Still Time to Sign Up for Allan Odden Budget Workshop

There’s still time to sign up for this opportunity to attend a hands-on budgeting workshop with Dr. Odden, professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin, and co-director of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education–Wisconsin Center for Education Research. He is a nationally recognized expert in resource allocation and fiscal policy.

Dr. Odden will help workshop participants think through the most effective resource allocation strategies for increasing student achievement. Participants will be able to interact with each other and across districts, be able to use their own data to “model” most effective and efficient resource allocation decisions and will provide input into next steps they need for ongoing support. The workshop will be a practical, no-nonsense day that will leave people more equipped to make intelligent resource allocation decisions.

The event will be held at the West Des Moines Sheraton May 12, 2010, for 1A to 3A districts and May 13, 2010, for 4A districts. Click here for the workshop flyer. Online registration is available at http://www.sai-iowa.org/stayfocused/.

Please consider attending this informative workshop.

Effective Instruction Institute—Iowa Core Curriculum

Join other teachers and administrators June 15-17 to investigate and dialogue about the Iowa Core characteristics of effective instruction through featured speaker presentations; small group exploration of sample units, videos and informational briefs; and district debriefing and planning sessions. Click here for more information. The Activity Number for registration is IS013932311101. You can register online by clicking here.

Featured speakers will include:
Margaret Heritage—Assistant Director for Professional Development at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA
Bridgette Wagoner—Director of Price Lab School at UNI
Troyce Fisher—Leadership Grant Director at School Administrators of Iowa (Wallace Foundation)
Sarah Wessling—Johnston HS teacher and 2010 Iowa Teacher of the Year

Spring Title I Meeting Coming in May

The Iowa Department of Education will be holding its annual Spring Title I meeting in AEA 11 on May 14 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the Johnston AEA Office. The Activity Number for registration is RE011792111001. You can register online by clicking here.

Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Application Update

From Penny Milburn, Early Childhood Consultant, Iowa Department of Education

Kevin Fangman, acting director of the Iowa Department of Education, requested that I clarify the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Application. Some districts may believe they do not have to apply for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program but will be able to count their four-year-old children in EASEIR for the October 2011 count. This is not the case under the current law. Only those districts that have applied and are approved will generate the preschool funding formula in future October counts.

The DE encourages all districts to apply this year, the final year. It is important for Iowa’s four-year olds to have access to quality preschool.

Crisis Planning Project at Heartland AEA

Crafting a crisis action plan in the midst of a crisis is not successful. Will your district be ready when disaster strikes? The Crisis Planning Project at Heartland AEA is an opportunity for schools to review their current plans with an eye on refinement and inclusion of current issues and best practice. Click here for information about this 2010-11 professional development opportunity.

Children’s Mental Health Resources Guide Available From NAMI

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Iowa has a children’s mental health resource guide available for anyone who may be interested in children’s mental health issues. The book can be picked up free at NAMI Iowa or they will mail copies if recipients pay postage. Click here for more information.

Honoring Judy Jeffrey as She Retires

We all know Judy Jeffrey is retiring the first of May. As she begins this new phase of her life, we have been told that Judy will once again take on a challenge of making a difference. This summer she plans to assist women who suffer from breast cancer by participating in a 60 mile walk in 3 days—that’s 20 miles each day. If you are interested in honoring Judy as she retires, consider making a pledge to this important event in Judy’s life. Click on the website below to make your pledge.

1. http://www.the3day.org/site/TR
2. On the right side of the website click on donate to a participant.
3. Search by placing in the name Judy Jeffrey then click Search.
4. Click on the name Judy Jeffrey.
5. On the left side of the website click on ‘Click to donate to Judy in 2010.’

Contribute the amount you wish to give in helping Judy reach her goal.
Please feel free to send this e-mail on to others. If you have questions, please call or email:
Mary Petersen
mpetersen@aea11.k12.ia.us
(515) 224-4722

Beverly Riess
beverly.riess@uni.edu
(515) 988-4157

A retirement reception will be held to honor Judy on April 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the State Board Room. Click here for more information.