May 14, 2012
HEADLINES
HB 1234: Moving forward
Composition of some work groups announced
Passed by the 2012 Legislature, HB 1234 established six work groups to address the various components of the bill. Three of those work groups are appointed by the Secretary of Education. The secretary has announced the composition of these groups (see below).
“I want to thank all of those who indicated interest in serving on one of the work groups. The response has been beyond expectations,” said Secretary of Education Melody Schopp. “In selecting the groups, we tried to balance factors such as school size and geographic area, and I believe we have succeeded.”
Dr. Rick Melmer and Dr. Fred Aderhold of the University of South Dakota will facilitate the Teacher Evaluation Work Group and the Principal Standards and Evaluation Work Group. Both groups are scheduled to meet for the first time in June.
The 3rd group is the Local Teacher Reward Plan Advisory Council. The plan is to choose a facilitator from that group. Dates for that work group have yet to be announced.
“These work groups include a number of outstanding educators, community and school leaders, and parents. We are excited about the potential to develop meaningful evaluation systems – systems that help teachers and principals grow in their practice – and innovative, useful model plans for the local teacher reward portion of the bill,” Schopp said.
Teacher Evaluation Work Group
Purpose: Provide input in developing the four-tier rating system and evaluation instrument used by districts for teacher evaluation
Teachers:
Candy Ballard, Lead-Deadwood
Nicole Keegan, Rapid City
Paul Kuhlman, Avon
Pat Moller, Mitchell
Kristin Skogstad, Sioux Falls
Sharla Steever, Hill City
Principals:
Kyley Cumbow, Pierre
Kym Johnston, Lennox
Kevin Lein, Harrisburg
Superintendents:
Don Kirkegaard, Meade
Shayne McIntosh, Parkston
School board members:
Pam Haukaas, Colome Consolidated
Rebecca Reimer, Chamberlain
Parents:
Pete Anderson, Rapid City
Amy Blum, Chamberlain
Shauna Hogland, Dell Rapids
Stacy (Bauer) Jones, Brandon Valley
Representing:
South Dakota Education Association: Steve O’Brien, Watertown
School Administrators of South Dakota: Executive Director
Associated School Boards of South Dakota: Wade Pogany
Principal Standards and Evaluation Work Group
Purpose: Provide input in developing principal standards, four-tier rating system and evaluation instrument used by districts for principal evaluation
Principals:
Rob Coverdale, Pierre
Melinda Jensen, Brookings
Lisa McNeely, Aberdeen
Jay Nelson, DeSmet
Mark Rockafellow, West Central
Brad Seamer, McCook Central
Teachers:
Janelle Farris, Rapid City
Andrew R. Johnson, Hamlin
Heather Whetham, Meade
Superintendents:
Pam Homan, Sioux Falls
Deb Johnson, Chamberlain
School board members:
Denise Lutkemeier, Wilmot
Tom Morris, Dell Rapids
Parents:
Jane Klug, Spearfish
Shelly Munson, Tea
Amy Policky, Rapid City
Representing:
South Dakota Education Association: Mary McCorkle, Mobridge-Pollock
School Administrators of South Dakota: Executive Director
Associated School Boards of South Dakota: Wade Pogany
Local Teacher Reward Plan Advisory Council
Purpose: Provide input in developing one or more model local teacher reward plans
Principals/Superintendents:
Nick Gottlob, Lead-Deadwood
Tami Hummel, Dakota Valley
Tim Mitchell, Rapid City
David Pappone, Brandon Valley
Jarod Larson, Timber Lake
Tim Pflanz, Tri-Valley
Teachers:
Tanya Czepull, Brandon Valley
Brett Distel, Douglas
Becky Lockwood, Brookings
Mary Schneider, Armour
Joann Stephens, Belle Fourche
Amber Stout, Pierre
School board members:
David Haagenson, Baltic
Neil Putnam, Mitchell
Mary Williams, Wall
Attend inaugural All About Science Festival
Teachers and students are invited to participate in the first-ever It’s All About Science Festival on July 28. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sanford Research Center in Sioux Falls.
The event is intended to be an annual celebration and exploration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for all ages. The mission of the It’s All About Science Festival is to promote a science-centric community by showcasing all things science to the Northern Plains community. The Department of Education is represented on the event’s Development Committee.
This inaugural festival will consist of hands-on science activities, talks, demonstrations and exhibits from student groups, educators and STEM industries. If you are interested in presenting or volunteering for this event, please contact sanfordoutreach@sanfordhealth.org and include Science Festival in the subject line.
One of the exciting programs that will be hosted at the Science Festival is a remixed version of the Washington Pavilion’s Design Challenge, which is an annual program that aims to motivate and inspire innovation in students through a large hands-on project they must develop, document and design themselves. The challenge changes every year and requires students to tap into the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and math to channel their inner Einsteins.
This year’s competition is “Battle of the Buoyant Boats.” The rules of the competition are simple. Students must construct a boat with maximum buoyancy in mind. The width and height of the vessel must not exceed 1 foot and the length must not exceed 2 feet. For specifics on design and registration, email jwhitlock@washingtonpavilion.org.
South Dakota Teacher of the Year visits White House
South Dakota’s 2012 Teacher of the Year Pat Moller, of Mitchell, recently returned from a visit to Washington, D.C., where he and other state honorees met President Barack Obama. Click here to read the Mitchell Daily Republic’s coverage of his trip.
NAEP science: South Dakota’s scores still near top
South Dakota eighth-grade students are ahead of their peers when it comes to the latest science scores – which are good, but virtually unchanged – as measured by the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress.
The assessment results, released earlier today, show that just one state – North Dakota – scored significantly higher than South Dakota’s average scale score of 162. Eight states – including Minnesota, Montana, Massachusetts and Colorado – scored statistically the same as South Dakota.
Scores are based on a 300-point scale, and this is only the second time the current science framework has been used for the assessment. When the NAEP science test was last administered in 2009, North Dakota was again at the top, but South Dakota was matched in scoring by only five states.
The national average is 151, a slight improvement from 149 in 2009. South Dakota’s average score is up one point, although the differential is defined as not being statistically significant.
The scores of South Dakota’s Hispanic students improved significantly, making a 16-point jump in just two years. And 65 percent of South Dakota’s students eligible for free and reduced-price lunches scored at or above basic, compared to just 48 percent nationally.
South Dakota’s gender gap in science remains. A significant gap also exists at the national level, with boys continuing to outperform their female counterparts in the area of science.
For more information, visit
http://nationsreportcard.gov/science_2011/.
Support Common Core Literacy with Electronic Resources, Part 3
NOTE: This is the thrid installment in a three-part series on how the State Library’s electronic resources can support the Common Core.
Last month we looked at the strands 3 and 4 of Common Core English Language Arts. This month, we’ll look at strands 5 and 6. We’ve made some connections between the strands and State Library electronic resources. What other connections can you make?
5) Speaking and Listening
Speaking and listening demonstrate literacy and emphasize communication and creativity.
Any State Library subscription e-resources can help searchers find facts and accompanying images or graphics. Read aloud is in Spanish in the World Book Spanish version, and Gale Virtual Reference Library offers read aloud in many languages and mp3 audio downloads. SIRS Discoverer has an Activities’ sections on read-aloud plays, read-aloud stories and reading, writing and language projects. Special features, such as World Book Discover’s “World Book Explains videos” can serve as models for student work.
6) Language
This strand emphasizes the use of standard English language conventions.
Articles contained in the State Library e-resources mentioned are good examples of the use of standard English. Patrons can gain more practice and information in Learning Express Library’s online practice tests, ebooks, and courses, for grades 4 through adult.
Let the e-resources provided by the South Dakota State Library at library.sd.gov help you meet Common Core standards and enhance learning for all ages.
First public review of Next Generation Science Standards begins
The initial draft of the Next Generation Science Standards was released for public comment on Friday, May 11. The draft standards and a public comment survey will be available for a period of three weeks at www.nextgenscience.org.
The goal of the public release period is to distribute the draft standards to interested parties and to receive feedback from those stakeholders. South Dakota is one of 26 lead states involved in development of the standards.
The National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Achieve are the lead partners in the process to develop the Next Generation Science Standards.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Harvest of the Month training
June 5-6 in Sioux Falls, June 12-13 in Rapid City OR Aug. 7-8 in Pierre
Learn how to organize a Harvest of the Month Team for your school or community. Attendees will prepare recipes, create lessons and evaluation, discuss food-to-table demonstrations, and learn about growing and transplanting.
The cost is free for up to two people per school or community agency, with a $500 Team Nutrition mini-grant available for implementation of a Harvest of the Month project. College credit and CEUs pending.
LifeSkills Training
June 5-6 in Sioux Falls, June 12-13 in Rapid City OR Aug. 7-8 in Pierre
LifeSkills training will be conducted in Watertown on June 6-7, and on Aug. 15-16 in Spearfish. LifeSkills is a proven, highly effective, substance abuse prevention program. This comprehensive program provides adolescents and young teens with the confidence and skills necessary to resist social pressures to smoke tobacco, to drink, and to use drugs.
Click on the training locations listed above for specific details. To register for either of the trainings, go to https://apps.sd.gov/Applications/DE49TrnTracker/Secure/AvailableClasses.aspx.
Summer Education Conference
June 12-13, Pierre
The fifth annual Summer Education Conference will take place this summer at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Pierre. The two-day event will focus on poverty as it pertains to education, and social thinking and development of communication skills in a digital age. Hosted by the Department of Education’s Special Education Programs, this event is open to both general and special education professionals.
Thanks to the availability of grant funds, there will be no conference registration fee required this year. One college credit is available through the University of South Dakota for approximately $45. One CEU can be obtained in lieu of the college credit.
ELL/Migrant Education Conference
June 20-21, Chamberlain
Join Dr. Catherine Collier for a one-day workshop, with keynote presentations by Dr. Sara Waring and Jane Hill, as part of the Department of Education’s inaugural ELL/Migrant Education Conference.
With the percent of migrant and English Language Learner students on the rise in South Dakota, come learn about the challenges that migrant and ELL students face and find out about the latest strategies to help them succeed.
Registration is free, with some meals provided. One transcripted credit is being offered at the participant’s expense.
Click here to register, go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEExX01tRjhxLV85U1JpRmhrVXl0cWc6MA#gid=0.
Using Literature to Teach Health
Aug. 13-14, Spearfish
Planning for instruction that will advance the health literacy of students is just a page turn away. Elementary, middle and high school teachers responsible for health education in their school district as well as librarians, nurses, counselors and curriculum directors are encouraged to attend this two-day training on the campus of Black Hills State University.
Participants will receive the Using Literature to Teach Health Teacher’s Guide as well as $250 toward the purchase of books that include a health content area or health skills. In addition, Coordinated School Health will cover travel expenses (meals, mileage, lodging and any substitute teacher fees) for all participants.
CTE Conference
July 29 – Aug. 1, Pierre
The South Dakota Department of Education and SDACTE co-sponsor the annual SDACTE Conference. SDACTE handles all of the registration information. The conference is held in Pierre each summer, typically in late July or early August. This year, it runs from July 29 until Aug. 1.
If you’re a middle or high school teacher, school counselor or administrator, come find out what’s new in career and technical education. Find more information and details on how to register at http://www.lakeareatech.edu/sdacte/.
9th Annual Indian Education Summit/b>
September 23-25, Chamberlain
This year’s Indian Education Summit will be held at the Cedar Shore Resort, located right on the Missouri River near Chamberlain and Oacoma. This event is quickly becoming a staple to bring partners from across South Dakota together to learn and to share ideas and insights to address the educational needs of American Indian students. Many sessions will be geared for K-12; many others will emphasize preschool and higher education strands. Watch www.doe.sd.gov for more information.
13th Annual Systems Change Conference
Oct. 10-12, Chamberlain
This year’s Systems Change Conference will be held at the Cedar Shore Resort, located on the Missouri River near Chamberlain and Oacoma. Long regarded as one of the region’s premier professional development events for educators, this event also features the announcement of the South Dakota Teacher of the Year, during a special recognition banquet. Graduate credit and DOE contact hours are available. For more information, or to register, watch www.systemschange.midwestmaple.org.
TEACHER FEATURE
Sioux Falls history teacher finds reward in working with all students
Mary Schmitz says she’s been fortunate to have a variety of teaching assignments throughout her long career, but none has been as rewarding as her current position.
The AP U.S. History teacher and American studies team teacher at Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School
sees many students from all different walks of life. The American studies course is a two-semester, two-period class that fulfills the district’s credit requirements for American history, American literature and composition. Her advanced students routinely outscore their peers across the country on the AP U.S. History exam.
“I think many teachers were either very good in school or struggled with school. I was one of those nerds who used to play school as a kid. I had very talented stuffed animals. They caught on quickly, even with archaic technology like a chalkboard and paper and pencils,” Schmitz joked.
She’s been teaching for nearly 30 years, but still gets excited about working with a new group of students. “I am so thankful when students return from their first year of college, or email me in the midst of the first year, or come back during their senior year after having had my class during their junior year and thank me for helping prepare them for college or admit to me that they miss having my class during the new school year,” Schmitz said. “The fact that they take the initiative to come back, email, or admit out loud that my class made something of a difference in their lives, well, that's priceless, as the commercial goes.”
When studying the Vietnam era, Schmitz started inviting Vietnam veterans into the classroom to talk with the students. That ‘living history’ component, as Schmitz calls it, has expanded to include Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans as well. That activity is now many students’ favorite class period of the year.
Schmitz tries to incorporate the students’ skills and interests into the assignments, which often involve examining, explaining and reflecting on stories, news clips, songs and other cultural artifacts from a particular time period. Many of her American Studies students enjoy the assignments on the 1940s and ‘50s.
When asked if she had any advice for new teachers, her reply was very succinct: “Work hard; persevere and keep learning. Make lasting friendships with colleagues and realize you'll never have enough time to ‘do it all,’” Schmitz said.