What's Due in Oklahoma Schools?
December 2023: For Oklahoma School Administrators
Hiring Season Ahead: Lining Up Next Year’s Reindeer!
Like Santa, many of you will get a short break at the end of the month. Also like Santa, you won’t have much time to rest before you start making some new lists and checking them twice. A little preparation in December, before the hiring season starts, may ease the stresses in Spring.
A big part of the work ahead will be hiring/replacing positions, and whether that involves ensuring that you keep your position pulling the sleigh or getting others in the right spot, December is a critical month for reflection and preparation.
A Few Things to Consider:
- · Be Very Descriptive When Posting – The better a position is described and the ideal candidates’ qualities, the better your outcome. (Be vigilant to use language affirming equal opportunities.)
- · Review and update critical job descriptions – focus on potentially open positions or those that have evolved significantly. Do a few each year, and you will keep ahead of this critical task.
- · Review pay and salaries – a quick way is to review the salaries of positions in nearby districts at this OKSDE page: https://sde.ok.gov/state-minimum-teacher-salary-schedule
- · Timing is Everything – Posting/seeking/hiring early matters now more than ever. It is a job-seekers’ market right now.
- · Prepare now for Difficult Conversations: These are sometimes unavoidable, but earlier is sometimes better for everyone involved (with wisdom, tact, and professionalism).
- · Review Contracts and Hiring Procedures – So many things have been added in the law lately that your contract templates should be reviewed annually.
The hiring season starts as early as January for some of you, so now is a good time to be strategic about lining up reindeer for upcoming year. A little time considering the above items will make sure reindeer recruitment is smooth and effective.
The suggestions above also help if you either filling or applying for positions. Even Santa has to find a job occasionally.
By Grace
Tom Deighan
Mostly Educational Newspaper Column
Unfortunately, we must remind Oklahomans of the precious value of public schools and that they can always trust the common-sense relatives, friends, neighbors, and fellow-worshippers who fill their local schools. I send a weekly article to Oklahoma newspapers about twice a month. Below are recent articles:
- · Bad Pies and Good Intentions for Schools (November 30, 2023)
- · Cancelling Real Thanksgiving and Virtual Instruction (November 16, 2023)
- · Teaching and Learning in Quicksand (November 2, 2023)
- · Real Classroom Politics (October 19, 2023)
If these resonate with you, ask your local editor to share the next one on December 14. Please repost and share with your community, too, if you think appropriate.
Local newspapers are often our schools' biggest supporters. so let them know how much you appreciate them,.
December 2023 Monthly Accountability Deadlines and Resources
What’s Due in Oklahoma Schools
Monthly Accountability
December 2023
CLICK Here for Past Newsletters
1. This list compiles deadlines and resources directly from multiple OKSDE newsletters and the Reporting Requirements Calendar as a resource for Oklahoma school officials, but sources may not be accurate, and this list is never comprehensive. Always ask, email, or call OKSDE officials if you have any questions or concerns. Your best resources are always the hard-working staff inside the OKSDE.
2. Subscribe to OKSDE updates and newsletters: https://sde.ok.gov/
3. OKSDE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS CALENDAR (Deadlines Posted by Start Date, Not Due Date)
4. Critical School Resources:
a. Required Professional Development for Schools
b. Required Safety Drills for Oklahoma Public Schools
d. New Laws for 2023-24 Courtesy of CCOSA
e. 2022 School Law Book Courtesy of OSSBA
5. Currently Posted Deadlines for December 2023
e. Opens September 30, no due date yet: Comprehensive District Academic Plan (CDAP) (405) 521-2846
f. Opens November 15 – Due January 11 – OTSP Pre-Coding
g. Post-Secondary Coursework Available (Not Due until June): Postsecondary Coursework Guidance
h. December 1: Final Changes to Previously Submitted OCAS Financial Transactions
i. December 1: Gifted and Talented Expenditure Report
j. December 1: 2023 Enrollment Graduation Review. Contact: Office of Accountability at accountability@sde.ok.gov of 405-522-5169 if any questions.
k. December 12: Title I, Part A Comparability Report (GMS)
l. December 20: Dropout Report Due in SSO; https://sde.ok.gov/resources-accountability-reporting (Opens December 4)
m. December 4-20: Dropout Data Review Window Open: Contact Office of Accountability at accountability@sde.ok.gov of 405-522-5169 with questions.
n. December 7-9: School Board Filing for Open Seats
o. December 8: Graduation Part-Time Enrollment Report-Quarter One
p. December 11: Civil Rights Data Collection submission open
b. Click here for the Data Matrix
c. Questions about CRDC: CRDC@sde.ok.gov.
q. December 12: Title I, Part A: Comparability Report
r. December 30: District Bullying Prevention Policy
s. December 31: First Semester Bus Evacuation Drills Completed
School Board Deadlines
t. December 4-6: School Board Candidate Filing (Corrected!)
u. December 15: Board meeting dates for 2023 Filed with County Clerk Reminder: All Charter Boards must now meet 10 of 12 months
6. Spring Semester Radar:
a. Suggestion: Spring Testing is almost here, so consider a quick check-in with your testing coordinators, etc. to see what support they need.
b. January 11: OTSP Pre-Coding Due
c. December 1- February 1: Spring Testing Non-standard Accommodation Requests in SSO (405) 521-3341 ; https://sde.ok.gov/office-assessments
d. December 1- April 30: Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy Report (405) 522-3525; https://sde.ok.gov/gifted-and-talented-education
e. December 15- February 5: Flex Benefit Allowance (FBA) in SSO
f. December 1-January 27: Title I part C Migrant Credit Report and Code for Fall: (405) 521-2846; https://sde.ok.gov/federal-programs
g. December 25 – February 2: Graduation Part-Time Enrollment Report in the Wave https://sde.ok.gov/counseling
OKSDE Resources and Training Opportunities
a. December 14: Oklahoma Digital Government Summit 2023 at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.
b.. December 31 Deadline: CLICK HERE to Enroll in Bullying, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Trainings Near You in January and February 2024
d. December 5: Behavioral Threat Assessment Training:
a. AM Session: 9:30am - 11:00am
e. Click Here for Full List of FALL 2023 Literacy Fall Workshops
f. Click Here for FALL 2023 Elementary Subject Area Fall Workshops
g. Click Here for 2023-24 Writing Contests
h. Counselor Training from OSU thru May: Project ECHO Monthly Virtual
i. Coffee with Counselors
j. Diabetes Management Training (DMT):
a. Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 9 AM- 12 PM
b. Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 9 AM-12 PM
- Early Childhood Consortium Information: Click for Google form.
- Fine Arts Regional Meetings: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/OKSDE/bulletins/37112df
- Application for Purple Star Designation for your District: click here.
- Handle With Care First Responder Partnership: Download Handle with Care Info Sheet
- EXTENSIVE LIST OF SPED TRAININGS FROM OKSDE – Project 613
- Alternate Diploma Codes, subject codes, titles, and course descriptions (HB 1041 Compliance)
- October 12-13: Oklahoma Autism Conference https://okautism.org/Training/Conference
- 2023 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Health
- 2023 Oklahoma Academic Standards for Physical Education
t. Behavioral Science for Teachers (BeST)
u. EdPlan June Update Document.
v. OAAP Criteria Checklist for Assessing Students with Disabilities on Alternate Assessments.
w. Imagine Math: Free for 22-23
x. CHATGPT and AI Resources for Teachers
y. SPED Boot Camp Opportunities
a. ECU – East Central University
b. OSU - Oklahoma State University
c. SNU - Southern Nazarene University
d. NSU - Northeastern State University
e. SWOSU - Southwestern Oklahoma State University
f. CU - Cameron University
g.
z. SPED MTSS Support Training: Application for SPDG MTSS Implementation Support.
aa. SPED Training: Alternative Pathways for General Education and Alternative Pathways for Special Education.
bb. OSU SERC CENTER for SPED Training: SERC CENTER INFORMATION
cc. Monthly SERC Dispute Resolution Seminars: https://okserc.org/
dd. ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM SITE VISIT EVIDENCE CHECKLIST FOR FY24
ee. Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Training 2023-24 Dates save the date
ff. 2023-24 PARAPROFESSIONAL Conferences, August - March: Register for one of FOUR Locations
gg. WIDA/ELL/Title III Webinars: Reporting, Data, Consortiums
hh. WIDA assessments What to Know in 2023-24 school year | WIDA (wisc.edu)
ii. Academic Advisement and Policy Guidebook – Very Helpful Guidebook
jj. Concurrent Enrollment Guidance Document (HS College Enrollment)
kk. Writing Resources:
a. OSTP ELA Test/Item Specifications:
1. 3rd Grade
2. 4th Grade
3. 5th Grade
b. Reading Universe - Handwriting and Keyboarding
c. Reading Universe - Text Composition
d. Reading Rockets - Looking at Writing
e. Keys to Literacy - Free Resources and Templates
f. Literacy Ideas - The Writing Process
g. The Kastner Collection - Effective Writing Practices
ll. Free Bootstrap STEM Training Application and Information; Contact jeremy.maker@sde.ok.gov for more information.
December is a relatively light month. CALENDAR time to recharge! If you do not plan it like a meeting, it will not happen.
By Grace,
Tom Deighan, Ph.D.