If you are in need of technical assistance related to any of ADE's many online applications, you may notice a new set of options when calling our Support Center at (602) 542-7378 or 1-866-577-9636. Designed to more efficiently route calls so that your issue can be resolved as quickly as possible, the new choices are as follows:
  1. General Support Assistance
  2. Speak with an Arizona Education Learning and Accountability System (AELAS) Specialist
  3. Student-Teacher-Course Connection Support

We are committed to providing outstanding service and hope this change will improve your experience the next time you call for assistance. If you have any questions, please contact us either by phone at one of the numbers above or by e-mail at [email protected].

Read On Arizona Announces Extension of Free Digital Library Resource Through December

To help ensure kids continue reading long after their summer breaks have come to a close, Arizona students, ages three years and older, are being offered extended access to a library of thousands of enhanced digital books accessible on computers, tablets and other devices, wherever they are from now until December 19, 2014. Books are available online anytime and anywhere a student has access to an internet connection, 24/7.
  

Read On Arizona has created a web page with materials for schools to promote the myON Digital Library to their students. Resources include:

  • Fliers
  • Press Release
  • Social Media Kit
For more information, to access the materials and to begin using myON visit ReadOnArizona.org.

November is Family Engagement Month

On behalf of the Arizona Department of Education's Family Engagement Initiative, we hope you will join us in celebrating November as Family Engagement Month. Established in a proclamation by Superintendent Huppenthal, the goal of Family Engagement Month is to highlight the importance of family, school, and community partnerships as a means of increasing student achievement. The Department's Family Engagement Initiative is a cross-divisional effort to build and strengthen these partnerships using the resources at our disposal. If you have any family engagement successes you would like to share, please send them to [email protected]. We look forward to sharing many exciting facts and stories as Family Engagement Month kicks off!

  

Opportunities for Students
Last Week for Students to Apply for the 53rd Annual U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program

ADE is still accepting student applications for this year's U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship. This program will provide two outstanding Arizona high school juniors or seniors with a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet their nation's leaders. Winners will be chosen by a panel of prominent government representatives following a detailed civics exam and an interview with the panel.

 

School coordinators will be asked to administer the qualifying exam within a tight window of time, not only to ensure the integrity of the exam, but also to prevent the necessity of students' travel to the Arizona Department of Education's office in Phoenix.

 

All applications are due to ADE by Monday, October 20, 2014.

 

The following time-line will be observed: 

 

Monday, Oct. 20:

Applications must be postmarked by no later than this date.

Wednesday, Oct. 22:

Testing packets shall be sent.

Friday, Nov. 7:

All testing materials are due (not postmarked!) at ADE.

Monday, Nov. 10:

Top 10 percent of Arizona test-takers will be notified of finalist status.

Friday, Nov. 21:

Finalists will be interviewed at 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix.

December:

Winners will be notified.

March 07-14 2015:

Winners will spend one week in Washington, D.C.

   

For more information and to access the program application, please visit our web site at www.azed.gov/constituent-services/us-youth/.

 

Thank you for your support of this unique program. Please do not hesitate to e-mail your questions to [email protected].

Deadline Approaching for Cyber Security Awareness Poster Contest

Do you have a child or know a child in kindergarten through 12th grade? Every child in Arizona is encouraged to enter the Cyber Security Awareness Poster Contest presented by ADE and the "Helping Keep Kids Safe Online" campaign. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 13th, 2014.  For more information about the contest and the associated prizes, please visit www.azed.gov/itblog/.
ADE Seeking Applications for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, ADE will be nominating up to 10 Arizona students (five girls and five boys) as part of this year's U.S. Presidential Scholars Program via an open application process. Interested students must be planning to graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2015, the current program year. In addition to outstanding scholarship, applicants should demonstrate leadership, character and involvement in and service to the community .

The 2014-2015 application form is available here, and all applications must be received by Wednesday, November 19, 2014.

 

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

 

For more information, please visit our web site at www.azed.gov/constituent-services/psp/

Arizona Coyotes 2nd Annual HS Leadership Night

The Arizona Coyotes are hosting their 2nd Annual High School Leadership Night on Thursday, December 4, 2014. They look forward to building off the success of their inaugural event and seeing students from across the state who will have the opportunity to learn from industry-leading sports and entertainment executives about sports business. The event will focus on marketing, facilities, social media & community relations as well as what life is like post-career from a Coyotes player.

 

Coyotes Executive speakers will include:
 

  • Guest Emcee - Coyotes Announcer, Matt McConnell
  • EVP, Corporate and Suite Sales - Mike Humes
  • General Manager of the Arena - Monty Jones Jr.    
  • Executive Director Arizona Coyotes Foundation/Director Community Relations - Kimberly Trichel
  • Chief Marketing Officer - TBD
  • Senior Advisor, Business Development & Alumni Relations - Cale Hulse

 

Please pass this information along to any interested educators so that you can include all of your students in this exciting educational night. All information regarding the Arizona Coyotes High School Leadership Night can be found on www.arizonacoyotes.com/leadership.

 

If you have any specific questions, please contact Steve Gonzales by phone at 623-772-3485 or by e-mail at [email protected].

 

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Opportunities for Educators

Still Time to Apply for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition

Samsung is searching for teachers and students with innovative ideas for solving problems in their local communities. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in Samsung's school competition - Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, which awards over $2 million in technology to winning schools throughout the U.S.

 

Teachers in all disciplines from grades 6-12 are invited to participate and answer a few, simple questions about their school and STEM education at www.samsung.com/solve
 

Samsung will be awarding five teachers in every state two Galaxy tablets. There will also be one winner from each state that will receive a $20,000 technology package for their school.

 

Prizes will be awarded at each stage of the competition, beginning with the 255 State Finalists. Fifteen National Finalists will receive a trip to attend Samsung's first ever pitch event, where they will present their video to a panel of judges. Finally, the selected five National Winners will also be invited to attend a celebratory event in Washington D.C. in addition to winning $120,000 technology package for their school.

 

Apply today! The application deadline is October 31, 2014.

 

The full contest rules and additional information are posted at: www.samsung.com/solve. Once there, you can also see examples of videos from previous winning schools.

 

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October 2014 Calendar of Events
Day
Event

17

TSA (Technology Student Association): Chapter Advisors' Training (ASU Polytechnic)

20
2014 Joint Arts Education Conference: Mapping the Future (Phoenix)
21
21st Annual Statewide Conference on Ending Homelessness (Phoenix)
22
Close Reading in the 3-12 SEI Classroom (Phoenix)
22
Science and Literacy in the 3-5 Classroom (Phoenix)
24
SEI Methodologies (Phoenix)

24-25

HOSA (Future Health Professionals): Advisor/Teacher Professional Development (Phoenix)
27
Science and Literacy in the K-3 Classroom (Phoenix)
28-11/2
FFA (Future Farmers of America): National FFA Convention (Louisville, KY)
30
Writing In Mathematics - Grades K-5 (Phoenix)
30
FEA (Future Educators Association): FEA Fall Regional Leadership Conference (ASU Tempe)
30
Multisensory Grammar (Phoenix)
23
Writing In Mathematics - Grades K-5 (Phoenix)

 

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ADE Office of Communications Staff

Sally Stewart, Public Information Officer

Ashley Dammen, Communications Officer

Charles Tack, Electronic Communications Manager
Cassandra Cothron, Communications Intern

Contact us at: [email protected]