CISI Resources & e-Bulletins
What Makes Teacher Collaboration Work?
Curriculum & Instruction
(Albert Shanker Institute, December 8, 2015) — In a recent article from the Albert Shanker Institute, authors Davis Sherer and Johanna Barmore explore effective collaboration, citing educational research looking into conditions that foster collaboration. Empirical research suggests that student achievement is positively impacted by teacher collaboration that leads to teacher learning.
Bright Spots in Hispanic Education Database
Legislation & Policy
(U.S. Dept. of Education) — Marking the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, the U.S. Department of Education released the report Latinas in the U.S., 2015 and a national catalogue of promising practices supporting education of Hispanic students. Nationally, 1 in 4 students is Hispanic. In California, more than 1 in 2 students is Hispanic (53.25%; CDE 2014).
Examining Race-based Bias in Schools
Legislation & Policy
(Education Week) — In her research, Jennifer
L. Eberhardt, a Stanford University social psychologist and
the winner of a 2014 MacArthur Genius grant for her research,
found that black students are more likely than white students to
be punished for “defiance” or “insubordination.”
Common Core Knowledge and Practice Survey — free online tool
Curriculum & Instruction
The Common Core Knowledge and Practice Survey,
developed by the national organization Achieve the Core, is a
free tool for educators to reflect on their instructional
practice and understanding of the Common Core State Standards
(CCSS). Designed for use in a professional learning community
(PLC) within a school, the survey is meant to spark conversation,
identify areas for growth, and offer concrete ways for teams of
teachers to continue to align their practice to the Common Core
shifts.
Governor Brown Approves $490 Million for Teacher Training
District Leadership
Governor Brown signed legislation this week that authorizes $490
million for teacher training in California. School districts will
receive funding, based on their number of full-time equivalent
certificated staff, for teacher training services.
Research on Testing & Assessment
Assessment
On March 11, the State Board of Education (SBE) voted to suspend the Annual Performance Index (API) for the second year. This second year of suspension gives the board time to transform the current system, based on entirely on test score data, to a more inclusive performance index.
Assessment in California: An End to NCLB?
Assessment
Again this year California SBE requested and received a waiver from the federal government regarding the NCLB requirement to use new test scores for Annual Yearly Progress accountability. (EdSource provides an excellent summary on this topic, here.) The state received the exemption letter from Assistant U.S.
Explaining the Common Core to Californians: A Communications Toolkit
Curriculum & Instruction
Resource sponsored by the CDE Foundation in support of the California CCSS Campaign.
How a Massachusetts School Narrowed the Achievement Gap: More and Better Learning Time
Curriculum & Instruction
Summary from The Hechinger Report
A new report on lengthened school days describes the process of principal Lori Butterfield as part of a district-wide improvement effort. At her school, Guilmette Elementary, they took a year to plan an expansion learning time. At Guilmette, 300 hours per year were added. The school day now goes from 7:30 a.m. to 3:35 pm. Results in the first year have been promising.
School Climate and Student Success
Curriculum & Instruction
A recent report from the California Comprehensive Center, AIR, and WestEd entitled “A Climate for Academic Success: How School Climate Distinguishes Schools that are Beating the Achievement Odds” suggests a connection between positive school climate and schools that are “beating the odds.” Those “beating the odds” are schools that, based on student demographics, perform better than predicted.
Teaching Profession Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
This US Department of Education blog focuses on how one Senior High School is approaching supporting continual learning for teachers. Following are key areas identified for school site leaders:
English Learners in California
Curriculum & Instruction
According to CDE, the 1.4 million English learners in our state constitute 22.7% of the total enrollment in CA public schools. A total of 2.7 million CA students speak a language other than English in their homes. This number represents 43.1 percent of the state’s public school enrollment. Most EL students are born in the US. The CDE website provides current facts and resources on EL students in CA.
Suggestions include:
Common Core Aligned ELA Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
The Sue Stickel at the Sacramento County Office of Education compiled this lists of resources for English Language Arts that are aligned with the Common Core.
This resource provides links and brief summaries of the materials and uses for English.
English Language Arts
Common Core Aligned History and Social Studies Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
The Sue Stickel at the Sacramento County Office of Education compiled this lists of resources for English Language Arts that are aligned with the Common Core.
This resource provides links and brief summaries of the materials and uses spanning History and Social Studies topics.
EL Students with Disabilities Report
Curriculum & Instruction
Key elements of processes to help identify and support English learner students with learning disabilities can inform education leaders determining which English learner students may need placement in special education programs as opposed to other assistance.
This report identifies guiding principles that suggest ways to identify and recommend assistance for English learner students with possible learning disabilities:
Common Core Aligned Science Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
The Sue Stickel at the Sacramento County Office of Education compiled this lists of resources for English Language Arts that are aligned with the Common Core.
This resource provides links and brief summaries of the materials and uses spanning History and Social Studies topics.
More Common Core Aligned Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
English Learners
K-12 Learning Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
General Sources
Discovery Education K-5 Teaching Resources
This website provides worksheets, lesson plans, “brain-boosters,” a calendar of workshops for educators, and more for K-5 classrooms. All materials are free, engaging, and interactive.
Common Core Video Resources
Curriculum & Instruction
Teaching Channel Video Resources
The following video, entitled Peer Review in Action: the ELA EQUIP Rubric (5:11 minutes), provides an approach for teacher peer review of instructional materials and lessons for all grade levels in alignment with CCSS.
Legislative Analyst’s Office Review of School Districts’ LCAPs
District Leadership
This report from January 20, 2015 reviews the
first year of LCAP development, assesses the usefulness of the
new plans. This report examines 50 LCAPs to evaluate their
compliance with statutory requirements and determine whether
overall the LCAPs reflect thoughtful strategic planning by
districts. Below is a summary of the report’s recommendations.
