AD Connect
December 10th 2017
STAAR Item Rationale
Some of you are probably aware of this resource, but the coordinators shared this at performance planning this week, and I thought I'd pass it along. An item rationale column has been added to the released assessment page, which provides a rationale as to why responses are incorrect. Although it does not necessarily explain why students select the answer choice, it will provide teachers with an explanation of why responses are right or wrong. This would be a good tool for teachers to preview to see common errors students with certain TEKS. Here is an example from a 3rd grade math assessment.
Planning in Silos
Future Principals Institute
The Future Principal Institute (FPI) is soliciting applications for participation in this year’s leadership cohort. Assistant Principals are encouraged to apply for the Future Principal Institute (FPI), a professional learning community which provides intensive hands-on instructional leadership experiences and allows participants to expand upon already developed leadership skills. The institute focuses on developing the leadership of future principals by working closely with assigned area directors in a mentor-capacity. Some of the leadership experiences include using data to make campus instructional decisions to target support, conducting calibrated classroom walkthroughs, facilitating instructional feedback, maintaining a positive culture and climate, budgeting and fiscal responsibility, and participating in mock interviews. Throughout the rest of the 2017-2018 year, participants learn and network with each other, refine their leadership skills, and work together to drive student achievement gains. The Future Principal Institute leadership experience will occur throughout the school year, both during the school day, and on occasion, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on designated Mondays. Since participants will work directly with area directors on the leadership experiences, participation will be limited.
Please note that the deadline to apply is midnight on January 2, 2018. When the application closes, principal recommendations will automatically sent to the current principal of all applicants.
Couch Parent Night
Who is that presenting at Lead4ward?
Can you say cozy reading at Beaver!?
TELPAS Goal Setting
At this week’s level meeting, Don Hernandez shared with principals the value of conferencing with students about their TELPAS scores and the importance of language proficiency. We encourage you to consider the implications for your campus. Many of our students don’t have the awareness of this data and the implications for their future academic success. In addition, beyond awareness, showing students they have direct control over their own language development is incredibly valuable. In goal setting conferences, have students identify strategies they can employ outside the school day. This link is one list of strategies you and your students could consider as they take control of their own learning.
MAP Reports and STAAR Performance Levels
Those of you who attended the Intervention rotation at our level meeting saw that NWEA has recently changed a number of reports to reflect the new STAAR performance levels: Did Not Meet, Approaches, Meets, Masters. Two samples with the new levels include the Projected Proficiency Report and the Class/Grade Breakdown Report. We also are providing for you a sample of frequently used reports with accompanying click sheets to create them. In addition, we have included a tool to understand the new student profile sheet and a click sheets for the learning continuum.
Math Performance Planning Resources for All
Writing Exemplars
Vocabulary Instruction...Boom Style
Upcoming Events
December 11: APMP meeting
December 15: Third grading period ends, no formal T-TESS observations
December 16-January 1: Winter break
January 2: Staff development
January 3: 4th grading period begins, GISD Imagine Your Future Contest kickoff
Of Course Die Hard is the best Christmas Movie ever!
Tuesday: AM Watson; PM Christmas party and Focus school meeting
Wednesday: CIA and AD meetings
Thursday: Nester Evaluation; Surprise :)
Friday: Oh the Places I will go