AUG '08 HiNET: summary of resources at the Middle and High School Improvement Office; Secondary, Postsecondary, and Adult Leadership Division; California Department of Education (CDE).

August 2008 HiNet

Greetings from HiNet at the Middle and High School Improvement Office; Secondary, Postsecondary, and Adult Leadership Division; California Department of Education (CDE).

Below is a summary of resources specific to high school education; education in general; grants and funding opportunities; and statewide and regional events, conferences, and training. Details are provided for each item following the list.

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
1. Use of Statewide Student Identifiers Allows for More Accurate Reporting
2. Visit the Official Source for College and Career Planning in California
3. New Report Highlights Challenges of Combining Technical and Academic Studies
4. New Report Documents Dramatic Achievement Gap Faced by African American Boys

GENERAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
5. Draft Foreign Language Content Standards Posted Online for Review and Comment
6. Draft Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools Goes Before State Board of Education
7. Four California Middle School Students Winners of National Math, Engineering, and Science Competition
8. Focus Group Meetings Scheduled to Update Science Framework
9. New Schedule Set for Future Adoptions of Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Materials
10. 2008-09 Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Calendar
11. What's in DataQuest?
12. Comprehensive List of Resources for Prevention of Underage Drinking Now Available
13. First-Ever 21st Century Skills Map Released

GRANTS AND FUNDING
14. California Mathematics and Science Partnership Issues Call for Applications

STATEWIDE EVENTS, CONFERENCES, AND TRAINING
15. On the Right Track 6 Symposium: Navigating Through Program Improvement
and Strategies for Exiting— September 29, 2008, Burlingame; October 6,
2008, Costa Mesa
16. Planting for the Future: Improving Access and Opportunities Using Career Pathways—2008 Special Populations Conference - December 3-4, 2008

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

1. Use of Statewide Student Identifiers Allows for More Accurate Reporting

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell released the 2006-07 report on dropout and graduation rates compiled for the first time using individual student-level data. The Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) provides each student with a unique identification number and allows for much more accurate information about how many students are or are not completing their education.

In 2006-07, 67.6 percent of public school students in California graduated from high school. The adjusted four-year derived dropout rate is 24.2 percent. Eighty-two percent of public school students completed or withdrew from school and are considered neither dropouts nor graduates, such as students who transferred to private schools, left the state, or earned a General Educational Development High School Equivalency Certificate.

To download state, county, district, and school-level dropout data, go to CDE's DataQuest at http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.

2. Visit the Official Source for College and Career Planning in California

CaliforniaColleges.edu is the state's official Web site providing information about higher education in California for students, counselors, and parents. The site was developed in collaboration with California State University, University of California, California Community Colleges, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and CDE. For more information, go to http://www.californiacolleges.edu.

3. New Report Highlights Challenges of Combining Technical and Academic Studies

Crafting a New Vision for High School: How States Can Join Academic and Technical Education to Promote More Powerful Learning is designed to help state policy-makers and career/technical education leaders address the role of career/technical education in high school reform. Published by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), the report is the result of a forum convened by SREB and the Council of Chief State School Officers and presents best practices and policies as well as specific actions states can take to boost student achievement. To read the report, go to http://www.sreb.org/.

4. New Report Documents Dramatic Achievement Gap Faced by African American Boys

The Schott Foundation for Public Education has released a new report detailing the disturbing reality of American national achievement gap. Given Half a Chance: The Schott 50 State Report on Public Education for Black Males, features state-by-state data demonstrating that districts with large black enrollments educate their white, non-Hispanic peers, but fail to educate the majority of their black male students. To view this report, go to http://blackboysreport.org.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

5. Draft Foreign Language Content Standards Posted Online for Review and Comment

CDE has posted the draft Foreign Language Content Standards for California Public Schools for field review. Senate Bill 5 (Karnette) authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and the State Board of Education to adopt foreign language standards by June 1, 2009.

The draft standards can be accessed at http://www.stanford.edu/group/CFLP/. Reviewers can provide feedback on the draft standards to the CDE via a survey posted on this site; comments can be sent to FLSTANDARDS@cde.ca.gov through September 21, 2008. For additional information, contact Arleen Burns, Foreign Language Consultant, at 916-323-5818 or by e-mail at aburns@cde.ca.gov.

6. Draft Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools Goes Before State Board of Education

The State Board of Education is scheduled to take action on the Draft Physical Education Framework for California Public Schools at its September 10-11, 2008, meeting. The framework can be viewed at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pe/cf.

7. Four California Middle School Students Winners of National Math, Engineering, and Science Competition

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell congratulated four students from Mendota (Fresno County) for winning the junior high school division of the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) national competition in June in College Park, Maryland. O'Connell noted their accomplishments at a ceremony and dinner held in their honor at Mendota High School.
"Adelmo Alvarado, Edgar Juarez, Francisco Torres, and Angel Hernandez are amazing kids who succeeded despite the odds," said O'Connell. "Their victory at the MESA competition shows if you work hard enough and believe in yourself, you will succeed. Congratulations to them, their parents, their adviser David Sackrison, and the MESA program for their inspirational work."

"The Mendota students earned the right to represent California in the competition by besting numerous other teams in rigorous preliminary, regional, and statewide contests," said MESA's executive director Oscar Porter. "They had worked on their project since November, putting in more than 200 hours of personal time to test and refine their trebuchet."

The MESA competition called for students to build a trebuchet, a siege engine similar to a catapult. The four boys, aged 13 to 15, competed against teams from across the country and won first place in the junior high division.

"The MESA program is a shining example of how schools, from primary to postsecondary, can form partnerships to work toward closing the achievement gap and prepare students for more challenging jobs of the future so they can complete on a global basis," added O'Connell.
For more information on MESA, go to http://www.ucop.edu/mesa/home.html (Outside Source).

8. Focus Group Meetings Scheduled to Update Science Framework

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced that four focus group meetings would be held across California to gather public input on the update of the Science Framework for California Public Schools Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Science Framework).

"The updated Science Framework will be a tool for expanding implementation of the Science Content Standards for California Public Schools and making connections between the learning of science and fundamental skills of reading, writing, and mathematics to support student achievement. This will also be an opportunity to incorporate environmental principles and concepts in the framework. The public’s input in this matter is vital to ensure the state provides students the education they need to compete in a more global economy that requires a firm foundation in science education."

The focus group meetings will be held at the following locations:

October 23, 2008 - Riverside County Office of Education, 3939 13th Street, Riverside, California 92502-0868

October 24, 2008 - Orange County Office of Education, 200 Kalmus Drive,
Costa Mesa, California 92628-9050

October 27, 2008 - San Joaquin County Office of Education, 2901 Arch-Airport Road, Stockton, California 95213-9030

October 28, 2008 - Alameda County Office of Education, 313 West Winton
Avenue, Hayward, California 94544-1136

All of the focus group meetings will be open to the public, and any interested individuals are welcome to attend. For more information about the focus groups, including a form for those interested in participating as a focus group member, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/sc/cf/index.asp.

9. New Schedule Set for Future Adoptions of Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Materials

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement after Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2932 sponsored by Assembly Member Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) into law: "AB 2932 helps keep the instructional materials adoption approval schedule on track," O'Connell said.

AB 2932 allows framework development for History-Social Science and Science to continue while their accompanying adoptions remain on schedule. The History-Social Science Framework must be approved by May 2010 with the adoption of instructional materials by November 2011. The Science Framework must be approved by November 2010 with the adoption of instructional materials by November 2012. The bill also extends the adoption dates for Foreign Language to 2012 and Health to 2013 in order to provide more time to develop the new standards-based curriculum frameworks.

For more information, contact CDE's Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division at 916-319-0881, or go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/index.asp.

10. 2008-09 Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Calendar Now Available

The 2008-09 Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Calendar which outlines key dates related to California's assessment and accountability system is available by contacting CDE’s Standards and Assessment Division at 916-445-9441.

Information on testing dates for 2008-2009 for the California High School Exit Examination, the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program, the California English Language Development Test, the Physical Fitness Test, and the California High School Proficiency Examination is available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/testdates.asp.

11. What's in DataQuest?

Through its Web-based DataQuest program, CDE provides educators and citizens statistical information related to public education in areas such as accountability (e.g. API, AYP), testing, enrollment, graduates, dropouts, course enrollments, staffing, and English learners.
For a summary of reports available through DataQuest, go to http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/whatsindq.asp. For less elaborate data reports concerning Kindergarten through grade twelve enrollment, teachers, and English learners, use Quick Quest at http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/content.asp.

12. Comprehensive List of Resources for Prevention of Underage Drinking Now Available
Through its Web site, CDE provides educators and other interested parties with information resources to assist in the prevention of underage drinking. An on-line list offers a wide variety of materials and information including state and nationwide reports, data, adolescent brain research, alcohol-related campaigns, contact information, conferences, and legislative initiatives. Opportunities for grants and federal funding to prevent and reduce underage drinking are listed. The list also includes parent education guides; examples of community, county and national efforts; campaign videos; press conferences; Webcasts; and other prevention strategies. For more information, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at/preventionresguide.asp.

13. First-Ever 21st Century Skills Map Released

The 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map, the first of its kind to be released, demonstrates how the integration of twenty-first century skills into the social studies supports teaching and prepares students to become effective and productive citizens in the twenty-first century.

The map, developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and National Council for the Social Studies, provides educators with concrete examples of how twenty-first century skills can be infused into classroom practices and highlights the critical connections between social studies and twenty-first century skills.

Other maps will be available for mathematics, English, geography, and science throughout 2008 and 2009. The new skills map and partnership resources are available free at http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

14. California Mathematics and Science Partnership Issues Call for Applications

The California Mathematics and Science Partnership program seeks to establish partnerships to improve the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science. The focus is to create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for mathematics teachers (grade three through Algebra 1) and science teachers (grades three through eight). For additional information, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp?id=1306.

For additional funding information on grants, contracts, and apportionments from CDE and other agencies, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/.

STATEWIDE EVENTS, CONFERENCES, AND TRAINING

15. On the Right Track 6 Symposium: Navigating Through Program Improvement and Strategies for Exiting—September 29, 2008, Burlingame; October 6, 2008, Costa Mesa

Registration for the sixth On the Right Track Symposium is now available! This year the symposium will be held on September 29, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport/Burlingame and October 6, 2008, at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.

The symposium will showcase schools and districts that have been in Program Improvement (PI) and, by meeting their student achievement targets, have exited PI. Additionally, there will be targeted sessions focusing on the specific requirements for each year of Program Improvement. Participants will hear stories of success and ongoing challenges from these schools and districts.

There will be opportunities to meet with peers and discuss strategies on implementing district and school reform. Participants are encouraged to attend in teams of three to five people. Teacher leaders, principals, school board members, and county and district office staff should plan to attend.

Registration and hotel information is available on the WestEd Web site at http://www.wested.org/ontherighttrack. Registration questions may be addressed to Teresa Maldonado, WestEd, at 916-492-4044 or by e-mail at tmaldon@wested.org. Symposium questions should be addressed to Sandi Ridge, Education Programs Assistant, in CDE’s District and School Program Coordination Office, at 916-319-0833 or by e-mail at sridge@cde.ca.gov.

16. Planting for the Future: Improving Access and Opportunities Using Career Pathways: 2008 Special Populations Conference—December 3-4, 2008,
in Sacramento

The Joint Special Populations Advisory Committee (JSPAC) is comprised of educators from K-12, adult education, and community colleges as well as business, industry, and the trades who are committed to enhancing career and technical education.

JSPAC will present its 2008 Special Populations Conference, December 3-4, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in Sacramento. Learn how career pathways and clusters benefit nontraditional students and students from other special populations as they find education and career success.

On December 2-3, JSPAC will sponsor a pre-conference special event, Data Driven Decision Making: Using a Step-by-Step Approach to Program Improvement Focused on Increasing the Participation and Completion of Students in Nontraditional Careers. The pre-conference event will focus on the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Equity Pipeline’s five-step process for increasing performance on the Perkins Act nontraditional core indicator and meeting the needs of special populations.

For more information, contact R. Mary Gallet, Ph.D., Education Programs Consultant/CTE-Perkins Nontraditional /Special PSP & MOA Coordinator, at
916-445-5723. For details and registration information, visit http://www.jspac.org.

REGIONAL EVENTS, CONFERENCES, AND TRAINING

If you are looking for local professional development activities related to secondary education (middle and high school), contact one of the 11 Middle and High School Subcommittee Regional Leads of the Curriculum Instruction Steering Committee, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association. This link to information about regional events, conferences, and training is provided through the CDE Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/coregionalevents.asp.

For content information or to send your comments, questions, and suggestions, contact Chris Dowell at 916-445-7757 or by e-mail at cdowell@cde.ca.gov.
For additional high school information, visit the CDE Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs.

To contact the Middle and High School Improvement Office (MHSIO) by telephone, call 916-322-1892; e-mail HiNet@cde.ca.gov; or fax 916-322-3390.

 

Join the CDE High School E-mail List at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/hsmail.asp to receive future HiNet notifications.