Effective Learning
Classroom assessment and grading practices have the potential not only to measure and report learning, but also to promote it. Recent research has documented the benefits of regular use of diagnostic and formative assessments as feedback for learning.
Educational Leadership magazine recently released its “Best of” edition. Included was an article from November 2005 by Jay McTighe and Ken O’Connor called Seven Practices for Effective Learning. These assessment and grading practices can be used by teachers in all content areas to enhance learning:
1) Use summative assessments to frame meaningful performance goals.
2) Show criteria and models in advance.
3) Assess before teaching.
4) Offer appropriate choices.
5) Provide feedback early and often.
6) Encourage self-assessment and goal setting.
7) Allow new evidence of achievement to replace old evidence.
Minority Superintendent Internship
The Kentucky Department of Education is seeking educators to serve as assistants to successful Kentucky superintendents through the Minority Superintendent Internship Program (MSIP). These interns will work closely with superintendents, receiving hands-on experience that may be beneficial as they apply for administrative positions in Kentucky public schools.
Superintendents in the local school districts have agreed to host the interns, who will develop individual growth plans and have regular meetings and networking sessions with superintendents, board of education members and other groups.
Interns also will get practical experience with public relations, curriculum/assessment/instruction issues, labor relations, human resources, facility management and finance and budgeting. Since the program’s inception in 2003, two interns have been selected as Kentucky school superintendents: Elaine Farris in the Shelby County school district and Diane Woods in the Campbellsville Independent school district. The program will begin in late June 2007 and run through June 2008. Applicants should hold, or be close to fulfilling, superintendent certification. Applications will be accepted through May 25, with interviews and appointments to be made in June. Applicants may call the department’s Division of Educator Quality and Diversity at (502) 564-1479 for an application packet.
Arts Academies
The Kentucky Department of Education is partnering with the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts to offer teachers six one-week Arts Academies across Kentucky this June. These hands-on professional development seminars in music/dance or visual arts/drama are strongly aligned with the Core Content for Assessment and Program of Studies and will help teachers gain skills, strategies and resources to deliver arts instruction and integrate the arts across the curriculum. Teachers who attend are paid a stipend of $500 (or PD credit as allowed by their districts), and they also receive two KET Arts Toolkits. The 2007 Arts Academies will take place at the following sites this June:
Ø June 11 - 15: Winchester - Music and Dance
Ø June 11 - 15: Princeton - Visual Art and Drama
Ø June 18 - 22: Bowling Green – Music and Dance
Ø June 18 - 22: Somerset – Visual Art and Drama
Ø June 25 - 29: Prestonsburg – Music and Dance
Ø June 25 - 29: Hebron - Visual Art and Drama
For further information and an application, go to: Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts - Education or contact Jeffrey Jamner at jjamner@kentuckycenter.org (e-mail preferred) or (502) 562-0703.
Quotable Quotes
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities—brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems”
John Gardner