Kathe Shelby, Director - Office for Exceptional Children (April 2011)

Social Competence Webinar Series beginning May 2nd

Sign up at http://www.ocali.org/view.php?nav_id=202  
OCALI, with funding from the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children (OEC), is pleased to announce a 4-part webinar series for those working and living with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and low incidence disabilities.  
This 4-part series will address SOCIAL COMPETENCE. Being able to develop the ability to interact socially can be one of the most challenging aspects of life for individuals with ASD. This series will share ideas about (a) the assessment of social competence, (b) how to acquire and build social competence, (c) the influence of play and recreation on social interactions, and (d) interventions that can help develop social competence and relationships.
Each webinar in the series will be available for viewing on two dates.

• May 2 or May 12 - 3:00-4:00  Webinar 1: Social Competence Overview  
• May 9 or May 19 - 3:00-4:00  Webinar 2: Social Competence Assessment
• May 16 or June 2- 3:00-4:00  Webinar 3: Play and Friendship
• May 23 or June 9- 3:00-4:00  Webinar 4: Strategies for Social Competence and Other Relationships

For more information about each Webinar and to sign up go to:
http://www.ocali.org/view.php?nav_id=202

6th Annual Project MORE Conference

Project MORE is 1:1 volunteer reading mentoring designed to improve reading levels for students with disabilities. Project MORE receives funding from the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children.
Project MORE's 6th Annual Conference entitled: "Project MORE: A Twelve Year Journey to Achieve Proven Results and Value" will be held at BGSU's Bowen-Thompson Student Union on Monday, May 16th. The cost per registrant is $75. Deadline for registration is May 11th. 
Keynote Speakers: Ohio District 6 State Representative, Randy Gardner; Margaret Burley, Executive Director of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities; Bob Holl, Co-Founder, Reading A-Z & Reading-tutors; Elmwood Local’s Project MORE Team
Conference Breakout Sessions:

• Double the Value: Mentors Earn High School Credit and Mentees Learn to Read
• A Model Project MORE Program
• Project MORE: The Cornerstone of Our Response to Intervention Model
• Ideas for Project MORE Program Expansion
• How to Serve All Your Students with Disabilities Using Project MORE
• Unique Resources from State Support Teams: Schools in Ohio Improvement Process and Schools Not Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress for Students with Disabilities
• Organizing Your Project MORE Program: "A Fresh Look"
• Concrete Examples of How to Use Project MORE with Students who Have Multiple Disabilities and Emotional Disturbance
• Free & Low Cost Tools That You Can Use to Measure Student Progress
• The Changing Classroom
• Building Enthusiasm for Your Project MORE Program
• Data: How to Use "Measure Up" to Show Student Progress

For additional information visit ohioprojectmore.org/conference.  

A residential campus experience for high school and college students with disabilities

Are you a high school student planning to attend college or a college freshmen or sophomore? Do you need help exploring careers to determine your major? Are you interested in learning about Assistive and Universal Technology that is available to you and can support your learning needs? Are you currently receiving or eligible to receive services from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC) Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) Bureau of Services to the Visually Impaired (BSVI)? Would you like to improve your skills to live and succeed on a college campus?
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center and the Office for Disability Services is recruiting college and high school students who are eligible for services from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission who are interested in participating in a Student Learning Community (SLC) and/or a week long residential experience July 25 – 29th on the Ohio State University Campus.
The Residential SLC kicks off on Monday, July 25th with registration at 10:00 a.m. and check out on July 29th at 2:00 p.m.  
Students can receive universal or assistive technology for completing this program.

Students will be moving in to the newly renovated state of the art dream facility in August of 2011.

View larger photos

PLEASE NOTE:  Charter School Property Solutions has also partnered with Aspen Academy located in Prior Lake, Minnesota.  Their project will begin in the near future.  Stay tuned for more information.

If you would like to own your facility, contact Cyndi Dotson at cdotson@csps.us.com
or call at 888-596-1110 ext. 101 or 305-610-1224.  Or visit us online at http://www.csps.us.com

Kathe Shelby, Director - Office for Exceptional Children (April 2011)

Accommodations Manual and Accommodations Manual Training Now Available

The Accommodations Manual - Selection, Use and Evaluation of Accommodations that Support Instruction and Assessment of Children with Disabilities has been developed by the Office for Exceptional (OEC) in the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). This manual is modeled after How to Select, Administer and Evaluate Use of Accommodations for Instruction and Assessment of Students with Disabilities, the work of the Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) State Collaborative on Assessment and Students Standards (SCASS), Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) initiative and is customized to be consistent with Ohio's information and policies.
Ohio Accommodations Manual Training was also developed. The training slides are modeled after the Minnesota Department of Education, again, customized to be consistent with Ohio's information and policies.
Review the Ohio Accommodations Manual Training (when the password box comes up, click on "Read Only").
Review the Accommodations Manual.

June 9-10, 2011 Workshop - Secondary Transition: Creating meaningful transition plans through the IEP process

Secondary Transition: Creating Meaningful Transition Plans through the IEP Process workshop is a free two-day event that will focus on impleB-menting best practices through the development of individualized transition plans. Participants will be guided through an effective secondary transition planning process for students with disabilities that goes beyond the completion of the IEP to create and implement meaningful and effective transition plans.
Click here for the flyer with additional information on this workshop. Registration deadline is May 27, 2011. The workshop is free but there is a fee for parking at the Convention Center.

Web-based Course - 21st Century Assistive Technology for the blind and visually impaired - $50 course fee waived

The Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST) Grant is sponsoring the 21st Century Assistive Technology for the Blind and Visually Impaired 100% online web-based course featuring content expert Jan Jasko from June 6 - Aug. 13, 2011. The latest assistive technology will be covered. Students can receive 60 professional development contact hours, or for an additional fee three semester hours of Bowling Green State University or Ashland University graduate credit (pending approval). For additional information please contact the project coordinator and BEST director, Paula Mauro at pmauro@cisamoh.org.

--

Kathe Shelby, Director - Office for Exceptional Children (April 2011)

Accommodations Manual and Accommodations Manual Training Now Available

The Accommodations Manual - Selection, Use and Evaluation of Accommodations that Support Instruction and Assessment of Children with Disabilities has been developed by the Office for Exceptional (OEC) in the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). This manual is modeled after How to Select, Administer and Evaluate Use of Accommodations for Instruction and Assessment of Students with Disabilities, the work of the Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) State Collaborative on Assessment and Students Standards (SCASS), Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) initiative and is customized to be consistent with Ohio's information and policies.
Ohio Accommodations Manual Training was also developed. The training slides are modeled after the Minnesota Department of Education, again, customized to be consistent with Ohio's information and policies.
Review the Ohio Accommodations Manual Training (when the password box comes up, click on "Read Only").
Review the Accommodations Manual.

June 9-10, 2011 Workshop - Secondary Transition: Creating meaningful transition plans through the IEP process

Secondary Transition: Creating Meaningful Transition Plans through the IEP Process workshop is a free two-day event that will focus on impleB-menting best practices through the development of individualized transition plans. Participants will be guided through an effective secondary transition planning process for students with disabilities that goes beyond the completion of the IEP to create and implement meaningful and effective transition plans.
Click here for the flyer with additional information on this workshop. Registration deadline is May 27, 2011. The workshop is free but there is a fee for parking at the Convention Center.

Web-based Course - 21st Century Assistive Technology for the blind and visually impaired - $50 course fee waived

The Braille Excellence for Students and Teachers (BEST) Grant is sponsoring the 21st Century Assistive Technology for the Blind and Visually Impaired 100% online web-based course featuring content expert Jan Jasko from June 6 - Aug. 13, 2011. The latest assistive technology will be covered. Students can receive 60 professional development contact hours, or for an additional fee three semester hours of Bowling Green State University or Ashland University graduate credit (pending approval). For additional information please contact the project coordinator and BEST director, Paula Mauro at pmauro@cisamoh.org.

--

Welcome to the April 2011 edition of The High Bar's Newsletter! Thank you for reading and we look forward to engaging with you further as your charter school board aims for the goal standard of charter school governance.

Lessons From the Field

How Do Your Board Meetings Stack Up?
by Marci Cornell-Feist

Board meetings should be focused, strategic, efficient and engaging, but
very few charter school board meetings can be described in these terms. Why is that? Too often precious board meeting time is squandered by reporting on past issues, or immediate oversight, rather than creating the future. Your board members are a valuable resource and their time should be used well.

At The High Bar, we know that board meeting content (and the work of the board) should evolve over time: the board of a brand new school by necessity spends more time reacting to immediate issues, a board of a more established school should spend most of its time planning strategically for the future.

Take our quiz to find out if your board practice is evolving appropriately.

Upcoming Demo Webinar

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 12 -1 pm EDT
The High Bar knows that governing a multi-million dollar public enterprise with a group of busy volunteers is a daunting task. We have taken 15 years of road-tested wisdom of work with 200+ charter school boards and turned it into web-based tools that help your board work more efficiently and effectively. To learn more, sign up here for our demo webinar. Note: registration required.

About Us

The High Bar, founded by charter school governance expert Marci Cornell-Feist, creates web-based tools to help charter school boards become more effective and efficient. In our experience, Strong Boards = Strong Schools. If you are passionate about the mission of your charter school, you should be passionate about strengthening the governance of your school - and we can show you how. 

Our Tools

Data-Driven Governance System

click the image above to learn more

Keep your board on track with our web-based, goal-centered platform for
efficient, effective governance.

click the image above to learn more

What to do. When do to it.

click the image above to learn more

Your virtual board coach will help your board work smarter with year-round, on-demand board training. Take the BoardSavvy assessments and see how your board stacks up. Our electronic coach will then help you craft an improvement plan. Strengthen your governance with 24/7 access to our road-tested wisdom.

click the image above to learn more

The High Bar
Marci Cornell-Feist
Founder & CEO
82 Shaker Road
Harvard, MA 01451
marci@reachthehighbar.com
(978) 772-4867
Visit Our Website:
 
Follow Us:                                

Copyright© 21C3 Leadership. All rights Reserved.

Designed by OSMOSES

Don’t miss this cutting-edge
21st Century Mobile Learning Seminar on May 12th!

Learn to effectively use
Cell Phones, iPods, Blogs, Wikis, Twitter,
Nintendo DS, Web 2.0 Tools…Plus MORE!

Improve Student Test Scores
with 21st Century Mobile-Learning Strategies!

Do you have to battle students to put their cell phones and other hand-held devices away?

What if there were a way to take this new technology and use it for instruction inside and outside of the classroom?

There is!

Kipp Rogers is a wildly popular presenter because he helps teachers use new technology like cell phones, hand-held games and Web 2.0 tools in their classrooms.  His school was loaded with active learners, motivated students and high test scores because he has found a way to reach even the most reluctant students.

Dr. Kipp Rogers is the nation's leading expert on integrating mobile learning into RtI small-group interventions.  He is the author of two books and several articles on improving instruction by integrating technology. His most recent book on mobile learning and technology integration is being published by Solution Tree and NAESP.

Solution Tree Author Speak

This cutting-edge 21st Century Learning Seminar is for grade levels k-16.  learn concrete steps and research-based strategies that use cell phones and other mobile learning tools in the classroom. Be prepared to truly engage
21st century learners!

Stop fighting these great instructional tools...Start Using them!

Join author and educator, Kipp Rogers, Ph.D. as he models several innovative research-based strategies, activities, and instructional techniques that use web 2.0 and mobile learning tools (cell phones, iPods, blogs, wikis, Twitter, Nintendo DS and other Web 2.0 tools) throughout the workshop.
This hands-on seminar is designed for grade levels K-12 and will give educators concrete steps and research-based strategies that incorporate 21st Century Tools for 21st Century learning inside and outside of the classroom!
Participants will have several opportunities to explore the strategies and to develop a plan for incorporating the activities in their classrooms/schools. 

Participants are encouraged to bring:

• A laptop computer
• A fully-charged cell phone and;
• A Nintendo DS or iPod

These are not required to gain full benefits from the seminar!

Plus: Attend this one day seminar and you will receive Dr. Rogers’ new book and CD:
Anytime, Anywhere! Mobile Learning
Cell Phones- Activities for the Classroom
(A $34.95 value!)

Read a recent news article about some of the work that
Dr. Rogers and his staff are doing with mobile learning:

http://www.21c3leadership.com/forms/cell_phone_article.pdf

Listen to Dr. Rogers on Liz Kolb’s Radio Blog Show:
http://tinyurl.com/yaqhwwm

Visit our website: www.21c3leadership.com

Mobile learning (m-learning) is quickly replacing e-learning and has the potential to revolutionize education as we know it today.  Did you know some cell phones that students carry are more powerful than a laptop was five years ago, a high end desk-top ten years ago and a super computer twenty years ago?   Dr. Rogers has done extensive research and practice on m-learning with an emphasis on using cell phones as an instructional tool.  Come learn how these pocket computers can be used for instruction in the classroom!

Don’t miss this outstanding one-day seminar!

Results you will see after participating in this seminar:

• Increased student interest and performance in writing, reading, math, science, history, special education, world languages, ESL, physical education and related arts classes!

• More motivated students!

• More students completing classwork and homework!

• Fewer behavior problems!

• Increased student attendance!

• Higher test scores!

What others have said about the seminar…

"Practical and Forward Thinking!" 
-  Jerry Eckert, Pittsford Mendon High School in Rochester New York.

"What a great tool to have in classrooms.  You are absolutely right; kids have cell phones in school so we might as well use them."  
-  Randy Evans, Gothenburg Public Schools in Nebraska

"An excellent session with many great ideas!  Our teachers are growing and need concrete ideas-You gave us this-thank you!" 
-  Lori Marrero, E.L. Wright Middle School in Columbia South Carolina

"Awesome- People need to hear it! Use it! 
-  Ann Postlewaite, Minnesota

"Very applicational and relevant - Meaningful activities." 
-  Renee Godi, Frankford Middle School in Plano Texas

"Excellent.  Gave us amazing ideas to use cell phones to our advantage and to encourage students to expand their use of cell phones for educational reasons.”
-  Mary Mackbee, Central Senior High School in Minnesota.

The cost of the 9am- 3pm conference is $199 per participant.
Cost includes: continental breakfast, lunch, conference materials and Dr. Rogers’ new book

Make checks or purchase orders payable to:
“21C3 Leadership Development, LLC”

Discount for teams of three or more.
Please call for pricing: 757-503-5559

Limited Seating- Register Now!

Register by:
Phone: 757-503-5559

Email: info@21c3Leadership.com

Fax: 757- 838-1279
Click here to download registration form

Please DO NOT register by mail.
Send payments only after registering by phone, email or fax to:

21C3 Leadership Development
11 Waterford Circle
Hampton, VA 23666

For driving directions, please call the hotel directly.
No refunds.  Substitutions accepted at any time.

Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8:30am
BYOL (Bring your own laptop),cell phone and Nintendo DS

For more information, visit our website: www.21c3leadership.com

or send an email to: info@21c3leadership.com

Please call the Sprint Corporate Office for directions

Baltimore, MD
May 12, 2010
Sprint Corporate Offices
6001 E. Royalton Road
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
410-838-0487

April 11, 2011

Good afternoon,

As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. So, after a spell of rain last week, I do hope you enjoyed a nice warm-up this weekend as we did in Columbus. It is comforting that we are moving forward towards a nice spring as we make our way through the last few months of the school year.

There is significant information included in this weekly edition. One of the items to which I would like to draw your attention is the deadline extension for the RttT Innovative Program Grant program. The application deadline, which is now Friday, May 20, will allow more time for local education agencies (LEAs) participating in Race to the Top (RttT) to continue planning. Additionally, the competitive process for the grants now includes the option of selecting other research-based, proven Innovative School Models in addition to the original five innovative programs: AVID systemic instruction achievement system, Early College High Schools, the International Studies Schools Network, New Tech schools and STEM initiatives. Districts choosing a model other than the identified five will have to submit information about the research behind the preferred model. Please refer to the news item below and the RttT website for additional details. We really appreciate the tremendous amount of feedback regarding this specific element of our RttT scope of work. The excitement and interest expressed in this work bodes well for applications, goals and student engagement. THANK YOU for thinking outside the box!

A few other initiatives also have extended deadlines. TheUS-China Administrator Shadowing Programapplication deadline is now April 20. The project enables Chinese and American school administrators to observe and learn first-hand about one another’s educational systems. Through this program, selected U.S. participants host counterparts from the province of Hubei, China, in the fall and visit their counterparts in China during the spring.

The registration deadline for the 2011 Global Institute – Ohio’s Annual Professional Development Event on International Education is now April 29 for this Aug. 2-4 event at Ohio University. Ohio teachers of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, world languages, health and physical education, career programs or technology in grades PreK-12 may apply.

Best wishes for a great week!

Sincerely,


Deborah S. Delisle

News items that may be of interest or require follow up are:

·         Ohio team proceeds to national Real World Design Challenge
·         RttT Innovative Program grant application modified and deadline extended
·         Deadlines extended for two international education programs
·         ODE finalizing design of teacher and principal evaluation systems
·         Please remember alternate assessment cap policy
·         Rules clarified regarding the testing and accountability of foreign exchange students
·         Physical Education Roundtable scheduled for April 29
·         Please submit annual count of immigrant students
·         Recommendations of outstanding classroom teachers are welcome
·         Spotlight on Central Elementary in Fairfield City Schools

Ohio team proceeds to national Real World Design Challenge
A team from Fairmont High School in Kettering has received the Governor’s Cup – the highest ranking of all 45 contenders in the statewide Real World Design (RWDC) challenge. The Fairmont team will represent Ohio in the RWDC national competition in Washington, D.C. next weekend. This is the second year in a row that Ohio, compared to all other states competing nationally, had the most teams involved in its state competition.

The national competition will build upon the state challenge, in which teams created and performed simulation tests of flexible airplane wing designs using composite materials. The goal of RWDC is to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and to attract future workers to science and engineering fields. It is conducted by a public-private partnership of government, university and industry organizations. Each school that participates receives $1 million worth of technical and collaboration software and access to professional engineering mentors who help teams analyze and model their design solutions.

Learn more about the competition by visiting the RWDC website or the ODE Web page about RWDC. Questions may be directed to Ohio RWDC Coordinator Dick Dieffenderfer at dick.dieffenderfer@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 644-7356.

RttT Innovative Program grant application modified and deadline extended
The Innovative Program Grant Application deadline will be extended to Friday, May 20, to allow more time for local education agencies (LEAs) participating in Race to the Top (RttT) to continue planning. The competitive process for the grants also will include the option of selecting other research-based, proven Innovative School Models in addition to the original five innovative programs. These programs will focus on the AVID systemic instruction achievement system, Early College High Schools, the International Studies Schools Network, New Tech schools and STEM initiatives. The revised application requests that LEAs choosing the “other” option document the research evidence justifying how their proposed innovations will accelerate student achievement and progress. The updated application is posted on the ODE RttT Web page, which also includes answers to frequently asked questions and an RttT newsletter. Questions may be directed to RttT regional coordinators or Jay R. Keefer, ONET Liaison, at (614) 644-2605 or jay.keefer@ode.state.oh.us.

Deadlines extended for two international education programs
To allow prospective participants more time to submit applications, new deadlines have been set for two upcoming programs:

·         TheUS-China Administrator Shadowing Programapplication deadline is now April 20. The project enables Chinese and American school administrators to observe and learn first-hand about one another’s educational systems. Through this program, selected U.S. participants host counterparts from the province of Hubei, China, in the fall and visit their counterparts in China during the spring.

·         The registration deadline for the 2011 Global Institute – Ohio’s Annual Professional Development Event on International Education is now April 29 for this Aug. 2-4 event at Ohio University. Ohio teachers of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, world languages, health and physical education, career programs or technology in grades PreK-12 may apply. One hundred teachers will be selected for the institute, which will allow participants to share best practices, develop action plans with new resources and tools, and meet Ohio educators interested in international education.

For more information on both programs, please contact Desiree Caliguire-Maier at desiree.caliguire-maier@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 728-7851. The Web pages for the two programs also are accessible from the international education section of education.ohio.gov.

ODE finalizing design of teacher and principal evaluation systems
ODE understands that some commercial vendors are approaching districts to sell them products for the Ohio Principal Evaluation System (OPES) and Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) implementation. As OPES and OTES are finalized, ODE is developing management tools for districts to use, at no cost, that will support district implementation of these two systems. The agency intends to provide management materials and tools to districts, in a timely manner, to help them meet any requirements related to principal and teacher evaluations. At this time, it may be premature to purchase commercial products. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Julia Simmerer at julia.simmerer@ode.state.oh.us.

Please remember alternate assessment cap policy
Last school year, ODE communicated to superintendents that the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) limited the count of proficient or higher scores on the alternate assessment to 1 percent of Ohio’s statewide tested population. The limitation means that, for the 2009-2010 school year and beyond, traditional local education agencies (LEA) are restricted to a cap of 1 percent for accountability purposes. As in the past, the cap does not limit the number of students who should or may be alternately assessed; assessment type is a decision of the individualized education program (IEP) team. Assessment type should continue to be based on the needs of the child.

Although requests for exceptions to the cap on alternate assessments have been granted in the past, USDOE indicated that these exceptions were only temporarily permissible. Please remember that ODE no longer accepts requests for these exceptions from traditional LEAs. Instead, LEAs that serve more than 1,000 tested students will be restricted to the cap of 1 percent of their total tested population. LEAs that serve 1,000 or fewer tested students will be restricted to a cap not exceeding 10 students.

USDOE believes that alternate assessments should be restricted for use with students who have severe cognitive disabilities and that this number should represent only 1 percent of a state’s total student population. Furthermore, the USDOE rationale for the cap is that regular statewide assessments, with or without accommodations, are appropriate for the remainder of the student population.

Special LEAs that may request to exceed the cap are those with charters for primarily serving high percentages of students with significant cognitive disabilities (e.g., community schools dedicated to students with autism). To request an exception, a special LEA will be required to submit a copy of its charter and a letter detailing the intent to exceed the cap, along with the state student identifying numbers for students whose IEPs indicate they should use alternate assessments. (Only those students who meet the Full Academic Year criterion and count towards accountability calculations for the LEA should be reported.) These special LEAs may obtain the form with instructions for completing the waiver by clicking here or by visiting education.ohio.gov and searching for keywords: Local Report Card. Questions may be directed to Jodi Harris at jodi.harris@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 995-1986.

Rules clarified regarding the testing and accountability of foreign exchange students
Based on numerous inquiries about the administration of the Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) to foreign exchange students, the Office of Assessment provides the following information to clarify how these students are to be considered in the accountability system:

·         All foreign exchange students are required to take all OGT sections if they are in grades 10, 11 or 12 and previously have not passed all the tests. There is one exception to this rule. If a foreign exchange student is classified as limited English proficient (LEP), and if the student has been in a U.S. school for fewer than 180 days, state and federal rules allow the student to be exempt from taking the reading and writing sections of the test. This student is still required to take all other OGT sections (mathematics, science and social studies).

·         Any 10th grade foreign exchange student enrolled in a U.S. school for fewer than 180 days will be included in the school’s and district’s Annual Yearly Progress participation rate calculation for the OGT mathematics and reading tests, unless the student is exempt from taking the reading test because of LEP status.

·         A foreign exchange student in any grade will be excluded from his or her grade’s accountability calculations for proficiency, as long as the student has been in a U.S. school for fewer than 180 days and does not plan to obtain an Ohio diploma.

·         A foreign exchange student who has been in a U.S. school for 180 days or longer and a foreign exchange student who plans to graduate from an Ohio school will be included in the appropriate school- and district-level proficiency calculations based on the grade level of the student.

Please direct any questions to the Office of Assessment at (614) 466-0223.

Physical Education Roundtable scheduled for April 29
Physical education specialists, curriculum directors, administrators and teaching generalists will benefit from attending a physical education roundtable to be held from 10 a.m. to noon on April 29 in Delaware. The agenda will include timely topics related to physical education, such as Senate Bill 210 and the physical education evaluation. In addition, speakers will address credit flexibility, physical education waivers and other important issues. A panel of ODE staff, educators and representatives of state and regional professional organizations focused on physical education will provide comments and answer questions.

Participants should register in STARS no later than April 27. For information on getting started with STARS, click here or visit education.ohio.gov, and search keywords: STARS system. While registering in STARS, search for the events using keyword: physical education. For more information, please contact Lisa Lyle Henry at (614) 728-7732 or lisa.henry@ode.state.oh.us.

Please submit annual count of immigrant students
ODE is conducting its annual count of immigrant students currently enrolled in public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. This count will be used to determine eligibility for federal grants under No Child Left Behind for school year 2011-2012. Eligible public schools will be funded based on the total number of immigrant children reported in public and nonpublic schools.

Beginning this school year, nonpublic schools will submit by May 20 their counts of enrolled eligible immigrant students (as well as limited English proficient [LEP] students) through the Nonpublic School Service System (NS3) accessed through SAFE accounts. This is a change from previous years in which nonpublic schools completed and submitted a hard-copy survey of immigrant students. Information regarding the NS3 data entry system can be found in CCIP Note #241 by clicking here.

By July 15, public schools (including community schools) must provide immigrant student information through EMIS. Refer to Chapter 2 of the 2011 EMIS Manual, Immigrant Status Element, Record Field Number FD200 (page 79 of the Word document) by clicking here or visiting education.ohio.gov, keyword search: EMIS Manual.

For further information regarding the annual immigrant student count, contact Dan Fleck at (614) 466-9827, or dan.fleck@ode.state.oh.us.

Recommendations of outstanding classroom teachers are welcome
Do you know an educator who exemplifies not only Ohio’s, but the nation’s best? ODE maintains a file of emerging classroom leaders and distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces, and as candidates for special recognition programs. For more information and the Talent Pool application form, click here or visit education.ohio.gov, search keyword: Talent Pool. Nominations are requested by April 29.

Spotlight on Central Elementary in Fairfield City Schools
More than 635 students who attend Central Elementary School in Fairfield (Butler County) participated in the Pennies for Patients campaign this year to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Laurie Gage, Central Student Council sponsor, said that she expected the school to raise about $600 this year, based on results of a similar campaign two years ago. She was thrilled when after just two days of collecting change, Central surpassed her estimate. In all, Central raised more than $1,300 to benefit the LLS. Third graders, who raised the most money during the two-week drive, were treated to a popcorn and movie party.

Gage and colleague Shelly Smith said the students learned about giving to a meaningful and important charity and about providing valuable community service. “I believe if we give all elementary students the chance to learn how to make a difference in the lives of others at an early age, they are more likely to continue down that road as they grow older,” Gage said.

Congratulations to Central Elementary on this successful campaign!

Note: If your students are engaged in helping their communities and you would like to share what they are doing, send an e-mail to superintendent@ode.state.oh.us and include “Spotlight” and your school or district in the subject line. We also are pleased to receive digital images of these activities.

April 4, 2011

Good morning,

Happy April to all.  I finally think we are going to turn the corner on our wintry nights.  Nature seems to be ready to go based on the trees that are budding all over Columbus.  Here is to warmer days ahead. 

In our first edition of EdConnection this month, I am pleased to acknowledge that April is the Month of the Military Child. This commemoration was initiated by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to emphasize the important role children play in the lives of our U.S. armed forces. On average, a child of a military family will attend six to nine different school systems during the kindergarten through grade 12 years. Such children face many challenges as they transfer to our schools. We need to help them with these transitions as much as possible.

Important resources you can call upon to help military families are those of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). Ohio is one of 36 states represented on the commission, which is working to ensure that all military children are properly enrolled in schools, have eligibility for school activities and have assistance in meeting graduation requirements. By working together, states in the commission are developing consistent approaches to these issues and are finding many ways to provide military families with needed support. For questions about military family issues and the MIC3 resources, please contact Tom Rutan, Ohio’s military compact commissioner, at tom.rutan@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 728-1997.  For more resources for military families, please click here.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) requested that school districts nationwide provide assistance to any military families with school-age children who are relocating to American communities from Japan. Because of the tragic earthquake and subsequent disasters in Japan, the U.S. Department of State has recently issued a voluntary authorized departure for families of USDOD personnel from the Island of Honshu, the main island of Japan. By making sure that these children are enrolled in U.S. schools promptly, we can help ensure that they will have continuity in their education programs and soon achieve a sense of normalcy after their difficult experiences in Japan.

Autism Awareness Day
April 2 was the fourth World Autism Awareness Day. On November 1, 2007, the United Nations (UN) called for one day each year to be designated as World Autism Day. On December 18, 2007, the UN General Assembly designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. Although the day occurred over the weekend, I want to celebrate and applaud the work of thousands of Ohioans who advocate for children with autism.  The Department provides assistance and support to families and schools who confront this issue every day.
Autism affects girls and boys of all races and in all geographic regions and has a large impact on children, their families, communities and societies. The prevalence is currently rising in many countries around the world. Caring for and educating children and young people with this condition places challenges on health care, education and training programs. I am proud of the many buildings throughout Ohio that participated in the “Light It Up Blue” campaign across the world on the evenings of April 1 and 2.  The blue lights on the participating buildings demonstrated their support for World Autism Day.

Substitute House Bill 30 announced; ODE presents FY2012-2013 budget testimony
Last week the passage of Substitute House Bill 30 was announced. The bill does not change the way that funding is computed, but does make changes to the operating requirements related to this funding. For a summary and analysis of the bill from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, please click here.

The FY2012-2013 operating budget, House Bill 153, continues to move through the legislative process. ODE provided testimony to the House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education last week. Related materials are posted here. We will continue to keep you informed on major steps of this process as it continues to evolve.

Ohio PTA supports Common Core State Standards
This coming week, on April 8-10, the Ohio Parent Teachers Association (PTA) will hold its 105th Annual Convention in Columbus, in partnership with the Ohio Parent Information and Resource Center. One important convention topic is the Common Core State Standards Initiative. The Ohio PTA supports the State Board of Education’s decision to adopt the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in mathematics and English language arts, and is working with the National PTA to educate parents about the career and college-ready standards.

On Friday, this year’s convention is combined with the Emerging Minority Leaders’ Conference and the Male Involvement Summit, two events designed to provide leadership development for upcoming PTA leaders. I salute the PTA’s efforts to promote involvement of parents in their children’s education. When partnerships between parents and educators are strong, we are most effective in providing a quality education for our children.

Best wishes for a wonderful week!

Sincerely,


Deborah S. Delisle

News items that may be of interest or require follow up are:

·         High school students explore teaching careers
·         Engage students in virtual program about Lincoln and Civil War
·         Meetings to help in transitioning to revised standards implementation

·         Teachers going global may apply for 2011 Global Institute by April 15

·         Obligation period for ARRA funds extended to Sept. 30
·         Chillicothe educator named Foreign Language Teacher of the Year
·         Proposals sought for 12th Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute
·         Spotlight on Hambden and Furry Elementary Schools

High school students explore teaching careers
More than 700 Ohio high school students gathered on the campus of Kent State University on March 25 at the 20th annual Future Educators Association (FEA) Ohio conference. Learn about the workshops, competitions and experiences these juniors and seniors enjoyed during the event in this ODE Web feature. FEA Ohio was established in 1991 and has nearly 70 chapters statewide. It is affiliated with ODE and the national Future Educators Association.

Engage students in virtual program about Lincoln and Civil War
Ohio students, teachers and administrators are invited to take part in a live Web stream program about Civil War history led by noted author Doris Kearns Goodwin from 1 to 2 p.m. this Wednesday. Educators or students who send in questions by Tuesday will have their names and schools featured online during the free program on ohiochannel.org.

Kearns Goodwin is presenting the virtual program from the Ohio Statehouse as part of many celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Capitol building’s completion. She will offer insights into the life of Abraham Lincoln, his leadership in dealing with the Civil War and Ohio’s contributions to the war. During the program, Kearns Goodwin will speak directly to Ohio students about the Civil War era and the historical importance of Ohio and its leadership.

Questions, which must be sent to statehouse@csrab.state.oh.us no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, can focus on the American Civil War and Ohio’s contributions, Abraham Lincoln or presidential history. Please include the questioner’s name, grade, school and city. Full details of this event and other Sesquicentennial events are available at ohiostatehouse.org.

Meetings to help in transitioning to revised standards implementation
At an April 11 meeting in Columbus, curriculum leaders from districts that are not currently working with an Educational Service Center (ESC) may join ODE in transition planning related to the implementation of Ohio’s revised academic content standards and model curricula. The meeting will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Morse Rd. in Columbus.

Two representatives from all 57 ESCs will be attending a similar event on April 8 in Columbus. Curriculum leaders attending one of the April events will be prepared to hold similar local meetings for educators in their regions. Participants will begin collaborative planning and learn about the stages outlined in a transition roadmap covering the next few years. ODE will gather suggestions for future professional development, related information resources and effective planning strategies.

Please register for the April 11 event by contacting Lisa Simpson at lisa.simpson@ode.state.oh.us. There is currently a waiting list for the April 8 event, but those interested may contact Lisa about attending the April 11 event or another session that will be added soon.

Teachers going global may apply for 2011 Global Institute by April 15

Educators who want to learn about the topic, Teachers Going Global, at the Ohio Global Institute on Aug. 2-4 at Ohio University, are encouraged to register by the April 15 deadline. Ohio teachers of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, world languages, health and physical education, career programs or technology in grades PreK-12 may apply. Primarily funded by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and contributions from partner organizations, this event will provide teachers opportunities to:

·         Share best practices in international education;
·         Obtain new resources and tools for embedding international education across the curriculum;
·         Network with Ohio and international PreK-12 educators; and
·         Develop action plans for implementation in classrooms and schools.

One hundred teachers will be selected for the institute, with first priority given to participants and teams from schools and districts that have never been represented at a Global Institute before. Each selected participant will be charged a $100 registration fee. This three-day institute is presented collaboratively by ODE, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, Kent State University, Shawnee State University and the University of Cincinnati. For an application form and more details, please click here. Questions may be directed to Desiree Caliguire-Maier at desiree.caliguire-maier@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 728-7851.

Obligation period for ARRA funds extended to Sept. 30
Many of the onetime grants funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will end within calendar year 2011. To give districts maximum opportunity to use their ARRA funds without filing a new FY2012 CCIP application, ODE has extended the FY2011 CCIP application obligation period from June 30 to Sept. 30 for these grants. The liquidation period and Final Expenditure Report (FER) also will have a Sept. 30 deadline. Please note that the expiring ARRA funds cannot be included in the FY2012 consolidated application schoolwide pool. These changes affect the Title IA, Neglected, Delinquent, School Improvement Part A, McKinney Vento Homeless, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Early Childhood Special Education grants.

Chillicothe educator named Foreign Language Teacher of the Year
Debbie McCorkle has been recognized by the Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) as Ohio’s 2011 World Language Teacher of the Year. McCorkle is a national board certified teacher of French at Unioto High School in Chillicothe, and she is a former recipient of OFLA’s Leona Glenn Award for Outstanding High School World Language Teacher. Last month, McCorkle represented Ohio in Indianapolis at the regional World Language Teacher of the Year competition. The contest was part of the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. To learn more about McCorkle, click here. Congratulations!

Proposals sought for 12th Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute
Presentation proposals are being accepted now through June 1 for the 12th Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute, Nov. 17-18 in Columbus. Topics of interest for the breakout sessions will relate to college articulation credit, P-16 transitions, end-of-course exams, global connections, senior projects, classroom technology, urban education, mathematics, data use, Tech Prep and the Ohio Schools to Watch program. To submit a proposal online, click here. For more information, please visit the institute website.

Spotlight on Hambden and Furry Elementary Schools
Two of the many Ohio schools that are supporting U.S. troops stationed overseas are featured today. The first of these, Hambden Elementary in Chardon, collected snacks, general hygiene items and other goods for U.S. troops in Afghanistan earlier this school year. After collecting nearly 500 pounds of donations from students and community members, the school shipped the items directly to soldiers in the field. Principal Dave Rogaliner wrote, “the project helped our community reach out and salute… the men and women making sacrifices daily who are currently serving our country.”

Furry Elementary School, of Perkins Local Schools in Sandusky, has adopted military troops and their families serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan. They have sent soldiers letters, crafts, photos and candy while learning about the diverse settings where U.S. troops are stationed. Principal Halley Leffler writes that they have received “many amazing photographs and have learned about so many diverse cultures from around the world.” The school also has conducted many other community service projects, including collecting food and toys for area families and homeless shelters; making crafts for a local veteran’s home and nursing homes; and supporting both the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the March of Dimes.

Thank you to these schools for sharing their service accomplishments!