EdCal EdCal v48.13 11/20/17

Val Verde Superintendent Michael McCormick testifies before the State Board of Education on the effects the California State Dashboard has on school districts .

The State Board of Education has readjusted performance standards in academic assessments for English Language Arts and mathematics as reported in the California State Dashboard . Scores this year took a slight drop , prompting concerns that too many schools would end up in the red designation and labeled as failing .

State Board President Mike Kirst said some volatility on scores should be expected in a new assessment , and this is not a desire to simply lower the bar .

ACSA supported the readjustment of scores and requested CDE better communicate to the field as to why scores showed up flat this year . ACSA Legislative Advocate Martha Alvarez noted the problem is with the lack of

Periodicals

Dated Material multiple years of data , as this is only the third year of results .

The move was not wholly supported by equity groups . The Equity Coalition expressed concerns that the readjustment would undermine public confidence in the accountability system .

Testifying on behalf of ACSA and school leaders were Barbara Short , superintendent of Arcata School District , and Michael McCormick , superintendent of Val Verde USD . Both testified on behalf of ACSA ’ s Accountability and Continuous Improvement Task Force . Each provided input on the new California School Dashboard and the state ’ s system of support for districts that need additional assistance to make student progress .

A recent report from the UCLA Institute for Democracy , Education and Access looks at the impact of Trump administration rhetoric and actions on high school students .

“ Teaching and Learning in the Age of Trump : Increasing Stress and Hostility in America ’ s High Schools ” considers the following questions :

• Have national political debates on topics such as immigration enforcement increased students ’ stress and heightened students ’ concerns about their well-being or the well-being of their families ?

• Have combative political dynamics at the national level contributed to incivility between students in schools and classrooms ?

• In what ways is student learning affected by heightened stress or incivility ?

• Do the impacts of the national political environment on student experiences differ depending on the demographics of the high schools they attend ?

Author John Rogers and his research team conducted a survey to answer those questions in May 2017 , during the first months of the Trump administration . The 1,535 teachers who responded to the survey teach in schools that are representative of public high schools in the United States in terms of student demographics and geographic location . The 10- to 15-minute survey asked multiple choice questions about student experiences during the period from January to May 2017 .

The survey included an optional openended question for teachers to write about their thoughts regarding how their “ classroom and school climate has changed this past year as a result of changes in national

See CIVILITY , page 3

The State Board of Education voted to approve instructional materials for grades K-8 that teach California ’ s groundbreaking History / Social-Science Curriculum Framework .

“ I am proud California continues to lead the nation by teaching history-social science that is inclusive and recognizes the diversity of our great state and nation ,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson . “ Students will benefit enormously .”

The instructional materials are intended to give students a broader , deeper , and more accurate understanding of history and the social sciences , provide them with current research , and equip them with the critical thinking and research skills to make up their own minds about controversial issues .

“ They update the teaching and learning of history and social science and convey important new information about the challenges and contributions made by individuals and ethnic groups , members of the LGBT communities , and people with disabilities ,” Torlakson said . “ They recognize some individuals and groups who may not have been fully included in the past .”

The new material followed guidelines established by the FAIR Education Act , which the Legislature approved in 2011 to require including the contributions of various groups in the history of California and the United States . California became the first state to specifically mandate study of Native Americans , African Americans , Mexican Americans , Asian Americans , Pacific Islanders , European Americans , lesbian , gay , bisexual , and transgender Americans , persons with disabilities , and members of other ethnic and cultural groups , with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society .

A total of 10 instructional programs were approved by the SBE for K-8 history and social sciences after eight hours of testimony and testimony from nearly 500 speakers .

The new materials include :

• A new focus on civic engagement , which encourages and prepares students to be informed and involved in their local communities .

• A more complete picture of the accomplishments and challenges faced by LGBT individuals in American history and culture , including astronaut Sally Ride and comedian Ellen DeGeneres . Expanded coverage

See

TEXTBOOKS , page 2

The Negotiators ’ Symposium is right around the corner , less than two months away . Taking place Jan . 17-19 in San Diego , the symposium features a mix of interactive and workshop sessions , presented by practitioners , consultants and attorneys . Each session will offer information and provide insight into the issues and laws that confront HR departments .

And it ’ s important to note that a new pre-conference event will be included as part of the symposium . On Jan . 16 , the pre-conference event will gather together lead negotiators , bargaining team members , and communication directors . Led by experienced negotiators , this intense six-hour workshop provides an opportunity to hone

Women ’ s workshop . ACSA ’ s Opening Doors for Women in Leadership provides a forum to delve into the practices that marginalize women in leadership and the female staff / students we serve . Join the journey of one superintendent ’ s commitment and ability as the first woman leader in a large school district to ensure equity , access and inclusion for all members of the school and district communities . The workshop takes place Jan . 10 in Camarillo and Jan . 18 in Orinda . Go to www . acsa . org / trainings for more .

VP candidates . The National Association of Elementary School Principals Nominating Committee has announced nominees for NAESP vice president for the 2018 election . Candidates are Kimbrelle Barbosa Lewis of Memphis , Tenn . and Thomas Payton of Riverhead , N . Y . The nominees will now enter the campaign stage of the process , culminating with the election later this spring following the March 18-21 National Leaders Conference in Arlington , VA .

Future scholarship . Sparkling Ice ’ s new “ Flavorful Futures Scholarship ” application period runs through Feb . 15 . The program , specifically for high school seniors , celebrates individuality and creativity . Applications will be evaluated based on academic achievement , and on the creativity of submissions . Five $ 5,000 scholarships will be awarded . Visit www . sparklingice . com / scholarship .

Carnegie summit . The Carnegie Foundation hosted its first Summit on Improvement in Education in 2014 , creating a community of researchers and practitioners who use improvement science to make headway on some of the most persistent problems in our schools . April 3-5 , 2018 , just four years later , more than 1,400 members of that improvement community will convene in San Francisco . Find out more at www . carnegiefoundation . org .

negotiation skills and develop best practices and strategies for successful negotiations .

Among the topics covered at the preconference event are :

• Understanding the current politics of your district .

• Establishing the best climate for negotiations .

• Assessing district needs and impact of CBAs : Improving programs and educational quality through negotiations .

• Building your negotiations team and preparation for bargaining .

• Communications during negotiations : Can we say that ? Can they say that ? Go to www . acsa . org / negotiatorssymposium for more information or to register .