May 2008

Worth Remembering
“Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.” -- Edward Everett

Participation on NCSL Panel
On the recommendation of Commissioner Jon Draud , I received an invitation to participate on a panel during the spring meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Washington , D.C.

The panel's discussion focused on “Preparing Effective Leaders to Transform Schools: A Role for State Legislatures.”  The other panelists included Dr. Wendy Robinson, Superintendent, Fort Wayne Community Schools ; and Luis Torres, Principal, PS 55, Bronx , New York .  This opportunity allowed me to showcase the great work you have been doing in redesigning Kentucky 's master's programs and the principal preparation programs.  Our vision of a cohesive preparation model that provides all Kentucky schools with teacher leaders and principals who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to teach all students stands out among the many different approaches to improve school leadership. 

CCSSO Meeting on School Leadership Standards
Mike Carr represented the EPSB in April at the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) meeting to finalize the State Consortium on School Leadership (SCEL) document on leadership standards.  This document, which has been in the works for over three years, is scheduled to be released publicly in May.  The document will be a complementary piece to the recently revised ISSLC Standards—2008.  The group made some changes in the SCEL document to align the standards with ISSLC.  The SCEL document should be valuable to university programs and states/districts because it goes into greater depth than ISSLC-2008.  When we receive a copy of the final product next month, it will be made available to Board members in an electronic format.

Networking with New Teachers and Human Resource Managers
Cindy Godsey represented the EPSB at the KY Teacher Network Job Fair on April 8.  At this annual fair, the largest teacher recruitment fair in the state, the EPSB answers a number of questions from new teachers about the certification process and continuing education requirements.  Plans are also being made for  certification representatives to attend the WKU/GRREC Job Fair on May 2 in Bowling Green .  In addition to helping new teachers, certification personnel also use these meetings to network with HR managers from across the state.

Master's Redesign
All members of the Master's Review Committee have agreed to serve and will meet for the first training session on May 5th. Committee members will review the regulation, guidelines, and evaluation form. As you know, our preparation programs may submit their proposals for the redesign of master's degree programs on May 30 th .

SREB Annual Leadership Forum
The EPSB is a member of the Kentucky team attending the SREB Annual Leadership Forum: “Creating Conditions of Success for Learning-Centered School Leaders,“ in Atlanta . The forum will emphasize building leadership capacity for low-performing schools, preparing leaders through academies and university-based preparation, creating effective working conditions, and defining the characteristics of effective principal evaluation systems. Representatives from other education agencies, colleges, universities, school districts, and regional cooperatives will make up the Kentucky team.

NCATE
Dr. Marilyn Troupe and I will be attending the annual National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Clinic for state partners on May14-16.  Discussion topics this year will include the revised NCATE Standards 2008, the abbreviated Board of Examiners and Institutional Reports, SPA reviews, PEDS report, and other issues relevant to state partners.

Mathematics Task Force
On May 7th the Mathematics Task Force will meet in Frankfort for a half day to begin finalizing recommendations for the preparation of elementary teachers. The Task Force is also preparing recommendations for preparation of candidates who plan to teach middle and secondary mathematics.

ACT/EPAS Seminar for Education Faculty
The Council on Postsecondary Education and the EPSB will partner in presenting the ACT Educational Planning and Assessment System (EPAS) in a one-day seminar for higher education colleges and universities on May 30th. EPAS, a college readiness assessment system, is now required of all Kentucky students.  The assessments begin in middle school and conclude in high school.  Consultants from ETS will conduct the seminar and provide opportunities for participants to discuss the program and ask questions.

Kentucky Teacher Article
Kentucky Teacher , the monthly publication from KDE, featured an EPSB staff-generated article this month regarding the Board's recent decision to regulate the use by Kentucky teachers of out-of-state, on-line certification and rank change programs.  Because the newspaper is mailed to all current state teachers, it will inform them of the new requirements for using such programs. 

16 KAR 5:010 (Section 28)  goes into effect on June 1.  In case you have not seen the article, it may be viewed by clicking on this link:  Kentucky Teacher 2007-2008 School Year .  Once at this site, simply click on the April 2008 PDF file, and look for the article on page 10.

CEO Task Force
The CEO Task Force is scheduled to meet on May 1st.  Dr. Sam Evans will be presenting a report from the Task Force at the May 19th Board meeting.

New Teacher Center
Cindy Owen has been invited to a policy roundtable on May 6-8, 2008, in San Jose , California . The roundtable will focus on policy implications and recommendations to strengthen the connection between pre-service education and new teacher induction.  Hosted by the New Teacher Center , the nation's premier organization focused on supporting new educators, the roundtable is funded through a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. 

KTIP University Coordinators & KACI
The KTIP University Coordinators and the Kentucky Advisory Council on Internships (KACI) will meet on May 14th.  Most of the agenda will be focused on the budget and implications for KPIP and KTIP.

Education Leadership Development Collaborative
Cindy Owen will be presenting budget information and implications for KTIP to the Education Leadership Development Collaborative (ELDC) on May 15th.  Members of ELDC are made up of other state agency partners seeking ways in which to work together for the good of Kentucky educators and students. 

KTIP “Train-the Trainers” Training
A KTIP “Train-the-Trainers” training will be held on May 22nd where KTIP University Coordinators and their primary trainers will review revisions to KTIP internship materials.  They will then train others who will be training educators to serve on beginning teacher committees this fall.

2008 March of Dimes- Walk for Babies
Against the backdrop of budget cuts and program reductions, the generosity and hard work by the staff members in support of the EPSB March of Dimes Walk for Babies 2008 campaign was inspiring.  We started this year with the March Madness fundraiser and raised $100 in that event…and just last week wrapped up the fundraising with an EPSB Waffle Breakfast.   We raised $217.00 at this breakfast.  Certification raised $160.00 with a chili-dog luncheon.  Staff also raised funds with Blue Jeans for Babies dress down days and quarter wars.

We made a grand total of $1,202.00 for the campaign (thanks to a last minute angel who pushed us up to and just over our $1,200 goal).  We had 7 walkers representing us on March 18 at the Kentucky Employees Walk.

The creativity and kindheartedness of the EPSB team never ceases to amaze me.

Meetings, Conferences, Etc.

May 2 – EPSB Agency-Wide Meeting and Derby Brunch

May 5 – Master's program review committee training

May 6 – SE/SC meeting

May 6/8 – Policy Roundtable on Preservice-Induction Linkages

May 7 – GRREC meeting

May 7 – OVEC Human Resources Directors meeting

May 7 – EPSB Math Task Force meeting

May 7/9 – SREB Leadership meeting

May 9 – Math Achievement meeting

May 8/10 – CCSSO Research and Advisory meeting

May 13 – EPSB Leadership Team meeting

May 14 – NKCES meeting

May 14 – University and District KTIP Coordinators' meeting

May 14 – KACI meeting

May 15 – ELDC meeting

May 14/16 – NCATE Annual meeting

May 18 – EPSB new member training

May 19 – EPSB regular meeting

May 21 – CKEC meeting

May 22 – KTIP Train the Trainers meeting

May 26 – Memorial Day EPSB office closed

May 27 – WKEC Human Resources Directors meeting

May 28 – WKEC meeting

May 28 – OVEC meeting

May 29 – EPSB Leadership Team meeting

May 30 – ACT assessment awareness for education faculty

FYI: Acronyms and abbreviations:
CEO – Continuing Education Option
CPE – Council on Post-Secondary Education
KACTE – Kentucky Association of Colleges for Teacher Educators
KASA – Kentucky Association of School Administrators
KEDC – Kentucky Education Development Cooperative
KPIP – Kentucky Principal Internship Program
KTIP – Kentucky Teacher Internship Program
LEAD – Local Educator Assignment Data
NASDTEC – National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification
NBPTS – National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
NCTAF – National Commission on Teaching and America 's Future
OVEC – Ohio Valley Education Cooperative
SESC – Southeast South Central Education Cooperative
VAA – Value-Added Assessment
WKEC – Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative