Please join us for our Free Online Workshop Series  

Wednesday, November 9

4:00 p.m. EST 

Are you teaching kids the "why" of history? 

In this 60-minute live webcast,  best-selling author Sam Wineburg answers the question, "What is historical thinking and why should we care?" 

Author of Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past, Dr. Wineburg will share key insights from his research, including new understanding into how history is created, taught and learned.  Dr. Wineburg will share his out-of-the-box thinking on topics including:  

• How does historical thinking connect with 21st-century skills?
• What are the new forms of assessment beyond multiple choice?
• How should primary sources be effectively integrated into teaching history? 

A professor of education at Stanford University, Dr. Wineburg has developed a vibrant new field of research that's changing the way history is being taught - and learned. He's credited with forging new paths in the field of research that has developed around the knowledge and practices of historians and teachers. 

Sam Wineburg is the second featured presenter in our Educator Excellence in the 21st-Century Classroom Online Workshops. This series of complimentary webcasts is presented by CFL to share some of the latest, most important instructional strategies with teachers, administrators, and curriculum directors.

This is a free webcast, but you must register to attend. Registration and details are available on our Web site. 

 Space is limited.

Register today! 

Request more information from our Professional Development  Specialist,

 Bonnie Williams

or call

1.800.767.9090
ext. 3604

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Oct. 24, 2011

Good afternoon:

Last week Ohio applied for a federally funded Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant. If awarded, the grant would help fund the development of a statewide, high-quality early learning system to ensure that Ohio’s young children, especially those with high needs, get the knowledge, skills and services they need for a successful start in kindergarten.

The system we envision is important to Ohio’s education reform efforts. Schools will have a much easier time moving from the current, minimum-competency education system toward one that produces college- and career-ready students if kindergarteners are entering school ready to learn.

Also, I had the honor this week of recognizing 122 Ohio Schools of Promise. In these schools, all students are achieving at high levels in reading and mathematics despite the fact that 40 percent or more of the students are economically disadvantaged. Almost half of these schools have sustained their School of Promise status for three or more years. We are learning what these schools are doing to make a difference for their students. I encourage you to visit a School of Promise near you.

Thank you for your continuing hard work on behalf of Ohio’s students. Make it a great week.

Sincerely,

Stan 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 – Ohio Applies for Early Learning Challenge Grant to augment RttT reforms; USDoE issues supplemental Ed Jobs award;

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers – Nominations now open for mathematics and science teaching awards; Participants sought for SES Tutor Effectiveness Report focus groups; Veterans Day observances required by law; free resources available;

New ways to keep in touch – Sign up for our daily education news update and visit us anywhere using your mobile device;

Good news for everyone – Ohio Schools named Schools of Promise.

For school superintendents and treasurers

Ohio applies for competitive Early Learning Challenge grant
This week, Ohio applied for a competitive, $70 million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant to improve its early childhood education system. The RTT-ELC application lays out Ohio’s plan to improve kindergarten readiness for children with high needs. Ohio’s planned system would increase access to high-quality services; improve the quality of early childhood services; and measure and report progress on the results.

The approach would be to broaden prekindergarten content standards to include social-emotional development, approaches toward learning, and physical well-being and health. Ohio also would expand its assessment system to include prekindergarten and kindergarten formative assessments in all essential domains of school readiness. The system also would support professional development in the use of the new standards and assessments. The U.S. Department of Education will announce grant winners by Dec. 31. For details on essential domains of school readiness click here.

USDoE issues supplemental Ed Jobs award
The U.S. Department of Education recently notified ODE it has awarded states a supplement to the initial Education Jobs Fund (Ed Jobs) program. Ohio’s supplemental Ed Jobs award totals $5,336,250, which must be distributed on the same basis as the initial Ed Jobs award. ODE currently is calculating district allocations, as well as determining possible reallocation of funds from those LEAs that did not use their original allocation. ODE is working to have all additional allocations loaded into the CCIP by early November.

Districts should submit their FY11 Final Expenditure Reports and finalize their fiscal year 2012 Ed Jobs applications. These funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2012. For more information contact Wendy Cantrell at (614) 728-5002 or wendy.cantrell@ode.state.oh.us. Periodic updates will appear in future issues of EdConnection.

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers

Nominations open for mathematics and science teaching awards
Nominations are now open for the 2012 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The deadline is April 1, 2012. The PAEMST program recognizes teachers for their contributions to science and mathematics teaching and their ability to help students progress in their knowledge of the two subjects.

 This year’s nominations are restricted to teachers in grades K-6. In alternate years, only teachers in grades 7-12 may be nominated. Visit ODE’s PAEMST Web page for more information. Please address questions to Patty Griffin at patty.griffin@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 995-3735.

Participants sought for SES Tutor Effectiveness Report focus groups
ODE is seeking district personnel, service providers and interested parents to participate in focus groups to help redesign the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Tutor Effectiveness Report. Participants will attend one of four regional focus-group sessions taking place Oct. 28 in Dayton, Nov. 10 in Findlay, Dec. 2 in Athens and Dec. 8 in Cleveland. Each program will feature a session for district personnel and parents, as well as a session for providers. Space is limited and registration is required. District personnel and service providers may register through STARS. Parents may register by calling Karl Koenig at (614) 752-1597. For more information call ODE’s Office of Federal Programs at (614) 466-4161 and ask to speak with an SES team member. Please do not call event locations for information.

Veterans Day observances required by law; free resources available
Veterans Day honors America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve the common good, and it provides students with the opportunity to examine the meaning of civic ideals. Ohio law requires that each school devote at least one hour or one standard class period on or around Veterans Day to an observance that conveys the meaning of the day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also offers a free teachers guide.

New ways to stay in touch

Get your daily education news
Do you receive the Ohio Education News Summary, our daily roundup of education news from around the Buckeye State? Subscribers to this free service receive an email each morning with news and commentary about education gathered from all the major Ohio media markets. To sign up, simply click here and enter your email address.

ODE launches new mobile website
As portable devices become more prevalent, ODE is working to provide information formatted for smartphones. This week we launched a new mobile mini-website at www.m.ode.state.oh.us. The site is optimized to display on many common hand-held devices and includes the latest news releases, the newsletter EdConnection, ODE contact information and more. We hope you will check it out.

Good news for everyone

Ohio schools named Schools of Promise
Last week, the Ohio Department of Education recognized 122 Ohio schools as Schools of Promise. These elementary, middle and high schools have distinguished themselves by closing achievement gaps in reading and mathematics for economically disadvantaged and minority students, despite the fact that 40 percent or more of their students are from low-income families. In addition to rigorous coursework, these schools offer strong learning support systems that involve administrators, teachers and families.

The schools are located throughout the state, with 53 from Appalachian counties and 11 from Ohio’s eight large urban districts. Six are community schools. ODE’s recommended Comprehensive System of Learning Supports can help any school ensure that students from diverse backgrounds are achieving at high levels. To see the Schools of Promise selection criteria and this year’s awardees, click here.

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.

ADHD in the News:  New Guidelines: Kids as Young as 4 Can Be Diagnosed with ADHD 

[Source: Yahoo News/Live Science.com]

BOSTON - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can now be diagnosed in children as young as four and as old as 18, according to the nation's largest organization of pediatricians.

The new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) expand the age range over which doctors can diagnose and manage ADHD in children, and are based on recent research; previous guidelines released in 2000 and 2001 covered children ages 6 to 12.  

"Treating children at a young age is important, because when we can identify them earlier and provide appropriate treatment, we can increase their chances of succeeding in school," said Dr. Mark Wolraich, a pediatrician at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and lead author of the report.  

Read the Rest of this Article Through a Link on our Blog

Feel Good Story of the Week:Scout with Autism Earns 132 Merit Badges

[Source: Deseret News]

Editor's Note:  This is a great story, although it is a shame that the author did not choose to use person first language.      

Nate Christensen seems like a typical almost-18-year-old boy. Now in his senior year at Bingham High School in South Jordan, he plays the trumpet in the marching band. He took a longtime friend to the school's homecoming dance. He loves popular music artists from Justin Bieber to Owl City. He enjoys playing "Just Dance" on his family's Nintendo Wii and writes a blog in his free time. He admits that his favorite class at school is his sports class.

Read the Rest of this Article Through a Link on our Blog

Down Syndrome in the News: Concerns Linger As New Down Syndrome Test Hits Market

Read the Rest of This Article Through a Link on our Blog

Autism in the News:  Low Weight Babies Five Times More Likely To Have Autism Spectrum Disorder

Childhood Development in the News: 'Screen-Free' Playtime Best for Toddler Brains

'Screen-Free' Playtime Best for Toddler Brains

Therapists in the News: Could one of our SLP Friends Win a Grammy Award? - Maybe, With Your Help!

Learn More About 'Dancing in the Kitchen" and How You Might be Able to Help Melanie Win a Grammy

Speech-Language Pathology in the News: Named 'Best Job for Working Parents' by Money Magazine

Look at these Money Magazine Articles Through a Link on our Blog

Language Development in the News: Preterm Infant Exposure To Parental Voice Encourages Vocalizations

 Read the Rest of This Article Through a Link on our Blog

Therapy Resource of the Week: Ear Massage for Calm and Focus

Thank You to Yoga in My School for this week's resource for therapists. 
 

This video teaches basic techniques for ear massage including accupressure points, lobe massage, ear rolling, cupping and more. Ear massage only takes a few minutes and will leave you feeling refreshed while improving your attention. Teaching children and teenagers how to perform self-massage techniques empowers them to take care of themselves whenever they feel stressed, anxious or simply need a lift in their day.

Watch Video on Ear Massage Technique on our Blog

Therapist Resource of the Week: The Pediatric & School-Based Therapy Discussion Group on LinkedIN 

Are you LinkedIn?  If not, check it out!   We have a very large group of about 2200 pediatric and school based therapists in the group discussing all sorts of pediatric and school based therapy topics.  Group membership is restricted and posts are monitored.  NO recruiters are permitted.  (PediaStaff doesn't even post our own jobs in there or use it for the staffing side of our business at all.)  There are also sub-groups for each therapy (SLP, OT, PT and School Psych) discipline plus one for clinic owners/managers and one for current students.

Request an Invitation to Join Through a Link on our Blog

Therapist Resource of the Week: The 100 Best Children's Books According to Babble.com 

Special Thanks to Sherry Artemenko, M.A. CCC-SLP, of Play on Words for the heads up on this fine list of the best books for children as compiled by Babble.  

As Sherry points out it is really a list of about 600 books because in addition to a "best overall" category, they have top hundred lists for infant, toddler, learning to read, grade school and young adult categories.     

Thanks again Sherry!

Check out the 'Babble 100' Through a Link on our Blog

Pinterest Pin of the Week: You Might Be A Speech Therapy Student If.. 

Here is a pin we put up earlier this week that is proving extremely popular!   There ARE guys who are also SLP students though, so apologies are due to the few and the proud that meet that criteria!

Check Out the Pinterest Pin of the Week on our Blog

Guest Blogs This Week: 2 Gals, Pediatric Occupational Therapy Tips   

Pediatric Therapy Corner: Visual Supports for Children with Down Syndrome

Worth Repeating - New Uses for Athletic Taping

Also Worth Repeating - Pathology in the Hundred Acre Wood, a Neurodevelopmental Perspective on A.A. Milne

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Oct. 17, 2011

Good afternoon:

At their last meeting, members of the State Board of Education adopted three policy goals for the upcoming school year.

• · Ohio will transition from a minimum-competency system to a college and career system by 2014-2015.
• · The current accountability system will change to reflect the current demand of Ohio's academic content standards and assessments.
• · Ohio will expand our definition of schooling to include greater quality choice and integration of technology beyond a traditional setting.

In the near future, I will share with you a process in which you may join us in realizing these goals. This may include policy changes, use of federal and state waivers and options that help you to improve student achievement. We remain committed to a world-class educational system for all of Ohio's students and look forward to your continued partnership in moving Ohio forward.

Thank you for your continuing hard work on behalf of Ohio’s students. Make it a good week.

Sincerely,

Stan W. Heffner

Office for Exceptional Children (October 2011)

The Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) announces the following changes, additions, and reminders:
Changes

• The latest changes to the Guidance Document are available by clicking here and are also available at the beginning of the Guidance Document itself.
• Districts need to incorporate the revised PWN chart into their Policies and Procedures if they have adopted OEC's Special Education Model Policies and Procedures. It is important to remember that when a student exits high school, the district must provide a PWN and a Summary of Performance.
• Both ETR planning forms (school age and early childhood) that are included with the OEC ETR form are required for districts that have adopted OEC's Special Education Model Policies and Procedures. Evidence of planning including that parents were involved has always been required. Prior to this change of making the planning forms that are included with the OEC ETR form required forms, the two planning forms had been noted as "optional" as districts had the choice of using planning forms other than those included with the ETR form. However, the word "optional" on the planning forms led some educators to mistakenly believe that planning was optional. That was not and is not the case. Districts are considered out of compliance when evidence of planning including the involvement of parents is not attached to the ETR.
• The Early Childhood ETR Planning form has a few revisions and additional evaluation information and is now available at www.edresourcesohio.org under Required Forms.
• Revised Annotations for the IEP incorporate the six components of a measurable goal and of objectives. If benchmarks are selected, time periods must be noted.

Additions

• New charts are available for:
• the ETR,
• Residency and Custody

Reminders

• Progress report forms from the old 1999-2000 Model Policies & Practices do not contain information about measurable goals and should not be used.  One option is to use the OP-6 Progress Report that is available under Optional forms on www.edresourcesohio.org.
• For questions about social graduation, refer to the 2011-2012 Ohio Statewide Assessment Program Rules Book.

Office for Exceptional Children (October 2011)

The Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) announces the following changes, additions, and reminders:
Changes

• The latest changes to the Guidance Document are available by clicking here and are also available at the beginning of the Guidance Document itself.
• Districts need to incorporate the revised PWN chart into their Policies and Procedures if they have adopted OEC's Special Education Model Policies and Procedures. It is important to remember that when a student exits high school, the district must provide a PWN and a Summary of Performance.
• Both ETR planning forms (school age and early childhood) that are included with the OEC ETR form are required for districts that have adopted OEC's Special Education Model Policies and Procedures. Evidence of planning including that parents were involved has always been required. Prior to this change of making the planning forms that are included with the OEC ETR form required forms, the two planning forms had been noted as "optional" as districts had the choice of using planning forms other than those included with the ETR form. However, the word "optional" on the planning forms led some educators to mistakenly believe that planning was optional. That was not and is not the case. Districts are considered out of compliance when evidence of planning including the involvement of parents is not attached to the ETR.
• The Early Childhood ETR Planning form has a few revisions and additional evaluation information and is now available at www.edresourcesohio.org under Required Forms.
• Revised Annotations for the IEP incorporate the six components of a measurable goal and of objectives. If benchmarks are selected, time periods must be noted.

Additions

• New charts are available for:
• the ETR,
• Residency and Custody

Reminders

• Progress report forms from the old 1999-2000 Model Policies & Practices do not contain information about measurable goals and should not be used.  One option is to use the OP-6 Progress Report that is available under Optional forms on www.edresourcesohio.org.
• For questions about social graduation, refer to the 2011-2012 Ohio Statewide Assessment Program Rules Book.

Oct. 11, 2011

Good afternoon:

Congratulations go out to Brian Page, an economics and finance teacher at Reading High School (Hamilton County), who last Monday received the Milken Family Foundation’s $25,000 Milken Educator Award. Brian is the 60th Ohio educator, and one of only 40 nationwide this year, to receive this coveted award. Look below to read more and see a video clip from the surprise announcement.

Also, you’ll see information about two series of workshops related to revised academic content standards and model curricula. ODE’s Center for Curriculum and Assessment has worked diligently, in partnership with many of Ohio’s educators to help your teachers and administrative team understand how to implement these more rigorous standards and prepare students for a transition from a minimum-competency system to one that makes them college and career ready. Please make sure you and members of your staff take advantage of these valuable learning opportunities and get ready for the 2014-15 school year when the new standards take effect.

Thank you for your hard work on behalf of Ohio’s students. Make it a good 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 – Oct. sessions to explain Ohio’s high school and higher education alignment project; standards and model curricula update presented to ESC representatives Oct. 13, 28; Community schools experience tightened accountability.

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers – Hamilton County teacher receives prestigious Milken Educator Award; Changes announced to Teacher of the Year program; Revised standards and model curricula meetings scheduled throughout school year.

For school superintendents and treasurers

Oct. sessions to explain Ohio’s high school and higher education alignment project
Informational meetings will be held Oct. 17, 18 and 24 across the state to acquaint district leaders and higher education officials with Ohio’s High School and Higher Education Alignment Project. Local high school and higher education partners will collaborate to align high school curriculum with postsecondary expectations in English language arts and mathematics. Regional consortia to be formed by the local partnerships will identify gaps between current content being taught in high schools and college-readiness expectations. The consortia also will form collaborative improvement plans to reduce college-level remediation. Registration is available on STARS or by going to education.ohio.gov and using the keyword search: High School-Higher Education Alignment.

Standards and model curricula update presented to ESC representatives Oct. 13, 28
General information about revised standards, model curricula and assessments will be the topic of workshops this month for education service center (ESC) representatives. The Oct. 13 meeting will be at Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 151 E. Orange Rd., Lewis Center; the Oct. 28 session will be hosted by the Columbus City Schools Northgate Center, 6655 Sharon Woods Blvd., Columbus. Both sessions are from 1:00–3:30 p.m. Each ESC is asked to send only two participants, who may register through STARS. For more details contact lisa.simpson@ode.state.oh.us.

Community schools experience tightened accountability
On Monday, ODE notified Ashe Cultural Center that it is no longer permitted to sponsor community schools in Ohio. The notice followed the State Board’s unanimous decision to revoke Ashe’s permit based on poor academic performance by its seven schools. Ohio law requires that ODE assume sponsorship of these schools. We are requiring two of the schools to close by next June 30, but the remaining schools may seek new sponsors during this time as long as ODE does not suspend, terminate or choose not to renew their contracts.
Also, nine community school sponsors are now prohibited from opening additional schools in Ohio for at least a year under a provision of House Bill 153. The sponsors were ranked in the lowest 20 percent on a newly calculated Performance Index (PI) score that represents the composite PI scores of each sponsor’s schools. ODE expects these sponsors to improve the performance of their schools and will provide technical assistance and guidance to those who request it. Click here to see the related ODE media release.

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers
Hamilton County teacher receives prestigious Milken Educator Award
On Monday Brian Page, an economics and finance teacher at Hamilton County’s Reading High School, received the Milken Family Foundation’s $25,000 Milken Educator Award. Brian is one of 40 educators nationwide – and the only Ohio teacher – to receive the prestigious award this fall. Sixty Ohio teachers have earned the Milken Educator Award since 1985.
ODE congratulates Brian on his creative teaching methods and his dedication to teaching 21st century skills to his students, particularly his highly innovative instruction on financial responsibility. His story signifies the best of what teachers can do to prepare Ohio’s students for successful adulthood when they combine their own creative instincts with the many resources available to them. To learn more about Brian Page, see ODE’s media release on the topic. The release also contains a video of the surprise announcement from the Milken Foundation.

Changes announced to Teacher of the Year program
A new timeline has been established for the Ohio Teacher of the Year (OTOY) program that better accommodates school calendars. Also, the OTOY application form is being revised to include additional measures aligned with current teaching standards. The OTOY selection process Web page has details. For answers to questions contact program coordinator Patty Griffin at patty.griffin@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 995-3735.

Revised standards and model curricula meetings scheduled throughout school year
ODE will conduct more than 500 evening workshops starting this month to help educators respond to Ohio’s revised academic content standards and model curricula in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Each subject-specific session will include a general introduction to the revised standards and model curricula, as well as describe how participants can deepen their content knowledge and make other classroom practice changes to increase student achievement. October through November sessions will focus on the standards and model curricula. January through May workshops will address curriculum revision. Registration is available on STARS by searching the keywords: Targeted Professional Development. Participants should plan to attend one 2011 and one 2012 session. Fall sessions are listed now; 2012 meeting dates will be listed by Dec. 1. For more details contact lisa.simpson@ode.state.oh.us.

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.

BAEO

BAEO PRESIDENT TO TAKE CENTER STAGE AT NATIONAL EDUCATION CELEBRATION
WASHINGTON, DC -- October 4, 2011 -- Kenneth Campbell, president, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), former head of charter schools at Louisiana Department of Education and international education advocate will join a select group of nationally known education reformers performing at the EdReformies - Rockin' Reform Revue on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, at the W Washington D.C. Hotel, announced today by the Center for Education Reform (CER).

"Ken's leadership of the charter movement that transformed the education system of Louisiana post-Katrina has done wonders for the children of the Bayou State. His commitment to BAEO's goals of empowering low-income and working-class black families is more than commendable. His performance should be hotter than a bowl of gumbo," said Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform (CER).

Every few years the Center for Education Reform celebrates with a night dedicated to honoring distinguished leaders who have been integral in creating and expanding quality educational opportunities for children. This year, CER has created its own musical ensemble, The Reformers (education reformers with talent) the only rock group solely committed to celebrating education reform.

The Reformers will be paying tribute to eight individuals whose collective accomplishments span almost all states and represent several million new opportunities for children. The 2011 EdReformies will be awarded to John Boehner, Katherine Bradle , John Fisher, Steve Klinsky, John Legend, Eva Moskowitz, Brian Williams - and BAEO's own Kevin Chavous.

"These Reformers are putting themselves in the spotlight so that more kids whose needs are greatest can be recognized by a wider group of people," continued Allen.

Other members of The Reformers include:

Bob Bowdon, Director, "The Cartel" and Founder, Choice Media
Derrell Bradford, Executive Director, Better Education for Kids, Inc. (B4K)
Jonas Chartock, CEO, Leading Educators
Dawn Chavous, Executive Director, Students First PA
Paul Powell, Founding Principal, Uncommon Schools-Troy Prep
Mickey Revenaugh, Executive Vice President, Connections Learning
Joe Williams, Executive Director, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER)
Caprice Young, CEO & President, EnCorps, Inc.

For more information about the EdReformies - Rockin' Reform Revue visit www.edreform.com/18th.
###

Oct. 3, 2011

Good morning:

By now most of you are approaching the midpoint of the first grading period and I am confident that the school year is off to a successful start. At least three items in today’s EdConnection regard activities that are intended to help support your work. First, a major upgrade to ODE’s Education Management Information System should make district data submission easier than ever before. Second, our finance coordinators and fiscal consultants are available to answer your questions about enrollment reporting, payments and other school finance issues. Finally, a new list of ODE contacts, by topic, has been posted on our website to expedite your ability to reach the right ODE staff to answer your questions or provide help. This is part of our continuing efforts to be of better service to you.

Perhaps most central to district operation is funding. Please remember that this is October Count Week, as well as the week to submit pupil transportation counts. See the items below for an explanation of the purpose of these counts and what they mean to school finance.

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 – October Count Week is today through Oct. 7; Data for T1 report to be collected today through Oct. 7; School finance offices for three regions relocated.

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers – New EMIS reporting system begins today; ODE takes steps to help improve SES program tutor accountability; New guide to ODE contacts to streamline access for schools and districts; Voter registration deadline Oct. 11; Free workshops on physical education standards-based curriculum design to be held October 17, 21, and 26; Superintendent Heffner visits Cleveland’s MC2 STEM High School.

For school superintendents and treasurers

October Count Week is today through Oct. 7
Today begins October Count Week. This is one of the most important weeks of the school year because districts will receive funding based on the student average daily membership (ADM) they report this week to ODE’s Educational Management Information System (EMIS). Districts that will have students out this week because of a religious holiday or historical observation must submit a Count Week Waiver as soon as possible. Districts that experience an emergency during Count Week should submit a Calamity Day Waiver as soon as possible to calamitydaywaiver@ode.state.oh.us. Forms and instructions for both waivers are available here under the relevant headings.

Data for T1 report to be collected today through Oct. 7
Annual T1 pupil transportation counts also are to be completed this week. These counts are part of the transportation funding formula and will be used to calculate the funding schools will receive for this service. The T1 report is separate from this week’s October Count Week activities required by EMIS. All pupil transportation coordinators will receive reminders regarding this activity. The T1 report documents the average daily ridership and number of miles traveled for each school transportation vehicle over the five-day collection period. Detailed instructions and a link to the reporting system are available on the ODE pupil transportation website. Districts must have the report completed, signed and submitted no later than Nov. 1.

School finance offices for three regions relocated
As the result of recent budget cuts, Ohio’s school finance area coordinators and fiscal consultants are now working out of six offices rather than nine. While offices in Athens, Cleveland and Mason closed on Oct. 1, each fiscal district will retain its current consultants. For information on how to contact your district’s regional coordinator, go to ODE’s School Funding Regional Coordinators Directory. These finance coordinators can provide help when addressing district training needs, enrollment and payment questions and five-year forecasts, as well as provide information about situations involving fiscal caution, watch and emergency. For more information, contact Tom Gumpf at ODE at (614) 466-5736.

For curriculum directors, administrators and teachers

New EMIS reporting system begins today
ODE will launch its upgraded Education Management Information System (EMIS) later today.
Each city, local, exempted-village and joint vocational school district must make its first submission – a five-year funding forecast – by Oct. 31. Regular EMIS reporting for the October collection period, including information required for Count Week funding, will begin in the upgraded EMIS later this month. Districts should find data submission faster and easier thanks to improved EMIS reports and error feedback. Districts also will benefit from changes that allow them to submit, and ODE to process, data several times a week.

Treasurers or other EMIS users who need, but lack access to the system should contact their local ITC and EMIS coordinator. Please direct other questions about the new EMIS system to your ITC or to ODE’s EMIS team at EMIS@ode.state.oh.us.

ODE takes steps to help improve SES program tutor accountability
ODE has now posted tutor effectiveness reports on its website so parents can view the performance of more than 200 organizations that serve Ohio students in the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program. SES is a targeted federal funding source for certain low-performing schools with low-income students.

Publishing the reports is part of ODE’s plan to improve the performance of SES tutors following an internal audit found that ODE and local districts need better monitoring of SES tutors to avoid fraud and poor performance. While ODE certifies and publishes a list of state-approved tutors parents can select from, local districts are responsible for ensuring individual tutoring services are high quality and delivered as billed. ODE is working to revamp the tutor evaluation system used by districts. For more on evaluating tutor effectiveness go to ODE’s Supplemental Educational Services webpage.

New guide to ODE contacts to streamline access for schools and districts
A new, more comprehensive guide to ODE staff contacts, organized by topic, is now available on the ODE website. The guide is designed to make inquiries on a wide range of topics easier and will be updated regularly. To view the ODE Contact Guide, click here.
Reminder: voter registration deadline Oct. 11
High school and vocational school principals should be aware that the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 8 election is Tuesday, Oct. 11. Please ask school National Voter Registration Act coordinators and faculty to submit all collected voter registration applications to their local board of elections by the deadline. Voters whose registrations not received by the Board of Elections deadline will not be eligible to vote. Please address any questions to Pat Currie, Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, at (614) 728-8241.
Free workshops on standards-based curriculum design for physical education are Oct. 17, 21, 26
Kent State University-affiliated curriculum specialists will present workshops Oct. 17, 21 and 26 in various Ohio cities to help teachers align their physical education curriculum to the Ohio K-12 physical education content standards and assessments. The sessions are from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. in Athens, Bowling Green and Kent, OH, respectively. The topic is one of several on physical education standards to be covered in sessions funded this fall by ODE and conducted in cooperation with the Buckeye Healthy Schools Alliance (BHSA) and Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. To register for the workshop of your choice, click on the appropriate city name above. For more information, contact Heather Vilvens, Executive Director, BHSA, at hvilvens.bhsa@gmail.com or (937) 725-2787.

Superintendent Heffner visits MC2 STEM High School in Cleveland
State Superintendent Stan Heffner met last week with students and staff of the MC2 STEM High School. The year-round school is part of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and is located on the campus of the GE Lighting World headquarters. With the school’s focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as higher education, students earn college credit from Cleveland State University or Cuyahoga Community College. MC2 STEM High School offers rigorous, relevant instruction, and students earn credit based on 90-percent mastery of each subject, not seat time. Additionally, students have regular exposure to the STEM-related workforce as they partner and have lunch with General Electric engineers. GE volunteers have contributed more than 5,500 hours to the students in two years. Schools like these are the front-runners in moving Ohio toward college- and career-readiness for all students. To learn more about MC2 STEM High School click here.

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