October 15, 2010

Power Outage
The power will be cut off on Wednesday, October 20 from 6 AM to 10 AM.


Dates for Summer Workshops


I didn't include any Alphabet Soup.  We will let that be by request.  If a system ask for help with curriculum, AMSTI materials and COS.   InService Days for schools systems will be by request.  


Please check the email sent on Thursday for compressed training.  I will submit the schedule to the InService Center next week.  

The days I have listed are days we will need rooms at the InService Center. 


I changed the name of Oreos and MIlk to Math and Science, making the pieces fit together. 


GLOBE new hire needs to be in July in order to take care of new hires from 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.  The dates do not have to be consecutive so I need 2 days from Polly and 2 from Carol and I'll fill in 2 days for new specialist.


I need dates from K-5 Math for Special topics for new hires.  Those days also need to be in July.




7-Jun-11 Tuesday Formative Assessment JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30-11:30 K-12
14-Jun-11 Tuesday Differentiate Instruction - Strategies that work in EVERY classrom JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30-11:30 K-12
16-Jun-11 Tuesday Math, and Science, making the pieces fit together. JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30-11:30 K-8 math and science
21-Jun-11 Tuesday "E's" on Down the Road, Inquiry in Math and Science JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30 - 11:30 K-8 math and science

October 8, 2010

Staff Meeting Monday, October 11
In preparation for the staff meeting on Monday, please review the reflection questions:

Please place short answers to questions 3 – 6 on sticky notes and place the sticky notes on the chart paper in the meeting room (in-service center) on Monday morning. We will begin at 9 am at the in-service center.

1. What is your current understanding of coaching and AMSTI’s expectation of you?

2. What do you think coaching should “look like” in your work?

3. How would you rate yourself in terms of coaching abilities at this time?

4. What are your strengths?

5. What are your needs?

6. What coaching skill(s) do you want to focus at this time?

7. What is your “next step”?

8. What else do you need in order to do this?

Proposed Change in scheduling:

Can we move the October 25, 2010 staff meeting to November 1^st and move the November 8^th meeting to November 15^th?  AND Delete the November 29^th?

Reminder from Steve:

Has anyone sent out any information concerning NAEP? If so, please let me know. If not, please do not do so without consulting me first. All communication concerning NAEP must be approved through the SDE beforehand.

From STEVE:

Gang,
I need for you to let us know BEFORE you send anything out regarding NAEP training. We will also give the Assessment Section at the SDE a copy so they will know what is going on.

September 22, 2010

Highlights from AMSTI Project Administrators Meeting

 ( I've lost parts of the BLOG 3 times today and half of it yesterday at 530. I apologize if the formatting is not perfect but every time I edit, parts disappear today. )

NAEP

From Steve Ricks:

Directors,

Good morning. 

I wanted to again state that Dr. Bice had indicated that AMSTI’s normal implementation appears to be effective at raising NAEP scores.  Good implementation is the “best” thing we can do to prepare students for NAEP.  The only reason we are providing you the NAEP workshop material is that several of you had asked if we had materials.  With the knowledge that “one shot” events usually have very little impact, you may find your time is better spent working with regular implementation.

I do think it important that we communicate to teachers at NAEP schools that the NAEP test is important-so they and their students take it seriously.  That said, the best way they can prepare for NAEP is to effectively implement AMSTI –not try to do something “special.”

Remember BIG ROCKS- I’d say extra NAEP workshops are pebbles. 

Steve Ricks

Director

Math and Science

The NAEP CD from the SDE is here.  NAEP is the what compares us to the rest of the nation and Dr. Morton takes it very seriously.  We want to communicate that to our schools that it should be taken seriously but that we believe that the best thing to we can do to prepare for all standardized test is full implementation of AMSTI.  We can offer assistance, provide copies of the CD, refer the teachers to the AMSTI handouts and helps for teachers.  NAEP is going to be correlated to the TIMSS study and therefore comparing the US to the World so it is important. Please see the emails I forward to math specialists from Tod and to the science specialists from Martha Ann.    

I also emailed a list of NAEP schools to everyone. Please let me know if you did not receive any of these emails. 

From Steve - Big Rocks - Pebbles

Following our statewide staff meeting and a subsequent SDE leadership retreat, it was suggested that I provide you with a summary of our discussions to provide clarity and focus to your work.  Points are summarized below in bullet format.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

·         Our #1 focus this year is working in schools providing on-site support through coaching and ASAP.  This means that the site director’s primary focus is on working with central office and local principals to pave the way for specialists to perform these functions in the schools.  While New Hire training may occur, it is secondary to on-site support.  Specialists #1 priority should be coaching, ASAP, and on-site support.

       

       Project Administrators identified Big Rocks

v     New Hire

v     Coaching

v     ACHE 

v     MSP

v     Compressed Training

v     Statewide Staff meeting

         New Hire Training

      New Hire Training is completed.  I will meet with K-5 Math and K-5 Science to plan follow up visits with the teachers who attended New Hire Training.  Please review the New Hire Plan.  I am available October 7 and October 12, 13 and 14.  Please let me know what day works for K-5 math (Sandra, Kay and Donna) and what day works for K-5 science. (Polly and Carol). THANKS

         GLOBE

v     The K-5 Science teachers who completed New Hire Training need one day of GLOBE Training.  I have asked Lynn Vaughn to provide this training in the Summer.  Robin has given it her blessing with the understanding that the specialists serving that grade level will be with Lynn for the day of the GLOBE training.  

v     We will offer K-5 GLOBE training this summer.  Polly and Carol, please let me know 3 days  you will be available in July for GLOBE training.The days can't overlap but they do not have to be 6 consecutive days.  We need to "schedule" Lynn and also reserve rooms at the InService Center.   These are 6 hour days.  

        SPECIAL TOPICS for K-5 MATH

v     The special topics for K-5  Math New Hires will need to be a one day training as well.  Sandra, Kay and Donna, please let me know a day in July you will be available to offer this training.  Grade levels can't over lap with math because the same teacher who needs 2nd grade GLOBE will need 2nd grade special topics.  

        Math Journaling and Science Notebooks 

v     Online training for Journaling and Notebooks should be ready by January so the teachers attending New Hire should be able to complete those modules on line and not need an extra day in the summer for that training.

        6-12 NEW HIRE

v     Auburn, Athens and  UAH is offering a few sessions.  Barry and I need to evaluate our kit situation and refurb situation before we send anyone to those sessions.  I'm hesitant to ask a teacher to miss 4 days of class and drive 3 hours each way to Athens or UAH and each day is an 8 hour training. Also, extensive embedded training is needed for 6-12 new hires so that may be BIG ROCK for the next school year.  Maybe offer some kit training in the summer. Maybe we can plan to offer new hire GLOBE in July for 6-8 in preparation for offering new hire kit training.  Please review the new hire plan. GLOBE for 6-8 is an 8 hour day.

        There is a lot more to consider with 6-12 new hire than K-5. 

        STATEWIDE STAFF MEETING DATE

v     November 2—Dec. 2 (Mobile) drive in on Monday morning early

v     January 31 – Feb 3 –(Tuscaloosa) drive in on Monday moning

v     March 28-31 (possibly UNA ??) drive in on Monday morning

v     June 27 - July 1, 2011 is 5 full days of training  - leave on Sunday [K-12  math will participate in  3 days of OGAP training]

v     Math will meet in October 2011 (not science)

v     Spring 2012 math and science will participate in a statewide staff meeting

COMMON CORE  STANDARDS

      November is the earliest we will know if the Common Core Standards are adopted.  Pearson has developed some handouts and helps and are posted  on the AMSTI staff pages.  Do not duplicate or give out electronically.  

Pearson has a book (for sale) with their curriculum that matches up the COS with the Investigations.  Specialists will have access to this but can't share the book with teachers.  Several PDFs on the handout and helps will address standards not addressed by the Investigation units.  According to the SDE- specialists have been trained on the material and can use the resources with teachers just don't distribute copies. 

      SDE wants to collect resources or trainings developed so that can be shared among the sites.  On line resources will help us help all teachers even when we aren't able to be at their school. 

        According to the SDE, there is a  CD that will be or has been given to the specialists about pacing training and all the resources from the last statewide staff meeting.

         SITE REPORT and MSP CONTACT HOURS

      The AMSTI assistant directors are working on creating a form to collect contact hours and other data needed for reports and by the SDE.  Therefore, please keep your contact hours on your personal calendar or how ever you choose until this new form is developed.  I had said that I would have the MSP contact hour form up on Google by Sept 15 but since this was a topic for the Project Administrators Meeting with Steve, I didn't proceed with that plan.  SOOOO GLAD!   Also, the Assistant Directors are working with the SDE to revise the site report form to collect the info the SDE needs for reports. AMSTI has changed a lot since 2002 when the site report was developed so there will be some significant revisions. But until the new forms are in place, please continue to use the current forms. 

       MSP

       We will partner with Eric to again offer some technology training to our teachers.  

      October 27, January 19 and January 26.  By January 26, all JSU AMSTI schools will have had the opportunity to attend The "T" in AMSTI and Telling it Digitally.  

  

 SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

      AMSTI administrators will be visiting with you in the near future to discuss and help capture your ASAP plan on paper or to help you develop a plan.  Our AMSTI Administrator Liason is Tod Beers. -- GLAD we are already addressing this.  We are definitely in Quad 2 

   PHONES

      Once you have made a decision on a phone and have a phone number (whether it is a new number or  one you had (personally or through JSU) please share that with me.  I will make a chart with  new contact information for everyone.  I will make copies for everyone, and share it with Vicky, Dr. Carr and the SDE.  I have already sent my information to Vicky, Dr. Carr principals, administrators, and the SDE.  

        School Improvement Coach.

      I am still waiting to hear from the SI coach serving Handley and Sardis.I will make contact again next week. Sometimes they are on the road all week without Internet access.  

        TRAVEL

       Please see Lynn to make sure you are following JSU's instructions for submitting travel reimbursement concerning the end of the fiscal year 2010 and beginning the fiscal year 2011

       WHEW, I think that is all.  Have a great weekend.  

September 3, 2010

Reminder:  Up date your resume  and submit to Tanya by email by: September 15.   This is an earlier date but in re-reading his email, he must turn them in Sept. 17 so I want to get them to him earlier than Sept. 17.  THANKS

Hokes Bluff Principal  Marguerite Early is not the Principal at Southside High School.   Dena Cook is the new principal at Hokes Bluff Middle School.

811 videos are in Barry's office.  Remember to let us know if you have an idea of how to get those to schools.  Otherwise we will send them with the next rotation.

Advisory group will meet at 10 AM at the Inservice Center.  Please remember we are discussing Friday visits and protocal for beginning sustainability.  THANKS.

August 27, 2010

Compressed training:
Sign in sheets go in a folder on the desk in Lynn's office.
Everyone enter their own date for compressed training for the MSP contact hours.

MSP funds:
We should in the near future hire a science specialists as well as material workers.  For the K-5 science specialists position, please send Tanya names of anyone you think will be interested in applying.  The position may be "on loan" from their system if they system will agree to it.  There will be interviews at some time.  Position is not even posted yet.  But they will be posted soon.  The posting has been submitted to JSU (HR, VP, and Pres) for approval.

Updated Teacher Information: 
Please remember to complete an orange form for any teacher who has changed schools, grade levels, systems, etc...   The orange form is needed to keep accurate records in the material database, the teacher PD database and the permanent file we keep on each teacher.

October Statewide Staff Meeting  October 4 - 7
October 4 the meeting begins at 3 PM so we will have to leave EARLY.  Make plans now to leave EARLY. :)

Proactive: 
It has been requested that we supply dates that we will need rooms at the inserivice center for any trainings we will sponsor during the Summer of 2011.  Titles are not needed but for example,  will we need three rooms on June 14 for half day or three rooms on June 14 for  a  whole day? So, if we base it on what we did this summer, I think we can come up with some good estimates.  If it's ok with everyone, I will use the same compressed training schedule but change the dates so the dates fall on the same day.  Example... Tuesday August 24, 2010 will become Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  The dates for June and July must be set by you.  Please submit by our staff meeting on September 13th. Remember, not specific tittles but give thought to how many rooms will be needed each day.

AYP
A weakness is showing state wide, AMSTI and non AMSTI schools is  in the areas of special ed reading and special ed math.  For the workshops you will develop this year, one of the focus should be strategies to help special ed math students, by teaching all teachers strategies to address special ed math.  I know you all have a differentiated instruction PD and I'm sure parts of that can be used but we need a specific K-5 and a specific 6-12 PD that the focus is teaching teachers to address special ed math scores.

Sardis HS, Handley Middle and Sansom Middle did not make AYP because of Math proficiency Special ed.  I will contact both principals to schedule a visit so we can make some plans to help them. I will offer sustainability cycle to them in math.   Anniston Middle didn't make it because of math participation.  According to:

AMSTI Plan for Addressing AYP in AMSTI Schools

Revised on 8/23/2010

If Math:

Directors will increase specialists’ visits to school to provide on-site support.

Specialists will work with teachers to ensure that AMSTI math is being fully implemented, including, coaching, modeling and team teaching.

Alexandria HS, Ohatchee HS,  and Cherokee County HS because of Graduation Rate.  The plan doesn't address grad rate.

Ashville Middle, CE Hanna, Centre Middle, Gadsden Middle, Moody HS,  Moody Middle, Pell City HS, and Rainbow Middle did make it because of reading proficiency in at least one subgroup.

AMSTI Plan for Addressing AYP in AMSTI Schools

Revised on 8/23/2010

If Reading:

Specialists will encourage and promote use of science notebooks, math journaling, and use of trade books.

NAPE
While at the Calhoun County Roundtable, ARI reported that they knew which schools were "NAPE" schools and they would hold training and asked that Calhoun County provide subs for the teachers to attend the training.   At the Key Leader Network meeting, I asked Tod about it.  Tod said they knew the NAPE schools and would send us the info soon.   We will need to conduct NAPE workshops for those schools.  The InService Center/SDE sponsored them last time.  I think it will be on us to sponsor them.  So, please review the NAPE workshop stuff and we will discuss this at the Sept. 27 staff meeting and make plans for a workshop in Nov/Dec/Jan for the schools involved in NAPE.  

August 5th, 2010

State Wide Staff Meeting: 

There have been several emails concerning the meeting so I"m going to try to summarize and simplify.  If I have misinterpreted, please let me know.  Remember you can always post comments to the blog.

Email from Joanne Cain:  Everyone needs to read the first four chapters of Instructional Coaching, by Jim Knight (pp. 1-79). Have everyone bring the book to the meeting as well.

Tanya will meet at UAB on Monday, August 16 at 10 AM to work with Cathy Jones and other directors on MSP.

Steve Ricks' email forward to you on June 3rd..  Also, thanks to Karen for helping arrange for most of our August staff meeting to be held at the McWane Center in Birmingham.  We will begin at 12 Noon on August 16 at the Lane Teacher Center.  Note: Directors will need to meet at AMSTI-UAB site for internet availability as you work on the MSP grant.  Then, directors and specialists will be at McWane from Aug 17-19.  We will finish at McWane on August 19 at mid afternoon (3 blocks that day).

Sandy Ledwell's email  which may have only been sent to Science specialists but according to Steve's email and confirmed by Pam Williams -- this is the plan for the math specialists too.   Math and Science Specialist will be at Lane Teacher Center on Monday, August 16th at noon.

Tuesday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 18th (Lunch) : all specialists will participate in some training on the "ins and outs" of coaching.  That must be when you need the Instructional Coaching book.

Wednesday, August 18th (after lunch)  all specialists : Educate Alabama

Thursday, August 19th: Science specialists only - From Sandy: On Thursday, we will spend some time in reflection and application of what we have learned and  in attempting to incorporate what we have learned into AMSTI Science.  Additionally, we will look at teacher’s instruction and making a determination…”Now what!?”  For the last day, I would love for you to bring any instruments you have used and/or created to help you formatively assess your teachers.   There will be some time dedicated for you to learn from each other about how you formatively assess your teachers at the beginning of your coaching cycle and how you individualize your coaching to meet the specific needs of each teacher.  This session will be science only!

Math specialists plan for Thursday has not been sent out at this time.  From Pam Williams:  As stated in Mr. Rick's email below, yes, the math staff will meet on Monday August 16 at 12:00 at Lane Teacher Center.    An agenda for the math sessions will be sent out soon. 

Snacks- we are responsible for Tortilla Chips and salsa  (UAB will have bowls for the salsa and the chips).  Everyone is responsible for their own drinks. 

October's statewide staff meeting is in Mobile.  


UA has volunteered  to host January's staff meeting but I have not received confirmation on that. 


Staff PD
I have asked Eric to provide PD on the "Clickers" so you can use them in your lessons at schools.  We have three sets so you can check one out when needed to use in your classes.  Schools have them too and I'm sure if a teacher has them you would be able to use the ones in their class.  He has agreed. In looking at the Google Calendar, it would appear that August 27 is free for everyone and for Eric.  A minor miracle. Please hold that date for PD with Eric. It will be only 2 hr.  This is completely voluntary, so if you are not interested in using the clickers then you are not obligated to attend the training.   Talk among yourselves and someone please let me know if this is something that some  will attend so that I may confirm the date with Eric.  THANKS!  August 27


If there is something else that you desire in staff PD that we can provide, please make me aware of that as well. 

July Updates

School Updates
Greg Foster, formerly of Handley Middle School, is now the principal at Handley High School.
The new principal at Handley Middle School is Linda Crim.

A reminder concerning compressed training has been sent to the schools.

An announcement concerning K-5 new hire training has been sent to every school containing grades K-5.  Joyce Waid and Karen Wood have created a google document for new hires.  Once I add our new hires to the that document, I will share it with you. My goal is to complete that task by Friday, August 6th.

InService Accreditation 


Everyone needs to submit an updated resume.  Not a one page but not 20 pages either.  Dr. Carr said 5 - 6 pages would be maximum. Please send it to me electronically by September 27 and I will send all to Dr. Carr. THANKS

DDD
Saks Elementary August 23  3:10 - 4:10
Coldwater Elementery TBA
Etowah HS  TBA
Stowers, AKA, Curtison Primary  TBA

PLT's


Weaver HS  August 4 9:30 - 11:00
Coldwater Elementary TBA

 Compressed training

I am working on completing database update forms for all compressed trainings registration  received as of August 2nd. I am attaching this form to the registration and placing them in the compressed training expandable file in Lynn's office.  As registrations are received, I will continue to complete and attach this form to the registration form.

Please remember to make a copy of the compressed training sign in sheets and place in the "sign in sheets " compresed training expandable file in Lynn's office.

Also, as a reminder, as compressed training registrations are received, I add the names of the participants to the google document PD2010.     The tab is compressed training participants.

Staff Meeting Monday August 9.
Please remember we will have a staff meeting on August 9th.  9:30 - 3:00.  We will meet at the InService Center.  I'll get the specific room number and let you know.