November 16, 2012

Friday Updates - on Monday, November 19th, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you get to spend it with those you love.

Info/Reminder:

 travel reimbursement procedures.

• Remember to use  new travel form[July 2012].     It is on our shared drive. "G" drive
• Any travel (other than travel to schools) requires an agenda/conference booklet to be submitted with the request for reimbursement. If you attend a PD [training at another site] a sign in sheet with the date and times will work for documentation.
• For recording keeping purposes, please submit travel to schools separate from travel to state meetings or pd you attend.

Google Calendar:

Keeping your calendar up to date is documentation.

"inviting" Tanya and Kay to an event that takes you out of the office/school is notifying/requesting time off from work. 

Please remember: Just because it is "on your calendar" I will not see it unless you send me an invite. We have grown too big for all of your calendars to show up on my screen.

• Please, please, please, please remember to "invite Kay and Tanya" to any event that will take you out of the office/school regardless if it is NCD, annual leave, sick leave, using time spent/worked during summer training, etc.  
• If your event is after hours (after 3:30 or 4:30 depending on whether you arrive at 7 or 8) then we do not need to be invited.
• I can not stress the importance of this enough. This is very important.This has to become a habit for everyone. The invites need to be in advance and not last minute unless something comes up. 
• Please keep your calendar updated at least weekly. As soon as you know you are going to need to be out of the office, please place it on the calendar.  
• Please remember, if an emergency keeps you from work, please text or call Kay AND Tanya then update your calendar accordingly. 

Request to become an AMSTI School

• If anyone asks you about the possibility of joining AMSTI or their school becoming an AMSTI school, please ask them to put their request in writing and email to Tanya.  I keep an email file of everyone who wants information about joining AMSTI. I will begin recording the information on Steve's spreadsheet.   See quote form Steve's email. 
• From Steve:  "Many of you already have some way of recording who is contacting you to join AMSTI that indicates when, what was requested, contact info etc. It is very important that you build a record of this information. Should funds become available to bring on new schools, you will want to have a record to help with the selection process. Also, at an upcoming site staff meeting you should let staff know to be sure and share with you any questions or information they receive regarding requests for AMSTI. Otherwise, if someone other than you speaks with someone calling in, he/she may say “We aren’t accepting new schools” and let it go without you being aware and having a record of the contact."

Updates below apply to Specialists

• Update on dates:
• Math TTT :
• South: January 29 – 31 – USA and Troy
• North: March 5 – 7: UAH, UNA and Athens
• The following is tentative:
  Central : Feb 5-7:
  Central : Feb 26-28:
  March 12-14: ?

• CCRS:   Thanks for Everyone's help.  Kay and Melanie: great job facilitating sessions!
• Please enroll on STIPD for  CCRS.   
• The sign in sheets had been copied and given to Janis before I made sure everyone had signed in.  THEREFORE,  Melanie, Kay, Polly, Shelley see Janis to "sign in" on her copy of the CCRS sign in sheets.  
• Gadsden CIty and Cleburne County have asked for help in turning around the training.   Hold January 2nd for Gadsden CIty (Math specialists).  We will not do the training for them but will plan with them and be there for support.  They are going to do K - 8.
• Cleburne County is also asking for help.  I do not know the grade bands.   They are suppose to email me.

November 26, 2012:
Let's meet after lunch, 1:30 and go over a few things. 
Please read/look over the following before we meet on November 26th at 1:30.

AMSTI Guidelines: October 2012
Responsibilities: page 7
Site schedule: page 8
Responsibilities: pages 9-11
Module equipment and materials: compressed training: page 20
Logo Usage: page 36
Compressed training: pages 37-38
Professional Development Leave: pages 40-41
Previous Kit experience: page 50
Last sentence on page 52
2nd and 3rd paragraph on page 53

JSU Staff Handbook revised June 2010: should be the copy I gave you a few weeks ago
PR: page 12
Telephone: page 13
Personnel records: page 14
Use of University equipment: page 15
Regular, Full time employment: page 18
Professional Service Providers/Outside employment: page 18
Working hours: page 27
Last paragraph page 30
Health Insurance: page 33
Life Insurance: page 36
Retirement programs: page 37
Long term disability: page 39
Direct deposit: page 44
Flexible benefit plan: page 45
Holidays: full time staff: page 47
Annual leave/ absence report/sick leave: pages 48-50 and 52
Inclement Weather: pages 57-59
Jury duty/ Absence from duty: page 60
Resignation: page 62
Employee recognition and service awards/health clinic/parking/HR: pages 69-70

 

November 2, 2012

Dropbox:
If possible, (if you haven't already) install dropbox on your computer.  I've created a folder to share with everyone and when I add something to the folder, if you have dropbox installed on your computer, you will see a notification that a folder has change.

I have added the AMSTI Guidelines for FY 2013 to the dropbox folder.

I have updated the AMSTI school list with the most current changes of principals.  I've added email addresses for the principals and added a column of assistant principals (that we work with) and their email addresses. 

Research Articles:
Because of our MSP grant (s) I recieve articles on math and science.  Recently, I've been saving the ones that might be of use to us on the "G" drive.   There are other articles that I have collected over the years.   Anytime you need an article to share in a PD or with a group of teachers, check the "G" drive.  There are some really good research articles in the Article folder. The articles from MSP recently have dealt with Common Core for Math and for Science.

Calculators for the End of Course Test

From Steve:

Jeff and Martha Anne are working on a way to check out calculators. They will run it by several directors for “issues glitches” before we send it out.

I apologize that this was tossed upon you –but it happened to us too, without warning.

Please instruct whomever is speaking with schools calling to request calculators to explain that when the department wrote the FAQ, they knew that AMSTI had calculators but didn’t understand almost all were already out in the math classrooms-not stored at the site. If we don’t have calculators available just say we would furnish them if we had them, but they are all already out in schools.

Message should be positive, we wish we could help, but they are already in the schools.

Steve Ricks

Director

Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI)

Alabama Department of Education

Gordon Persons Building

50 North Ripley Street

Montgomery, AL 36104

www.amsti.org

(334) 353-9151

October 26, 2012

CCRS -

• No science specialists will be asked to lead a session.  Sandy and Martha Ann will hold a Go To Meeting to share the ideas and how to answer questions at the meeting.
• Math WILL need to attend and I'm hearing that something is being prepared for math to present.  Stay tuned for more info as it unfolds.

From our STaff meeting:

I wanted to clarify that all specialist will continue to keep up with their contact hours as they always have.  The only contact hours reported on the MSP yearly report in Sept 2013 will be contact with teachers concerning OGAP and Robotics.   That has nothing to do with an activity log or sustainability notes/documentation  or regular contact hours that you write down in your calendar.  We still need that info and will collect it with the new activity log when it makes it's presence. 

From Steve: 

• Good Morning.
•  During the weekend I received a memo that Dr.. Bice sent to superintendents that states that End of Course tests will be given this year in English 9-10, Algebra 1 and Geometry. However, legal council has advised that the tests CANNOT be counted as part of a student’s grade this year. Tests will be administered as planned at the end of a course, “whether that is at the end of a trimester, end of semester, or end of year depending on your local schedule.” As the tests have no impact on accountability or student grade this year, “you can now give the tests at the end of course or whenever it makes sense for you since there will be no pressure to have results reported in time to include on a student’s grade.”

Info from RPT meeting End of Course Test and Quality Core Facts

 

I have a PDF of Facts that I will share via skydrive or dropbox. 

 

 

Gloria Turner

Questions on assessment:

College and Career Ready Standards - 2nd Quarterly meeting. : JSU November 15

These are not  assessment meetings. Assessment will not drive instruction. THese meetings should be about instructions.

This training should be turned around.

LEA sharing -

Math lessons on CCRS, rubric

ELA literacy standards in content areas

Job alike sessions: math, ELA, administrators

LEA team planning - AMSTI, ARI, Instructional Service will let the systems know what they can assist with as they go forward

Teams can add media, career tech, etc. ARI team leaders have current numbers

From LEA meetings: questions about assessments: - see letter from Dr. Bice in the shared folder.

Global Scholar formative assessment - and ACT quality core: optional ACT quality core is an option for formative assessment for the HS,

One year contract with Global Scholar: Last year, LEA can get money for using something other than Global scholar -

Will give ARMT+, data from this year will be baseline - need a way to link scores from Explore to 3rd grade -- comment has been made that items on ARMT+_ That do not lineup with CCRS will not be counted

Accountability : know the terms - this is what we will be using when we look at data from districts

Common Questions about ACT quality core: current and final decision: this school year, quality core will not count as part of the student's grade. [end of course test]. This is a year for systems with no pressure of accountability to try our online and paper and pencil, etc. this is the transition year to try things without accountability tied to it. Biology will not be given. Doesn't match standards. Will next year.

92 commonly asked questions.

No calculators supplied. AMSTI calculators in a school can be used. - AMSTI supplying calculators is not a doen decision.  this is still up for debate and decision.  Not sure AMSTI knew this was going to be stated. AMSTI calculators in a school can be used but we don't have an endless supply so we can't supply the state with calculators.   

ACT educator resources : school systems should have a user name and password for educator resources: generic username and password

alstateuser Act001

Www.act.org/qualitycore

Alabama state

Educator resources: ENglish 9, 10, Algebra I, Geometry

Select a course and there is a list of resources

Course objectives: content standards -

Standard has a number adn it is different from the numbers on the CCRS, there is a document that matches CCRS standards and ACT standard - will be posted on CCRS website

ACT course standards worksheet - increase the rigor on the high school core courses

Gap 1 and Gap 2 - difference in written curriculum and taught curriculum

Gap 1 - yes or no I'm teaching this - some standards may not be in that course (may be in 8th grade)

Gap 2 - teachers get together and talk about

Blueprint: the weighting of each items- according to the content

Items level 1: recall, level 2 and level 3: strategic thinking

Launch test builder:

Cognitive level

multiple choice, open ended and short answer questions

Test will be two 45 minute test for the end of course test - 2 separate sitting - can be one day or two day

3 types of test : formative, benchmark and then an end of course test

Benchmark for each content cluster

ACT difference from Global scholar -- the formative and benchmark can't be given online. Must be printed and scored by hand --

PDs coming in January or FEbruary - instruction folks, Explore, Plan and Quality Core - some teachers, field staff, state dept, etc... 3 days and then 2 days total of 5 days - focus is to increase the rigor of core hs courses - program that has assessment built into it

No connection between quality core and Global scholar

Common among the districts:

Districts were well prepared

Lack of turn around -school calendar a barrier

Differentiate support is the right way to go

 

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

 

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.