Kathe Shelby, Director - Office for Exceptional Children (April 2010)

The Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children is seeking talented education professionals!

Five new, full-time Education Consultant positions are open in our Monitoring and Procedural Safeguards sections. If you are aware of qualified, talented professionals who would be interested in an opportunity to join our office staff, please share this information with them. We hope to obtain a talented pool of applicants!

To apply for one of these positions, visit http://careers.ohio.gov and submit an application and resume. To find the position descriptions, click State of Ohio Government Jobs, then select “Education” in the Category box and Agency box of the Search Criteria section.

Please note that the ODE/OEC cannot accept applications and resumes sent directly to our office.

These job postings close on May 3, 2010.

Kathe Shelby, Director - Office for Exceptional Children (April 2010)

Free Seminar on June 17th for School District Administrators who have responsibility for secondary transition
Presenters from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) will be presenting a free seminar on Implementing Evidence Based Practices for Secondary Transition in Schools on June 17, 2010 at the Embassy Suites at the Columbus Airport. For more information click here to see the announcement flier including registration information.
Assessment program added to credit flexibility Web conference series
To help schools and districts prepare for the implementation of credit flexibility, ODE is offering several upcoming Web conferences:
Thursday, April 29, 3 to 4 p.m. – Developing Quality Student Credit Flex Plans – This ODE program will feature recommended elements of a quality student credit flexibility plan. Mike Hubbell, educational consultant in the Center for School Improvement, and Tom Rutan, associate director of the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, will share what’s been learned though various education options, independent study and, to some extent, service learning and senior projects.
Friday, May 7, 10 to 11 a.m. – Assessment Tips – Stan Heffner, associate superintendent for the Center for Curriculum and Instruction, and Mark Hartman, senior director at Battelle for Kids, will discuss ideas educators can consider as they select approaches for the demonstration-based portions of credit flexibility. Also known as testing for credit or testing into next-level learning, these demonstration-based aspects help ensure the quality of the assessment experience. Participants will learn from sample scenarios and considerations as outlined in ODE’s Credit Flexibility Guidance. They also will hear a discussion about how to determine if students are demonstrating the content and skills outlined in the academic content standards.
To register for either session go to the ODE Web site and search keywords credit flexibility conference. You can also access recordings of past credit flexibility Web conferences on this same Web page.
ODE to present final family and civic engagement webcast beginning May 19
The ODE Office for Family and Civic Engagement’s final, one-hour prerecorded webcast on developing Family and Civic Engagement plans will be posted from 8 a.m. May 19 through noon May 24. ODE has partnered for this session, titled Strengthening Family Engagement, with the Ohio PTA and Barbara Boone, family engagement consultant. During this webcast, presenters will provide details on the role parents and parent groups can play in developing and implementing family and civic engagement plans. Viewers will learn how to develop research-based family engagement strategies and action steps using ODE's Framework for Building School, Family and Community Partnerships and National PTA resources.
Strengthening Family Engagement is a prerequisite for a live, interactive Q&A session with the webcast presenters from 1 to 2 p.m. May 24. During the preliminary webcast, participants will receive instructions on submitting advance or live questions for the May 24 session. To access both programs, visit education.ohio.gov, keyword search FCE professional development.
Multiple professional development resources from OSEP's Special Education Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network
Principals Practices: Supporting and Retaining Special Education Staff and Related Service Providers
On Wednesday, February 23, 2010 the Personnel Improvement Center (PIC) collaborated with the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services and the National Association of Elementary School Principals to present a webinar focused on principal leadership for support of special education teachers and related service providers. The audio-taped webinar is now available for viewing.
Inclusive education in schools and classrooms.
Here are 3 professional learning modules designed to develop participants' understanding of inclusive curriculum, co-teaching, professional learning and school/family connections. From the Equity Alliance.
http://www.equityallianceatasu.org/professional-learning/inclusive-education-for-equity/1
Need to know about Functional Behavioral Assessment?
This is an IRIS professional development module called FBA: Identifying the Reasons for Problem Behavior and Developing a Behavior Plan. The module explores the basic principles of behavior and the importance of discovering the reasons that students engage in problem behavior. The steps to conducting an FBA and developing a behavior plan are described. 
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/fba/chalcycle.htm
The Learning Carousel
The Equity Alliance has created an online, searchable library for improving school practices. You can download research-based PDFs on topics such as RTI, culturally responsive practice, early intervening services, school-family partnerships and coaching for inclusive practices.
http://ea.niusileadscape.org/lc
An IRIS online module: Instructional Accommodations
Making the Learning Environment Accessible to Students With Visual Disabilities can be found at:
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/v02_successsight/chalcycle.htm
What about accessible materials?
Bookshare provides an online accessible library for individuals with print disabilities and offers pre-recorded webinars for educators and parents. The link below will take you to the K-12 Educators Bookshare Community.
http://bookshare.org/_/community/educatorsK12
Need a glossary on assistive and instructional technology?
You'll be glad that FCTD (Family Center on Technology and Disability) has updated its glossary with new terms and expanded definitions.
http://www.fctd.info/show/glossary
Reading interventions for students with learning disabilities
This article on the Reading Rockets website provides research-based information and advice for sizing up reading programs and finding the right one for a child with a specific learning disability.
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/33084
The role of parents in the RTI process
Ever wondered "what role do parents play in the RTI process, including when do they become involved, are they on the decision making team and where can they learn more about RTI?" Watch the video of Dr. Daryl Mellard from the University of Kansas as he answers these questions in the fourth installment of the RTI Center's Ask the Expert video series.
http://www.rti4success.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1430

Title of Event

Ethics Law and Policy Development for Community School Governing Authority Members

Date

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Time

9:00am-3:00pm

Registration

Through STARS Meeting Registration System

Location

Delaware Area Career Center
4565 Columbus Pike (US Route 23)
Delaware, Ohio 43015

April 19, 2010

Good afternoon,

I hope you are enjoying the spring despite the abrupt (hopefully brief) return of chilly weather. This is a longer-than-usual EdConnection due to the incorporation of important Race to the Top (RttT) information. Please be patient as you read through my notes.

On Wednesday, we will celebrate Administrative Professionals Day. I know that I rely heavily on the excellent support of ODE’s administrative staff – just as you do in your districts and organizations. I want to congratulate your outstanding administrative assistants for their dedication to the work of your organization. This is a day when we realize how many people and roles it takes to make significant progress. APPLAUSE to these hard-working folks!

I also am pleased with the excellent efforts by ODE Curriculum and Instruction staff to incorporate the feedback provided by more than 2,000 individuals into the March 2010 drafts of the social studies and science content standards revisions. Today is the deadline to provide any last-minute suggestions via our online survey, which you can access by clicking here.

I imagine that science teachers across the state are busy recognizing Thursday as Earth Day, with many activities and learning experiences for students. It’s hard to believe that the first Earth Day was 40 years ago – in 1970. Now, citizens of Earth recognize this important day throughout the world. I want to thank organizations and schools who are engaging students in various programs to help them gainer a deeper appreciation for this great planet we all share.

The EMIS-R project continues to move forward and we appreciate the patience, dedication and extra efforts of ITCs and districts as this complex work progresses. We look forward to our continued collaboration as we implement this timelier, more accurate and efficient education data system. More about this project is included in the items below. On a related note, don’t forget – the FY 2010 October and March EMIS Reporting Periods will close on Friday.

Phase II RttT MOU Released
I would like to thank everyone who participated in one of our recent conference calls regarding the RttT program and the Phase II RttT application and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process. As I mentioned on the calls, we are releasing the Phase II MOU today.

One of the topics discussed last week was the establishment of a funding floor. In light of the complex work associated with RttT we have established a funding floor for eligible school districts and community schools, based on feedback from LEAs during the Phase I MOU process.

For a traditional public school district participating in RttT, the funding floor is $100,000 for the four-year grant. The floor for community schools is $25,000 for the four-year grant. While we realize the floor amount may not provide all of the resources necessary given the complex work and commitments of RttT, our hope is that the additional funds provided by the floor will help with the implementation of some of the RttT initiatives, such as the new academic standards, and be available to provide deepened professional development opportunities. In order to provide for the funding floor, we will be using funds from the state share of RttT.

The funding floor will provide additional resources for 105 community schools and 293 districts. If all floor-eligible LEAs participated, we will reach more than 420,000 students. More than 90,000 of those students are considered economically disadvantaged. This data is significant and represents additional commitments from the state to ensure we are doing all we can to enhance Ohio’s education system and return federal dollars to Ohio.

As was the case during Phase I, Joint Vocational School Districts, Career and Technical Centers, and Educational Services Centers, which under federal guidelines are not eligible for Title I funds cannot be direct recipients of the LEA share of RttT resources. However, these entities will benefit from the implementation of statewide initiatives and may also provide services to recipients of RttT funds. ODE is also exploring whether services and supports specifically for JVSDs and CTCs can be incorporated into the state’s share of the RTTT funding. We hope to have more information about this piece in the near future.

We have outlined ambitious goals in our strategy; however, it is absolutely vital that we strengthen our education system for all of Ohio’s students – especially those in disadvantaged areas. Our proposal recognizes that 40 percent of Ohio’s students are economically disadvantaged. This is a responsibility we all must assume.

According to an independent guide to Ohio’s RttT proposal, prepared by KidsOhio and the Ohio Grantmakers Forum, we can achieve the following by implementing our RttT strategy statewide:
·         Increase high school graduation rates by 0.5 percent per year to roughly 88 percent. More than 22,000 Ohio students failed to graduate in 2008. An estimated 600 additional students would have graduated if the rate had improved by 0.5 percent. High school graduates are considerably more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than adults without a diploma.

·         Reduce graduation rate gaps by 50 percent between white and black students.  White students in the class of 2008 had a graduation rate of 89.4 percent. Black students had a graduation rate of 64.3 percent. The gap was 25.1 percentage points.  If this gap had been reduced by 50 percent, over 2,900 more black students would have graduated. The state’s overall graduation rate would have risen as well.

·         Reduce performance gaps by 50 percent between black and white students on national and statewide assessments. There were at least 8,000 black students in Ohio who were not proficient in math in each of the seven grade levels where students take state tests (grades 3 through 8 and grade 10) in 2008-2009. Wide gaps in math proficiency levels exist at each grade level.

If the performance gaps in math between black and white students had been reduced by 50 percent that year, an average of 3,500 more black students would have earned proficiency in math in each of the seven grade levels. Thus, an estimated total of 24,000 more black students would have achieved proficiency in math. Students who are proficient in math are more likely to participate in the growing number of STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math) programs where black students are often underrepresented.

·         Reduce the gap between Ohio and the best performing states by 50 percent in reading and mathematics proficiency as measured by national assessments. Ohio tied for ninth place on the 2009 4th grade NAEP math test and is 8 points away from top-ranked Massachusetts, but achievement gaps persist.

Information about the Phase II MOU process is available at rttt.education.ohio.gov. Here you will find the Phase II MOU, guidance for completing the Phase II MOU and an explanation of several key areas based on questions from LEAs.

We encourage districts to submit the MOUs as early as possible. Districts and community schools eligible for the funding floor will need to submit their MOU by May 3, 2010 at 4 p.m., and all remaining MOUs will be due on May 14, 2010 at 4 p.m.

Should you have any questions about the MOU process, please contact rttt@ode.state.oh.us. ODE stands ready to assist with all RttT questions throughout this entire process.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Here are additional items that may be of interest:

• Update on EMIS-R project
• New content standards among topics at FCS teacher conference

• EdSteps seeks student work in writing and global competence by June 30
• Innovative Learning Environments program planned for Aug. 2 to 5
• Social studies and science standards revisions meetings scheduled for April 26 to May 3
• Reminder: Two weeks left to help chart future of arts education in Ohio
• Reminder: Friday registration deadline for Ohio Summit on 21st-Century Skills

·         Spotlight on Columbia Elementary School, Kings Local School District

Update on EMIS-R project
Beginning in May, ITCs and districts will be able to test the new EMIS-R software before it is implemented for FY 2011 EMIS reporting. This EMIS-R performance period, expected to extend from May through mid-June, is a vital step to ensure that the new system will support high-quality and timely data submission while minimizing burdens on school districts.

ODE recognizes that the performance period will coincide with year-end reporting using the traditional/legacy EMIS processes. The additional efforts that districts must make to validate the new system are essential to ensuring that any issues are identified and corrected prior to implementation.

As a part of this project, SSID system functionality has been enhanced for districts using eSIS or DASL. Software updates addressing rollout issues also will be available. These enhancements automate the assignment and validation of SSIDs when newly enrolled students are entered into SIS systems, improving timeliness and quality of data while simplifying the enrollment processes.

New content standards among topics at FCS teacher conference
New Graduation, Reality And Dual-role Skills (GRADS) standards, science applications to food, and strategies to make fitness enjoyable are among topics of the Ohio Association Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Conference, July 26 to 28, 2010, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Hotel. The conference is targeted to Ohio’s 2,300 FSC teachers as they move to implement new courses and content standards starting this fall. Traditionally, FCS teachers are engaged in instruction related to college- and career-readiness skills, technology and 21st-century skills, as well as their newer role in facilitating student learning with the financial literacy requirements of House Bill 311. Post-conference training will be in the areas of Family Economic and Financial Education, and Publisher Plus. Registration is open now at http://www.ohioacte.org/FCS.html.

EdSteps seeks student work in writing and global competence by June 30
Through June 30, EdSteps is working to collect 5,000 work samples in Writing and Global Competence from students and adults of all ages from across the country and the world. EdSteps supports the high-quality teaching and assessment of college- and career-readiness skills in schools and seeks to give teachers, parents and students a Web-based resource for comparing student work to that of other students. For each skill area, student work will be presented in a continuum – a gradual progression – from emerging to accomplished work.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EdSteps is being designed by the Council of Chief State School Officers; The New York Times; and partners from state departments of education, school districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations and businesses. For information on how to participate, click here or visit www.edsteps.org.

Innovative Learning Environments program planned for Aug. 2 to 5
While technology may be an essential element of an innovative learning environment, it is not the only factor that drives innovation. The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio and Hilliard City Schools will host a four-day conference (with two-day options available) for pre-K-16 educators, administrators and leadership teams. Learn from both national and local experts on innovative learning and leadership practices that support innovative learning environments. For more information, visit www.escco.org or contact Nancy Daly at nancy.daly@escco.org or (614) 542-4189.

Social studies and science standards revisions meetings scheduled for April 26 to May 3
ODE will host five regional meetings on the social studies and science content standards revision process. If you missed last week’s notice, please check the calendar Web page for more details or visit education.ohio.gov and click on Events. Registration is in STARS through SAFE accounts.

Reminder: Two weeks left to help chart future of arts education in Ohio
Americans are recognized for innovation and creativity – often nurtured through arts education. During the week of March 15, principals received individual e-mail messages with instructions and unique Web addresses to use in completing the 2010 Ohio Arts Education Survey. Help chart the future of arts education in Ohio by submitting your data by April 30. For more information, please contact Nancy Pistone, ODE, at (614) 466-7908, or Donna Collins, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, at (614) 224-1060.

Reminder: Friday registration deadline for Ohio Summit on 21st-Century Skills
As mentioned in the last edition of EdConnection, local school districts in Ohio are encouraged to send a team of three individuals to this statewide summit, so each may attend different sessions and compile information needed to build a comprehensive 21st-century skills educational implementation plan. For complete details on this one-day summit, visit http://21stcenturyskillsohio.org/.

Spotlight on Columbia Elementary School, Kings Local School District
Fifth- and sixth-graders at Columbia Elementary School recently participated in two community-service fundraising projects. Through a Pasta for Pennies program, students raised $3,004 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The second project was their annual Friday evening Fun “Knight,” featuring food, a DJ, an inflatable obstacle course, three-on-three basketball, karaoke and more. The proceeds from the evening are donated to a different charity each year. This year, $6,236.82 will be donated to the Kings Food Pantry to support needy families in the community. Past donations have been made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Congratulations to all who made these projects so successful!

Note: You also may find this document online at education.ohio.gov by searching keyword: EdConnection. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about this weekly e-mail or would like to be added to the mailing list, please feel free to contact me at superintendent@ode.state.oh.us.

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April 5, 2010

Good morning,

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend, perhaps having a backyard barbeque or hosting an Easter egg hunt with family and friends. Many of you know that, while I am a Buckeye through-and-through, my roots were initially planted in Connecticut. Tomorrow evening, I will be on the edge of my seat watching the Lady Huskies take on Stanford in the Women’s NCAA Championship. Go, UCONN!

This week brings renewed vigor and focus on our Phase II Race to the Top (RttT) application. Last week, we learned the Delaware and Tennessee were selected to receive RttT funds in Phase I. We have been poring over the comments offered by our reviewers and will be using this information to help strengthen our Phase II application.

On Thursday, April 8 at 3 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 14 at 8 a.m., we will be holding a conference call with LEAs to discuss the next steps of our RttT plan. Both conference calls will cover the same material, so you only need to participate in one conversation. If multiple individuals from a single district will be participating, we ask that you try to use one line for the call.

To access the call, use the access number above and enter the Participant PIN when prompted. You will hear music until the call begins. If you have trouble connecting, or need assistance at any time during the call, dial *0 to reach an operator.

During the next few weeks, we will once again ask eligible Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to support our RttT efforts by completing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). All LEAs wishing to participate in RttT will have to submit a MOU during the Phase II application period. I hope that the LEAs who committed to our efforts in Phase I will continue their participation, and I encourage LEAs that were unable to submit a MOU in Phase I to consider participating in Phase II. The information shared during the conference calls this week and next should provide you with key information about the Phase II application process.

While our Phase I application was strong and the initiatives we presented were well received, the reviewers did voice concern over the number of participating LEAs. This is an issue that can only be addressed with your help and input. As a former teacher and district superintendent, I am fully aware of the many concerns that exist in your minds and the minds of your education communities. Hopefully, you will take a moment to review the Phase I application and see that the reforms we have proposed in many ways are part of the Education Reform Plan included in House Bill 1. Access to these federal funds would help accelerate their implementation and ultimately the pace at which we begin to see positive results for our students. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of securing additional LEA participation in Ohio's Phase II application.

If there is anything we might do to help you in your efforts to secure commitment at the local level, please let us know. You can submit questions, comments or concerns to rttt@ode.state.oh.us.

I hope you have a terrific week and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Here are additional items that may be of interest:
·         Reminder: Deadline for fulfilling HB 1 family and civic engagement requirements is June 30
·         Nationally known speakers to address needs of Ohio educators on May 11
·         New drafts of science and social studies revisions to content standards posted
·         ODE planning collaborative summer meetings for model curricula development
·         Resident Educator Program trainer applications due April 30
·         Preview of Ohio’s Career Information System is now available
·         Ohio ASCD calls for summer conference proposals by April 15

• Ohio Summit on 21st-Century Skills set for May 4 in Columbus

·         STEM committee requests proposals for expanding and establishing regional partnerships
·         Spotlight on New Knoxville High School, New Knoxville Local Schools

Reminder: Deadline for fulfilling HB 1 family and civic engagement requirements is June 30
House Bill 1 requires that each Ohio school district appoints a family and civic engagement (FCE) team, writes an FCE plan and creates a job description for a family and civic engagement coordinator. Please keep in mind that there is a June 30 deadline for these requirements.

To see a formal listing of FCE-related deadlines, visit education.ohio.gov, keyword search: HB 1 family and civic engagement. Also search the keywords: FCE professional development for resources to help you understand and complete these initiatives, including online training sessions, data sources for use in developing an FCE plan and a plan template. If you have additional questions, contact Jennifer Vargo, ODE family and civic engagement coordinator, at (614) 995-0231 or jennifer.vargo@ode.state.oh.us.

Nationally known speakers to address needs of Ohio educators on May 11
Evaluating educator effectiveness and closing achievement gaps are among the topics to be addressed during a day-long program that ODE is presenting for teachers and administrators on May 11. Titled Leading the Way to High Achievement: Systems for Building Leader Effectiveness, the program will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at OCLC in Dublin (a suburb of Columbus). It is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Two nationally known speakers will highlight the agenda. Charlotte Danielson, an educational consultant and author, will provide a model for improving methods of evaluating teacher performance. Joseph F. Murphy, chair of education and associate dean at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, will describe 10 critical action steps derived from his newly released book, The Educator’s Handbook for Understanding and Closing Achievement Gaps. Representativesfrom ODE, higher education and several school districts also will lead sessions on topics such as the Resident Educator program for beginning teachers, the new tiered educator licensure structure, tools for facilitating school collaboration and sustainable action plans based on student data.

If your trip requires an overnight stay, mention that you are attending this ODE conference when making your reservation. A limited number of hotel rooms will be available to conference attendees at a conference rate, however, the special rate will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For further details and to register, access STARS through your SAFE account and type in Leading the Way in the event search area. Participants of the Teacher Incentive Fund event on May 10 in Dublin also should register for the May 11 program in STARS. Questions may be directed to Vivian Brewer at (614) 466-5574 or vivian.brewer@ode.state.oh.us.

New drafts of science and social studies revisions to content standards posted
After incorporating more than 2,000 comments from discussion groups and individuals on revisions to the academic content standards in science and social studies, additional drafts of these standards have been posted to the ODE Web site for public review. Those who have reviewed the most recent drafts may wish to comment further through one of the online surveys, which are posted for each content area. Both surveys are accessible through April 19 by clicking here, or by visiting education.ohio.gov and searching for keywords: standards revision.

ODE planning collaborative summer meetings for model curricula development
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction will be offering opportunities this summer for educators across the state to share instructional strategies and resources. Their contributions will become part of model curricula that will align with the revised academic content standards. Regional meetings will be held for teacher volunteers in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.

Information about meeting dates, locations and how to become involved will be posted on the ODE Web site as details are finalized, tentatively expected to be in late May. This Web page, which provides an overview of the standards revision process, is accessible by visiting education.ohio.gov and searching for standards revision.

Resident Educator Program trainer applications due April 30
ODE is again soliciting applications from Ohio educators to serve as state trainers in the Ohio Transition Resident Educator Program. Outlined in House Bill 1, the program will be implemented in fall 2011 and will provide educators who are entering the profession with mentoring and guidance. The state trainer application and cover letter are both posted on the Transition Resident Educator Web page, which also is accessible by visiting education.ohio.gov and searching for: resident educator.

Preview of Ohio’s Career Information System is now available
Now through Aug. 1, ODE is allowing school leaders access to Ohio’s Career Information System (OCIS), so they can preview the Web-based system before purchasing a site license for next school year. OCIS is designed to help students explore and plan their careers while building an online portfolio of information related to fields of interest, postsecondary education options and financial aid. The site hosts the latest national and Ohio labor market data and projections.

The preview will not include all available OCIS features; however, there will be enough content to assist educators in determining whether the system will fit the needs of their students. To access OCIS, find the user name and password on the flier posted on this ODE Web page and click here to access OCIS. For more information, contact Carolyn George at (614) 728-6942 or carolyn.george@ode.state.oh.us.

Ohio ASCD calls for summer conference proposals by April 15
The Ohio Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is looking for conference session proposals illustrating how educators are integrating 21st century skill development into curricula. The conference, which will be held June 29 in Columbus, will focus on the skills identified in the Framework for 21st Century Learning created by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. To submit a proposal, click here.

The conference keynote speakers will include Beth Ratway of Learning Point Associates and ODE Associate Superintendent Stan Heffner. A series of concurrent sessions including an update on the academic content standards revision process and credit flexibility also will be offered. For more information, visit the Ohio ASCD Web site or contact Kim Kappler Hewitt at kapplerhewitt.kim@oakwood.k12.oh.us or (937) 260-1380.

Ohio Summit on 21st-Century Skills set for May 4 in Columbus
Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah S. Delisle will be the keynote speaker at the kick-off of the statewide 21st-Century Skills Education Initiative in Columbus on May 4. The statewide summit is designed to engage teachers, local school leaders, government and policymakers, and corporate and civic leaders in building a common language and vision for using 21st-century skills as a change agent for education in Ohio. The event will begin the process for developing a comprehensive 21st-century skills educational implementation plan. National experts will share work in other states and school districts throughout the country. Local school districts in Ohio are encouraged to send a team of three individuals who can each attend different sessions and then compile information needed to build a comprehensive plan. The 21st Century Skills Ohio Web site has complete details on the one-day summit, including the agenda and online registration form. Registration deadline is April 23.

STEM committee requests proposals for expanding and establishing regional partnerships
On Wednesday, the Ohio Board of Regents issued a request for proposals on behalf of Ohio’s STEM Committee. Grants are being offered to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. Bids are sought in two categories:

1)       Applicants seeking to support existing STEM schools, facilitate regional impact or link to the Ohio STEM Learning Network; and
2)       Applicants seeking to plan and establish new STEM schools and/or newly recognized regional STEM partnerships in northwest and southeast Ohio. 

The RFP stipulates that letters of intent from interested parties must be e-mailed to mchavanne@regents.state.oh.us on or by April 9 to enter the bid process. The RFP will be discussed at an optional April 12 statewide forum at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus. Interested parties are invited to attend in person and must register online at www.OSLN.org. To be considered for funding, the RFP requires that all proposals be submitted by 4 p.m. April 30. More information, including the RFP, can be found on the University System of Ohio Web site.

Spotlight on New Knoxville High School, New Knoxville Local Schools
Students at New Knoxville High School in Auglaize County are working on several projects, both at home and abroad, as part of a service organization they founded titled WAVE (World Awareness Through Volunteering and Education). Locally, the students make monthly visits to a Wapakoneta nursing home, where they play games, make crafts and talk with residents. WAVE adviser Sarah Tinnerman writes, “These monthly visits have helped students form long-lasting, meaningful relationships with some members of the ‘greatest generation.’”

New Knoxville students also raised funds by gathering pledges of financial support for each foul shot they made throughout basketball season. WAVE sent proceeds of the drive to the Nothing but Nets organization, which purchases bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide to stop the spread of malaria in Africa. WAVE’s next goal is to raise funds for a camp that serves children with HIV/AIDS. Kudos to New Knoxville students for their efforts to serve others in need.

Note: You also may find this document online at education.ohio.gov by searching keyword: EdConnection. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about this weekly e-mail or would like to be added to the mailing list, please feel free to contact me at superintendent@ode.state.oh.us.

Follow ODE’s Twitter feed by clicking here.