• Secretary's Column: Recharging Your Battery
• State to apply for new flexibility under NCLB
• Consolidated Applications due July 1  
• Special education teachers: Determining highly qualified status
• Business Official endorsement reinstated
• Law institute for education leaders to be held
• Celebrate Constitution Day
• Districts must report criminal convictions
• Upcoming Events

Secretary's Column

Recharging your battery

Education is one of the few professions that you get to stop and start all over again each and every year. Each spring, we watch another class graduate. We take a few months, regroup and the process starts all over again. Many occupations do not enjoy the benefit of a chance to recharge our batteries. Therefore, the purpose of this column is to give you a few suggestions on how you can recharge your battery over the next three months. 

REST

After a grueling school year, it is important to rest. That means different things to different people, but you should determine what “rest” is to you. For some, it is golfing or fishing. For others, it is a brief vacation or just a more relaxed schedule around the office. School Administrators of South Dakota hopes that rest means attending the Wild West Leadership Conference held annually in Deadwood. The point is: Before you can even begin to gear up for another year, you need to rest and relax at the end of the current year.

REFLECT

Once you have begun the battery-charging process by resting, a time of reflection can be beneficial. Before you begin planning for the upcoming year, reflect on the past year.  Take some time to gather information from the past year that would indicate progress towards intended goals. It might be time to gather some of the data that you have been curious about or talking to other administrators who are in similar sized districts and face the same issues as you. Another good way of gathering data is to conduct focus group meetings with parents, community members and former students when they are home for the summer. 

READ

If you are like me, professional reading is always a challenge during the school year.  However, summer provides you with time to do some reading that could help you lead more effectively. Certainly, professional journals provide a source of practical ideas that can be of assistance. I also would recommend that you challenge yourself to read a book that will provide insight into your work as a leader. Some suggestions are:

• The Tipping Point (a book about change)
• Bowling Alone (a description of how our society is changing - a heavier read!)
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (21 leadership laws to live by)
• The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork (guidelines to building and leading a team)

I also would suggest that you read a book together with your management team. Reading and discussing a book together can solidify your team and improve the leadership climate in your district.

In the Department of Education, we are grateful for dedicated leaders who are challenged each day by forces in and outside of the organization. I hope you feel challenged and affirmed in your work and that you will take some time this summer to recharge your battery because, September is just around the corner!

State to apply for new flexibility under NCLB

The South Dakota Department of Education has applied for an interim flexibility announced recently by the U.S. Department of Education. The flexibility is in regard to inclusion of students with disabilities in adequate yearly progress (AYP) determinations under No Child Left Behind. If granted, it will apply to this year’s (2004-05) AYP calculations.

Current regulation allows for 1 percent of students – those with the most significant disabilities – to take an alternate assessment. The flexibility proposed by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) would grant states the ability to assess 3 percent of students with disabilities using alternate or modified standards and assessment.

In announcing the new flexibility, USDOE noted that “… in addition to students with the most significant disabilities (the 1 percent already covered by Title I), research indicates that there is another group of students with disabilities, approximately 2 percent of the school age population, in need of modified standards and assessments who can make progress toward but may not reach grade level achievement standards in the same time frame as other students…”

Because most states currently do not have modified standards and assessments in place, USDOE is offering an interim solution. For the 2004-05 school year only, states will be allowed to calculate a proxy to determine the percentage of students with disabilities that is equivalent to 2 percent of all students assessed. The proxy will be added to the percent of students with disabilities who are proficient. The adjusted percent proficient is what a state may use to re-examine if a school or district made AYP for 2004-05. This flexibility applies only to the subgroup of special education students.

USDOE is working on rules to make the new policy final. When that does occur, the state Department of Education will need to develop modified content standards and assessment. These modified versions will need to be in place by the 2006-07 school year.

Questions regarding this issue can be directed to Michelle Powers at the South Dakota Department of Education, (605) 773-3678. michelle.powers@state.sd.us

Consolidated Applications due July 1  

The due date to submit the Consolidated Application for NCLB Title formula grant programs is July 1, 2005.   Districts should make every effort to submit their Consolidated Applications by July 1 in order to avoid any problems with federal program fund obligations. 

Federal regulations require that a district’s application must be received at the Department of Education (DOE) in a “substantially approvable form” before the district is allowed to obligate or expend federal program funds. 

The period between July 1 and the date the district’s application arrives at DOE is effectively a “blackout period” for obligating federal funds. Any activities occurring during this period (summer school, professional development, supplies or equipment orders, teacher salaries, etc.) are not eligible for reimbursement from federal program funds. 

While the Department of Education will accept applications until Sept. 30, 2005, districts need to be aware that any obligations occurring during this blackout period will have to be covered by local funds.

Business Official endorsement reinstated

The South Dakota Board of Education has restored the “Business Official” endorsement that allows business officials to be certified. This endorsement is not new. It was repealed in 1995 along with hundreds of other statutes and administrative rules.

The reinstatement came at the request of the South Dakota Association of School Business Officials in an effort to raise professional standards. The endorsement is optional.

In order to be eligible, an individual must have a bachelor’s degree and completion of either two years of experience as a school business official or a minimum of two semester hours or coursework in the areas of accounting, school finance, school law and school business administration.

Law institute for education leaders to be held

The first-ever South Dakota School Law Institute will be held June 28-29 in Sioux Falls at Southeast Technical Institute.

The School Law Institute is a two-day conference designed with busy school leaders in mind. It should provide a unique learning experience for superintendents, principals, school board members, higher education personnel, and attorneys.

Among those scheduled to speak are South Dakota Secretary of Education Rick Melmer, South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long, South Dakota House of Representatives Member Joni Cutler, University of South Dakota School of Law Professor Chris Hutton, and University of South Dakota School of Education Professor William Sweeney.

The institute is sponsored by the University of South Dakota School of Law, University of South Dakota School of Education, and Miller & Swier, Attorneys at Law, Prof. LLC. For more information, contact Scott R. Swier at (605) 260-1300.

Celebrate Constitution Day

A recent poll of Americans revealed that less than 25 percent could name one First Amendment freedom, according to information from Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. Another poll found that 59 percent of teenagers know the names of the Three Stooges, but only 41 percent know the three branches of government. Perhaps that’s why the U.S. Congress created Constitution Day.

Last summer, Congress passed a law requiring educational institutions that receive federal funds to hold an informational program regarding the U.S. Constitution. Congress directed that the program take place on Sept. 17 of each year. That date was chosen to commemorate the Sept. 17, 1787 , signing of the Constitution.

Governor Rendell is offering Philadelphia ’s National Constitution Center , located on Independence Mall, as a resource for schools. The center is creating a Constitution Day package that will be available to download from its Web site. The Web site also will contain useful materials and tools for classroom or school-wide activities.

The center’s Web site is www.constitutioncenter.org. Currently, the Constitution Day package is not available, but check back frequently if you are interested in using these materials.

For more information about the federal law, contact Alex Stein at the U.S. Department of Education, (202) 895-9085. alex.Stein@ed.gov

Districts must report criminal convictions

Superintendents should remember that state statute calls for mandatory reporting of criminal convictions. If a school employee resigns or is terminated because of a criminal conviction, the superintendent has 10 days to report the circumstances and the person’s name to the Department of Education.

The full text of statute 13-10-15 reads as follows:

Upcoming Events

Workshops address struggling readers, writers
Special Education Programs and Sopris West Educational Services will host three workshops for teachers this summer. There is no registration fee for these trainings, and one set of materials will be purchased for each registered school district.

Step Up to Writing Program Training
Closing the Achievement Gap for Students Struggling to Become Proficient Writers
Dates: June 16-17
Location: Ramkota RiverCentre, Pierre
Limit: 75 participants
Presenter: Kim Marcum

For Elementary Special Education Staff
Closing the Achievement Gap for Struggling Elementary Readers
Dates: July 14-15
Location: Cedar Shore Resort, Chamberlain
Limit: 200 participants
Presenters: Frank Smith and Gail Adams

For Middle School and High School Special Education Staff
Closing the Achievement Gap for Struggling Secondary Readers
Dates: Aug. 8-10
Location: Ramkota RiverCentre, Pierre
Limit: 200 participants
Presenters: Joanne Allain and Frank Smith

To register for any of the sessions, call the department’s Special Education Programs at (605) 773-3678. Travel, meal and lodging stipends are the responsibility of the individual. View Website >>

Writing to Win© workshop takes place this summer
The department’s Office of Career and Technical Education is sponsoring the first of three yearly sessions on the Writing to Win© system. Year one focuses on “Journal Writing for Critical Thinking.” Writing to Win© is designed to help teachers in all content areas improve students’ writing skills.

Writing to Win© I will be held June 27-29 at Mitchell Technical Institute. Dr. Warren Combs, developer of the Writing to Win© system, will lead the training.

Participants will learn the keys to teaching effective short writing. Schools should send teams of three people, including grades 7–12 classroom teachers and/or administrators. Team members will return to their school districts and implement the concepts learned. They also serve as writing coaches for other teachers. Follow-up sessions will be conducted throughout the year.

What outcomes can participants expect? Research shows that students do 30 percent better on tests of knowledge in courses that implement a student self-check system like the one taught at the workshop. The following demonstrates the impact of the Writing to Win© model at two schools: When middle school stu­dents completed two short writing assignments a week in every class, their pass rate on a state writing test increased from 66 percent to 91 percent in a single year. The pass rate at a high school moved from 74 percent to 98 percent in three years.

Participants are asked to bring the following resources to the workshop:

• copy of the district/school’s writing curriculum;
• sample teacher’s textbook for one grade level in math, science and/or social studies;
• laptop computer; and
• curriculum maps, if available.

Register online at www.southdakotapd.com by June 10. Registration is limited to 25 schools and 75 participants. College credit and renewal credit are available.

For information, contact Marsha Kucker, state director of High Schools That Work/Making Middle Grades Work. Call (605) 367-7680 or mkucker@edec.org.

Summer Institute to focus on new 3-Rs
Rigor, relevance and relationships – the new 3-Rs – will be the focus of a workshop July 18-20 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre. The professional development opportunity is sponsored by the department’s Office of Career and Technical Education.

Participants will receive free curriculum materials, including “The Rigor and Relevance Handbook” and “Instructional Strategies: How to Teach for Rigor and Relevance.” They also will be allowed access to electronic versions of the following:

• Academic Excellence Through Career and Technical Education Resource Kit with Gold Seal Lessons (CD distribution, additional duplication allowed);
• Reading Strategies for Career-Technical Education and Career Academies Resource Kit (CD distribution, additional duplication allowed);
• Instructional Strategies Resource Kit; and
• Planning Rigorous and Relevant Instruction Resource Kit (CD distribution, additional duplication allowed, includes 25 copies, one for each school/district at in-service) .

Trainers from Dr. Willard Daggett’s International Center for Leadership in Education will conduct the training. It will focus on the Rigor/Relevance Framework and how to use it to plan instruction, design assessment and develop curriculum. Participants will learn and practice techniques to ensure that teaching and learning are driven to higher levels of cognitive skill development and to more in-depth real-world skill applications. Participants also will learn how the third R – relationships – contributes to students’ academic success.

Cost of the workshop is $75. Expenses for registration, travel, lodging and meals are allowable Perkins costs for approved career and technical education programs.

A block of hotel rooms is reserved at the following hotels:

• Kelly Inn, Pierre, $49/single occupancy, $55/double occupancy, (605) 224-4140
• Days Inn, Pierre, $50/single occupancy, $55/double occupancy, (605) 224-0411
• Governor’s Inn, Pierre, $50/single occupancy, $55/double occupancy, (605) 224-4200
• Comfort Inn, Pierre, $60/single occupancy, $75/double occupancy, (605) 224-0377
• Holiday Inn Express, Ft. Pierre, $64.50/single occupancy, $64.50 double occupancy, (605) 223-9045

Rooms are blocked under OCTE Summer Institute Workshop and will be held until June 24 at 6 p.m. CDT. Rooms are for July 18 and 19 only. If additional dates are needed, participants must check on availability when making reservations. Participants must make their own room reservations.

Registration deadline is July 1. The workshop is limited to 100 educators. Participants may receive one unit of graduate credit through Northern State University or one CEU. Cost for graduate credit will be approximately $60. There is no charge for CEUs.

Online registration is available at www.southdakotapd.com. Participants may register on-site as well.

For more information, contact Gloria Smith-Rockhold at the Department of Education, (605) 773-4747. gloria.smith-rockhold@state.sd.us

Youth internships subject of July workshop
Educators interested in providing meaningful internships for high-school students should plan to attend a workshop July 21-22 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre. Colleen Keffeler, school-to-careers coordinator at Brown High School in Sturgis, will lead this informative session.

Hosted by the department’s Office of Career and Technical Education, the two-day workshop will provide school site facilitators with the knowledge and tools to:

• develop work-site experiences with local businesses;
• develop coursework necessary to prepare students for an internship;
• successfully place students and coordinate evaluation;
• develop internship opportunities for special-needs students; and
• assist with providing for legal safeguards and school liability protection.

The workshop is fully paid for by the Office of Career and Technical Education. Only 50 spots are available (one representative per school), so sign up now! Lodging, meals and mileage are the responsibility of the participating school. College credit is available through Northern State University.

To register, contact Faith Ellis at the Department of Education, (605) 773-7030. faith.ellis@state.sd.us


Crosswalk workshop to align CTE with new content standards
A workshop scheduled for Aug. 8 will crosswalk career and technical education (CTE) program standards with the most recent state content standards in reading, communication arts, mathematics and science.

The workshop will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings (room 344 of the SNF Building). It will be conducted by Charlotte Mohling, a family and consumer sciences teacher from Wessington Springs, and staff from the Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education.

By April 2006, course syllabi for all CTE programs must be revised to reflect the new academic standards in reading, communication arts, mathematics and science.   

Teachers new to career and technical education should plan to attend. Other teachers are welcome to begin work on revising the present crosswalks. Participants should bring a laptop computer, curriculum, program standards, course syllabi, and other references. 

The workshop is free. Graduate credit and renewal credit from the Department of Education will be available as part of the South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education Conference to be held Aug. 9-11 in Brookings.

For more information on the crosswalk workshop, contact Gloria Smith-Rockhold at the Department of Education, (605) 773-4747. gloria.smith-rockhold@state.sd.us. 


Daggett to address SDACTE conference
Dr. Willard Daggett, president of the International Center for Leadership in Education, will present the keynote address at the South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education (SDACTE) conference in August. Daggett’s presentation takes place Aug. 9, 1 p.m., in the Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University.

Daggett is recognized worldwide for his ability to move education systems towards more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for all students. He has assisted a number of states and hundreds of school districts with their school improvement initiatives. A former classroom teacher and school administrator in New York state, Daggett spearheaded restructuring initiatives to focus the state’s education system on the skills and knowledge students need in a technological, information-based society.

Daggett is the creator of the Application Model, a practical planning and instructional tool for determining the relevance of curriculum and assessment to real-world situations. The Application Model is part of the Rigor/Relevance Framework, which has become a cornerstone of many school reform efforts throughout the United States.

His keynote address and subsequent workshop topics will include “ Rigor and Relevance,” “Successful Schools – What Makes Them Work” and “Preparing Students for Our Changing World.”

Daggett’s presentations are sponsored by the Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education and the South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education.

The general public may attend by purchasing tickets for $10 the day of the event.

For additional information, contact Robert Bell, executive director, South Dakota Association of Career and Technical Education, (605) 692-6056. bellr@brookings.net

Fall conference for school food-service workers set
South Dakota school food-service workers are invited to attend the 34th annual Conference & Industry Seminar, Aug. 2-5, in Aberdeen. The event will be held at the Ramkota. It is hosted by the South Dakota School Food Service Association and the Department of Education’s Child and Adult Nutrition Services (CANS).

Conference highlights include pre-conference training classes on topics such as Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) and ServSafe; a vendor showcase featuring the latest foods and equipment for schools; and educational sessions on 20+ topics.

To access the registration form, go to the CANS website and click on the “Fall Conference at Aberdeen” link under “Training & Technical Assistance.”