11th-Graders Will Avoid Controversial Smarter Balanced Test HARTFORD — The state's 11th-graders will be taking the SAT instead of the controversial Smarter Balanced Assessment test starting in the coming school year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday. The U.S. Department of Education approved a waiver request that Malloy submitted "to reduce the amount of standardized testing required for public high school students." The SAT will be used in lieu of the Smarter Balanced test, and will be free for all Connecticut students, Malloy said. "Beyond the benefits of reducing duplicative testing, the move has an added benefit of leveling the playing field by ensuring those who otherwise might not be able to afford the SAT — the costs for which typically run more than $50 — will not be precluded from taking the exam, which is often requisite for admission to higher education institutions," the governor said in a statement. The federal education department also approved a new program to allow the state to rate schools 1-5 based on their performance.
Stillwater MS/HS Library Update We were happy to get back into the swing of things this September! We continue to see a variety of visitors, including classes, study hall students, test takers, students taking online classes via HVCC, visitors to special events such as the College Caravan, ESL teachers and students, and others. This month, all of our incoming 6th grade students visited the library at least once. On their first visit, we gave them a dynamic walking tour of the library, helped them become accustomed what books are where, answered the crucial, oft-asked question, “How many books can I take out?” (the answer, “As many as you can be responsible for and safely carry in your backpack,” is always a hit!), and checked out books for their independent reading project.
10 things classroom teachers need to know about modern school librarians | Trust me, I'm a librarian 1) We hate quiet. Oh, sure, the typical view of a librarian is an older woman, in a cardigan and cat-eye glasses, with a tight bun, shushing everyone who dares to make a sound. That may have been the case a long time ago, and may still be the case with some dinosaur librarians (they still exist, sorry!), but generally, librarians don’t like quiet. This isn’t to say we don’t appreciate students working alone or a student reading alone, but the library is a common place where everyone can work together and communicate. 2) We love collaboration. We love to see students collaborating, but we also love to collaborate with you, our classroom teachers! 3) We are technology people at heart. The printed page may die at some point (most of us hope it won’t). If you have a new Web 2.0 tool that you want to try, ask us. 4) We don’t read all day. We wish we did. 5) We don’t know everything. Sadly true. 6) We’re all passionate about something. 7) We network like crazy. 9) We protect patron privacy.
Participate Learning - Keynote references & tools Follett BryteWave K-12 Edition Follett BryteWave K-12 Edition by Follett NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE COLLEGE VERSION OF BryteWave. THIS IS DESIGNED FOR K-12 SCHOOLS. More than just pages on a screen – Follett eBooks are dynamic teaching tools that enhance learning, both in the library and the classroom. Enjoy easy and instant access...
Google Sites for Teacher Web Pages and Student Projects - Flipped Events Introduction to Google Sites 1. Create a Google Site or in your Google Apps account. 2. Some ideas are: 3. Add 4 pages representing the different file types (i.e. web page, list page, announcement page, file page .)Play with changing page layoutsUse headings on your pagesOn your home page, use gadgets to bring content to the front of your web site. 4. See if you can insert the following: Intermediate/Advanced For advanced users, try at least 2 of the following activities. 1. 3. 4. . Create a Google Custom Search Engine OR use one of the following:Mrs. 5. Go to More>Manage Site>Site Layout>Colors and Fonts. 4. 8. Advanced Resources
School Culture and the Library In preparation for tomorrow's edweb.net/emergingtech webinar, Pitching the Library: How to Explain What School Librarians Do, I wanted to share a project one of our New Canaan High School seniors created for his documentary filmmaking class last year. His assignment was to make a video that addressed school culture. He emailed me the day before he came down to capture most of the footage. Here is an excerpt of his email: I am currently taking a Documentary Film class and our assignment is to create a film on a school "climate" Our group decided to choose the library media center as a focus for the film because when most if not all students think of the library, ... the library as enjoyable as it is. We were hoping to interview you about the library media center and factors about it. Hope to hear back from you, Andrew On the day of the interview, I was presented with 3 questions right before the filming. About three weeks later, he sent me a link to this: My response follows: OMG!!!
Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom (9780989151108): Sylvia Libow Martinez, Gary S. Stager: Books Diana Laufenberg | Speaker Common Core Under Attack As you read this, at least five of the 45 states that signed on to adopt the new Common Core State Standards have opted not to offer the online assessments designed to measure student outcomes against the standards. Over the summer, a number of other states threw up their hands and said they can't afford the assessment price tag. And in two bellwether states—Indiana and Florida—legislators are getting an earful from grassroots critics who see Common Core as a federal takeover of state education policy. Some have even dubbed it "Obamacore." Why all the fuss now, two years after most states signed on to align with the national math and ELA standards? And how many more states can drop out before the "common" is lost from Common Core? There's still a year to go before the standards and assessment officially roll out. To close observers, it's no surprise that the debate over Common Core's mission is heating up, given the odd alliances that have formed. For some, it may be too late.
School Library Effective school library programs and professionally trained teacher librarians play an essential role in the instructional program of each school and student achievement. In 2006, a requirement that each school district in Iowa employ a qualified teacher librarian and have in place an articulated, sequential K-12 library program, became a part of 281--Iowa Administrative Code 12.3(12). 21st Century Teacher Librarian The role of the teacher librarian in Iowa schools is evolving to meet 21st century learning needs and to integrate technological tools to enhance instruction and support multiple literacies. The resulting vision for effective school library programs is conveyed through seven key roles of the teacher librarian. Back to top Vision for Iowa’s School Libraries Iowa’s best schools have library programs that engage the entire school community to elevate the learning experience for all. Program Guidelines Information Literacy Curriculum Resources Documents
Highly Effective School Library Program | CDE The focus of the Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (HESTL) is two-fold: To provide guidance for K-12 educators as they facilitate student achievement and preparation for 21st century success, and, To recognize outstanding school library programs and librarians. Our goal is that all schools will have highly-qualified teacher librarians and communities (parents, students, administrators, and fellow educators) who value an exemplary teacher-librarian and library program in order to help students and staff thrive in school and beyond. To earn highly effective status principals and teacher librarians complete applications for five exemplars, using the HESTL rubric as a guide. HESTL Program Information Flyer Guidance The newly revised HESTL Rubric 2020 provides a more structural way to evaluate the strengths and areas of growth for library staff, library spaces, and library programs. Highly Effective Recognition *NEW* Actual examples of Impactful Artifacts/Evidence Contact Information
School Libraries Transform Learning This digital magazine produced by AASL in partnership with American Libraries, is designed to be shared with parents, colleagues, administration, and policymakers. Available electronically or as a PDF download, this tool can open the door to discussions on the multiple ways school libraries transform learning. Articles "I'm an Expert" School Librarians Transform Learning Reimagining Advocacy for School Libraries "Do Kids Even Use the Library Anymore?" Extras Give printed copies to your stakeholders during your conversations! School Library Advocacy Packs These advocacy packs are intended to be used as tools to spread the word about the many ways school librarians are transforming teaching and learning. This pack includes: 25 copies of a limited print edition of “School Libraries Transform Learning,” an American Libraries Digital Supplement Assorted brochures from the “School Library Programs Improve Student Learning” series, also sponsored by BTSB 2015 | Item # 9200-2015 | Free.