PD Opportunity: Principal's STEM Institute for Quality Instruction

Principal's STEM Institute The Principal’s STEM Institute is a three-day workshop series designed to build principal’s capacity as an instructional leader in the areas of mathematics and science. You may select to attend any of the three sessions. Because the Institute is supported by funds from the Michigan Department of Education Math and  Science Partnership Grant, Kalamazoo RESA is able to offer registration for $20 per session. PLEASE NOTE: The first 40 principals registered will receive FREE registration for each session. LOCATION: West Main Professional Development Center Day 1: August 15 – Providing Actionable Feedback Presenters: Amber Landward Day 2: August 16 – Observing Effective Math Instruction Presenters: Dr. Diane Owen-Rogers and Danielle Seabold Day 3: August 17 – Observing Effective Science Instruction Presenters: Dr. Michael Tanoff and Mary Burke TIMES: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm each day (lunch included) REGISTER HERE

Opportunity for Kalamazoo county educators

The INSPIRE Conference

Be sure to join the Learning Network for Greater Kalamazoo for the educators conference of the year on August 19th! Be among the first 1,000 people to register by Saturday, August 1st to receive a $25 gift card. 

Now in its second year, the Inspire 2015-2016 conference takes place on Wednesday, August 19th from 9 am to 12:15 pm. at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo. The event is open to anyone involved in education in Kalamazoo County; teachers, custodians, secretaries, tutors, the home-school community, volunteers and more. 

Register now.

PD opportunity: 2015 KRESA Administrator Academy

Click the flyer to download full Administrator Academy details When: June 16-17, 2015 | 8:00am-9:00pm Where: John E. Fetzer Center, 2350 Business Court, Kalamazoo, MI Registration Fee: Consortium: $250 | Non-Consortium: $400 (Fee includes light breakfast, lunch and dinner both days) Credits: 50 SCECHs or 2 WMU graduate credits available (CHs fee $15 | grad credit @ WMU tuition rate) Presenters: Dr. Kevin Feldman, Emeritus Director of Reading and Intervention with the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Lisa Swem, Attorney with Thrun Law Firm, P.C., specializing in school, labor and employment law Wendy Zdeb-Roper, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Dr. Grant Chandler, Dean of the Arcadia Commons Campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Director of KVCC's Center for New Media ** Deadline June 9 **

©2015 Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency | 1819 E. Milham Ave. Portage, MI 49002

PD opportunity: Observing high quality math instruction

Please Click Title to Register Elementary Instruction March 11, 2015 4:30pm - 8:00pm presented by Danielle Seabold Kalamazoo RESA Service Center Rooms AB Secondary Instruction March 11, 2015 4:30pm - 8:00pm presented by Diane Rogers Kalamazoo RESA Service Center Rooms CD Tuition: $55 Consortium Member ; $82 Non Consortium Member Dinner is included and will be delivered around 5:30 pm What critical teacher behaviors should you see when observing math instruction? These presentations will provide information related to teaching mathematics instruction aligned with the CCSS. View all Kalamazoo RESA PD offerings here: www.kresa.org/PD

Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability: January 8, 2015

Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability: December 18, 2014

Spotlight on Student Assessment and Accountability: December 4, 2014

Finally: Spring assessments decided

The Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) would like to share the latest information from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) informing educators across state on the new spring 2015 summative assessments. 

MDE has listed three key points:

• MEAP is replaced by the M-Step (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) test.
• Both Michigan developed content as well as Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) content will be included on the Spring 2015 assessment.  
• The deadline for schools to apply for a  paper/pencil waiver is today,  November 21, 2014.

The mathematics (grades 3-8) assessment will include a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), a classroom activity, and a performance task.

The mathematics for grade 11 assessment will include ACT, WorkKeys, and M-Step summative assessments.  The mathematics portion of the assessment program will also contain content from the SBAC plus Michigan developed field tested items that will include a CAT, a classroom activity and a performance task*.

Note: Due to time concerns and restrictions for the 11th grade assessment, the Performance Tasks and their accompanying classroom activities will be recommended but not required for 11th graders.

To learn more please peruse the M-Step Assessment Transition document.

Fluency Without Fear: Research Evidence on the Best Ways to Learn Math Facts

By Jo Boaler
Professor of Mathematics Education, co-founder youcubed
with the help of Cathy Williams, co-founder youcubed, & Amanda Confer
Stanford University.

Introduction
A few years ago a British politician, Stephen Byers, made a harmless error in an interview. The right honorable minister was asked to give the answer to 7 x 8 and he gave the answer of 54, instead of the correct 56. His error prompted widespread ridicule in the national media, accompanied by calls for a stronger emphasis on ‘times table’ memorization in schools. This past September the Conservative education minister for England, a man with no education experience, insisted that all students in England memorize all their times tables up to 12 x 12 by the age of 9. This requirement has now been placed into the UK’s mathematics curriculum and will result, I predict, in rising levels of math anxiety and students turning away from mathematics in record numbers. The US is moving in the opposite direction, as the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) de-emphasize the rote memorization of math facts. Unfortunately misinterpretations of the meaning of the word ‘fluency’ in the CCSS are commonplace and publishers continue to emphasize rote memorization, encouraging the persistence of damaging classroom practices across the United States.

Read more on how to develop fluency effectively...

Effective Instruction for K-2 Addition & Subtraction Dates & Times: A two day series 11/10/2014 8:30AM-3:30PM 12/10/2014 8:30AM-3:30PM Location: Kalamazoo RESA Service Center, 1819 East Milham Avenue, Portage, MI 49002 SCECH'S: 12 .. $15 fee is due at sign-in (cash or personal check only) Presenter(s): Matt Mayer Tuition: $170 Consortium Member | $248 Non Consortium K-2 Addition & Subtraction: In this two-day series Kindergarten through 2nd grade teachers will develop a common understanding of what students are expected to learn about early addition and subtraction and how they are supposed to learn it. Teachers will leave the series with detailed knowledge of their grade-level content standards for addition and subtraction, lessons that are in support of students developing a deep understanding of addition and subtraction, diagnostics for assessing students’ level of addition and subtraction understanding, and a plan for teaching addition and subtraction with the appropriate focus, coherence, and rigor as is called for in the Common Core. Registration help: Linda Bussema @ lbussema@kresa.org or 269-250-9210 View all Kalamazoo RESA PD offerings here: www.kresa.org/PD

Paper-Pencil Administration of Michigan Student Assessments

On October 2nd, the MDE released a memo explaining the process and procedures for districts to request a waiver to administer a paper-pencil of the spring assessments. Key points to know:

• Online assessment is now the default administration mode for Michigan general assessments and MI-Access FI assessments.

• Schools that are not technology-ready, or have an instructional reason to not transition online, must submit an online waiver request for a paper-pencil administration.

• A school (or building) is the smallest unit that may request a paper-pencil administration waiver, i.e., a school may not apply to have only certain grades or content areas take the paper-pencil assessments.

Check out the memo for information on how to apply for a waiver.

PD Opportunity: Components of an Effective K-5 Math Block: Core Instruction

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Location: Kalamazoo RESA Service Center, 1819 East Milham Avenue, Portage, MI 49002 SCECH'S: 6 ($10 fee - cash or personal check at sign-in) Presenter(s): Danielle Seabold

Tuition: $80 Consortium Member | $128 Non Consortium

This one day session is connected to two other sessions, Number Sense Routines and Fluency and Maintenance. Together these three sessions detail the components of an effective K-5 math block. This session highlights the Core Instruction of a Math Block. Together we will explore what Whole-Group Math Instruction and Gradual Release of Responsibility are, the critical stages of learning mathematics, and what instruction (and the math block) look like when we attend to each stage. What is Gradual Release of Responsibility and how does it impact student success in mathematics?

Registration help: Linda Bussema @ lbussema@kresa.org or 269-250-9210 View all Kalamazoo RESA PD offerings here: www.kresa.org/PD

PD opportunity: Effective Instruction for 5th Grade Multiplication & Division

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Location: Kalamazoo RESA Service Center, 1819 East Milham Avenue, Portage, MI 49002 SCECH'S: 6 ($10 fee - cash or personal check at sign-in) Presenter(s): Matt Mayer

Tuition: $113 Consortium Member | $161 Non Consortium

The purpose of this workshop is for educators to learn best-practice, instructional routines and strategies aligned with the Common Core State standards (CCSS) to support students’ understanding and use of algorithms for multiplication and division. Content is built upon the instructional shifts and increased expectations of the CCSS. Teachers will be actively engaged in learning different algorithms for multiplication and division and preparing students for the traditional algorithm.

Registration help: Linda Bussema @ lbussema@kresa.org or 269-250-9210 View all Kalamazoo RESA PD offerings here: www.kresa.org/PD

Fall Virtual Lecture Series from Illustrative Mathematics

This school year Illustrative Mathematics will offer two series for math educators. In the fall they are featuring “Working with Number in the Elementary Classroom” and this spring they will offer “Incorporating Mathematical Practices into the Middle and High School Classroom.” 

The intended audience for these series is classroom teachers, district and state mathematics specialists, and mathematics coaches. The five hour long sessions will include 40 minutes of presentation from national experts on Adobe Connect, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. The sessions will also be recorded for participants that are not able to join in person. The cost to virtually attend each series is $150.

Working with Number in the Elementary Classroom

The following lectures are scheduled in the series on Thursday nights from 7-8pm Eastern on Adobe Connect.  Watch them live with the ability to ask questions, or watch the recordings at any time:

September 25, 2014 Linda Gojak, Immediate Past President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Director, The Center for Mathematics Education, Teaching, and Technology, John Carroll University "Using Representations to Introduce Early Number and Fraction Concepts"

October 23, 2014 Dona Apple, Mathematics Learning Community Project, Regional Science Resource Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School "Supporting students' conceptual understanding about number through reasoning, explaining and evidence in both their oral and written work"

November 20, 2014 TBA!

December 11, 2014 Francis (Skip) Fennell, Professor of Education McDaniel College, Past President NCTM "Fractions Sense – It’s all about understanding fractions as numbers (and this includes those special fractions – decimals!) – use of representations, equivalence, comparing/ordering and connections"

January 22, 2015 Susan Jo Russell, TERC: Mathematics and Science Education and Deborah Schifter, Education Development Center (EDC) "Operations and Algebraic Thinking in the Elementary Grades"

Sign-up here!

Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) updates

The Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) Frequently AskedQuestions document has been updated to reflect the latest changes in legislation. The credit guidance documents for ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies have been updated as well. Questions should be directed to Ruth Anne Hodges. 

Preparing our K-2 kids for online assessments

Starting next school year, Michigan will offer Interim Assessment for all K-2 students in ELA and Mathematics. And, these assessments will be online.
Start preparing now for the transition to the online assessment environment by attending the next TRIG assessment and curriculum video conference.
May 22, 2014
10-11 AM

"Preparing our K-2 Kids for Online Assessments" will discuss getting our youngest learners ready for future assessment opportunities. The session will focus on how to enhance our students' digital skills through the use of apps, websites, interactive whiteboards, and other technology. The bulk of this conversation will center around Math and ELA tools and ideas to help our students grow in technology preparedness and use.  

Schedule the time to watch the live videoconference now.

This session will be archived on the site following the live stream.

Share your idea and win $1,000

In a world increasingly shaped by science and technology, STEM education has never been more critical. If America is to meet the challenges of the 21st century, we must STEMtheGAP™ in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical education.

Who better to turn to for new ideas than you—the teachers in America’s classrooms?

Share your best ideas for improving STEM education.

The Center for Science of Teaching and Learning (CSTL) and Dow have come together to support STEM education in our schools. STEM education is absolutely vital for our children and our future. We need to encourage children to pursue science, technology, engineering and math related fields. Our real challenge lies in how to achieve our goal of improving STEM education.

We would like to introduce the STEM THE GAP Teacher Challenge. Teachers of all fields are invited to submit their ideas for increasing STEM education in the classroom. The top 25 entries will earn a $1,000 grant to be used in the classroom!

Submit an entry by May 16, 2014.

Michigan Statewide Assessments Transition

• Want to find out about all of the educational assessments Michigan will be offering (and which will be required) starting in the 2014-15 school year?
• Curious about how Michigan plans for us all to transition to new assessments and a new platform all at the same time?

Check out the April 2, 2014 release of "Michigan Statewide Assessments Transition" bulletin which outlines the transition to Michigan's Future Assessment System. This comprehensive system will provide accurate, in-depth and timely student performance and growth information to meet state and federal accountability requirements and provide educators and parents with the tools they need to help students graduate from high school, career- and college-ready.

If you're interested in finding out more while having an opportunity to ask questions and plan with your colleagues, register to attend "Smarter Balanced & Michigan´s Balanced Assessment System for Mathematics" at Kalamazoo RESA on May 9, 2014.

What is important in early childhood mathematics education programs?

Mathematics in Early Childhood Learning
A Position of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

NCTM Position
Young learners’ future understanding of mathematics requires an early foundation based on a high-quality, challenging, and accessible mathematics education. Young children in every setting should experience mathematics through effective, research-based curricula and teaching practices. Such practices in turn require that teachers have the support of policies, organizational structures, and resources that enable them to succeed in this challenging and important work.

Read the full position paper for more information.

Register for Pilot of Michigan's Interim Assessments

Schools are invited to register to participate in the Spring 2014 Interim Assessment Pilot. Districts may have several schools participate but each school must register with a separate application. 

The ELA and mathematics interim assessments for grades K, 1, and 2 are aligned to the Common Core State Standards. The science and social studies interim assessments are aligned to Michigan’s current Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) and High School Content Expectations (HSCEs).

Participation in this State of Michigan authorized pilot test opportunity counts toward satisfying district participation requirement #4 of the 22i Technology Readiness Infrastructure Grant (TRIG).

The assessments available in this pilot include:
English Language Arts - Grades K, 1, and 2
Mathematics - Grades K, 1, and 2
Science - Grades 3-7, Earth Science, HS Biology, HS Chemistry, and HS Physics
Social Studies - Grades 3-8, HS US History & Geography, HS World History & Geography, HS Civics, and HS Economics

Registration deadline: 1/31/2014
Test window: 3/24/2014 through 5/23/2014

Read more and register