Research on Obama/Duncan Turn Around Schools

A lot of attention is being given to the idea of school "turnarounds" lately — the concept of taking a poorly performing school and drastically changing the staff, curricula, or other elements in an effort to make it much better. But a study underlines just how hard it is to actually turn around a failing school. The study, Are Bad Schools Immortal?, examined more than 2,000 of the worst-performing district and charter schools in 10 states over five years. It found that very few of them closed, and even fewer — about 1 percent — truly "turned around." Link to Full Story

Videotaping for Evaluating and Training Teachers

With a push from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, other nonprofits, and the federal Race to the Top funding opportunities, 20 states are revamping their teacher evaluation systems. One tool they will likely include in developing better systems for evaluating teacher instruction is digital videotaping.

Videotaping is expected to be used to enhance the value-added assessment, a model used by many school districts to determine the contribution each teacher makes to a student's learning in a given year, which is then compared to other teachers' performance. Critics say that the assessment by itself, which is based on comparing students' grades, gives an incomplete picture of a teacher's overall performance.

The notion of videotaping is being explored through Gates-funded research, conducted by social scientists and teachers and headed by Harvard economist Thomas Kane. The videotaped classroom lessons would be scored by education experts and used not only to evaluate teachers, but also to train them on what works and what doesn't in terms of improving student performance. Such videotaping also could help administrators and teachers understand why some teachers are more successful than others. They can then use the successful teachers' videos as models for how to deliver better instruction. The researchers expect to have about 24,000 videotaped lessons by summer. Hundreds of educators will then be trained to score the lessons, a process headed by the Educational Testing Service. 

Source:www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/education/04teacher.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a23&pagewanted=print

Bedouin School in Israel

I was recently very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit a Bedouin school in Israel. 

Most Bedouins live on the desert in a nomadic lifestyle; however, Israel has established a Bedouin community where familities live in modern homes.  

This elementary school and a secondary school are located in the community.  Children who still live in tents in the traditional lifestyle are bussed to school under the Israeli requirement that all children ages six to sixteen receive free public education, similar to American children.    Beginning in grade four, Israeli children study three languages--Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

Cloud Computing Tri-Creek Strategy for 21st Century Learning Skills

Tech Director Bob Hopper is moving Tri-Creek toward cloud computing to support 21st Century Learning Skills in our classrooms.  Using cloud computing resources such as those provided by Google eliminates the need for storage space for files on a local server and saves money! 

In addition, our students can access email, productivity tools (word processing, data base, spreadsheet, presentation software), and their own documents stored at the remote site from anywhere at any time as long as they have computer and Internet access.  Such access supports activities which engage students in problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills across the classroom, district, state, nation, and world!

Network administrator John Toma has set up a Google domain for Tri-Creek which now  allows some students at the middle and high schools to access all of the tools free of charge.  The goal is access for all students in grades 4-12, and perhaps to younger children as determined by their teachers' instructional strategies. 

Illinois Teacher Sings Science Lessons to Students Using YouTube

A junior-high school teacher in Illinois is singing science lessons set to popular music and posting the recorded lessons on YouTube. Doug Edmonds rewrites the lyrics to popular songs such as ABBA's "Dancing Queen" with lessons on chemical bonds and other science concepts. He also holds diagrams and flash cards to accompany the songs.

"If I'm ever struggling on a quiz, I'll just sort of sing them to myself," one student said. "People are going around singing them in the hallways. They're actually really catchy."Link to Full Story.

Indiana Student Achievement Brighter than Daniels and Bennett Say

If you would like to read some positive information about the achievement level of Indiana students, please access the article below written by Stephanie Salter.  She points out that much of the negative press about public schools is selected to sway the general public toward the political agenda of charter schools and privatization. 

Please read and judge for yoursel!

Stephanie Salter Article

Board Goes Paperless

Pictured:  Michelle Dumbsky, Sue Vauter, Lon Childress, Jeff Mescal, and Doug Ward

Recently, the Tri-Creek School Board made the commitment to move to paperless meetings.  The process saves several dollars each board meeting in secretarial time, paper, and postage.  

National Education Technology Plan Announced

Education Secretary Arne Duncan released the final version of the National Education Technology Plan. The plan, which emphasizes the role of the department as a facilitator, is focused on enhancing academic instruction through Internet-based learning, a decreased emphasis on "seat time" and a preference for more flexibility. The document also includes plans to fund the creation of open-source resources for schools and online professional learning communities for teachers, among other initiatives. 


Read more by clicking on the link below.
National Technology Plan Announced
National Plan Outlined

LHS Hosts Career Fair

Lowell High School hosted a career fair on Tuesday evening October 19.  The event was sponsored through the generous support of Dr. Leonard Anglis, local dentist,  and Mrs. Nancy Anglis.

Mrs. Mary Cusic, LHS English teacher, assisted Dr. and Mrs. Anglis in making arrangements for the many presenters ranging from college representatives, to law enforcement, logistics, apprenticeship programs, and the trades. 

The evening venue allowed parents to explore careers and gather information from colleges both in- and out-of-state.  Approximately 500 students and parents attended. 

LHS Band Brings Home Gold

ISSMA trophies: Left district gold; middle:  Regional Gold; Right:  Semi-state Gold

The Lowell HIgh School Band brought home gold from the Indiana State Student Music Association (ISSMA) competition in Indianpolis on Saturday,October 23.   

The band has set it's goal for next year to add a fourth that is even taller and shinier!

Students create, collaborate using Google Apps for Education

 Colorado teacher is using Google Apps for Education to allow her students to create online portfolios and complete projects online. The program also allows students and teachers to view students' work and provide feedback. "I just talked to a kindergarten teacher yesterday who's ready to get kids on Google Apps," the district education-technology specialist said. "The demand is huge, and it seems to be meeting a need in this 21st-century learning environment."

Lowell Middle School Principal Reid Gault routinely uses Google apps as a method of communication with his staff and is encouraging teachers to use the technology which is free and promotes writing and communication skills.


http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=155212&catid=509

Why Teachers Need to Increase Their Web Presence

An education-technology specialist and former teacher says that educators need to increase their Web presence and technology know-how. Will Richardson, an author and co-founder of Powerful Learning Practice, an online professional-development provider for teachers, says that while today's students are "digital natives," there is still a role for educators in helping students learn how to use these tools effectively.

The building administrators and I were privileged to hear Mr. Richardson's presentation at a conference on October 20.  He not only encourages teachers to have a web presence, but he advocates the same for students.  He provides common sense approaches to ensuring that our students meet the 21st Century learning skills that are so essential for the future of our youth, our community, our state, our nation, and our global significance!


http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2010/10/12/01richardson.h04.html

A How-to On Using Wikies with Elementary Students

Some elementary-school teachers are using wikis to manage classroom projects, facilitate student collaboration and as a portal for parents to view students' work. The technology provides a medium for allowing students to develop content with a broader audience in mind, one teacher said. "That's pretty powerful, and it prompts them to be more conscientious about the quality and depth of their writing." But wikis pose challenges, requiring teachers to keep an eye on the content students are posting and track multiple passwords

http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/10/20/wikis-pulling-it-all-together-online.aspx

The Viability of Online Education for Professional Development

Please check out the case study "Anytime, Anywhere Professional Development" which describes success of asynchronous learning for teachers and staff. 

The convenience of on-line learning is supported by the effectiveness of the process. 

 http://www.aasa.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/Journals/AASA_Journal_of_Scholarship_and_Practice/JSPFall10.pdf

How to use GPS technology in the classroom

Teachers nationwide are finding more uses for global positioning systems in allowing students to tackle real-world problems. Suggestions include using GPS technology in the classroom to map and collect data on trees on school property or using it to study historic sites. "It's a natural bridge to use GPS and geocaching to develop kids' awareness to their location, their community, and their environment," an instructional-technology specialist said. "They start to understand where they are."

Check out the rest of the article at the link below.

http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/10/20/01gps.h04.html

Rugrat-ical Technology: Five Truths of Teaching Tech to Elementary Students

A third-grade teacher offers educators five suggestions for using technology in elementary-school classrooms. Gaetan Pappalardo writes that students should be consistently exposed to technology and should be given "achievable goals." He also suggests that teachers find a capable student who can assist as a technology guide. Pappalardo suggests several free tools for teachers, including the technology platform Tumblr and Prezi for presentations.

Edutopia is an excellent site to learn how to use technology with your students.  Check out what else Pappalardo has to offer in his "five truths" and many other teaching and learning opportunties at the link below.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-tech-elementary-school

 

Impact of School Rankings

Tri-Creek leaders are concerned about the impact of school rankings on the bottom three categories formerly labeled as Academic Progress, Academic Watch and Academic Probation that will be revised with the letter grades of “C”, “D” and “F”.  While we applaud the State Board of Education effort to improve the system by eliminating Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) from the criteria, we still have some concerns.

We do not want our schools to experience negative labeling that could result from unanticipated consequences and/or the misapplication of standards to reflect the letter grades.  Our intention is to point to the flaws in the current system and to suggest recommendations for a useful school ranking system that strongly supports accountability through the recognition of student performance and improvement, not necessarily by ascribing a label to a school. 

Schools can be at 80 percent proficiency or above and still fall into a C, D, or F category because of one sub-group, e.g., special needs, has not yet met the standard.  This is particularly true since the threshold for accountability measures has been raised this year for all students. 

With these contentions, we advocate that the school ranking changes focus on solutions to several issues.  To further explore how this process is flawed and how it may be made more fair, please access this link.
http://www.iapss-in.org/page.php?pid=195

Educate Yourself About Tax Caps

Please educate yourself by doing research and looking deeper into the issue of permanently placing property tax caps into the state’s constitution. Voters will be asked to respond to this issue on the Nov. 2 ballot. Here are some points to consider:


Currently: Caps are already in effect—they are in statute—having been enacted by the General Assembly. Libraries, schools, cities and towns, counties and other local units are already operating under the 1%, 2% and 3% limits.  The caps will not guarantee homeowners’ property taxes to decrease.


Popular Misconception: While the word “caps,” may entice property owners into thinking their taxes won’t increase, that is not the case. It is a cap on the taxes paid relative to the assessed value of the home. The assessed value can still rise.


Truth: While many property-tax initiatives are politically popular, they often mask a hidden truth: the revenue lost likely leads to increases in many other kinds of taxes and user fees.


Future: Understand that if the amendment is approved by your vote on November 2, it will take about five years to remove if, subsequently, it is judged to be too restrictive.




http://www.iapss-in.org/news/index.php#35

21st Century Learning Skills

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a site devoted to creating an awareness of the the skills that our students need today to be successful in our rapidly changing world. 

The link below leads you to a definition of those skills.  Check it out!

P21 Learning Skills

How would you feel if insead of reading from the text or doing a worksheet, your child is instead holding a video conference on Skype or is engaged in an online exchange through Moodle. These students are joined remotely with other students from their class and are learning 21st Century communications skills.

While it seems like something students will be doing in a rather distant future, this either is or soon will be the reality for students in Tri-Creek Schools. 

Both Skype and Moodle are open source software programs that Tri-Creek teachers are learning and beginning to practice with their students.  Classroom walkthroughs last week yielded any number of Lowell Middle School teachers who are catching the vision of 21st Century learning skills for their students.

The goals are student engagment through technology resulting in students who have strong academic skills and the necessary "soft skills" to compete in today's global market. 

Preparation for 21st Century Workforce and College Readiness

We constantly hear about demands for "change" in education without understanding the master plan behind it.  In fact, the change is coming so rapidly that we sometimes wonder if there is a master plan from our federal and state governments. 

Minds are hard at work at Lowell High School to continue to lay the foundation of our local master plan.  It began with the freshman and sophomore academies, which are well underway, and the vision that is evolving for juniors and seniors is focused on a number of curricular and skills-based components that will result in graduates who are both workforce and college ready. 

Lowell High School has implemented two "late starts" this year to do the work that is critical for high school reform that produces 21st Century Learners.  One of the critical initiatives is what we call curriculum mapping. 

The process aligns content and Indiana standards to ensure that students get a very similar educational experience from each course, regardless of the teacher.  In addition, curriculum mapping eliminates content redundancy between courses allowing more time for teaching the seven critical skills for success in the global economy.  (Please see posting that features these skills.)

Reform is complex, challenging, and requires patience and commitment.  Kudos to the Lowell High School teachers, administration, and support staff for their progress and commitment to education reform that benefits our students.  Thanks to each of you who may be a parent or community member for your trust and patience as they strive get the job done! 

The Learning Connection

About a year ago Tri-Creek Technology Director Bob Hopper collaborated with a group of technology directors from across the state to evaluate the beta version of what is now The Indiana Department of Education Learning Connection. 

The project was launched last spring, and teachers are now discovering the many advantages of this tool which provides data from ISTEP and the Growth Model.  In addition the site features a number of "communities" that collaborate on various topics that provide rich information about teaching strategies. 

The IDOE also provides webinars and podcasts on pertinent topics at least once a week. 

To date there are 54 Tri-Creek participants with 25 of those being from Oak Hill Elementary.  Teachers, sign in to access this great resource!

Apangea Math Debuts at Lowell Middle School

Lowell Middle School launched the use of Apangea Math in four computer labs on Tuesday, September 14.  The program ensures that all students are challenged and support in mathematics education.

Apangea provides one-student-to-one-teacher differentiated math instruction through a unique integration of proprietary tutoring technology and live, online certified teachers. As a web-based solution, Apangea Math can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection – ensuring students can learn math anytime, anywhere. 

Study Finds Quality Leadership Is Crucial to Student Achievement

A new study of education leadership by researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Toronto and commissioned by the Wallace Foundation concludes that “the effects of school leadership directly influence school and classroom conditions” and that quality educational leadership is “central in addressing and facilitating the work of teaching and learning.”

The report finds very strong correlations between student and community demographics and effective educational leadership. “Both principal and teacher leadership that is focused on improving student learning decreases as poverty and diversity increase, and teachers in schools located in larger metropolitan areas and districts report significantly less leadership, even when we control for school level, size, and urban location,” the report states.

Overall, the study concludes that effective school leadership at all levels depends on the integration of three main concepts: holding high expectations, fostering a sense of efficacy in leaders, and developing engagement with stakeholders throughout organizations. To access the full report, go to http://www.wallacefoundation.org/.

Curriculum Leader from District Administration, Volume 1, Issue 14 | September 15, 2010

The Nifty Fifty on LearniT-TeachiT

The Nifty Fifty is a new collection of lesson plans created by teachers participating  in the 21st Century e-Teacher program. These truly innovative, and fun to use, project-based lesson plans showcase best practices for technology integration while inspiring students towards their academic success.  Check it out!

Classrooms of the (not-too-distant) Future

Scott McLeod, associate professor at Iowa State University and ed-tech expert, cited the five educational technology devices he believes should be in today's classrooms in an article from SmartBrief on EdTech [edtech@smartbrief.com].

Though his assessment is certainly not the only one or the final one, it it worth considering.  He encourages the following devices as necessities in today's classroom.

1. Laptops for every student and teacher, complete with integrated webcams.
2. Blog accounts for every student and teacher.
3. Actively read RSS readers for every student and teacher.
4. A ceiling-mounted projector with speakers.
5. A classroom set of digital, pocket-sized camcorders with still-photo capability.


Kyle Pace a blogger :and instructional technology specialist for a district near Kansas City, Mo. suggests the following additions.



6. Interactive whiteboards for teachers to deliver interactive content.
8. Wireless connectivity to enable learning anywhere in a school.
9. Mobile devices to allow immediate access to content in and out of school.
10. The ability for students to publish work online via a learning-management system, class blog, wiki or other publishing platform to house their e-portfolio.

How are we doing in Tri-Creek?  Watch for more information!

Twenty-first Century Survival Skills

Tony Wagner, the author of The Global Achievement Gap:  Why Even Our Best Schools Don't Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need--And What We Can Do About It, has done hundreds of walk-throughs in the best public and private high schools.  He says that even the best are missing the Seven Survival Skills critical for future generations. 

He promotes these skills as the "Three R's" of this generation.  They are the "new basic skills" for work, learning, and citizenship in the twenty-first century. 

The Seven Survival Skills are as follows:
1.  Critical thinking and problem solving
2.  Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
3.  Agility and adaptability
4.  Initiative and Entrepreneurialism
5.  Effective Oral and Written Communication
6.  Accessing and Analyzing Information
7.  Curiosity and Imagination

The content of the book challenges the way we think about teaching and learning.  It is well worth the read or check out the video in the links!

KID TV--Supporting Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships!

An absolute must for all to check out!  This site is called "KID TV" and is produced by elementary school children in Thompson School District Colorado.  The concept of students developing video presentations can be used across the district K-12.

Bob Hopper says that you can use Windows Movie Maker (free) and a video camera.  Lowell Middle School already has a number of flip cams, and Bob is planning the purchase of at least one for each of the other buildings.  You can still use any video camera that is available, and the Tech Department will add Windows Movie Maker for those who submit a service request.  We are looking for a few innovators in each building to develop this vision in Tri-Creek!

 http://www.thompson.k12.co.us/video/kidtv.html

Online Teaching

Please review the online teaching video on the link to the right.  It gives you an excellent vision of how instruction is being delivered to students via a web delivery system called Elluminate. 

In addition, I just read about the Thompson School District online high school that is opening this fall in Loveland, Colorado.  Their website provided this statement, "Research indicates that within 10 years, 50% of K-12 courses will be online."

States to Create Next Generation Standardized Tests

The Education Department awarded $330 million to two groups of states to begin work on new national standardized assessments to test students' skills in math and English. The two groups -- which include 44 states -- will work with testing experts and university professors to design computer-based tests that measure higher-level abilities, such as synthesizing information and completing performance-based tasks. The tests, which will be given as end-of-year exams as well as during the school year to monitor progress, are expected to be in place by the 2014-15 school year.-- Source ASCD Smart Brief 9/3/2010

Three Creeks Significantly Reduces Copy Counts

Good news!  Connie Bales reported that Three Creeks has reduced its copy count by 30,000 copies in the first month of school.  This translates to a savings of approximately $1,500 based on a five cent per page cost.

Mrs. Bales believes that two factors have contributed to the savings:  paperless registration and teacher response to her plea to reduce the count.

Good work on the part of all.  Thank you!

A Day with Dr. Bennett

Board members Michelle Dumbsky and Jeff Mescal and I attended an all-day meeting in Indianpolis with State Superintendent Tony Bennett on Monday.  Much of the session was devoted to boardsmanship and the necessity of setting goals and allowing those goals to guide how money is spent in the school corporation particularly in these challenging economic times. 

Dr. Bennett lauded the Indiana Growth Model of which he is very proud.  He believes that it may be adopted as the national model.  It is certainly a step in the right direction.  However, it is still has a norm- referenced base as opposed to measuring on a criterion base.  Since it is norm-referenced, students still have a baseline to meet before their growth counts for the school.  Struggling schools find that problematic.

If you have not yet reviewed the Growth Model for grades 3-8, please check out the Helpful Links section.

TCSC Connection

Inspired by the new Lowell Middle School blog and the ease of use of this application, the TCSC Connection will be your new communication with the superintendent. 

It is accessible and will allow both internal and external communication.  In addition, I will be able to provide more timely information than has been presented to staff in the weekly internal communication Good Monday Morning! 

I think we are on to something here!  Let me know what you think.

Watch Know

Check out this website which will search YouTube for materials that are appropriate for students by age level. Thanks to Pat Larsen for sharing!  This works for K-12.  HTTP://WWW.WATCHKNOW.ORG/

Common Core Standards

If you have not yet taken the time to review the new Common Core Standards Maps, please do so at the site listed below.  From my perspective, they are really well done.  Check out the maps, and let your principals know what your assessment is.  HTTP://WWW.COMMONCORE.ORG/MAPS

Becker New "Energy Czar"

John Becker has replaced Kent Hess as the new “Energy Czar” in Tri-Creek.  Please continue to show John the great cooperation that you have shown to Kent.  We have had phenomenal success with energy cost avoidance in the past years and have every expectation to continue to do so under John’s leadership!

California Open Source (FREE) Textbook Project

Digital textbooks are coming!  Read about California’s attempts to develop open-source (free textbooks) at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Open_Source_Textbook_Project.


You can find free downloads of the following books at this site: www.ck12.org/flexr/.


Featured Flexbooks are Life Science, 21st Century Physics, Earth Science, Geometry, Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Calculus, Trigonometry, and Chemistry.


Coming this fall are Middle School Math – Grade 6, Middle School Math – Grade 7, Earth Science – Middle School, Life Science – Middle School, Basic Algebra, Basic Geometry, Basic Probability and Statistics – A Full Course, Algebra I – Second Edition, Geometry – Second Edition, Advanced Probability and Statistics – Second Edition, Earth Science – High School, Biology, Chemistry – Second Edition.


Check them out, math and science teachers.

The Technology Imperative

From the student point of view!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

Please use Control and Click to access.

Warning from Spectrum Health Systems

Our wellness plan is with Spectrum Health Systems.  Recently, they informed us that there is an apparent prevalence of the use of the hCG diet weight loss method in our district.  Our account manager has said the following:

“The hCG diet is extremely unhealthy and potentially dangerous.  This diet is not approved by the FDA and involves a dangerously low calorie intake and the use of the hCG hormone.  If team members with chronic conditions (for example, diabetes) attempt this diet, there could be serious side effects.  Spectrum Health Systems does NOT endorse the “hCG diet.”


“As you know, the healthiest approach to weight loss is to eat healthy and exercise.  Diets like the one I have described in this email are very unhealthy and could do much more harm that good to the individual.”