Aug. 29, 2011

Good morning:

With the release last week of the State and Local Report Cards, it is imperative that we continue to build on the momentum and maintain our focus for all students to realize success.  We saw gains in academic progress from previous years, but still have much work ahead as we are moving to a more rigorous set of standards, scheduled for the 2014-2015 school year, that will better prepare Ohio graduates to be college- and career-ready. I want to commend our educators on the progress we have made, but urge that we cannot lose our focus to ensure all students are achieving their learning goals. Ohio’s students will enter an increasingly global marketplace, and it is crucial that we increase expectations with a more rigorous system to ensure our students are competitive anywhere in the world.

Thanks for your hard work in service to Ohio’s children. Make it a great week.

Sincerely,

Stan W. Heffner

Note: Below are news items of interest to all superintendents and principals. Please share these items as appropriate with other suggested educators who will benefit from the information.

For school superintendents and treasurers – 2010-2011 district and school recognition graphics available; ARRA 1512 Quarterly Reporting begins Sept. 1; Preparations begin for new academic standards transition; Apply for school district connectivity subsidy; National Assessment Governing Board seeks nominations; Remember requirement to observe Constitution Day Sept. 17;

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers – State agencies offer webinar series to combat bullying and improve school climate; Regional meetings focus on Comprehensive System of Learning Supports; Schools may apply for grants to defray travel costs to Statehouse; Transportation grants offered for school trips to Ohio Judicial Center;  

Good news for everyone – JVS students construct Sept. 11 memorial.

For school superintendents and treasurers

2010-2011 district and school recognition graphics available
Last Friday, ODE sent information regarding Local Report Card recognition banners to districts designated as Excellent or Excellent with Distinction for the 2010-2011 school year. The email message contained an attached image of the banner graphic for use on the district website or in other published materials. This year, ODE also produced digital graphics to recognize schools that have been designated as Excellent or Excellent with Distinction for the 2010-2011 school year. If your school building has received either of these designations, the graphics may be downloaded here. If you have questions about the recognition banners, or did not receive your district graphic (actual banners will be delivered in September), please contact Patti Grey at patricia.grey@ode.state.oh.us.

ARRA 1512 Quarterly Reporting begins Sept. 1
The quarterly data collection period for CY 2011 3rd Quarter begins on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 16, 2011. All sub-recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or Education Jobs (EdJobs) funding are required to complete this reporting even if no additional funding has been drawn down since June 30, 2011.

Starting this quarter, LEAs will use a new Web-based application named ARRA 1512, located on their SAFE home page. All treasurers and superintendents of LEAs who are required to report will have access to this system. A User’s Guide and a Frequently Asked Questions document are available on the Help tab of this new system. Districts should be sure that their annual Central Contractor Registry (CCR) registration is renewed.

To learn about the short three-step process to submit renewals without changes, click here.  In addition, superintendents who have new treasurers as of this school year must ensure that their OEDS administrators assign these new employees the treasurer’s role in OEDS by Sept. 1. 

Preparations begin for new academic standards transition
Preparations are underway for school districts to transition to the revised academic content standards over the next three school years. The transition should begin with teachers and district leadership becoming familiar with the revised standards and how they compare with the previous standards. ODE has posted content-specific crosswalks on each of the content area pages to support this work. An additional Comparative Analysis tool will be available in September, to assist in comparing the new and current standards.

Because districts will design their own transition to the revised standards, it is natural to expect that each will be in a different place on the timeline. Some districts have completed the necessary curriculum realignmentand are ready for implementation this year. These districts are encouraged to begin with the K-2 grade band, as this is the first group of students who will be subject to the new assessments in the 2014-2015 school year.  ODE is realigning the current K-2 diagnostics to the revised standards and plans to have them available for use by next fall for the 2012-2013 school year. Please contact Marcia Barnhart at Marcia.Barnhart@ode.state.oh.us with any questions. 

Apply for school district connectivity subsidy
The amount of the Network Connectivity Subsidy per building will be decreased 10 percent to match the reduction in the Ohio Education Computer Network (OECN) funding in the biennial budget, This year’s connectivity subsidy will be $1,800 per building for public districts in Ohio.  Districts are encouraged to leverage federal e-rate discounts and state resources for additional connectivity or technology purposes.  LEAs should contact their Information Technology Center (ITC) or eTech Ohio for more information on e-rate discounts. The subsidy is sent out in two payments; one in the fall/winter, as applications are approved by eTech Ohio, and one payment in the spring. Full details and the application for the subsidy can be accessed here. The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2011. 

Historically, ODE has provided ongoing building connectivity subsidies to LEAs to ensure access to a broadband connection for instructional and administrative purposes. School building subsidies and other connectivity funds appropriated by the General Assembly provide building broadband connectivity and Internet access statewide. Working in partnership with the Ohio Education Computer Network, eTech Ohio and the Board of Regents, the program has established Ohio’s K-12 system as a global leader in broadband connectivity. Please contact Dean Reineke at dean.reineke@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 728-7757 for additional information. 

National Assessment Governing Board seeks nominations
The National Assessment Governing Board is currently seeking nominations of qualified individuals to serve as members of the Board for a four-year term, beginning Oct. 1, 2012. Congress established the 26-member Board to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card, which informs the public about student achievement nationwide in a number of core subjects. The U.S. Secretary of Education will appoint the members from a list of finalists submitted by the Board. For 2012, the Board is seeking nominations for five positions in the following categories: testing and measurement expert; local board of education member; state legislator (Republican); non-public school administrator; and general public representative. The deadline for receiving nominations is Sept. 30, 2011. More information about the nomination process can be found at www.nagb.org/nominations2012/. For questions, please contact Erin Fenn at efenn@reingold.com.

Remember requirement to observe Constitution Day Sept. 17

Educational institutions receiving federal funding are required to plan an education program celebrating Constitution Day, which is Saturday, Sept. 17. This year’s event marks the 224th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. When Sept. 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, Constitution Day is held during the preceding or following week. ODE encourages schools to involve all students in grades K-12 in activities, and where possible, invite teachers, parents and other community members. Although Constitution Day is an annual event, ODE also encourages schools to continue the study and discussion of our rights and responsibilities as U. S. citizens throughout the school year. To help engage students in meaningful activities aligned to the school’s curriculum and Ohio’s academic content standards, the following resources may be useful in planning events and activities:

·         The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates Constitution Day by presenting related activities and lesson plans;
·         Federal Resources for Educational Excellence include information from more than 30 federal agencies on teaching and learning, with topics including the U.S. Constitution;
·         The National Constitution Center is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the U.S. Constitution, its history and its contemporary relevance; and
·         The Library of Congress preserves valuable federal records, including documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention of 1774-1789.
·         Liberty Day is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to educating young Americans about the contents of the U.S. Constitution. Its website features a variety of resources, including a teacher’s packet with lesson plans. Contact Ohio coordinator Don DeVault of the Ohio Lions Clubs for assistance in planning your school event.

For school curriculum directors, administrators and teachers

State agencies offer webinar series to combat bullying and improve school climate
ODE has joined several other state agencies to form the Ohio Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation and Anti-Bullying (Anti-HIB) Initiative. They are sponsoring a series of one-hour webinars during the current school year. The next webinar is Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m.

School professionals, parents and community-support personnel are encouraged to participate in each session, which will be presented by experts from each sponsoring agency on topics including: policy implementation and supports; cyber safety; legal ramifications; school-wide interventions; teen dating violence prevention; and girl aggression. In addition to ODE, speakers will represent the Attorney General, eTech Ohio, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network and the departments of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Health, and Mental Health.

Each webinar is open to the first 100 participants, with registration open 30 minutes before each program. In addition, the webinars will be recorded and posted the same day on this Web page for viewing at a later time. Please direct any questions to Jill Jackson at jill.jackson@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 466-9540.

Regional meetings focus on Comprehensive System of Learning Supports
Because school improvement depends upon getting conditions and motivations right for learning, ODE is holding two-hour regional meetings throughout the state for principals, administrators and community support personnel. Discussions will focus on supporting schools in creating positive climates for their students, families and communities. Participants are asked to bring data about risk factors affecting school climate and academic performance. At each meeting, local support providers will discuss community-based services and participate in activities to foster collaboration with the education community.   Participation is free, but registration is required here. Contact Jill Jackson for more information at jill.jackson@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 466-9540.

Schools may apply for grants to defray travel costs to Statehouse
The 2011-2012 Ohio Statehouse School Bus Transportation Program will begin accepting online applications beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1 for grants to defray travel costs for Statehouse school trips this school year. The grants are open to any Ohio school that receives state funding and will be planning a Statehouse trip(s) for students in grades 4-12. The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation conduct the transportation grant program.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the order in which qualifying applications are received. A total of 240 grants are available, with 80 grants awarded in each of three categories based on proximity to the Statehouse. Schools less than 50 miles from the Statehouse will be reimbursed $200, schools between 51 and 100 miles away will be reimbursed $300 and schools at least 101 miles away will be reimbursed $400. Note that the application process, which is available online only, closed very quickly last year due to high interest. The application and more information will be posted on the Ohio Statehouse website. Direct questions on the grant to CSRAB at (614) 752-9777. To schedule a Statehouse tour, call (614) 728-2695.

Transportation grants offered for school trips to Ohio Judicial Center
The Ohio Judicial Center Foundation has set aside $30,000 for 100 grants to help schools defray the transportation costs of visiting the Ohio Judicial Center, home of the Supreme Court in Columbus. During Supreme Court tours, school groups explore the Visitor Education Center, which provides teaching ideas and an inside look at Ohio courts. Groups also tour parts of the historic Court building and view artwork portraying Ohio’s history, culture and commerce.

All Ohio schools that receive state funds can apply for the grants from Sept. 1-15. Grants will be awarded to those schools with the highest percentage of students enrolled in the free- and reduced-cost lunch program. Schools will be eligible to receive one grant for students in grades 4 and above. The 100 grants will be awarded in three categories, based on the one-way distance from the school to the Ohio Judicial Center. The award categories are the same as the Statehouse transportation grants. A reimbursement check will be sent within 30 days after the field trip. Applications for the 2011-2012 school year can be submitted online only by authorized teachers and school administrators. To access the application form, click here. For more information, please call the Visitor Education Center at (614) 387-9223 or courttours@sc.ohio.gov.

Good news for everyone

JVS students construct Sept. 11 memorial
Students in the Welding and Fabrication Program at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School (LCJVS) are working on a memorial to the fallen first responders of Sept. 11, 2001, using a steel I-beam pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. LCJVS Supervisor Charlie Warthling, a volunteer firefighter, coordinated the effort to receive the 28-foot beam which was split between LCJVS, Mapleton Local School District, the North Fairfield Fire Department, and a northern Ohio fraternal organization of firefighters. LCJVS is slated to host a dedication ceremony to unveil the memorial in September, marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. LCJVS students in other programs are contributing their graphic design, machining and carpentry skills to develop the memorial. 

"This experience will let our students use their creative and technical skills to literally touch a piece of history," Warthling said on the LCJVS website. "Although it's a very sad time in American history, those who sacrificed their lives deserve to be remembered, and that is very valuable lesson for our students to learn."

ODE is interested in your thoughts about how EdConnection fulfills your information needs. Please send any comments or suggestions to superintendent@ode.state.oh.us.

Follow our new Facebook page for Ohio families by clicking here.

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August 22, 2011
 
Good morning:
 
Students and families across the state are ready for the beginning of a new school year. To help everyone get off to a great start, ODE has prepared a special webpage that answers a number of questions that may come up during the first few weeks of school. The What’s New for School Year 2011-2012? page contains information on standards guides for families, testing dates, state identification cards for students and many other topics. Please feel free to share this information with families and staff in your district or school.
 
ODE continues to develop resources for local education leaders related to House Bill 153. A summary of these new education components can be found here. They include:
·         State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delivers Presentation at the Budget Analysis and Discussion (BAD) Workshop, including talking points on available waivers
·         Senior Executive Director of Accountability and Continuous Improvement Adrian Allison Delivers Presentation on HB 153 Rankings and Reporting
·         New ODE Responsibilities under HB 153
·         New Local Responsibilities and Permissions
·         Eliminated Local Responsibilities and Permissions
·         Summary of Budget and Proposed Policy Changes
 
Finally, we have received questions about cursive handwriting’s place in Ohio’s content standards and model curricula. Although the teaching of cursive handwriting is not addressed in the Common Core State Standards for English, local districts are free to include content outside the standards, including cursive handwriting.
Thanks for your hard work in service to Ohio’s children. Make it a great week.
 
Sincerely,

Stan W. Heffner
 
Note: Below are news items of interest to all superintendents and principals. Please share these items as appropriate with other suggested educators who will benefit from the information.
 
For school superintendents, curriculum directors, administrators, and teachers – Please remember to observe Patriot Day on Sept. 11; Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute announces keynotes;
 
Good news for everyone – ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates.
 
For school superintendents, treasurers, curriculum directors, administrators and teachers
 
Please remember to observe Patriot Day on Sept. 11
Patriot Day is an annual observance to remember those who died or were injured during the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. In accordance with Public Law 107-89, the President annually issues a proclamation calling for all Americans, as well as state and local governments, to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs, to fly their American flags at half-staff and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. (when the first plane struck the World Trade Center’s north tower).
 
ODE strongly encourages all schools to plan some type of observance, preferably in conjunction with local veterans’ groups. Schools also may want to consider having older students interview adults about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the resulting political, national security and economic challenges the U.S. has faced.
 
The interviews can be used in student presentations and class discussions. Within the new model curriculum for social studies, available here, high school American history educators will find references to Sept. 11 on page 42. The model curriculum provides a context for discussing Patriot Day in light of the challenges the United States has been facing during the post-Cold War era. When fully implemented in 2014-2015, the model curriculum also will include more instructional strategies and resources about this topic.
 
Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute announces keynotes
The 12th Annual Ohio School Improvement Institute (Nov. 17-18, 2011, in Columbus) has announced its two keynote presenters – social media guru Will Richardson and award-winning classroom teacher T.C. Roekle.
 
Richardson, a former teacher who has spoken around the world, addresses how great teaching can take place through deep inquiry, collaboration and innovation with the “ear bud” generation. Roekle is co-author of Designing Thriving Schools, a strategic thinking and planning process that provides educators with the tools they need to shape a positive future for their schools. The institute is designed primarily for middle and high school teachers and teacher-administrator teams. Learn more and register here.
 
Good news for everyone
 
ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates
Throughout this summer, ODE is highlighting high school graduates in a special Web feature. Through these individual profiles, graduates share stories about their school experience, discuss plans for the future and offer advice to their peers currently in school. The stories can be accessed here. These stories demonstrate the endless opportunities available for students within Ohio’s PreK-12 system.
 
ODE is interested in your thoughts about how EdConnection fulfills your information needs. Please send any comments or suggestions to superintendent@ode.state.oh.us.

Follow our new Facebook page for Ohio families by clicking here.
 
Follow ODE’s Twitter feed by clicking here.

Get a technology jump start!

This summer, we've been installing brand-new technology in schools from Ohio to Florida.  Hundreds of students and teachers will be starting the school year with everything from new servers and switches to wiring and wireless, giving them faster access and greater reliability than ever before.
 
Does a jump start sound like something your school needs?  Contact SchoolOne to help you figure out: 

 what kind of technology your school, district, CMO, or diocese needs and how much it will cost

 which parts of your existing systems can be kept and what should be replaced

 how to turn your needs into an affordable, multi-phase plan that will help you set budget goals

Allow SchoolOne to take the guesswork out of your technology planning and give you a strong, reliable infrastructure.  We can put an end to the frustration caused by out-of-date systems and enable you to focus on your students.
 

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

--

August 15, 2011

Good morning:

We are entering a special time of year when staff returns to prepare for the first day with students. This time is marked by a burst of energy and renewed commitment to providing students with the highest caliber of education. At the Ohio Department of Education, we share your enthusiasm for the start of the school year and are eager to support your efforts to advance teaching and learning across the state.

The official release of Local Report Cards is Wednesday, Aug. 24. The Interactive Local Report Card System (iLRC), including Power User Reports, downloadable files and the PDFs of district and building report cards, will be made available that day. The Guide to Understanding Ohio’s Accountability System (commonly referred to as the “Media Guide”) will be posted online as well.

Through regional meetings with the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, I have been able to meet with many local school and district leaders and share how our vision for the work of ODE will assist you in engaging in the initiatives found in House Bill 153 and Race to the Top to transform education in Ohio. My presentation, A Vision for Tomorrow: Ohio’s Path to Educational Success, may be found here or by visiting education.ohio.gov and clicking on the “About Us” link. Part of this presentation discusses the new education components of HB 153. A summary of these new education components can be found here. Then, click on the “Summary of Budget and Proposed Policy Changes” link.

Thanks for your hard work in service to Ohio’s children. Make it a great week.

Sincerely,

Stan W. Heffner

Note: Below are news items of interest to all superintendents and principals. Please share these items as appropriate with other suggested educators who will benefit from the information.

For school superintendents, treasurers, curriculum directors, administrators, and teachers – ARRA 1512 Quarterly Reporting incorporates new OEDS role; ODE seeks regional content facilitators; Discounted Internet service for low-income families;

Good news for everyone – ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates.

For school superintendents, treasurers, curriculum directors, administrators and teachers

ARRA 1512 Quarterly Reporting incorporates new OEDS role
As noted previously, ODE has developed a new web interface for collecting the ARRA 1512 Quarterly Data from sub-recipients. This new interface is no longer a survey and will have a look and feel similar to the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP). Field testing is underway and the new system is expected to go live on Sept. 1. The former survey still will be available as a backup to use as needed. Once it is available, the new web interface can be accessed through the SAFE account login.

Please note that one of the major differences between the survey and the new interface is a new ARRA role titled “Reporter-LEA ARRA1512.” This role is optional, but if assigned to an individual, he or she will have permission to enter sub-recipient and vendor data that will still need to be reviewed and approved by the treasurer and the superintendent, in that order. The roles of treasurer and superintendent are still mandatory for ARRA 1512 reporting. Treasurers who wish to continue entering the data themselves still have this option and do not need to assign the reporter role to another individual. Local education agencies (LEAs) wishing to take advantage of the optional reporter role for data entry will need to enable this option as soon as possible. The reporter role should be assigned by the LEA OEDS administrator, or by contacting Matthew Danzuso at matthew.danzuso@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 644-2652, or Heather Boughton at heather.boughton@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 752-1402. The person assigned to this role is required to have a SAFE account. Click here to establish a SAFE account.

ODE seeks regional content facilitators
ODE is forming a cadre of 30 regional content facilitators (RCFs) in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies to support the goal of helping educators use the revised academic content standards and new model curricula. The RCFs will conduct five regional meetings to deepen the content knowledge of educators and support their curriculum revisions based on the revised standards. The meetings will begin in late fall 2011 and conclude by June 30, 2012. Each RCF must have a laptop computer, projector and PowerPoint presentation software. The RCF project will extend throughout the next three school years (2011-2014), with the delivery of the meeting content varying each year. For additional information or to apply, please contact Anita Bowden at anita.bowden@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 387-2265.

Discounted Internet service available for low-income families
eTech Ohio is introducing a new initiative, Internet Essentials, to help Ohio’s low-income families access broadband services. Qualifying households are those in the Comcast service area that have students receiving free lunches through the National School Lunch Program. These families can receive high-speed Internet services for $9.99 per month, as well as vouchers for deeply discounted computers and technology training. To determine if a household is in the Comcast service area, call (800) 266-2278 or visit the Comcast website. Visit internetessentials.com for further information.

Good news for everyone

ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates
Throughout this summer, ODE is highlighting high school graduates in a special web feature. Through these individual profiles, graduates share stories about their school experience, discuss plans for the future and offer advice to their peers currently in school. The stories can be accessed here. These stories demonstrate the endless opportunities available for students within Ohio’s PreK-12 system.

ODE is interested in your thoughts about how EdConnection fulfills your information needs. Please send any comments or suggestions to superintendent@ode.state.oh.us.

Follow our new Facebook page for Ohio families by clicking here.

August 8, 2011

Good afternoon:

Ohio districts and schools are gearing up to roll out the new, four-year Resident Educator Program. ODE has a number of new resources on its website to support this implementation. I encourage you to explore the resources listed below this letter, including mentor training opportunities and PowerPoint presentations to support your efforts.  Inquiries about the Resident Educator Program may be submitted to REProgram@ode.state.oh.us.

To further Ohio’s progress in developing a comprehensive research-based agenda, I am pleased to announce that Matt Cohen will begin a new assignment as the Department’s Chief Research Officer. For the past five years, Dr. Cohen has been the Executive Director for Policy and Accountability, where he has led ODE’s value-added initiative. In addition, ODE will work in conjunction with the Ohio Board of Regents and other state agencies to link our growing data capabilities with research to inform continuous improvement of school and classroom practice.  Dr. Cohen will also help me define and carry out a wide- ranging research agenda that is consistent with Ohio’s Race to the Top priorities, including:  [a] a focus on school improvement; [b] teacher evaluation linked to student performance; and [c] alignment of curriculum and instruction with the changing academic requirements that lead to success in college and the workplace for our high school graduates.

Thanks for your hard work in service to Ohio’s children. Make it a great week.

Sincerely,

Stan W. Heffner

Note: Below are news items of interest to all superintendents and principals. Please share these items as appropriate with other suggested educators who will benefit from the information.

For school superintendents, curriculum directors, administrators, and teachers – Updates available on the Resident Educator Program; FAQ document addresses House Bill 153 and teacher evaluation;
Good news for everyone – ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates.

For school superintendents, curriculum directors, administrators and teachers

Updates available on the Resident Educator Program
There are several new items available regarding the rollout of the Resident Educator Program.  These include the areas of mentoring, presentation resources and upcoming professional development dates to mark on your calendar. 

Mentoring
·         State trainers are providing mentor training throughout the state from Aug. 1 to Nov. 15.
·         During Year One (2011-12), all Resident Educators in Ohio will be supported by a certified mentor.
·         Mentor certification requires the completion of the training modules Instructional Mentoring (IM) and Resident Educator-1 (RE-1)
·         Additional information is available here. 

New presentation resources
New resources for the Resident Educator Program may be found on the Resident Educator webpage. They include the Resident Educator Orientation PowerPoint, which is available for use by schools and districts. Program Coordinators must ensure that all Resident Educators view this presentation. It may be presented in a variety of venues, depending on district context. The information it provides spans the roles and responsibilities of mentors, principals and Resident Educators. The orientation provides a wealth of information that may be referred to throughout the year.

A Principal Orientation PowerPoint will be available at a later date on the Resident Educator webpage.

CORE registration
Program coordinators may begin registration of Resident Educators in CORE beginning in early September 2011. Registration will be open until Nov. 15, 2011.

Questions about the Resident Educator program can be submitted to REProgram@ode.state.oh.us. 

FAQ addresses House Bill 153 and teacher evaluation
ODE’s reform strategy aligns with the strategic outlook in House Bill 153. In addition, our Race to the Top (RttT) goals support this work and propel a college- and career-ready agenda. A frequently asked questions (FAQ) document was developed to specifically address inquiries about teacher evaluation that is contained within these goals. The FAQ is available by clicking here and then clicking on the “FAQ about House Bill 153” link at the right on the RttT landing page.

Good news for everyone

ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates
Throughout this summer, ODE is highlighting high school graduates in a special Web feature. Through these individual profiles, graduates share stories about their school experience, discuss plans for the future and offer advice to their peers currently in school. The stories can be accessed here. These stories demonstrate the endless opportunities available for students within Ohio’s PreK-12 system.

ODE is interested in your thoughts about how EdConnection fulfills your information needs. Please send any comments or suggestions to superintendent@ode.state.oh.us.

Follow our new Facebook page for Ohio families by clicking here.

August 1, 2011

Good afternoon,

At the end of August each year, ODE releases the results of State and Local Report Cards. This year, the release will occur on Wednesday, Aug. 24. On that date, the Interactive Local Report Card System (iLRC), including Power User Reports, downloadable files and the PDFs of district and building report cards, will be available. The Guide to Understanding Ohio’s Accountability System (commonly referred to as the “Media Guide”) also will be posted online at that time. This publication may be used by you and your staff to explain the accountability system to your communities.

Thanks for your hard work in service to Ohio’s children. Make it a great week.

Stan W. Heffner

Note: Below are news items of interest to all superintendents and principals. Please share these items as appropriate with other suggested educators who will benefit from the information.

·         For school superintendents, treasurers, curriculum directors, administrators, and teachers – FAQ document addresses House Bill 153 and teacher evaluation; Remember to expend one-time ARRA grant funds; Revised Standards and New Model Curricula Professional Development Project; Introductory PowerPoint available for Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts; ODE seeks Regional Content Facilitators; Preliminary Review of the National Science Framework complete;
·         For school administrators – State agencies offer webinar series to combat bullying and improve school climate; Regional school climate meetings focus on Comprehensive System of Learning Supports;
·         Good news for everyone – ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates.

For school superintendents, treasurers, curriculum directors, administrators and teachers

FAQ addresses House Bill 153 and teacher evaluation
ODE’s reform strategy aligns with the strategic outlook in House Bill 153. In addition, the agency’s Race to the Top (RttT) goals support this work and propel a college- and career-ready agenda. A frequently asked questions (FAQ) document was developed to specifically address the area of teacher evaluation contained within these goals. The FAQ is available here and then click on the “FAQ about House Bill 153” link at right on the RttT landing page.

Remember to expend one-time ARRA grant funds
Many of the one-time grants funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will end within calendar year 2011. To provide districts with a maximum opportunity to utilize their ARRA funds without filing a new FY2012 CCIP application, ODE has extended the FY2011 CCIP application obligation period from June 30 to September 30 for these grants. The liquidation period and Final Expenditure Report also will have a deadline of September 30. Please note that the expiring ARRA funds cannot be included in the FY2012 consolidated application schoolwide pool or be carried over. These changes affect the Title IA, Neglected, Delinquent, School Improvement Part A, McKinney Vento Homeless, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Early Childhood Special Education ARRA grants. Superintendents and treasurers are encouraged to check their balances in these funds so they do not lose the opportunity to support their general funds.

Revised Standards and New Model Curricula Professional Development Project
ODE will launch a Revised Standards and New Model Curricula Professional Development Project in late fall 2011 for educators and administrators. Regional content facilitators will be trained by ODE content-area experts to deliver meetings throughout the Race to the Top regions in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Following a general introduction to the revised standards and model curricula, the sessions will describe how to develop deeper content knowledge and make the necessary instructional shifts for increasing student achievement. Additional information and details are forthcoming on the ODE Academic Content Standards Web page. Questions may be directed to Marcia Barnhart at marcia.barnhart@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 387-2195.

Introductory PowerPoint available for Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
A PowerPoint presentation entitled Introduction to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts is available for Ohio educators to use in preparing their districts to transition to the revised standards. It can be accessed here.

ODE seeks Regional Content Facilitators 
ODE is forming a cadre of 30 Regional Content Facilitators (RCFs) in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies to support the goal of helping educators transition into the revised academic content standards and new model curricula. The RCFs will conduct five regional meetings to deepen the content knowledge of educators and support curriculum revisions based on the revised standards. The meetings will begin in late fall 2011 and conclude by June 30, 2012. The RCFs must have their own laptop, projector and PowerPoint presentation software. The RCF project will extend over the course of the next three school years (2011-2014), with the delivery of the meeting content varying each year. For additional information or to apply, please contact Anita Bowden at Anita.Bowden@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 387-2265. 

Preliminary review of the National Science Framework is complete
The ODE science staff has completed a preliminary review of the National Science Framework that was released on July 19 by the National Academy of Sciences. As anticipated, the initial comparison of the core ideas and practices that students should learn for each grade-band (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) align well with Ohio’s revised science standards and model curricula. This alignment includes the emphases on learning progressions and the integration of scientific, engineering and technological processes with academic content.

ODE staff will conduct a more detailed comparative analysis between the two documents, and will tabulate the results and post this information on the ODE science page to assist teachers and districts. For clarity, critical differences or changes will be noted and/or highlighted in Ohio’s revised science standards and model curricula document. The National Framework is just the beginning of the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. Ohio will continue to support this development work and to inform the state’s educators about ongoing opportunities to provide feedback and advice to the national effort.

For school administrators

Webinar series to combat bullying and improve school climate begins Wednesday
ODE and several statewide agencies that have formed the Ohio Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation and Anti-Bullying Initiative (Anti-HIB) are sponsoring a series of 10 one-hour webinar sessions beginning Aug. 3. The webinars will be held at 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through May, and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, during School Bus Safety Week. School professionals, parents and community-support personnel are encouraged to participate in each session, which will cover topics such as: policy implementation and supports; cyber safety; legal ramifications; schoolwide interventions; teen dating violence prevention; and girl aggression.

Ohio’s Anti-HIB Initiative speakers will represent ODE, the Attorney General’s Office, eTech Ohio, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network and the departments of Mental Health, Health, and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. Each webinar will accommodate the first 100 participants who register, with registration open 30 minutes before each program. The webinars will be recorded and posted on this Web page, where visitors may link to webinars the day of each event. Questions may be directed to Jill Jackson at jill.jackson@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 466-9540.

Regional school climate meetings focus on Comprehensive System of Learning Supports
Because school improvement depends on getting conditions and motivations right for learning, from Aug. 15 to Sept. 29, ODE will be holding two-hour regional meetings in 16 areas of the state for principals, administrators and community-support personnel. The regional meetings will support schools in creating positive school climates for their students, families and communities. Participants are asked to bring data about risk factors affecting school climate and academic performance. At each meeting, local support providers will discuss community-based services and participate in activities to foster collaboration with school leaders. Participants should register to attend a meeting in their regions here, where more information is available. There is no registration cost, but registration is required. Questions may be directed to Jill Jackson at jill.jackson@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 466-9540.

Good news for everyone

ODE home page features snapshots of Class of 2011 graduates
Throughout July, ODE is featuring high school graduates in a special Web feature. Through these individual profiles, graduates share stories about their school experience, discuss plans for the future and offer advice to their peers currently in school. The stories can be accessed here. These stories demonstrate the endless opportunities available for students within Ohio’s PreK-12 system.

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