MONDAY SUPERINTENDENT E-MAIL – 11/7/11
The Monday E-mail contains information on the following KDE-related topics:
- Data Simulation – Unbridled Learning Accountability Model: With Focus on the Next-Generation Learners Component (Attachment)
- Notification of Revised Title II, Part A-Improving Teacher Quality Allocation
- Finance Officer Training Provider Proposal Form
- Upcoming Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System-English/Spanish Message
- KCM annual conference set for March 8-9
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay and Visual Art Contest (Attachments)
If you have questions about the specific items, please see the contact information for each item.
KDE ITEMS
Data Simulation – Unbridled Learning Accountability Model: With Focus on the Next-Generation Learners Component (Attachment)
Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability system begins in the 2011-12 school year, using data from student tests and other measures. Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) staff continues to discuss the details of the Unbridled Learning Accountability Model with educators and stakeholders, particularly as it relates to the state’s ESEA Flexibility Request. This request will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by November 14, 2011.
KDE has developed simulations based on existing test data, and districts can use these simulations to see the impact of the new model and understand how to use the data. Here are some key considerations for the simulations.
· Data Simulations: A Critical Step
Applying the data calculations proposed for the Next-Generation Learners component of the accountability model to existing data is a critical step to evaluating the proposed model and refining it. The data simulation process has generated spreadsheets that allow Kentucky educators to see how proposed calculations for Next-Generation Learners look when applied to current Kentucky school data. KDE anticipates that reviewing the school data will contribute to the conversations about Next-Generation Learners and how to improve the model.
· Understanding the Calculations First
While it is natural to immediately want to view the data spreadsheets, knowing first what calculations have been used to generate the spreadsheets will help with understanding the results. Before examining the data spreadsheets, please read the concept paper, Unbridled Learning Accountability Model: With Focus on the Next-Generation Learners Component. The paper details the Next-Generation Learners component and what is included in the calculations. See the Accountability Model tab of the attached spreadsheet for the most current version of the concept paper.
· Keeping the Purpose in Mind
The purpose of the simulation is to test the calculations of the Next-Generation Learners component of the proposed accountability model and analyze how the model performs with real school data. Since testing the model with viable numbers is the goal, the full academic year accountability rule was applied. This accountability rule requires a student to be enrolled for 100 days before results are attributed to the accountability calculations for a school. All students accountable to a school are included.
IMPORTANT CAUTION:
THIS DATA SIMULATON TESTS THE CALCULATIONS PROPOSED FOR THE NEXT-GENERATION LEARNERS COMPONENT OF THE MODEL. WHEN STUDENT PERFORMANCE DATA FROM THE KENTUCKY PERFORMANCE RATING FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (K-PREP) ASSESSMENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE CALCULATIONS, A DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENT RESULTS WILL OCCUR.
Should you have any questions, please contact Kevin Hill at Kevin.Hill@education.ky.gov or by telephone at (502) 564-9853.
Notification of Revised Title II, Part A-Improving Teacher Quality Allocations
Congress passed a resolution that decreased the amount available for Title II, Part A by 1.5 percent. Therefore, the Title II, Part A allocation will be slightly lower than we had previously estimated. The revised FY12 Title II, Part A allocations are posted on the website at: http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Administrative+Resources/Finance+and+Funding/Budgets/Federal+Grant+Allocations.htm. Please make sure your district’s budget is revised accordingly.
Please contact your Title II, Part A consultant should you have any questions.
Finance Officer Training Provider Proposal Form
Effective Tuesday, November 1, 2011, a new web-based Finance Officer Training Provider Proposal Form is available for the districts and other training providers to access at the following KDE webpage link:
http://www.education.ky.gov/FormServ/Default.aspx?ID=Finance_Officer_Training_Provider_Proposal_Form
The new proposal form will allow training providers the convenience of submitting electronically a training proposal request for the approval of a training agenda and/or program to be counted as finance officer training hours.
The deadline date to submit the web-based proposal form to the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Division of District Support will continue to be at least thirty (30) days prior to the first scheduled program in order to be eligible for approval. Proposals submitted to KDE after the training session has occurred will not be considered for approval.
Please refer to the Finance Officer Hours List and revised Finance Officer Training Criteria documents located at the following Finance Officer Training webpage link: http://www.education.ky.gov/kde/administrative+resources/finance+and+funding/school+finance/financial+information/finance+officer+training.htm
KDE will be replacing the outdated Finance Officer Hours List document with a revised list by the end of November 2011. (As the old list will no longer be available after November, please make a copy if you need one for your own records.)
Please forward any questions to Jeffrey Coulter at jeffrey.coulter@education.ky.gov or (502) 564-4403, ext. 4416.
Other Agencies
Upcoming Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System-English/Spanish Message
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be held on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. ET. The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. This will be just a test, not a real emergency alert.
The test is being conducted by the FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of their ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies by effectively communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.
The national Emergency Alert System (EAS) is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. State and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. An audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.” When the test is over, regular programming will resume.
KOIN members are encouraged to use this event as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities and businesses. This would also be a perfect time to exercise your local KOIN networks. Please forward any information about what you did with this message to BarbaraJ.Fox@ky.gov. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.
Below you will find a short message you can pass along to your contacts about this test, in both English and Spanish. Send any comments or concerns to BarbaraJ.Fox@ky.gov. Thanks for all you do.
English: The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Wednesday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. This will be just a test, not a real emergency alert.
The test is being conducted by the FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of their ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies by effectively communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.
The national Emergency Alert System (EAS) is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. State and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. An audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.” When the test is over, regular programming will resume.
Spanish: La primera prueba a nivel nacional del Sistema de Alerta de Emergencias (Emergency Alert System, o EAS por sus siglas en inglés) será realizada el miércoles, 9 de noviembre a las 2:00 p.m., hora del este, por la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA). La prueba durará hasta tres minutos y medio. Durante este período, la programación regular de televisión, radio, cable y satélite serán interrumpidos mientras se prueba el sistema. Esta será solamente una prueba, no una alerta de emergencia verdadera.
La prueba será realizada por FEMA, la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC) y la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA), como parte de sus esfuerzos para mantener la seguridad de la nación durante las emergencias y para reforzar nuestra habilidad de respuesta a las emergencias a través de una comunicación efectiva con el público de la información esencial en caso de una emergencia nacional verdadera.
El Sistema de Alerta de Emergencias (EAS) es un sistema de alerta y advertencia que puede ser activado por el presidente, si es necesario, para proporcionar información a la población de la nación durante emergencias. Las autoridades estatales y locales encargadas de las emergencias también utilizan partes del sistema para emitir alertas más locales. Un mensaje de audio interrumpirá la programación de televisión y radio indicando: “Esta es una prueba.” Cuando la prueba termine, la programación regular resumirá.
KCM annual conference set for March 8-9
The Kentucky Center for Mathematics (KCM) annual conference will be held March 8 and 9 at the Hilton in downtown Lexington.
As Kentucky educators continue to work on successful implementation of the Kentucky Core Academic Standards for mathematics, this event will be focused on Improving Mathematical Practices and will provide opportunities to learn from and network with others who are passionate and knowledgeable about mathematics education.
For registration and presentation details, please visit http://www.kymath.org/kcmc2012/. More details are available from Kelsey Ripley, project coordinator, at ripleyk1@nku.edu.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay and Visual Art Contest (Attachments)
The Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission is seeking essays and artwork for the King Award for 2012 with the theme “Exploring the ‘King’ in You.” Kindergarten to 12th-grade students may submit an essay or two-dimensional artwork that reflects the students’ most inspired Dr. King moment or speech, correlated with the theme and indicating how they are using that inspiration to shape their lives and communities.
First-, second- and third-place Essay Contest winners in the elementary K-3, elementary 4-5, middle and high school categories will be selected. First-, second- and third-place Art Contest winners in the elementary K-5, middle and high school categories will be selected. The winners will be recognized at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration in Frankfort on January 12, 2012.
The King Award is named for the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who displayed an extraordinary commitment of concern for human welfare, racial equality and nonviolent social change.
All essays and/or artwork must be received (not postmarked) in the Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment by close of business on Tuesday, November 15. All entries should be mailed or delivered to:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest – 2012
700 Capital Avenue, Suite 138
Frankfort KY 40601
or
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visual Art Contest – 2012
700 Capital Avenue, Suite 138
Frankfort KY 40601
For more details, see the attachments or contact the Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment at (502) 564-2611, ext. 370.