September 28, 2012

Congratulations on a successful day with JSU PreService Students.

Dr. Troncale has schedule February 26th for next semester.  Different students so you can use the same activities and schedule.  It will be 8:00 - 2:30.  I didn't see anything on the calendar for that day.  If there is a conflict, please let me know immediately.

From Steve Ricks (Tuesday, 9/25/2012)

1) Here is the access information for Dropbox for Global Scholar materials. Please pass along to your staff. Visit the ALSDE Dropbox for all materials relating to Performance Series/Achievement Series here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fo00ind2dvun5gg/5CtvydJnuD

2) I have just learned that End of Course tests were renamed Benchmark Tests several days ago on a video that Dr. Bice and others produced. Since then, the name End of Course, then Benchmark Test has changed again!!! The new name is the ACT Quality Core Assessments. They will be given at the end of certain courses (Algebra I, English 9, etc.) and will be phased in over several years as was previously announced. Schools/Systems are being STRONGLY DISCOURAGED from having these tests count as part of the students’ grade. However, currently the SDE has not prohibited this from occurring-just discouraged it. Should a system choose NOT to follow the SDE’s advice and decide to count the tests, it is important that they ensure they are actually teaching the test’s course content standards. These can be found on the website given out about ACT where systems received a generic user name and password.

3) On the ACT website (referenced in #2 above), there is a “blueprint” that shows information about these tests, including the percentage of questions in math domains and the percentage by difficulty level of the questions. I believe 4 benchmark assessments are also located there, along with the formative item pool (launch test builder). While the Quality Core Assessments will only be multiple choice, the formative item pool also has items that are instructional response questions. Both types of questions are available for teachers to use to build their own formative assessments. Realize that there is no “save” feature, so it is important to print out a test as it is built or it will be lost.

4) We submitted the forms for individuals needing passwords to log into SHAREPOINT this afternoon. I will forward you the username and password when it is created.

The information above is current to 1:30PM this a afternoon. I will do my best to keep you informed as changes occur.

Steve Ricks

OGAP Monday through Friday  8:30 - 3:30 adjust your hours to 8:00 - 4:30 for those attending OGAP
Additive is Monday and Tuesday
Multiplicative is Wednesday through Friday.
Please do not sit as an AMSTI group.  Please separate and sit with teachers.  Spread out.
I will not be here on Friday.

For those of you who know Cindy Freeman, formerly with AMSTI SDE, her mother passed away yesterday.   Everyone please keep her in your prayers.  We need to send a card to Cindy and Deb OHara.

Statewide Staff meeting:  

October 8 - 11:  Math ONLY, begins 1 PM on the 8th and ends at noon on the 11th
Directors Oct 9 - 10.   Tanya will make reservations.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

September 14, 2012

• Blue Ribbon Schools:

Piedmont High School was one of 5 schools in Alabama to be named a Blue Ribbon School.  I have the memo and will share on Tuesday.

• OGAP

JSU specialists may attend our sessions of OGAP in October.  

Shelley - encourage the science teachers from Ohatachee HS, Etowah MIddle, Hokes Bluff Middle, Wellborn HS, Handley M, Weaver HS, and Saks M to attend the NASA PD. If there are others that want to attend, please let me know and I can probably make it happen.   

All participants who are have confirmed attendance are listed on the Google doc.  If you need access sent to you, please let me know.  

The materials need to be printed from dropbox, assembled according to the directions and taken to the printer on campus.  Text me on Monday  and I will get you access to the dropbox if you can take care of this on Monday.   We will need 50 copies of everything.   

• RSS meeting
• The room for our PD Tuesday and Wednesday is room 2112. Lynn has the key.  I moved all the materials into the room but the tables need to be arranged.  Please set up a refreshment table.  I will bring "fixings" for coffee.  And if someone can get the coffee maker from 2113 that will be great.  I will do my best to make some muffins for each morning.  
• Each participant needs a journal, a participant packets and the data sheets that are in Lynn's office. 
• I think I planned for 25 participants. 
• Remember:  hours for Tuesday and Wednesday should be 8 - 430.  (a little later on Wednesday since some will travel to JSU to set up for the Thursday PD as soon as we are finished on Wednesday.) 

• Monday:  I will be at a Leadership Development meeting in Auburn.  

See you Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

September 7, 2012

• We have September 10th as a debrief from the RSS and September 17th as a staff meeting day.  Let's have our staff meeting on the 10th and not meet on the 17th.  We can meet at 10 am. 
• Mr. Edge at Attalla Elementary emailed over the weekend that the 12th is better for his school for the science specialists to come and not the 11th. 
• Ms. Tice at Moody elementary said the 11th is fine for the math specialists to come. 
• Since Moody E is K 3, Mr. Odell at Wellborn Elementary  has requested Sept 14 so maybe Kay can meet with Wellborn E.  

Update:

October staff meeting is for Math specilists only - and Tanya-- October 8 - 11

October staff meeting is in Birmingham at the Lincoln center.  Begins at 1 pm on 8th and ends at noon on the 11th.

November 27 - 30 is a directors meeting in Montgomery.  November 27 is directors meetings, RPT on November 28 and November 29-30 is directors meeting.