Un-Adopted Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 15, 2015 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. VIDEO CONFERENCE Burlingame: 1575 Bayshore Highway, CA 94010 Ontario: 3602 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite A-230 (Bldg A, 2nd Floor), CA 91764 Sacramento: 1029 J Street, 5th Floor Conference Room, CA 95814 All ACSA Offices: (800) 608-2272 NOTE: Although the actual order of agenda items was modified from the original agenda (as listed below), to accommodate availability of presenters, these minutes represent the sum total of business conducted at the meeting.
9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast Treats 9:30 a.m. I.
Welcome and Introductions - Ice Breaker: “I am a middle grades leader who…” Members present: David Cory (R1), Jay Holmes (R2), Dereck Brothers (R3), Krystal Points (R4) Kristi Britton (alternate for Carol Lubinsky)(R7), Sharon Ofek (R8), Brian Meisenheimer (R9), Olga de Santa Anna (R10), Michael Tsuboi (R11), Jennifer Gates (R15), John White (Council Past President; alternate for Lisa Reagan) (R16), Guy Olguin (R17), Jay Marquand (R18), Peter Murphy (CLMS) David Militzer (CDE) ACSA Mission Statement Review and Adopt Agenda Move to adopt: Michael Tsuboi; Second: David Cory. Agenda adopted. Approve Un-adopted Meeting Minutes –November 5, 2014 Corrections noted from Michael Tsuboi and Olga de Santa Anna. Move to adopt: Olga de Santa Anna; Second: Jennifer Gates. Minutes adopted with two corrections.
II.
Middle Grades Education Council Review and Affirm the Purposes of the Council Review Council Mission Statement: To be the official voice for middle school administrators in the state of California, to carry out the mission of ACSA, and to provide strong leadership within ACSA to: Support California’s middle grades educational leaders; ensure each middle grades student has the essential skills and knowledge to excel; and, Champion middle grades public education.
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
Key Council Member responsibilities: To be ambassadors and the authoritative voice for middle grades in the state Respond to requests for input in areas of legislative advocacy Develop or strengthen existing networks to gather input and give feedback in each of our regions for middle grade issues Give input to ACSA from the middle grade perspective Incorporate and educate others re: ACSA's Strategic Plan and ensure our goals and actions are aligned with this plan III.
Debrief 2014 Leadership Summit in San Diego .........................................................................All
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See Middle Grades Education Strand flier (attached). Leadership Summit highlights: Tech Slam; CDE English Language Arts Common Core Math presentation; Math Framework presentation by David Foster (Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative); MARS Task; Doug Fisher seminar (Rigorous Reading); (new) Every Student Succeeding Luncheon. Council members attending Tech Slam will send links shared to Mary Gomes for dissemination to all Council members. Ideas for next year’s strand: Math: Math is big topic in middle grades level. Math in high school changes and also Elementary. Can’t overdo importance. Eighth grade math changes are important. Lack of good textbooks for Common Core. Content of textbooks is a concern. A lot of on-line materials available, but we should be cautious. Parent Resources are needed to assist us. Next Summit (2015) is in Sacramento. Structure is anticipated to be same as for 2014. Two-day MGE strand would include a seminar presentation and 3 workshops (2 of the workshops would be on Friday). April is the deadline for submitting workshop proposals. Council should revisit topics at March meeting. Council needs to identify (affordable) prospective seminar presenters (preferably from northern California). NASSP will provide one of the workshop presentations.
ACSA Website Update (Council responsibilities) ............................................................ Gomes
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2014-15 updates have been made to the current Council web pages. Plans are in the works to eventually move all Council and Committee web pages to the new ACSA Educational Services web site (soon to be launched). Need to know any additional resources to add on the Council web pages. Council members are asked to let Mary Gomes know any ideas for updating Council web pages. Shortcut to Council home page is www.acsa.org/middlegrades. It is cumbersome and not obvious how to navigate the homepage of the current ACSA website to find the Council home page: “Who We Are” → “Councils” → “Middle Grades Education” (three clicks)
Planning & Support for Regional ACSA Middle Grades Partnership Networks .... Lawson, All
Follow-up from last meeting: Each region representative commits to at least planning an event and reporting out progress at this Council meeting. Participating on ACSA MGPN Steering Committee Proposal: Write and submit an Activity Design to co-sponsor (with CLMS) an MGPN meeting the day before the CLMS North (October 2015) and South Conferences (February 2016) for 2015-16
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
Peter Murphy (CA League of Schools/CLMS): History of CA Middle Grades Partnership Network (formerly supported by CDE): Partnerships grew out with Caught in the Middle perspective. Most Partnerships started out really small. In each case, someone took responsibility to arrange a meeting. Goal was for participants to exchange information, share experiences and resources, and problem solve with other middle grades colleagues (from within or across districts). Every middle grades principal faces challenges. Coming together is powerful so principals are not alone. Sharing among colleagues could minimize “reinventing the wheel”. San Diego had a big Partnership. We all know three or four principals - call them up and develop a local partnership. Simple conversation with colleagues to get together: I was hoping we could come together for an hour. Bring a topic. Get people together and have them get together in a meeting. Share strategies, ideas, information, etc. Plan to meet maybe three times/ quarterly a year (meetings needn’t be complicated). Any way to establish a social network for middle grades administrators is beneficial. Goal is: How can we have impact with our colleague? Strategies/resources will look differently across the state for each Committee Member Goal: How do we continue to communicate with each other? Invitation to build state partnerships with California League of Schools. Opportunity to engage more people to be involved, so Council members are strengthened in their efforts to build networks. Many middle grades colleagues are just waiting to be asked to become involved. Council members are key leaders to be involved in this effort. Begin modestly: three people is a good start. After each network meeting/get-together (as uncomplicated as getting together for breakfast), participants would reach out and find one more person for each to invite to next meeting/get-together st Simple strategy to get started: between now and April 1 … Come up with a common theme (middle grades topic of interest) for getting together Plan that all participants will have the opportunity to talk/share at the meeting, Proposal for statewide middle grades partnership network (MGPN) meeting: Could be held in October (southern CA) and in February (northern CA) the day before the annual CLS conferences Council could submit an Activity Design to fund co-sponsorship of two MGPN meetings annually Combined ACSA/CLS sponsorship could provide (for each MGPN meeting) keynote speaker, modest breakfast/lunch, materials, etc. Focus of meeting would be to build leadership capacity and provide resources that participants would incorporate into their own local networks. Opportunity to strengthen professional development at local level planned and delivered by middle grades leaders. Possible ideas: Resources meeting resources How to organize administrator/teacher teams to present at middle grades conferences Share things that impact the job of middle school administrators Mary Gomes will request ACSA membership lists of middle grades administrators (by Region) to assist Council members in local network outreach efforts to colleagues
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
Status of local middle grades network outreach efforts: Region 1: Building social networks - slow process. Region is geographically spread out – difficult to meet in-person. Planning to “meet” possibly once or twice yearly. Region 2: Planning first meeting; have spoken with schools in Roseville. Region 3: Planning an invitation for an evening happy hour event in Yolo County County focus on resources for middle grades A variety of smaller districts; Woodland is the largest district Region 5: ACSA March Madness is an annually well attended event Planning to hold Partnership meeting in conjunction with March Madness; will send out invitations Region is very spread out Region 7: Has already met once this year; timing is a an issue Congressmen spoke to middle school students. Effective to include legislators for them to better understand what it means to be an educator. Region 8: No current middle grades focus. Annual activities are scheduled on the Region calendar. Could be easy to accomplish scheduling middle grades partnership meetings in conjunction with other scheduled events. Region 9: Bus is offered to get the middle school administrators out to attend the Region events. Planning to start local (Fresno) and move up to Madera. Region 10: No current middle grades focus. Of interest: Career Ladders - Assist principal and principal and how to move up ladder. Whole Region hasn’t gotten together; Google meetings might be an easier way to accomplish getting middle grades administrators together. Region 11: The idea of getting middle grades administrators together has been discussed. Maybe charter-wide focus instead of Region-wide: Region is spread out. Of interest: In-service Professional Development. Planning to contact representatives in the local charter. Region 15 Next meeting is scheduled for two weeks from today! Will include: Schools-to-Watch speakers; light appetizers served in the afternoon. Region 16 (LAUSD): District-lead Middle Grades Meetings have been in existence for quite some time; attended by 80+ administrators. In the process of putting something together, brainstorming; possible in conjunction with District middle grades meetings. Region 17: Met focusing on Best Practices in the Spring Planning on next meeting at Region 1-day event later in January. Guy Olguin and Cindy Freeman have been leading the Region middle grades networking efforts.
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
Region 18 Planning a meeting/get together in March; no current regional effort. Jay Marquand’s school had an Assembly sponsored by NASA; he contacted local Congressmen as a follow-up to an idea mentioned at the Council’s November meeting; three Congressmen come out to the assembly.
11:00 a.m. VI.
ACSA Online Community ................................................................................................... Lawson
VII.
Legislative Updates ........................................................... …ACSA Governmental Relations Staff
New ACSA Legislative Advocate (since mid-November 2014) Sara Bachez addressed the Council. Sara has close to ten years working in the legislative arena both inside and outside of the state Capitol. She most recently served as the legislative advocate for the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO). Before CASBO, Sara was a key budget consultant for the State Assembly Budget Committee for five years. She was a Legislative Fellow and also worked on legislation for the law firm Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Mueller & Naylor. Sara’s policy experience includes, but is not limited to K-12 public education including finance, higher education, early learning and child development, labor and employment and health care. Sara discussed key implications from the latest State Board of Education (SBE) meeting in Sacramento, progress on reauthorization of ESEA, and Federal Testing Requirements including: Annual testing as a federal mandate. SBE is considering changing the requirements, possibly limiting to certain grade levels. Important question include - How often, when and who will be tested? NEA is pushing this very hard. ASCA is very interested in getting involved. California does not connect outcome to teacher evaluations at this time. ASCA has contracted to have advocates in Washington DC to represent CA’s needs. Federal legislators need to hear from us. It is very important that we reach out our federal, state and local legislators. One of Sara’s responsibilities Curriculum Liaison for English Language Learners. Handout was provided (in Sacramento) summarizing the Governor’s 2015-16 State Budget proposal (also readily available on ACSA website at http://www.acsa.org/MainMenuCategories/Advocacy/StateBudgetUpdates.aspx) Digital Library utilization (for Smarter Balanced Assessment System). Teachers feel they are being denied access to the Library. Just came into use in October. There is information on CDE website (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/diglib.asp). Replacing CASHEE results in state accountability system. What are we doing with this test? Needs to be in alignment with the Common Core. What do the measures look like when we are assessing students? Please hold stakeholders meetings in our communities. We need to be part of the conversation. Assist ACSA in communication regarding what all the changes in accountability will mean to the communities we are serving. 2015-16 Governor’s State Budget Proposal Handout distributed (see link above) included “Cheat Sheet” that itemizes the budget. This year, $11 billion increase is proposed to go to education. $8 billion is a payment of mandates and that have been previously owed. $1 billion of that amount is to either pay mandate for Common Core or other previously owed mandates – these funds can’t be double-counted. ACSA is working hard to push advocacy. Deferral will be completely paid off by next year. Budget Reserve Cap. ACSA opposed. A portion needs to be placed in Budget to receive Cap. CTA language was added right before the Budget was approved. In document (handout), it states that the opportunity will be created for further discussion on the Budget reserve CAP. Governor’s office never received our input.
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
Technology: $100 million dollars proposed to provide technology to help school districts increase technology. On website CDE (www.cde.ca.gov). Facilities: Governor is trying to move away from State having a role in school facilities. More information in handout. Governor wants to change some of the fees that are attached to facilities. ACSA Legislative Advocate Laura Preston will be working on this (
[email protected]). K-14 school bond is being submitted to the Governors’ office. Would lessen the number of signatures required to be on the next ballot. Adult Education: $500 Million proposed. First year. Governor supports providing the funds. New allocation for the distribution of the funds. Concerns: New allocations – what safeguards will be in place to make sure the funds are being used to address the needs as stated in the plans. Career pathway from K-12 to community colleges. CTC: $250 million proposed for the next three years. CTC grade span Career Trust Plan. LEA much has matching funds to obtain the monies. $5 million proposed for next two years for teacher induction. Proposed allocation for Childcare and Development Programs, and Higher Education is also detailed with the handout provided. Sara will stay in touch with Council members regarding accountability issues and invites Council members to contact her at any time with questions, opinions, concerns, etc. Mary Gomes shared the Advocacy site on ACSA Website site: www.asca.org/advocacy. Latest advocacy information and resources on the state and national levels are readily available at this link. ACSA Legislative Action Day will be: March 15 (Sunday p.m.) and March 16 (Monday all-day). Erik Burmeister serves as ACSA’s State Coordinator for NASSP. Erik is a former ACSA Middle School Principal and national NASSP Middle level Principal finalist. Erik shared NASSP legislative updates; the link for the NASSP advocacy site is www.nassp.org/LegislativeAdvocacy. Many good resources are readily available there.
NASSP Update, Ignite ’15 Conference…….…………………………………….………….Burmeister
VIII.
Erik Burmeister will present a session “The Power of Yes” at the upcoming NASSP Ignite ’15 conference in San Diego in February. He invited any Council members registered for the conference to become members of ACSA’s host state Ambassador Team. Ignite ’15 registration information is available at www.nasspconference.org. ACSA and NASSP Region 7 (AK, CA, HI, ID, MO, NV, OR, UT, WA) will co-host a reception at the Ignite ’15 for conference participants registered from Region 7 member states. ACSA Region 18 Executive Director, Tom Teagle, is working with NASSP to coordinate student entertainment for the conference.
11:45 a.m.
IX.
Working Lunch
Discussion: Sharing Resources/Best Practices ...........................................................................All
Kelley Birch (
[email protected], R4) A quarterly recognition system for non-intervention students. Meet academically as a team and look at students in eight areas to celebrate. In addition, to honor roll etc. Announce name on video bulletin and posting in every hallway.
Derek Brothers (
[email protected], R3) Life Touch: Student of the Month. Print a certificate with their names on it. Bulletin Board that recognize every student of the month.
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
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Krystal Points (
[email protected], R4) “Franklin Finest” - students are recognized by their teachers. Have lunch with principal, certificate, and names placed into bulletin.
Jay Holmes (
[email protected], R2) Life Skills teachers divide into four. Falcons raffle off skateboards. Ten students are honored with a pen. Honored with parents, Teachers say something nice about student 4 times a year. Something nice about once a year. Students give teachers and custodians awards as well.
Jennifer Gates (
[email protected], R15) th Staff team building discussing vulnerabilities. Similar Challenge Day January 5 .
David Cory (
[email protected], R1) PBIS: In last three years, 3x reduction and 50% reductions of office referral. Behavioral RTI, Tier 1, Tier 2, wrap around interventions. Decrease rules to four.
Brian Meisenheimer (
[email protected], R9) “Thunderbirds Key to Success” – All students get a key to success. Grad talks with eighth grades. Students are attached to them. Graduation gives keys back to school. Students may be able to earn back “key” through a process of examining and understanding which one of key to success they have broken.
Preview of March Council Meeting at Coronado Middle School.................... Freeman, Marquand
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Jay Marquand: Goggle Classroom Jay will organize classroom visitations in the morning. Jay will invite regional legislative representatives and coordinate a media outreach effort. John Calandro: One to One Devices Jay and John will collaborate for best use of time and expertise Other logistics Mary Gomes to look into flight schedules to San Diego to coordinate transportation to/from airport Council members not authorized for an overnight stay may arrive in San Diego the evening before and pay for lodging at their own expense Afternoon portion of the meeting will include essential Council business (including end-of-term recognitions and 2015-16 Council goal setting)
“Hot Topics” for March Council Meeting and 2015-16 Goals for Discussion ...........................All Propose high priority topics to be addressed; topics to be generated at the meeting Propose priorities for Council goals
Focus on key topics of high interest and value Technology Policies Flyers etc. Resources around dealing with Internet for Cyber Bully, LGBTQ Digital Driver’s License Program SBAC Testing Social Emotional Dimensions Search Institute Project Cornerstone – 40 Developmental Assets (www.projectcornerstone.org/html/developmentalassets.html) Fun, Support, Character, Recognition, and Service Preferred scheduling for Council meetings
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
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General support for: October webinar orientation; November in-person meeting the day before the Leadership Summit; January video conference meeting at three ACSA offices; March/April meeting at a school site General support for continuing to meet on Thursdays
ACSA Board and Partner Updates: ACSA Board of Directors ............................................................................................................ Lawler CA Middle Grades Alliance (CMGA) ............................................................................. Murphy/Gomes Intent: Provide support for the middle grades to have innovative programs. Meets four times a year (twice in Long Beach, twice in Sacramento). Is the host organization for the School-to-Watch program at the CLW conference (north). Hosts the annual recognition luncheon for Superintendent/School Board President governance teams demonstrating outstanding support for the middle grades Seeking additional schools/districts beyond those recognized through Schools-to-Watch program. th Nomination forms are now available and due January 19 (previously e-mailed to all Council members) Council members encouraged to submit nominations (own school or that of colleagues) CA League of Middle Schools (CLMS) ..................................................................................... Murphy Website: www.leagueofschools.org CLS Conference North, February 27 through March , Sacramento Keynote speakers: Erik Palmer, Dr. Robert Marzano Morning Institute, Saturday, February 28, 8:30 am – 11:30 am, with Dr. Robert Marzano is sponsored by ACSA Conference information available at www.leagueofschools.org/events/north.htm CA Schools to Watch - TCS (STW-TCS).................................................................................. Murphy Schools will be honored at CLS Conference in February Schools will also be honored in Washington DC (National Forum Conference in June) School representatives are all trained to make a visit to Congressional Offices to advocate for the middle grades. 100+ visits were made last year to Congressmen/women because of national STW recognition of exceptional middle schools. Opportunity for legislators to listen and understand what makes a great middle school. Why middle level is important to pay attention to? Examples: Convening to invite some topic on a grade level. 100+ visits to talk to Congressmen on a middle level. Over 500 schools in 18 states are recognized - 60% are at the middle school level. Invitation to go to California League of Schools website and look at the STW schools (http://www.clms.net/stw). STW application is on the website. Can utilize the rubric to make a plan for school wide improvement. Taking Center Stage II aligns to the themes of the STW rubric. New schools and re-designated schools are selected and recognized. STW schools may reapply every 3 years. Turn-over of principals at STW schools tends to be are quite high because of promotion But, the culture of the school is fundamentally changed and the faculty continues the process. Review criteria for what it takes to become a STW school. Worthwhile for middle level schools to consider making the application, or even just using the rubric for school improvement.
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
NASSP Grassroots Network .................................................................................Freeman/Burmeister XIII. Council Debrief/Meeting Summary ................................................................................................All
Prepare together at meeting for distribution with minutes following the meeting (provide a unified message from all Council members)
XII.
Aspects that went well during today’s meeting (+)/Aspects that could be improved (∆): Burlingame Council member group: + Sharing things that we get to do (Best Practices) + Networking + Liked format, worked better this time ∆ Make it better visually (participants too small on videoconference screen) Sacramento Council member group: + Best Practices + Legislative/Advocates Reports + Support my Region ∆ See participants at other two locations more clearly ∆ Make agenda available as a Google Doc for members to access and take notes on during the meeting. Practice using Google features for meetings. ∆ Make Council directory page available on Council web page that links to each Council member’s school site. Ontario Council member group: ∆ Make Council directory page available on Council web page that includes a picture of each Council member.
Announcements, etc. ......................................................................................................................All
Mary Gomes - Email of appreciation was received from former Region 2 Representative Marty Flowers (since promoted to Director of Secondary Education in the Rocklin USD…WOW!) to convey how much he appreciated and found meaningful his service on the Council. Particular appreciation for the caliber of Council members with whom he had the opportunity to serve. Burlingame: Erik Burmeister - There is still time to register NASSP conference in San Diego in February. Ontario: None given Sacramento: David Militzer (CDE) - During this period of change in education policy there has been a question of what role CDE is taking at this time. Loss of resources has been accelerated. How does it relate to the new policy agenda? Schools have been asking where CDE is in providing resources in these topics. Career Readiness as it relates to outcomes. CTE resources distributed (copies of each accompanying this document): CTE Learning that works for California: Fact Sheet for School Leaders – Career Technical Education Supports Successful Local Control Accountability Plan Implementation CTE Learning that works for California: Fact Sheet for Parents, Students, and the General Public - Career Technical Education Improves Graduation Rates, College and Career Readiness Working Draft: Fully Realizing the Role of the School Counselor in Creating Better Student-Life Outcomes Through Career Guidance, Career Exploration, and Individualized Career-Education Plans
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
2:00 p.m. XII.
Adjourn
ACSA Legislative Action Day…………….………………………….……March 16, 2015 (Mon, Sacramento) Next Council Meeting...…………….………………………………………..…March 26, 2015 (Th, San Diego) Coronado Middle School, 550 F Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118, 619.522.8921
Liaisons to Councils/Organizations: ACSA Middle Grades Partnership Network (ACSA MGPN) ............................................................ Lawson Business Services Council ....................................................................................................... Marquand California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) …................................................................Ofek California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) .................................................................................... Price California Middle Grades Alliance (CMGA) ....................................................................... de Santa Anna Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability Council ...................................................................... Freeman Elementary Education Council .........................................................................................................Cory Human Resources Council ......................................................................................................Marquand Legislative Policy Committee ....................................................................................................... Olguin National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) .................................................Burmeister RTI/Student Services & Special Education Council ......................................................................... Gates Secondary Education Council ...................................................................................................... Tsuboi
Please visit the ACSA Middle Grades Education Council home page at www.acsa.org/middlegrades
