Connecting Differentiated Accountability & ESSA

As we transition to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), I would be remiss if I didn't take a little time to make the connection(s) between the great work you've started with Differentiated Accountability (DA) with ESSA.
Below you will find a helpful graphic that begins to connect these two initiatives.  You will find the support and requirement at each level of both ESSA and DA.  The celebration is that as I mentioned earlier....some of this work has already started in your district. 

 So....where do you go from here?  Below you will find a few recommendations to get started with:

• Begin talking to your stakeholders!  Below you will find a couple of resources that might help  
• Make sure you have a team in place that is meeting on a regular basis to start working the Differentiated Accountability action plan
• Confirm that all PK-6 students are completing the Universal Screening assessment (i.e., FAST) 3 x per year
• Establish classwide interventions in classrooms that struggle to meet benchmarks
• Assign interventions to learners for whom universal instruction alone is not sufficient.  To identify initial instructional needs, we highly recommend completing Learner Step 2 (Instructional Sorts)
• Ensure that students that are not meeting benchmark are provided with a research-based interventions that will remediate the identified skill deficit
• Frequently monitor the effectiveness of interventions and make appropriate adjustments
• Verify that weekly progress monitoring occurs and is recorded properly for those students that are Persistently at Risk or At-Risk
• CELEBRATE the successes you see.

  
RESOURCES to use to Begin Talking to Your Stakeholders about ESSA

• Every Student Succeeds Act in Iowa ppt from Statewide Curriculum Network (Fall 2017)
• Iowa Department of Education ESSA webpage 

Spring Pilot for Iowa's Self-Assessment of MTSS Implementation.

We would like to announce an opportunity for schools to participate in a Spring, 2018 pilot for the Self-Assessment of MTSS Implementation, or SAMI!   The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires all schools identified as either Comprehensive or as Targeted to engage in a needs assessment as they develop an action plan in 2018-2019.  For Iowa, the SAMI is the needs assessment for schools.  The SAMI was adapted for Iowa using an established self-assessment developed and validated by national experts - the SAM [Self-Assessment of MTSS implementation].  Iowa conducted a small pilot of the SAMI, Spring 2017.  We would like to expand the pilot to any school that would like to volunteer and meets the criteria for participation.  Click to access details about the SAMI, including the two ways to be part of the pilot:

1.     To be an On Your Own site, you will need a SAMI Facilitator who will access online, self-paced modules that provides the information needed to facilitate a school leadership team to engage in discussions and complete the SAMI, complete the SAMI in your school leadership team, and complete brief surveys on the SAMI and the process.  Click for more information about being an On Your Own site, and to sign up!

2.     To be a Facilitated Pilot site, you will need to attend a 2-day DE/AEA facilitated session on April 5-6 with your school leadership team, complete the SAMI, and complete brief surveys on the SAMi and the process. Click for more information about being a Facilitated Pilot site, and to sign up!

Sponsored by Collaborating for Iowa's Kids (C4K) - a collaboration across the Iowa Department of Education, Area Education Agencies and Local Education Agencies to support Early Learning Standards/Iowa Core within an MTSS framework through Differentiated Accountability.

FastBridge Math & Behavior Opportunity

Just in from the Statewide Curriculum Network mtg. 

Below is information regarding a great opportunity to purchase an expansion to FastBridge Learning that will include math, behavior, and additional literacy resources.  NOTE:  There are two different start windows available, thus two potential deadline dates are listed below.   Fastbridge will include the Spring 2018 assessment window for districts/schools who commit to 2018-19 participation, at no additional charge.  

• If your district would like to commit to participation in 2018-19, but start using the assessments in the spring 2018, please notify Tesha Ruley by Jan. 15, 2018.

• • Deadline for 2018-19 participation, beginning in fall 2018, is June 15, 2018
  
  
  • Click here to access the entire FastBridge AEA System communication about this opportunity

Universal Desk Audit Due

Just a quick update on the Universal Desk Audit which is due December 15.  There are a couple of resources that will help with this work that you will find linked below.  If you need any additional assistance, please just let us know.  We're here to help!


Universal Desk Audit Components

1.Board policies (Public districts only) (500 series)

a.Discipline policies (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, suspension, expulsion, etc.)

b.upload or provide a link to board policies

2.Annual and continuous nondiscrimination notice (Public districts only)

a.website, parent and student handbooks

3.Elementary Program, grades 1-6

a.upload master schedule and Health content matrix

4.JH Program, grades 7 and 8

a.upload master schedule and  Health content matrix if needed

5.High School Program, grades 9-12

a.upload master schedule; upload or link to course descriptions

6.Attendance center and course enrollment data review

a.upload minutes from review of course enrollment information in your district/school

              Areas to be reviewed with no additional uploads required of district/school:

                                                 Calendar & Appropriate staff licensure

Additional Guidance

Public Schools

The upload for this year is very similar to last year (6 items) but also includes the 500 series policies for student discipline and the Annual and Continual notice. This is included this year since there have been changes to the CTE service areas and they need to be sure to update those on the Annual notice. The other item for all public schools is evidence of discussion/review of course enrollment data.  Evidence in trends in course enrollment that reflect not only gender, but race, SES, special education and language barriers should be uploaded.

Nonpublic Schools
The non-pub audit is going to be a quick up-load. You are correct about the program of study at each grade band level. The calendar and staff information review will come from other reports in SRI and Fall BEDS Staff reports. They don't have to upload the 500 series policies related to student discipline. The trick is remembering to upload the class schedules for elementary so I can check art, music and PE. The other thing to watch is to be sure that all elements of the health matrix are taught at some point in time during, same for MS. The middle school only need to do the health and career info. matrices.

Resources for the Work:
Universal Desk Audit webinar 
Universal Desk Audit powerpoint

Glad to help - let me know if you need anything.

ESSA Section 1003 (Previous SINA Funds)

At last week's statewide curriculum directors meeting, information was shared on ESSA Section 1003.  These funds are the previous SINA/School Improvement funds under NCLB.  Below are a few important things to know:

• This year's funds will be based on prior SINA identifications
• DUE November 15...Schools receiving funds this year will be expected to provide a description for how your building will use the Title I funds to improve Reading and/or Math achievement.
• Budgets will be approved if they align with a plan that establishes goal based on need, employs strategies for improvement connected to the school's improvement plan and/or uses funding in a way that is allowable and reasonable.  IT IS DISCOURAGED to use these funds for the purchases of supplies and materials.  (See "Appropriate & Inappropriate Uses of Funds" charts below.  
• Payments will go out quarterly and must be used by June 30.  Carry-overs will not be allowed.  
• How at Access / "Apply" for these Funds
• Use the Education Portal under your A&A Account
• Complete the Title I Application
• If you have difficulty meeting the deadline or if you have a problem accessing the application, please contact Geri McMahon at the Iowa Department of Education
• Beginning 2018-2019, these ESSA funds will be distributed to support Targeted or Comprehensive schools.
• Click here to access the entire ESSA Section 1003 ppt

Understanding Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Need information to share with all stakeholders regarding the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?  The Iowa Department of Education has shared a great power-point that explains what ESSA does, its guiding principles, how current state initiatives fit into ESSA, and much more!  Click here to access Iowa's Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Getting to Know Our New State Assessment

Well, do we proceed with caution or jump right into learning more about our new state assessment?  In my last post, I shared a news release from the Iowa Department of Education that announced the "winning bidder" of our 2018-2019 statewide assessment.  The American Institutes for Research assessment called "Independent College and Career Readiness Solution" (to be named something different in the near future) is "expected to run one year and eight months-the time needed to prepare for and administer a new state test--with an option to renew annually for four more years."
So....I'm proposing both....let's proceed with caution as we jump into learning more.

Want to learn a little bit about AIR Assessments?  Click here
Ready to try an online practice test featuring AIRCore ELA and Math?  Click here

IDOE Announces New Statewide Assessment

Iowa Department of Education News Release

For Immediate Release September 28, 2017

Contact:

Staci Hupp 515-281-5651 staci.hupp@iowa.gov

Iowa Department of Education announces winning bid for new statewide assessments

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Education today announced the winning bidder for new statewide assessments of student progress in English language arts, mathematics and science to be given in the 2018-19 school year.

A formal notice of intent to award was issued naming a proposal from American Institutes for Research, an independent nonprofit organization. AIR’s proposal for an assessment called Independent College and Career Readiness Solution scored highest overall in a competitive-bidding process that followed criteria set by Iowa lawmakers this year.

Iowa will re-name the assessment once a contract is awarded.

A request for proposals was required by 2017 state legislation (Senate File 240). The Iowa Department of Administrative Services issued the RFP on the education department’s behalf in June.

Selection criteria followed requirements outlined in Senate File 240. For each bid, reviewers considered alignment with Iowa’s academic standards and federal law, ability to measure student progress and proficiency, costs, feasibility of implementation for school districts, time required to administer the assessments, and infrastructure and technology needs. Assessments must be available in both paper-and-pencil and computer-based formats.

Eight proposals from six vendors were considered by a review team made up of Iowa school administrators and educators, as well as staff from the Iowa Department of Education.

The vendors who submitted bids were ACT Inc., American Institutes for Research, Data Recognition Corporation, Pearson, Questar, and the University of Kansas.

An appeal period of five business days is underway, as required by law. Following this period, an assessment proposal will be taken to the State Board of Education to start the formal administrative rule-making process required for adoption.

A contract for new statewide assessments is expected to run one year and eight months – the time needed to prepare for and administer a new state test -- with an option to renew annually for four more years.

Iowa students will take new state assessments for the first time in the spring semester of the 2018-19 school year.

ISEA Journey to Excellence Training Opportunity

Contact Colleen Heinz @ Colleen.Heinz@isea.org for more information

Formally Designated SINA or DINA Funds Update

Within the next couple of weeks, districts that have been previously identified as being a School in Need of Assistance will be receiving notification of allocated Section 1003/Title 1 SINA funds.   Once these determinations have been made,  a Section 1003/SINA tab will appear on your Title 1 Application page.  You will need to complete this section as it aligns to your 2015-2016 SINA plan to be approved.  All funds must be used by June 30th.  These allocations can not be carried over. 


Guidance
For the 2017-2018 school year, the Department will continue to use the list of schools that would have been on the SINA list generated from the 2015-2016 Iowa Assessment data had the SINA designation continued. The sole purpose of this list is to determine the distribution of funds from ESSA Sec. 1003 (formerly SINA).

Schools that would have been designated as SINA will receive these funds, but no list will be published.Per U.S. Department of Education guidance, the Department has chosen not to collect new plans from districts or schools formerly designated as SINA or DINA. Schools that receive funds under ESSA Sec. 1003 will be required to submit a budget and a brief description in their Title I application of how the school improvement funds will be used to improve reading and math achievement.
 
NOTE:  The above guidance went to districts via email from Amy Williamson on 9/7/17

Sign Up for Differentiated Accountability Sessions NOW

Just a quick reminder to sign up for our upcoming Differentiated Accountability (DA) sessions.  Do you need to attend all 3 sessions?  District decision.  Here's a couple of things to think about:

1.  The FASTBridge session will not only cover use & interpretation of FAST data for fall screening,  but you'll also learn about report features, setting up interventions & progress monitoring.

2.  The Universal Instruction 2 day sessions are a repeat of last year's materials.  IF your DA data for % at Benchmark falls in the Intensive (0-59%) range, then we would strongly suggest you attend this 2 day training.

3.  IF you attended last year's Universal Instruction sessions and your data falls into the Supplemental (60-79%) or Universal (80-100%) then we would strongly recommend that:

• your team is meeting on a regular basis to start working the Differentiated Accountability action plan.  
• all PK-6 students are completing the Universal Screening assessment (i.e., FAST) 3 x per year.
• classwide interventions are being used with classrooms that struggle to meet benchmarks
• students that are not meeting benchmark are provided with a research-based interventions that will remediate the identified skill deficit
• weekly progress monitoring occurs and is recorded properly
• you CELEBRATE the successes you see. 

​4.  Make plans to attend the Intervention System training.  This session will focus on content learning, skill development, and action planning to further develop an effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to benefit all learners.  Determining and monitoring intervention effectiveness and alignment of interventions to student need will also be addressed. 

5.  Who should attend?  District/school team (3-5 members) is recommended because successful implementation of the work requires collaboration.  Consider including staff who make decisions about instruction, assessment and data use.  -

Mentoring and Induction for CASA

Here are a few important pieces of information I picked up yesterday when I tuned into the Mentoring and Induction webinar that I thought I'd share.

1.  Click here  for resouces that will help you with this work.  A recording of the webinar will be made available @ https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/educator-quality/mentoring-induction-beginning-educators

2.  The bottom line was this.  If districts choose to continue with the Mentoring and Induction Program as stated in the plan that was put on the required template last year, they will upload that.

3.  If schools choose to use their TLC Part 4 structures for Mentoring and Induction, they would upload nothing.  Rather, they would review Part 4 of their TLC plan to make sure it addresses their support of beginning teachers accurately.  If their current Part 4 is accurate, they are good to go and continue the work. If their Part 4 needs to be adjusted, they will need to submit a Plan of Change for Part 4 of their TLC plan.

4.  Below you will find a few of the pertinent slides that were shared and serve as great reminders.  Again, you can find the link to the entire ppt when you click for resources in #1.

 

Updated CASA Information

I'm sure many of you had the chance to "tune into" today's CASA webinar.  Here is a link to the ppt that was shared and a couple of important things to remember.  As always, we're here to help.  If we can be of any assistance, just let us know.

1.  Due Sept. 15

• Assurance (public and nonpublic).  Click here for additional information
• CSIP (public and nonpublic). Click here for additional information
• Mentoring & Induction Plans
• Talented & Gifted (TAG) Plans
• Career Planning (New this Year).  Click here for additional information
• Preschool Desk Audit (New in CASA this year)

 2.  Due Dec. 15 (NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER SEPT. 15)

• K12 Desk Audit (New in CASA this year)
• AEA Desk Audit (New in CASA this year)

3.  Additional Items to Note

• Title III and Lau Plan Reporting are in the works, information will be provided as soon as possible
• Applications for Waivers and Exemptions are up and running in the CASA system.  These submissions are available only to superintendents and nonpublic administrators. 

4.  Resources for this work.  All content and deadlines are posted to the Iowa Department of Education website.

• Access and 2017 Submission Requirements
  
  
  2017 Applications and Waivers
  
  
        Desk Audit Webinar - Friday, September 15, 2017, 10:00-11:00
  
  
  Upcoming and Recorded Webinars
   

TUNE IN for Mentoring & Induction Updates

Please make plans to tune into the August 16 webinar hosted by the Iowa Department of Education on the topic of supporting beginning teachers and state reporting requirements.  Programming expectations as well as reporting requirements will be addressed. 

August 16         1 p.m.    https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/673620952

ALSO, the following document was shared to clarify options to meet implementation and reporting expectations: 

 Click here to access this document

2017-2018 Universal Screening Window

It will be here before we know it.  Below you will find information and a link to the 2017-2018 Universal Screening Window information.  As always, we're here to help.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call.

Click here for the direct link:  https://www.educateiowa.gov/documents/literacy/2017/02/2017-2018-universal-screening-windows-regular-school-year

Upcoming CASA Webinar

Upcoming Webinars

Tuesday, August 15th - 1:00-2:00 pm
This webinar will reintroduce the CASA system for the 2017-18 school year. We will provide information about how to access the system, submission requirements and timelines for the 2017-18 school year.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/708934326
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +14086380968,,708934326# or +16465588656,,708934326#
Or Telephone:
Dial: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 708 934 326
International numbers available: https://IDOE.zoom.us/zoomconference?m=9R9HZ7yz2_TbJlMj7Uhiu3UQ0U3-qekR

 

Recordings of Previous Webinars

Date	Topic	Materials (if applicable)
05/18/16	Consolidated Accountability and Support Application (CASA) - supports school improvement and reporting tasks.	Presentation Slides

Practical Reading Advise for Teachers: The National Reading Panel Report

This spring I was reminded of a GREAT report that was published in 2005 that offered practical advise for Teachers regarding the foundations of Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Oral Reading Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension Strategies. 

Click here to access the:  The National Reading Panel Report"  Practical Advise for Teachers (Timothy Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago)  I'm including a snapshot of the Table of Contents below so you can quickly see how this report might be of interested to you.

Early Warning Data System Transition

A MESSAGE FROM THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
(This message was sent earlier to all superintendents, elementary principals, and nonpublic administrators --- )

Dear Colleagues,
You were notified last week of the Department's decision to terminate the contract with TIES, the developer of the Iowa TIER data system. For the 2017-18 school year the Department will be working with FASTBridge, and districts and schools, to transfer all district and nonpublic school users directly into the FASTBridge data system. As our state transitions to the FASTBridge data system over the summer, the Department will be communicating important information with districts and schools in order to keep you updated on our progress and to make you aware of tasks for which you will be responsible.
District and School Summer Communication Contacts
The Department will include all superintendents and principals that we have on file when communicating about the transition to FASTBridge over the summer. If there are additional people from your district or school that you would like to receive communication updates, please forward this email to them and they can click here to subscribe to future emails. Please make sure that you have at least one contact at your district/school who will be checking email regularly over the summer and and will be able to respond to requests from the Department during this transition.
Closing of the Iowa TIER Data System/Summer Interventions and Progress Monitoring
Our intent is that the Iowa TIER data system will not be available for screening, progress monitoring, or scheduling interventions after June 9, 2017, except for three extended school year elementary schools that will be finishing spring screening and literacy status certification activities through June 23rd. However, the system will remain open until June 30th for downloading information such as one-click reports, progress monitoring graphs, student profile page data, and summary reports.
Because of the closure of Iowa TIER, the Department will not be able to offer on-line assessment administration, scoring, and reports for summer school. Schools that will be having summer school are encouraged to track interventions and progress monitoring data locally, and to administer progress monitoring assessments with paper and pencil. If interested in paper/pencil administration, see the Progress Monitoring Using FAST: Paper and Pencil Administration document for a brief explanation and key points and the Progress Monitoring Using FAST: Paper and Pencil Materials folder for the necessary administration, scoring, and recording forms. We are exploring options for entering or uploading summer data into the FASTBridge data system sometime during the 2017-18 school year.
Historical Data Housed in Iowa TIER
The Department and the State's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) will be working with TIES to obtain all of the historical data that has been stored in Iowa TIER since the 2013-14 school year. We are unsure when the data will be available in a consumable format for districts and schools, but it is unlikely that historical data for students will be accessible right away in the fall. Before June 30th, we encourage (but do not require) schools to export information from Iowa TIER that may be useful for the beginning of next school year - this may include one-click reports, progress monitoring graphs, student profile page data, and summary reports. Please see the Iowa TIER Export Instructions for information on the most efficient way to export data.
Preschool Screening
The FASTBridge data system will not include on-line administration of the IGDIs assessments for preschool students. The Department encourages preschool classrooms that use IGDIs to administer it with paper and pencil during the 2017-18 school year, and track student data locally. We are exploring possibilities for accommodating data collection of the IGDIs data and will keep you informed with any updates we have.
Screening with Approved Measures Other than FAST
Districts and schools will still have the option to use other approved measures besides the FAST assessments. The Department is exploring how we will have these schools report required data. Again, we will keep you informed as we have updates available.

Thanks for your support during this transition. We know it will be a summer and fall of new learning but believe we are all headed in the right direction for learners in Iowa. We remain committed to our efforts in early literacy as a state, and partnering with you as we continue on that journey together. Throughout this transition, the Department will continue to be the first line of communication and support for districts. As you have questions related to the transition, please use the contacts below. We ask that you do not use the Iowa TIER knowledge base or ticket system for questions or comments related to this transition.

Administrative issues:  Dave Tilly
Differentiated Accountability issues:  Amy Williamson
Technical issues:  Janell Brandhorst

Keystone's 2017-2018 Differentiated Accountability Session Dates~REGISTER NOW

2017-2018 Differentiated Accountability Session Dates.  Register to Attend NOW!

 

NOTE:  The session information in Assessment & Data Based Decision Making AND Universal Instruction will be a repeat from last years sessions. 

				CLICK TO REGISTER
Assessment & Data Based Decision Making 1 day	October 5	Elkader		AS007392011801
Assessment & Data Based Decision Making  1 day	October 3	Dubuque		AS007392011802
Universal Instruction  1 day	October 30	Elkader		RE037092011801
Universal Instruction 1 day	November 2nd	Dubuque		RE037092011802
Universal Instruction 2 day	November 15 and 16	Elkader		RE037192011801
Universal Instruction 2 day	November 28 and 29	Dubuque		RE037192011802
Intervention 2 day	December 5 & 6	Elkader		RE039092011801
Intervention 2 day	December 12 & 13	Decorah		RE039092011802
Intervention 2 day	December 6 & 7	Dubuque		RE039092011803

Iowa Adopts New Social Studies Standards

Press Release from the Iowa Department of Education

State Board of Education adopts new social studies standards

Board accepts state team’s recommendations

DES MOINES – Members of the State Board of Education today adopted new statewide social studies standards following an Iowa-led writing and review process that began more than a year ago.

The new standards represent the first update to Iowa’s social studies standards since they were adopted in 2008. Supporters say the new standards provide clarity that teachers have asked for, as well as the real-world knowledge and skills in social studies that students need for success in postsecondary education and in civic life.

“Setting clear and consistent expectations for Iowa students is an important part of preparing them for success,” said Charles Edwards, president of the State Board of Education. “I’m impressed with the quality of our new social studies standards, as well as the process that took place to draft, review and adopt them.”

The new standards outline what students should know and be able to do in social studies from kindergarten through 12th grade. The board’s unanimous vote was based on recommendations from Iowa’s Social Studies Standards Review Team, which convened this year to review draft standards developed in 2016 by an Iowa writing team.

To develop draft standards, the writing team used a framework created by a group of states, including Iowa, and endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies.

The Social Studies Standards Review Team then modified the draft standards this year based on broad public input, which included an online survey, public forums and teacher focus groups.

The review team finalized its recommendations in March and released a report to the State Board of Education in April.

The new social studies standards:

• Go beyond content that students should master, emphasizing the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that students need to be successful in postsecondary education and training and to compete for today’s most rewarding jobs.
• Weave in Iowa history and financial literacy, which were not reflected in the previous social studies standards.
• Outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level from kindergarten through eighth grade, rather than being organized by spans of grades. In grades 9 through 12, the draft standards are organized by content area within social studies.

The State Board of Education also accepted recommendations to ensure successful implementation of social studies standards, such as establishing a social studies position at each of Iowa’s area education agencies, providing teachers with ongoing access to professional development in social studies, and increasing statewide accountability for social studies education.

The social studies standards writing process was prompted by feedback that the standards needed improvement. A 2015 survey showed many Iowa teachers wanted clearer, more specific expectations.

The review of draft social studies standards was in line with an executive order signed by Gov. Branstad in 2013. Executive Order 83 called for a regular, transparent review of Iowa’s academic standards to identify areas for improvement.

For more information about Iowa’s academic standards, visit www.iowacore.gov.  

CASA 2017-2018

Last week I had the chance to sit in on the statewide Curriculum Directors meeting and picked up a little information regarding the CASA for 2017-2018.  In reality, not a lot will change, but I wanted to highlight a few things that caught my attention:
 

• Differentiated Accountability: Desk Audits & CASA 2017-2018 ppt  
• All desk audits will be due December 15
• Google Sites will no longer be used to upload information.  ALL INFORMATION WILL BE UPLOADED THROUGH THE CASA
• Preschool Session/Classroom Numbers are DUE SEPTEMBER 15.  All remaining Preschool Desk Audit Information (formerly known as EarlyChildhood Reporting) is due December 15 
•  Two DESK AUDIT ITEMS that will need your attention:
• The Grade 1-6 Required Health Component Specifications MUST BE completed on this template to be uploaded.  
• Attendance Center and Course Enrollment  
• Webinars regarding CASA changes will be held periodically this spring and fall.  Click here to check out these opportunities.  

NOTE:  Corrective Action for Desk Audit non-compliance areas will be done through the CASA.  

Important Desk Audit Webinar to Catch May 12

A note from the Iowa Department of Education
 
K-12 DESK AUDIT WEBINAR

The Iowa Department of Education is preparing for another year of implementing Differentiated Accountability (DA). The DA model supports compliance with state and federal law through the desk audit process. All AEAs, districts, preschool programs, and nonpublic schools will submit initial universal desk audit information for compliance with state and federal legal requirements. If needed, further compliance review through more detailed desk audit, remote interview, or on-site will be conducted at a targeted or intensive level.
On May 12th a webinar is scheduled at 2:00 to provide information on the 2017-18 K-12 universal desk audit. The power point will be posted on the DA page sometime later.
Link to Zoom.
Link to Iowa Department of Education DA page

Cindy Butler (cindy.butler@iowa.gov), K-12 desk audit
Jennifer Adkins (Jennifer.adkins@iowa.gov), preschool desk audit

Facilitator Training for Journey to Excellence Opportunity

The Principles of Instruction

On a recent Intensive Differentiated Accountability visit, I was reminded of the power of this great article to reinforce "The Principles of Instruction:  Research-Based Strategies That All Teachers Should Know"