October 5, 2012

Sorry!  Forgot to post this on Friday so this is a Monday update! October 8,, 2012

• Thanks for a great week of OGAP PD.

Can we make some posters to use in all PD which establish NORMS for the PD?  That way it doesn't have to be in PP slides especially when we have visiting presenters.

No one is surprised that Mr. Baeza has already contacted me on how to bring OGAP to all of his teachers.   We will begin to work on an implementation plan and how to roll this out to all schools with a lead team over the 3 year grant period.

At our next staff meeting I will explain the MSP grant process this year.   As with each 3 year MSP grant plan, it is different than the previous one.

• From Steve:

Good Afternoon,

The SDE group responsible for the CCRS Implementation Team Meetings (Quarterly Meetings) with the School System Teams has made a request that ALL AMSTI Science Specialists, including ASIM Specialists attend the next quarterly meeting(s) scheduled during Nov. 13-15. (These are the meetings where AMSTI directors have been asked to help with set-up, registration, etc. each quarter –the first quarterly meeting was on Sept 11-14-you helped with it).

The topic at the quarterly meeting will be Content Literacy standards.

While all AMSTI Science Specialists should be in attendance, the Middle School Specialists will have an extra role. The AMSTI MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE SPECIALISTS should be available and prepared to answer questions regarding what content literacy practices look like, if asked by local school system team members during the meeting. This will mean that the AMSTI middle school science specialists will need to get with the ARI regional staff member and be sure they are on the same page. We suggest that this occur at the upcoming RSS meeting (Oct. 16-17).

Sandy will send the PPT presentation for the CCRS-IT Quarterly Meetings ahead of the meeting to the MS Specialists.

As teachers will be responsible for implementing Content Literacy Standards, the session should benefit all of us.

Please be sure to notify your science specialists of this.

More to come as we learn it. Please see me individually with issues.

Paul, please send to ASIM.

Steve Ricks

Director

 

ALSO from Steve:

• At the state board work session a few minutes ago Dr. Bice shared detailed recommendations for them to consider in the FY14 budget they will start looking toward at the next board meeting. There were a lot of changes, including improving the divisor for teacher units, etc. One single bullet among several said AMSTI-increase $10,000,000. The only comment was that this would be with a new differentiated delivery model that we were already beginning to implement.

  Later in looking at the actual line items I noticed ARI is set for a $10 million decrease. The phrase “repurpose of funds” was used a great deal during the entire presentation.

  It is good that we see a 10 Mil recommendation. However, a LOT would have to happen to make it a reality. Remember 10Mil was actually IN the budget the state board sent to the legislature last year and we got only about $1..7 mil. There was a lot of talk/support for expanding career tech and creating a virtual high school (the latter not in the budget).

  If you see a board member, be sure you continue to urge the $10 mil increase.

  Steve Ricks

  Director

   
• **** Be careful and Don't discuss the budget issue at any setting or meeting where other initiatives are present.  Steve just wants those that know state board members to urge the increase.

• JSU CCRS dates:  November 15, February 14 and May 2 - at the JSU InService Center and should be listed on STI PD.  I think registration is at 8 and sessions begin at 8:30.  We will need to help with registration.   
•  
• Our next RSS meeting is October 16 and 17.  October 16 we will meet at the JSU InService Cetner.  8:30-3:30.  October 17, we will travel to Birmingham(Lincoln Center, bring your laptop)  for a Global Scholar training.  Wednesday begins at 8:30 so will meet at the site and leave at 7 am so meet at 6:45.  I will invite ASIM (probably only Krystal is close enough) and the ARI team members from this area to ride with us.  We will take both vans.   Because we are leaving early on Wednesday,  Tuesday morning, everyone involved in the RSS meeting should  be here at 8 am, and as soon as we clean up on Tuesday afternoon, we will go home.
•  
• On Tuesday, October 16, we will have 90 minutes to present information concerning the Math Practice Standards and Key Concepts.  We will use what ever we already have developed.  We will need copies made for 25 people.   This will need to be done on Monday, October 15th.
•  
• Great website from MSP net for STatistics Lesson Plans for K - 12.  http://www.amstat.org/education/stew/index.cfm

 

I think this is all.  I've review all my emails and notes from the past two weeks and I think this is all the news I need to pass onto you at this time. 

Have a great week!

Tanya