LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Division of Instruction Dr. Ruth Pérez Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Contents LAUSD Master Calendar Now Under DOI Assessment Resources for Professional Development Advanced Learning Options Important Dates Elementary Instruction Resources and Events Gear Up 4 LA Resources for Students, Parents and Teachers Instructional Technology Initiative Resources and Support Integrated Library and Textbook Services Teen Read Week Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department Resources and Training Professional Learning and Leadership Development School Improvement Grant East Valley High School Shows Gains Secondary Instruction Resources and Course Options Student Integrated Services Magnet Program Applications INSTRUCTIONAL UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2015 LAUSD MASTER CALENDAR NOW UNDER DOI The Division of Instruction is now managing the LAUSD master calendar available on the District homepage. This will enable the Division to minimize conflicts related to facilities and targeted audiences, to identify potential duplication of offerings and to capitalize where calendar events support or align with one another. All contributors now submit their events to the Division of Instruction for posting in the District calendar. Before finalizing event dates, divisions and offices are asked to look at the District calendar and consider the impact they might have on activities already scheduled. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Alison Neill at alison.neill@lausd.net. ASSESSMENT RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SBAC Results Response and Resources CAASPP results for State, District and School can be found at: http://caaspp.cde.ca.gov/sb2015/ Professional Development Resources for Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments Are you planning professional development to support teachers in understanding or analyzing the new Smarter Balanced summative assessment results? The Division of Instruction has gathered and developed resources for school instructional leadership teams and professional development leaders to use to plan for professional development on the Smarter Balanced assessment system and results. Resources are available for whole staff meetings as well as content area team meetings (e.g., ELA, math, science, history/social studies). These resources and other State resources and tools can be found at: http://achieve.lausd.net/page/9439 http://achieve.lausd.net/testing http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/sprintcomtools.asp ADVANCED LEARNING OPTIONS IMPORTANT DATES AP and Pre-AP/A-G Workshops for High School Teachers, October 3, 2015
To support teacher efforts to ensure students meet A-G requirements, ALO is offering Pre-AP/A-G workshops on Saturday, October 3, 2015 (8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.), at Pepperdine West LA Graduate Campus (Howard Hughes Center). Registration is available through the Learning Zone. For more information, click on link: AP & Pre-AP/AG Workshops (October 3, 2015) AP Workshops: AP Spanish Language and Composition AP Spanish Literature and Culture Pre-AP/A-G Workshops: Strategies in English: Beyond Acronyms: Inquiry-Based Close Reading Strategies in Mathematics: Helping Students Learn Mathematics Through Problem Solving Strategies in Science: Inquiry-Based Laboratories Strategies in History and the Social Sciences: Crafting Historical Arguments PSAT/NMSQT Administration, Wednesday, October 14, 2015 The districtwide administration of the PSAT/NMSQT is Wednesday, October 14. The District will cover the PSAT fees for all 10th graders (Class of 2018). For further information, refer to the District memorandum, MEM-6543.0, 2015 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) Administration, issued August 14, 2015. AP Workshops for High School Teachers, October 24, 2015 Advanced Learning Options is offering AP Workshops on Saturday, October 24, 2015 (8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.), at Manual Arts Senior High School. Registration is available through the Learning Zone. For more information, click on link: AP Workshops (Oct. 24, 2015) AP Workshops: Art History English Language & Comp. Physics 1: Algebra-Based Calculus AB & BC English Literature& Comp. Statistics Chemistry European History U.S. History Computer Science A Human Geography World History Organizing Your AP Exam Administration: A workshop for AP Coordinators Pre-AP Workshops for Middle School Teachers, October 24, 2015 ALO is offering Pre-AP Workshops on Saturday, October 24, 2015 (8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.), at Pepperdine West LA Graduate Campus at Howard Hughes Center. Registration is available through the Learning Zone. For more information, click on link: Pre-AP Workshops for Middle School Teachers (Oct. 24, 2015) Pre-AP/A-G Workshops Strategies in English: Differentiated Instruction in Middle School Language Arts Strategies in Mathematics: Developing Algebraic Thinking Strategies in Science: Inquiry-Based Laboratories Strategies in History and the Social Sciences: Crafting Historical Arguments. Conservatory of Fine Arts: The LAUSD Gifted/Talented Programs Conservatory of Fine Arts Program (grades 3-12) at California State University, Los Angeles will begin in October. The first day for returning Conservatory students is Saturday, 2
October 3, 2015 and start date for new students is Saturday, October 10, 2015. For detailed information, refer to MEM-5160.5, Gifted/Talented Conservatory of Fine Arts. GATE Coordinator and Administrator Trainings Small group trainings for GATE Coordinators and Administrators will occur in each Local District in October and November 2015. The trainings will focus on the screening and referral process for gifted identification in each of the District s seven categories. Log on to the Learning Zone, https://lz.lausd.net, for registration information; click Class Offerings and search under Program Name: Gifted/Talented Programs. ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTION RESOURCES AND EVENTS Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) Elementary ELA Curriculum Maps resources, assessment blueprints, and Smarter Balanced Claims & Targets synopsis docs are available at http://achieve.lausd.net/page/6112. DIBELS Next, TRC, and IDEL literacy testing is concluding for BOY (September 18 for DN/TRC, September 25 for IDEL). Data reports will be forwarded to AI s and Directors at the close of the district testing window. Ref-6550.0 details policy and requirements. For information on assessment: Alison.pickering@lausd.net ETK and TK have distinctions. A document detailing the similarities and differences (as well as other TK support resources) can be found here: http://achieve.lausd.net/page/6503 Early Language and Literacy Academies are growing, with more schools adopting the model, promoting teacher collaboration and small group instruction according to student need in K-2. Please see resources here: http://achieve.lausd.net/page/6545 Elementary Mathematics Update (Math) My Math Digital Content Access Instructions for accessing the elementary level mathematics digital instructional content area available at the following LAUSD website: http://achieve.lausd.net/page/9556. Please visit this page for frequent updates. The webpage will have individual links to instructions for accessing the digital content for these materials: * My Math published by McGraw Hill Education (Mis Matematicas for Spanish) * California Math published by McGraw Hill Education (California Matematicas for Spanish) Mathematics Interim Assessment Bank The Interim Assessment Bank for elementary math is coming soon. The assessment bank will be accessible at: http://achieve.lausd.net/page/6428 Single sign-on access is required for the assessment bank. 3
Elementary Science Next Generation Science Standards CA NGSS Framework Update: The next public review of the California NGSS Framework will be in October 2015. If you would like to provide online feedback please register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1upcuvthanetr0tz- MqDTFbwGrtWJ3IGaUxHVJalJvzQ/viewform?usp=send_form or call Lillian Valadez-Rodela at (213) 241-5689 or email the information to lillian.valadezrodela@lausd.net NGSS Elementary Science Study Group Are you interested in learning more about the Next Generation Science Standards and passionate about elementary science? LAUSD Elementary Science is forming a study group that will be learning and discussing elementary science topics and issues. You can register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1upcuvthanetr0tz- MqDTFbwGrtWJ3IGaUxHVJalJvzQ/viewform?usp=send_form Or contact Lillian Valadez-Rodela at (213) 241-5689 or email lillian.valadez-rodela@lausd.net. This group will begin meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 4:00 6:00 p.m. Location TBD. Elementary Science Resources FOSS Donations: If your school has old versions of the FOSS kits, no need to throw them away. We have a program that will recycle the materials. Please email: lillian.valadez-rodela@lausd.net and/or call Nancy Bentov (818) 831-8330 at the Granada Hills Science Materials Center. The materials will be reused to build new kits for schools that are short on materials within LAUSD. Outdoor Studies: A hands-on outdoor instructional fieldtrip opportunity at the Christensen Science Center in San Pedro. You can call the center at (310) 832-7573 and let them know you are interested in setting up a visit. Here is a video that outlines some of the programs you can request for your visit: Here is the link to the video: https://lausd.wistia.com/medias/m5r1m0qr0s Please note buses are not provided. FOSS Kit Refurbishment Program: Do your FOSS kits need help? We have a program that can provide permanent items that are available at the Granada Hills Science Materials Center. Please email: lillian.valadez-rodela@lausd.net and/or call Nancy Bentov (818) 831-8330 at the Granada Hills Science Materials Center. Elementary History-Social Science Update Reading Like a Historian The first two fifth grade Reading Like a Historian lessons developed by the Stanford History Education Group are available on line at achieve.lausd.net/hss. In October we are providing in-depth training as follow-up for up to fifty teachers who attended the previous one-day Reading Like a Historian overview. This cohort of grade 5 teachers will collaborate with the Stanford History Education Group to modify new lessons and to provide feedback. 4
Content Integration Units Elementary History-Social Science and Elementary Science will be working with a team of Grade 3 teachers to revise, pilot and edit the Grade 3 Content Integration Unit for implementation in Spring, 2016. Physical Education (P.E.) Certification for Elementary Instructional Minutes Elementary school principals will continue monitoring physical education instructional minutes during the 2015-16 school year to ensure that students receive 200 minutes each 10 school days, per California Education Code. Certification of elementary physical education instructional minutes will be completed using the same paper certification as last school year during the first semester. Site administrators will forward a copy of all signed reporting forms (Attachments A and B of Mem-6482) to the LD Superintendent or designee by January 15, 2016. Writeable forms are on the Physical Education website. Forms may be forwarded electronically via e- mail. By January 25, 2016, the LD Superintendent shall complete and sign the Local District Superintendent Certification of Physical Education Minutes (Attachment D of Mem-6482) and forward to Dr. Janice Collins, Physical Education Administrator, via e-mail at janice.collins@lausd.net. A copy of all forms shall be kept at the LD until June 2018. Furthermore, all schools are required to post the school s physical education bell schedule in the main office or on their website. It should indicate the designated time when each teacher (Kindergarten exempt) provides physical education instruction. Central office will begin piloting an online certification process with a few schools in October 2015, in an effort to replace the paper certification by the spring semester of 2016. Elementary school principals interested in volunteering for the pilot certification process are encouraged to contact the Physical Education Programs office at (213) 241-4967. GEAR UP 4 LA RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS October is College Knowledge Month. Did you know that by 2020, 67% of jobs in California will require some type of education or training after high school? This includes apprenticeships, certificates, 2-year Associates degrees, 4-year Bachelor s degrees, and advanced or professional degrees. The benefits of a college degree are more than just economic. College allows you to experience new people and places, study the subjects that interest you, and get involved in clubs and volunteer activities to help you discover your passion. Check out the resources below designed for first generation middle and high school students and their parents. Need a one-stop site with advice and information from students who are the first in their family to go to college, as well as professionals from colleges and universities? Find it at http://www.firstgenerationstudent.com/ Seeing is believing and at http://www.imfirst.org/, your students will find inspiring video stories from current first gen students and a targeted guide to colleges committed to supporting first gen students Encourage your undocumented students to dream big http://ideasla.org/index/ out of UCLA presents a workshop titled: The AB-540 Project workshop, designed to raise the awareness of undocumented youth, parents, and educators, about the academic and financial resources available to undocumented students. And for fun, check out https://getschooled.com/dashboard/game/2-zombie-college an online game designed to help teens understand and internalize key steps along the college access path 5
And for teachers, Learn how to help your AB-540 students and attend the Creating Safe Spaces: Empowering Students for Success, at the UCLA Downtown Labor Center on October 17. Click here to RSVP http://goo.gl/forms/pe1pjqwyo1 Need help creating a college-going culture? Check out this resource for schools. http://principals.org/leading_success/resources/2.pdf INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT October is College Knowledge Month. Did you know that by 2020, 67% of jobs in California will require some Using Testing Carts for Instruction: To make use of testing devices as an instructional tool, schools are asked to submit a two-page proposal describing how the technology will be integrated into teaching and learning at their site? Schools will also need to designate an Instructional Device Manager (IDM) who will be responsible for inventory control. A two-page proposal template is provided to assist with this effort and can be found at the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/pj3rpdncua. School Instructional Technology Plan - Non ITI Overview PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO COMPLETING THIS DOCUMENT: Sign in to your LAUSD Google account. Click HERE for directions on setting up an account. Make a copy of this document Choose file, then make a copy of this Google Doc Rename your new document Delete copy of Read more... Support to All Schools: Schools interested in furthering their instructional technology efforts are encouraged to fill out a request for support questionnaire at the following link: http://achieve.lausd.net/page/9202. A list of resources and detailed information to support instructional technology is being developed and will be provided to schools that complete the questionnaire. Edgenuity: Initial and on-going Professional Development are still available. Participants can register via lz.lausd.net (keyword: edgenuity). For information about course offerings or accessing licenses please visit: http://bit.ly/lausdonlinecourses or contact your LD's Instructional Technology Specialists. Computer Science: Computer Science Education week is December 7-13th. Please visit https://csedweek.org for ideas about how to promote it at your school. For schools that are currently implementing Computer Science courses from our partner Code.org, please note there is an upcoming meeting for counselors (10/19) and administrators (10/20). Digital Citizenship: The third annual Digital Citizenship Week is October 19-23. The Instructional Technology Initiative will provide themed digital citizenship resources for teachers, students, and their parents. Additionally, we are facilitating a student roundtable discussion at Maya Angelou Community High School. For more information, see http://achieve.lausd.net/digcit. 6
Math Digital Content: As the District moves to a digital curriculum, protecting student data and information is critical. It is the goal for all students to access the digital content through an SSO (Single Sign On) account. This authentication is the preferred way for students to access digital content for security reasons. Using local accounts is an alternative temporary solution for authentication, which requires school personnel to create student accounts by entering student names into a database and giving a password to the student. This alternative method of authentication can be time consuming for school personnel and less secure. Moving forward, using a student SSO will be the standard for authentication. Please see table below to determine the status for each math program: Program Authentication Readiness Big Ideas (HS) SSO Ready Go Math (MS) Local Accounts Ready Math Expressions (Elem) Local Accounts Ready My Math (Elem) SSO 10/21//15 CA Math (MS) Local Accounts 10/21/15 Springboard (MS/HS) SSO Ready CPM (MS/HS) Local Accounts Ready INTEGRATED LIBRARY AND TEXTBOOK SUPPORT SERVICES TEEN READ WEEK The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) encourages libraries to use the Get Away theme during Teen Read Week, October 18-24, 2015, to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun of it. An annual celebration, this year s theme encourages libraries to help teens escape from the day to day grind of school, homework, family responsibilities, part time jobs, and so on by picking up something to read. Interpret the theme in ways that highlight a variety of resources in your collection fantasy novels, sci-fi, beach reads, travel books, tales of adventure and escape, and more! For more information: http://teenreadweek.ning.com/ Looking for curated online resources to support College and Career Readiness? Check out the Digital Library Free Sites (http://www.iltss.org/freesites/freesites.html ) listed under the College and SAT Prep headings. MULTILINGUAL AND MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION DEPT. (MMED) RESOURCES AND TRAINING The English Learner Instructional Online Accountability System (OLAS) is an online resource that can be accessed via the Principal s Portal. Through OLAS, Principals or EL Designees submit documentation to 7
MMED that reflects state and federal requirements for effective and compliant English Learner Programs at school sites. An accountabilities calendar and description of the required OLAS items can be found at http://achieve.lausd.net/page/175#spn-content. Annual Training for Administrators at Dual Language and Maintenance Bilingual Schools The Dual Language/ Bilingual Programs Office will be offering an annual training for school administrators currently implementing a Dual Language/ Maintenance Bilingual Program at their school. There are two opportunities to attend this training: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 and Wednesday, November 4, 2015. Flyer and registration information will be posted in the Principal s Brief. If you have questions please contact Judith Iguina, Specialist, at Judith.Iguina@lausd.net or call (213) 241-2550. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (PLLD) Teacher and School Leader Evaluations Professional Learning and Leadership Development continues to offer training to teachers on school leaders on the District s evaluation systems. During the 2015-2016 school year, how can teachers and principals continue to use the Teaching and Learning Framework and School Leadership Framework to reflect on their practice? As administrators begin to conduct classroom observations and walkthroughs, how will the objective evidence collected be used to provide actionable feedback to teachers and to help inform ongoing professional development needs at school sites? How can teachers use My Professional Learning Network (MyPLN) to identify resources aligned to the LAUSD Teaching and Learning Framework? Administrator Development New principals will receive non-evaluative and confidential support from an assigned mentor. Throughout the school year, new principals will be invited to attend four critical issue seminars and will have the opportunity to share challenges, issues, and successful strategies used during the first year. What are some strategies you have found successful in kicking off the school year? Reed Investment Schools This fall Reed Investments Schools will continue to complete professional development designed to impact teacher turnover, student dropout rates, and student graduation. As part of this process, Professional Learning and Leadership Development is working with each school s Instructional Leadership Team to design a tool to observe instructional strategies being used in the classroom learned during the professional development sessions. School educators are encouraged to continue discussions of how to best implement these strategies. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANT (SIG) EAST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL SHOWS GAINS School Improvement Grant Changing Culture, Boosting Student Achievement at East Valley High In a variety of ways, SIG is making a difference at East Valley High 8
The School Improvement Grant provides funding to address the needs of identified schools to improve student achievement. A federally funded grant, it provides significant funding in order to help a school change its culture and boost student achievement through targeted Professional Development, the ability to hire additional staff, and a variety of other resources based on school need. Implementation of the grant is overseen by the LAUSD s SIG office, the California Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education. At East Valley High School, student in-seat attendance has jumped over 30% since SIG funds made hiring a PSA possible. SIG funds allowed EVHS to hire a PSW and a school psychologist, which has helped the school meet the needs of its most socio-emotional challenged students in ways that the school has never been able to do before. These funds were used to provide additional elective classes, based on a poll of the student body as to which classes they would like to see offered. American Sign Language, Choir, Psychology, and AP Human Geography are part of the school s SIG course offerings. Thanks to SIG funds, parent trainings in English and Spanish featured the use of a translation kit, and the SIG-acquired Jupiter Grades interactive system has allowed the school to facilitate better communication among parents, teachers and students. SIG has made such a difference in the lives of our students, said Carrie Allen, principal of East Valley High. Besides increased attendance, we have seen a decrease in self-destructive behavior by our at-risk students, which makes it so much easier to help them learn. For more information regarding how schools are utilizing SIG funds for school improvement, contact Shelley Loftus at shelly.loftus@lausd.net or 213-241-6688. SECONDARY INSTRUCTION RESOURCES AND COURSE OPTIONS Middle School Reading Plan In Development The Division of Instruction is beginning to explore digital and curricular resources to support the reading performance for middle school students. Based on the results from the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts summative assessments, middle school reading performance was lower than the other claims. This Plan will also integrate best practices from middle schools across the district. Division of Instruction staff will collaborate with Local District staff to develop this Plan. Ethnic Studies Update In a communication dated May 8, 2015, the Superintendent stated that he supports the inclusion of Ethnic Studies in a student s educational experience but not as a graduation requirement at this time. Therefore, high school students are not required to take Ethnic Studies but may do so for elective credit. The Division of Instruction is revising electives within the Field of Ethnic Studies in both English/Language Arts and History/Social Science as well as writing a one semester Ethnic Studies elective course. We anticipate the new and revised courses will be available for the Fall of 2016. STUDENT INTEGRATION SERVICES MAGNET PROGRAM APPLICATIONS The window for applications for the Choices Programs will open on October 1, 2015, with an application deadline of November 13, 2015. Parents will have the opportunity to select from two options Magnet and Permits With Transportation (PWT). The programs are open to all students residing within LAUSD boundaries. Applicants may apply online at echoices.lausd.net or complete a paper application. CHOICES brochures will be available 9
at all District schools, Local District Offices, Parent, Community and Student Services (PCSS), LA City Libraries and Student Integration Services beginning October 1 st. Parents can receive additional information by visiting the echoices.lausd.net website, watch KLCS, which will be airing an informational video about Magnet Programs as well as attend any one of the Magnet Fairs that will be held during the month of October in all Local Districts. For a list of specific dates, times and locations of the Magnet Fairs and KLCS airtimes, please visit echoices.lausd.net. Other Events - Indian Education Program Family Fun Day on 10/3/15 is FREE for ALL K-12 LAUSD STUDENTS! Students will learn about Native American culture and create tile art that reflects their Native heritage. Instructor: Timothy Vizthum, Choctaw of Oklahoma Location: Narbonne High School library - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Title VII Indian Education Program For more information call 213.241.7066 or email title7lausd@gmail.com www.indianeducationlausd.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10