The First Five Days of School: Setting the Stage for Engaged Global Learning

Alan November, with November Learning believes there exists a significant opportunity in the First 5 Days of School to set the tone for powerful, engaging and self-directed learning. By empowering students to own their learning and by helping them to develop tools and networks for support throughout the school year, we better prepare them for the global economy.

Through his thought-provoking book, Who Owns the Learning? Alan November challenges us to consider the broad opportunities that await in the first five days of school, and to pays special attention to the importance of information literacy, student roles, global collaboration and more.  Read more about First 5 Days.

First 5 Days: Day 1 from Alas Media on Vimeo.

Webinar: Making the Most of a Walk-Through during a Math Class

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As an instructional leader, or as an instructor of math, you are aware of the many changes which have taken place in the area of elementary math that impact both instruction and assessment. 

With changes in the TEKS and the STAAR, the data you collect during formal or informal walk-through observations should also look different. Take some time to discuss and reflect on what the engaging math classroom should look like and sound like during the Math Cohort Webinar.

Join the conversation online live:
August 12, 2014
10:00am - 11:00am
Session #044800
Or listen to the recording at a later date

Topics:
New K-8 Math Standards for 2014-2015
Pilot Evaluation System for Teachers

Hosts:
Jane Tarr, Math Specialist

Vickie Echols, Leadership Specialist
Surprise Guest!

Register Now for the Webinar, Session #044800

You will receive an e-mail with specific instructions by the start date of the workshop. If you do not receive it, please request the online course number and instructions from the online contact person. For questions about registration, please contact the registrar for this session at 903-988-6763.

An Update on the Evaluation System for Teachers and Principals

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Williams has submitted a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan asking for an extension of the state's waiver from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), noting that the agency has decided to extend the pilot operation of the teacher and principal evaluation systems for an additional year to allow time for the system to be refined.

Tim Regal, with the Texas Education Agency, will be presenting an overview of the appraisal system at Region 8 ESC on August 4, 2014.

Click this link to register:

Provide your name and district for planning purposes.

Teacher/Principal Evaluation and Support System

Speaker: Tim Regal, TEA (pilot and non-pilot schools invited)
When:  Aug. 4, 2014

           9:00-12:00
Where: Region 8 ESC
4845 US Hwy 271 N., Pittsburg, TX 75686-4303

If you have any questions regarding this training at Region 8, please contact: Karla Coker, kcoker@reg8.net or 903-575-7537

On Sept. 30, 2013, Texas was approved for the federal waiver from specific provisions of ESEA through the 2013-2014 school year, contingent upon implementation of the new teacher and principal evaluation system, including the use of student growth as a significant factor in determining a teacher's or principal's summative evaluation rating.   The commissioner's latest request would extend the flexibility through the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

View the News Release: Commissioner Seeks Extension of ESEA Waiver 

Share New Grad Requirements with this Toolkit

Are you looking for ways to explain the new Foundation High School program to parents and students?

NEW:  Toolkit Created to Help Explain New Graduation Requirements

TEA has created a Graduation Toolkit that provides details about the new Foundation High School Program and other planning information for high school that can be shared with parents and students. Spanish versions of this toolkit are expected to be available later this week at the same link.

EXCELLENT: Also available is a link to a brochure about Graduation Requirements on the Texas Association of School Administrators page for House Bill 5 Resources.

Graduation Toolkit Available

Click Image to access toolkit on TEA's website. Also look for this image on the Region 7 HB 5 Resources Page. TEA posted a graduation toolkit that provides key highlights regarding the new graduation plan under HB 5. It provides a summary of the state's new graduation plan & descriptions of the five potential endorsements, as well as a checklist to begin planning for high school & beyond. Click here for the full TEA release.