Are you ready for the next technology leap?

Texas Instruments (TI) is a global analog and digital semiconductor IC design and manufacturing company. TI develops analog, digital signal processing, RF and DLP® semiconductor technologies that help customers deliver consumer and industrial electronics products with greater performance, increased power efficiency, higher precision, more mobility and better quality.

You are probably telling yourself: “I thought this was an education blog.” Well it is. Texas Instruments invited the Texas ASCD Board of Directors to do a site tour of its latest display technology to enhance the learning environment in the classroom. Basically, TI wanted to show us the DLP 3-D ready projectors, along with many of their other inventions. The main focus of the tour was the use of 3-D ready projectors, and staying up with technology that is soon to be released. (If there is such a thing as staying up with technology.)

For many of us, technology and those developing the equipment for technology are always one step ahead of us. Once we decide what we need, we have to get bids, approval and finally apply for a purchase order. Once this process is completed, the technology guru’s have already developed the next new item we need. Well TI, is trying to help us. 3-D ready products are just now starting to come out and will be the state-of-the-art for now.

You can get a LCD projector for approximately the same price as a 3-D ready projector. The only difference is that the LCD projector will soon be outdated. TI uses tiny digital mirrors, microscopes, and light to create these images. The new 3-D ready projectors can be used for regular projection (just like the Infocus projectors) and when/if you get the software for 3-D the projectors will be set and ready to go. One only has to see the 3-D projected software to know that students can receive so much more in their learning experience. This same technology is starting to be used in televisions. Soon all of our home TV’s will have the ability to do 3-D images.

For more information on this type of projector, please visit: http://www.dlp.com/projectors/find_dlp_3d_projector.aspx

Also, Texas Instruments is doing a pilot program with these projectors with a few different schools around the country. To view a blog from one of these programs visit: http://bvsd.org/iteach/BlogCentral/Lists/Categories/Category.aspx?Name=Future%20Talk
Len Scrogan with Boulder ISD gives a lot of definitions and explanations on the different aspects of the 3-D projectors. He also writes about the future of these projectors along with the content. If you are interested at all in these new projectors, make sure you visit this blog.

Please feel free to answer the following questions:
1. Does your school/district have 3-D ready projectors?
2. Is there any other technology updates that you know of that are about to hit the market?
3. What kinds of new technologies are you using in the schools?

Critical Issues Influence Institute

Are you up-to-date on reforming your district? The Obama Administration has laid out reform priorities for education:

• Higher standards and better assessment;
• More effective teachers and more equitable teacher distribution;
• Enhanced data systems and improved collection and use of data; and
• Turning around low-performing schools.

Many of these reform efforts have been included in stimulus packages and funds that have been set-up for school districts.

Texas ASCD hosted its first of 5 one-day institutes, at the beginning of December, focusing on critical issues for influence. Are you taking advantage of the funds available through stimulus money? In this session we discussed:

• Who is leading the U.S. Department of Education – their roles and priorities
• ARRA – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – to help with state budgets and to prevent teacher layoffs
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – known as No Child Left Behind during the Bush Administration
• Stimulus dollars - where they are going
• The Race to the Top Fund – to help promote state reform programs based on the reform priorities that the Obama Administration has laid out
• and the Innovation and Improvement Fund (i3) – promising and innovative practices in the reform priorities.

So what are these acts/funds saying? We need to start reforming our schools to address these standards. After a presentation of all this information, we had discussions with representatives from legislative aides, Superintendents, Assistant/Deputy Superintendents, the State Board and central office staff on what to do with this information and how to distribute this information in our districts so that Texas Districts can apply for these fundings.

This influence institute is a new program Texas ASCD is doing to help districts get the information they need. To find out more about these funds, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html. Texas ASCD is trying to help you lead the way in influence. Stay up-to-date on critical issues and to be notified of legislative issues. Join the Texas ASCD’s Educator Advocates Action Center: http://capwiz.com/ascd/tx/home/.

Technology Literacy: Are we using it?

As you sit here reading this blog entry you are exhibiting the new age of communication. Today more and more people are turning to the Internet for research, new ideas, and best practices. Just as you sit here today, our students sit at home doing the same thing.

In the September 23, 2009 issue of Education Week, Paul Barnwell discusses Literacy Accountability In a New-Media Age. Barnwell says, “Accountability in literacy must be measured in how well all students are able to navigate the sea of information now available through the Internet and how effectively they can interpret and disseminate information in a multitude of forms.” He later asks, “…what if new multimodal forms rival traditional literacies in their usefulness to individuals and society?”

Are we, as educators, asking ourselves the same questions? Are we adding in curriculum to help students navigate their way through the Internet? Are our students learning what types of medias are out there and why someone chooses to use one form over another? The last quote I would like to take from Barnwell’s article is “It’s time for the accountability movement to demand that schools teach and foster responsible student use of new literacy forms.” Are you demanding this?

Please feel free to answer the questions below:

1. Why type of curriculum do you have in your districts to help students navigate through the Internet?

2. Are your schools/districts researching with the Internet?

3. What kinds of projects are you doing with your students using the Internet?

Upcoming Texas ASCD Events:

November 13th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
El Paso, TX

November 13th, 2009
Teachers, Change Your Bait - Differentiated Instruction
Martha Kaufeldt
Corpus Christi, TX

November 18th & 19th, 2009
New Essential Curriculum for 21st Century Learners
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Frisco ISD

November 19th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

December 1st, 2009
Critical Issues Influence Institute
Hyatt Regency - North Dallas
by Invitation

December 8th -9th, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Allen ISD

January 11th - 12th, 2010
Five Keys to Reading Success
Tim Rasinski
Northside ISD (San Antonio)

January 14th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 18th, 2010
Teachers, Change Your Bait - Differentiated Instruction
Martha Kaufeldt
Canyon ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 2010
Critical Issues Influence Institute
the Berry Center - Cypress Fairbanks ISD - Houston area
by Invitation

January 28th - 29th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Two of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

February 11th and 18th, 2010
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Fort Worth ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

February 15th & 16th, 2010
Mapping Active Literacy
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
RESCHEDULED for this date

February 17th, 2010
Critical Issues Influence Institute
San Antonio ISD
by Invitation

February 17th - 18th, 2010
Connecting Content and Kids: Understanding By Design and Differentiated Instruction
Jay McTighe
Keller ISD

February 22nd - 23rd, 2010
Curriculum Leadership Academy III
Pat May Center - HEB ISD (Dallas area)
(First session of 3 sessions)

February 24th & 25th, 2010
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Fort Worth ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

March 11th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

March 31st, 2010
Critical Issues Influence Institute
Austin
by Invitation

May 6th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Three of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

From Innovation and Leadership to Smart Schools

Dr. Raymond McNulty will be presenting a keynote presentation based on Building Innovation and Leadership Density, at the 2009 Texas ASCD Annual Conference taking place at the end of the month in Frisco.

Where do we go from here? Wikipedia defines innovation as: “The term innovation refers to a new way of doing something. It may refer to incremental and emergent or radical and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes, or organizations.” So what does this have to do with schools and leadership? It is 2009, we are in the 21st Century and we are just now looking at how to prepare for it in our schools. Is it time to make changes to help our students? Building leadership or leadership density is one way to lead the way with these changes. Dr. McNulty will share five leadership lessons and strategize how to build innovation and leadership density during his keynote presentation on Monday, October 26th. We hope you can join us.

Dr. Alan November will present, From Smart Toilets to Smart Schools, at the 2009 Texas ASCD Annual Conference.

Dr. November is going to help us understand how technology and innovation can help prepare our children for a global economy. He will discuss not only technology, but how you can use technology to seek new information and communicate with others. Are your schools innovating and combining new technologies into their lessons? If not, how is this affecting your schools/students? Are you preparing your students for the world outside of your school district?

Join Texas ASCD, our members, and educators from throughout the state as we lead, learn and influence October 25-27, 2009!

Upcoming Texas ASCD Events:

October 1st & 2nd, 2009
Mapping Active Literacy
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
TO BE RESCHEDULED

October 15th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

October 25th - 27th, 2009
Texas ASCD Annual Conference
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

October 27th & 28th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Third Session of Three
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

November 2nd -3rd, 2009
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session One of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

November 3rd & 4th, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Doubletree Hotel - Houston

November 11th & 12th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
El Paso, TX

November 13th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
El Paso, TX

November 13th, 2009
Teachers, Change Your Bait - Differentiated Instruction
Martha Kaufeldt
Corpus Christi, TX

November 18th & 19th, 2009
New Essential Curriculum for 21st Century Learners
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Frisco ISD

November 19th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

December 8th -9th, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Allen ISD

January 11th - 12th, 2010
Five Keys to Reading Success
Tim Rasinski
Northside ISD (San Antonio)

January 14th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 18th, 2010
Teachers, Change Your Bait - Differentiated Instruction
Martha Kaufeldt
Canyon ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 28th - 29th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Two of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

February 11th and 18th, 2010
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Fort Worth ISD, TX
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

February 17th - 18th, 2010
Connecting Content and Kids: Understanding By Design and Differentiated Instruction
Jay McTighe
TBD

February 24th & 25th, 2010
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Fort Worth ISD, TX
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

March 11th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

May 6th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Three of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

HB 1287

In 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a bill for schools to offer an elective Bible class in high schools across the state of Texas. The bill is to be in effect as of the 2009-2010 school year. This elective is to focus on the literature and history brought on by the Old and New Testaments, without advocating a particular religion.

Below is the bill that was passed. Because of the news media coverage about this bill, please let us know what your schools are doing to enact this legislation, or how you feel about this particular bill.

**Bill has been updated with the final wording**

AN ACT

relating to public school elective courses providing academic study of the Bible. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.011 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.011. ELECTIVE COURSES ON THE BIBLE'S HEBREW SCRIPTURES (OLD TESTAMENT) AND NEW TESTAMENT AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION. (a) A school district may offer to students in grade nine or above:
(1) an elective course on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and its impact and an elective course on the New Testament and its impact; or
(2) an elective course that combines the courses described by Subdivision (1).
(b) The purpose of a course under this section is to:
(1) teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy; and
(2) familiarize students with, as applicable:
(A) the contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;
(B) the history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;
(C) the literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament; and (D) the influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.
(c) A student may not be required to use a specific translation as the sole text of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and may use as the basic textbook a different translation of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament from that chosen by the board of trustees of the student's school district or the student's teacher.
(d) A course offered under this section shall follow applicable law and all federal and state guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in their school district. A course under this section shall not endorse, favor, or promote, or disfavor or show hostility toward, any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective. Nothing in this statute is intended to violate any provision of the United States Constitution or federal law, the Texas Constitution or any state law, or any rules or guidelines provided by the United States Department of Education or the Texas Education Agency.
(e) Before adopting rules identifying the essential knowledge and skills of a course offered under this section, the State Board of Education shall submit the proposed essential knowledge and skills to the attorney general. The attorney general shall review the proposed essential knowledge and skills to ensure that the course complies with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and the board may not adopt rules identifying the essential knowledge and skills of a course offered under this section without the attorney general's approval under this subsection.
(f) A teacher of a course offered under this section must hold a minimum of a High School Composite Certification in language arts, social studies, or history with, where practical, a minor in religion or biblical studies. A teacher selected to teach a course under this section shall successfully complete staff development training outlined in Section 21.459. A course under this section may only be taught by a teacher who has successfully completed training under Section 21.459.
(g) For the purpose of a student earning credit for high school graduation, a school district shall grant one-half academic elective credit for satisfactory completion of a course on the Hebrew Scriptures, one-half academic elective credit for satisfactory completion of a course on the New Testament, and one-half academic elective credit for satisfactory completion of a combined course on both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. This subsection applies only to a course that is taught in strict compliance with this section.
(h) If, for a particular semester, fewer than 15 students at a school district campus register to enroll in a course required by this section, the district is not required to offer the course at that campus for that semester.
(i) This section does not prohibit the board of trustees of a school district from offering an elective course based on the books of a religion other than Christianity. In determining whether to offer such a course, the board may consider various factors, including student and parent demand for such a course and the impact such books have had on history and culture. (j) This section does not prohibit a school district from offering a course, other than the course authorized by this section, in the academic study of the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, or both for local credit or for state elective credit towards high school graduation.
SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.459 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.459. BIBLE COURSE TRAINING. (a) The commissioner shall develop and make available training materials and other teacher training resources for a school district to use in assisting teachers of elective Bible courses in developing:
(1) expertise in the appropriate Bible course curriculum;
(2) understanding of applicable supreme court rulings and current constitutional law regarding how Bible courses are to be taught in public schools objectively as a part of a secular program of education;
(3) understanding of how to present the Bible in an objective, academic manner that neither promotes nor disparages religion, nor is taught from a particular sectarian point of view; (4) proficiency in instructional approaches that present course material in a manner that respects all faiths and religious traditions, while favoring none; and
(5) expertise in how to avoid devotional content or proselytizing in the classroom.
(b) The commissioner shall develop materials and resources under this section in consultation with appropriate faculty members at institutions of higher education.
(c) The commissioner shall make the training materials and other teacher training resources required under Subsection (a) available to Bible course teachers through access to in-service training. (d) The commissioner shall use funds appropriated for the purpose to administer this section. SECTION 3. Section 28.002(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Each school district that offers kindergarten through grade 12 shall offer, as a required curriculum:
(1) a foundation curriculum that includes:
(A) English language arts;
(B) mathematics;
(C) science; and
(D) social studies, consisting of Texas, United States, and world history, government, and geography; and
(2) an enrichment curriculum that includes:
(A) to the extent possible, languages other than English;
(B) health, with emphasis on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise; (C) physical education;
(D) fine arts;
(E) economics, with emphasis on the free enterprise system and its benefits; (F) career and technology education; [and]
(G) technology applications; and
(H) religious literature, including the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on history and literature.

Upcoming Texas ASCD Events:

September 1st & 2nd, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 15th & 16th, 2009
Understanding By Design
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 22nd & 23rd, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Hays CISD

September 28th, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

October 1st & 2nd, 2009
Mapping Active Literacy
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

October 15th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

October 25th - 27th, 2009
Texas ASCD Annual Conference
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

October 27th & 28th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Third Session of Three
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

November 2nd -3rd, 2009
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session One of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

November 11th & 12th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
El Paso, TX

November 13th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
El Paso, TX

November 18th & 19th, 2009
New Essential Curriculum for 21st Century Learners
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Frisco ISD

November 19th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

December 8th -9th, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Allen ISD

January 14th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 18th, 2010
Teachers, Change Your Bait
Martha Kaufeldt
Canyon ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 28th - 29th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Two of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

February 17th - 18th, 2010
Connecting Content and Kids: Understanding By Design and Differentiated Instruction
Jay McTighe
TBD

House Bill 3 – Graduation Requirements

This month, Texas ASCD wanted to create a forum for districts to share ideas/thoughts on the new House Bill 3.

The following information came from the TEA website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/taa/comm070609.html

With the passage of House Bill (HB) 3, new graduation requirements will take effect on September 1, 2009. These new requirements supersede the graduation requirements in 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 74.

Recommended High School Program (RHSP) and Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)
For the recommended (RHSP) and advanced (DAP) high school programs, the total number of credits required for graduation and the requirement of 4 credits in the 4 foundation areas of mathematics, English language arts, science, and social studies/economics did not change. HB 3 changes include:

• providing more flexibility in the enrichment areas of the RHSP by increasing the number of elective credits to 6, requiring 1 credit of physical education, 2 credits of a language other than English (LOTE), and 1 credit of fine arts; and

• providing more flexibility in the enrichment areas in the DAP by increasing the number of elective credits to 5, requiring 1 credit of physical education, 3 credits of LOTE, and 1 credit of fine arts.

Minimum High School Program
Permission to graduate under the minimum high school program must be agreed to in writing and signed by the student, student’s parent (or other person standing in parental relation to the student), and a school counselor or school administrator.
Under HB 3, to graduate under the minimum high school program, students must:

• be at least 16 years of age;
• have completed 2 credits required for graduation in each subject of the foundation curriculum; or
• have failed to be promoted to the 10th grade one or more times as determined by the school district.

Students already in the minimum high school program do not have to meet the HB 3 requirements to enter the program, but must be given the choice of opting back into the recommended high school program.
Local districts may continue to adopt additional graduation requirements that go beyond the state requirements for graduation.

Typically, new graduation requirements take effect with the incoming freshman class. However, the flexibility in the new HB 3 graduation requirements impacts all high school students beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. All students are able to graduate under the HB 3 high school graduation requirements beginning in the 2009-10 school year, unless the district has adopted additional local requirements.

How is your district preparing to implement HB 3? Let us know your thoughts.

Upcoming Texas ASCD Events:

August 20th, 2009
Teachers Change Your Bait
Martha Kaufeldt
Aubrey ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 1st & 2nd, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 15th & 16th, 2009
Understanding By Design
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 16th & 17th, 2009
Five Keys to Reading Success
Tim Rasinski
Northside ISD

September 22nd & 23rd, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Hays CISD

September 28th, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

October 1st & 2nd, 2009
Mapping Active Literacy
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

October 15th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

October 25th - 27th, 2009
Texas ASCD Annual Conference
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

October 27th & 28th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Third Session of Three
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

November 2nd -3rd, 2009
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session One of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

November 9th - 11th, 2009
Traditional Block Scheduling
Dr. J. Allen Queen
Eagle Pass ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

November 11th & 12th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
El Paso, TX

November 13th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
El Paso, TX

November 18th & 19th, 2009
New Essential Curriculum for 21st Century Learners
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Frisco ISD

November 19th, 2009
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

December 8th -9th, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Allen ISD

January 14th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

January 28th - 29th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Two of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

February 17th - 18th, 2010
Connecting Content and Kids: Understanding By Design and Differentiated Instruction
Jay McTighe
TBD

March 11th, 2010
Understanding By Design - Follow-up
Judith Hilton
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

May 6th, 2010
Using Graphic Organizers and Assessment Tools to Make Mathematics Content More Accessible to Struggling Students
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Session Three of Three
Galena Park ISD (Houston area)

Feedback and Grading

Back in March, on this blog, we discussed Formative Assessment, what it means and ideas of how to use it in your classrooms. At the 2009 Annual Conference, Debra Pickering will be presenting, “Providing Feedback through Classroom Formative Assessment and Grading Practices: A Commitment to Students.” Her keynote presentation is based on the work of Robert Marzano on classroom assessment and grading.

Is your grading scale based on formative assessment? Are you continually evaluating students? Feedback is the number one clue teachers have as to whether or not a student understands. If a student does not understand a particular idea, how can they build on it? Once the teacher has moved on to the bigger idea, how is the student who didn’t understand the basic concept able to catch up with the rest of the class? The student may feel they are standing on the first step of the twenty story building.

How long has it been since you last looked at and maybe tweaked your grading system? Sometimes grading systems measure the knowledge the student has on a particular subject, but does not measure the student growth of knowledge and skill over the semester. Marzano suggests a scale of 0-4. The score a student would get is based on what was taught (if they understand the concept) and if they can apply the concept (going beyond the basic concept). Are you using the grading scale of 0-100%? If a student doesn’t turn in their homework but can elaborate on the concept and really understands what is being taught, should they receive a zero?

Come hear Dr. Debra Pickering’s keynote presentation on “Providing Feedback through Classroom Formative Assessment and Grading Practices: A Commitment to Students.” On Monday, October 26, 2009 at the 2009 Texas ASCD Annual Conference in Frisco, Texas.

Please feel free to answer the questions below:
1. What type of grading scale are you using in your class/school/district?
2. Do you believe this is the best way to assess your students?

Upcoming Texas ASCD events:

July 14th & 15th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Second Session of Three
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD (Dallas Metroplex area)

July 14th & 15th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
Austin, TX

July 27th & 28th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Greenville ISD

August 10th - 12th, 2009
Traditional Block Scheduling
Dr. J. Allen Queen
Eagle Pass ISD
CLOSED - DISTRICT EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 1st & 2nd, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

September 16th & 17th, 2009
Five Keys to Reading Success
Tim Rasinkski
Northside ISD

September 22nd & 23rd, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Hays CISD

September 28th, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Moore Luchin
Palo Duro High School, Amarillo ISD
CLOSED - SCHOOL EXCLUSIVE TRAINING

October 1st & 2nd, 2009
Mapping Active Literacy
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

October 25th - 27th, 2009
Texas ASCD Annual Conference
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

October 27th & 28th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Third Session of Three
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)

November 11th & 12th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
El Paso, TX

November 13th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
El Paso, TX

November 18th & 19th, 2009
New Essential Curriculum for 21st Century Learners
Heidi Hayes Jacobs
Frisco ISD

December 8-9, 2009
Boot Camp for Curriculum Administrators
John Crain
Allen ISD

February 17-18, 2010
Connecting Content and Kids: Understanding By Design and Differentiated Instruction
Jay McTighe
TBD