OSP Connected
February, 2018-Office for School Performance-Volume 16
Message from Dayle
We have talked about the “achievement gap” and how we can improve our instructional practices and culturally responsive approaches to teaching and learning in the classroom to help all students succeed. We need to do this work. We have also talked about the “opportunity gap” and looking at the barriers we can break down in our system for our students to get involved in AP/IB courses, sports, activities and specialized programs. But there is another gap we need to address if we want to really make a change for all our students.
When I talk to students who are disenfranchised or who have decided not to complete their education in HSD we hear something we don’t talk about. Yet. Let me borrow a phrase from a colleague and call it “the worthiness gap”. What we hear from these kids is school isn’t for them, their teachers are frustrated with them, they aren't’ smart or they just can’t do it. They feel worthless and hopeless and lack a vision for their lives and futures. They need someone to believe in them.
Take a minute and think about people who make you feel like you’re worth something- that you matter- that they believe in you. What do they do? What do they say?
For kids who are in our “worthiness gap” they will tell you they never pass a state test. They struggle in many of their classes and it’s their perception that the teacher doesn’t want to help them. They don’t know what they are learning or why. They aren’t connected. They don’t feel worthy of their education and supports that may be offered.
All our kids are worthy of bright futures. All of our kids matter and they need to hear this from us daily through our words and actions. We can honor our students by noticing academic and non academic skills and traits. We can reflect back to them their displayed passions and interests and illuminate possible career and college tracks. There is a path to a great life for each of them. For our kids that are suffering from a lack of belief in themselves- loan them your belief! We have to do this work!
Watch an exemplar story below:
HSD Focus 2017-2018
INSTRUCTION: Academic Language - “Say the whole thing”
In our zest to get the lesson moving along when asking questions of students, we usually accept their one word or short phrase answer: “carnivores”, “a rate of 3.5%”, “Telemachus”. If we want academically strong students who can write and debate and explain their thinking with content, encourage them to “Say the whole thing”! “The wolf is a carnivore”. “An appropriate rate for the sale is 3.5%”, “The character that challenged me most was Telemachus.” It is an easy way to support students’ school success. (A poster for your room walls is linked as a reminder!)
As a bonus, just a reminder that Google offers Voice Typing. Once students can “say the whole thing” they can just speak their essays and papers allowing their hands to be free and their minds to be focused. Teachers can also provide “Voice comments” to students who turn in their pieces for feedback.
Assessment
As we move closer to the state assessment window, keep in mind the importance for students to get familiar with the assessments and know the expectations you have for them. We encourage you to visit the OAKS Portal and review the practice tests with your students and use them as teaching tools.
ELPA21 assesses our K-12 EL students in all domains by grade level. Here is a great tool for students to practice listening to passages read aloud. Lit2Go has books, passages, poems, etc. at all grade levels that have audio. Check out the link on our Media Services website:
https://sites.google.com/hsd.k12.or.us/hsdlibrarymedia/home?authuser=0
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: Reflections
As the second semester begins next week it is a great time to reflect on what has gone well this year, what needs to change and what needs tweaked. Last week I saw quite a few classrooms helping students reflect and I know teachers are doing this on their planning day this week as well. How do you use this time to build a relationship? As students to provide you feedback! Valuing their opinion builds a connection. If this is a new idea for you or makes you feel vulnerable- start small and simple. Find an area you care about, hand out some notecards and ask a simple question such as: “Do you feel safe to ask me questions? Why/why not?”, “One is one thing that you like about our class and one thing you would like to change?” or “Do you know me? Do I know you? Explain”.
CAREER & COLLEGE READY: Designing of CTE Expansion
Classified Instructional Summit
We had over 160 participants attend the Classified summit at Hilhi yesterday. If you were not able to attend but would like to see the session presentations and materials, please visit the Classified Summit Website. Feel free to connect with the presenters if you have any questions.
TELL Survey: Licensed Staff
You may have been hearing about the TELL survey. The survey is designed to gather information regarding the state of education & funding in Oregon and the impact on our schools and your voice is important! The survey opens February 1st, today would be a great day to complete it if you would like. An FAQ of the survey is linked below. TELL FAQ