A New Learning Compact
Last year, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) convened the Commission on the Whole Child. The commission recently issued a new report called The Learning Compact Redefined: A Call to Action. This report offers a vision for education reform that embraces all the factors that influence children's lives and development.
The report's recommendations to local, state, and federal policymakers recognize that academic achievement is crucial, but that it cannot happen without significant emphasis on student health, the school environment, student engagement, personalized learning, skilled and caring educators and outcomes beyond formal schooling. Significantly, it calls on the communities in which children live to support programs and policies that ensure success for all learners. The components of the compact are:
- each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle
- each student learns in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults
- each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community
- each student has access to personalized learning and to qualified, caring adults
- each graduate is prepared for success in college or further study and for employment in a global environment
You can download the entire report by going to ASCD - The Learning Compact Redefined.
eLearning Kentucky
The Kentucky Virtual High School is involved in a federal grant entitled e-Learning Kentucky. This project helps provide free online professional development opportunities. A highly qualified and well-trained facilitator guides the courses. This grant has helped develop six new math and English/language arts online PD experiences. These courses will be used to as the basis for a research study on the effectiveness of online PD with changing teacher practice.
Participants from grades 4 and 7 (English/LA) and 5 and 8 (math) will take three online courses during the spring ‘07, summer ‘07, fall ‘07 or spring ‘08 sessions. These same teachers must take two online surveys and survey their students online. The student survey data will be instantly available for the teacher to use in making instruction decisions. For their successful participation in the research project, participants will be paid $300. They also can receive another $50 for recruiting a colleague.
At least 60 Kentucky educators are needed to participate in the professional development and research study opportunity. Go to ISN PD Opportunities to find a one-page information sheet that gives the basic facts, contact information and how to register. Please help the e-Learning Kentucky initiative by getting this time sensitive information out. For more information, contact elearningkyinquiry@education.ky.gov or toll free at (866) 432-0008.
Louisville to Host International Conference
On April 18-21, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) International Conference will be held in Louisville. The CEC conference offers sessions on co-teaching, behavior intervention, differentiating instruction, assessment for students with severe disabilities and much more. Be inspired by keynote speaker Jack Canfield, the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series. Jack has developed a specific methodology and results-oriented activities to help people take on greater challenges and produce breakthrough results. Learn more at 2007 CEC Convention & Expo.
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Quotable Quotes
“Leadership is a choice you make, not a place you sit.”
John Maxwell |
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