Superintendents: SAI Leadership Link, March Edition

Click here for this month's edition of the SAI Leadership Link that was shared at the March AEA Superintendents meeting.

Why Use Com Cat at Heartland?

Students think that finding information should be as easy as doing a Google search. A 2005 study of Iowa college freshmen showed that 62% go to the Internet first when doing research and 36% never rejected a piece of information from the Internet. Students’ information-seeking behaviors and expectations have changed. Information silos aren’t a good fit for 21st century learners. Fortunately, the technology has evolved so that students can have the Google-like interface they expect to be valid, reliable information sources that teachers want them to use.

Students can use a single portal to search the school library, Heartland collections and online databases such as EBSCO, SIRS, World Book, netTrekker, etc. at the same time. Com Cat provides the single portal interface that matches student information-seeking behaviors. It is a valuable support to discovery learning, inquiry approach, focused-learning approach and personal learning. More information is available from the school teacher librarian.

To access Com Cat, go to http://comcat-agent.auto-graphics.com
Click Account Login
Click Lookup and choose your school Enter the username and password assigned to your school.

Iowa Educators Consortium Statewide Online Database Trials

The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) statewide online database trials will run March 1 through April 15. Teachers are encouraged to build lessons and use these trial resources during this time. A three page handout of the databases, which can be copied and forwarded to staff, is available from the school teacher librarian. AP, social studies, debate, science and gifted/talented teachers will be especially interested in these free resources!

Heartland is interested in knowing which databases should be considered for purchase in the 2009-2010 school year. Teacher librarians are asked to talk with staff and forward recommendations for purchase to Heartland. If there is enough interest and need, Heartland will consider purchasing the database(s) for all schools in the service area.

Log-in information is in the handout and below:
http://tinyurl.com/ckxepl
User ID: iec2009
Password: iowalibrary

Note: Heartland already subscribes to BookFLIX, netTrekker and Rosen Teen Health and Wellness. Those databases are listed on the IEC Web site but are not included on the three page handout.

Iowa Department of Education's 2009-2010 HIV Prevention Teacher Training

HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy are still concerning issues in our society. Click here for information on the Iowa Department of Education's 2009-2010 HIV Prevention Teacher Training Program. Classes offered this year are entitled, Draw the Line/Respect the Line, Making A Difference and Making Proud Choices. Click here for dates and locations of the classes, all of which start at 8:15 a.m. and finish by 3:45 p.m. To register for the classes, click here. All registration forms must be sent to the following:

Mary Jo Clark
HIV/AIDS Program
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Bldg.
Des Moines, IA 50319 – 0146
maryjo.clark@iowa.gov
Fax: (515) 281-6548

Contact Sara Peterson (515) 281–4804, sara.peterson@iowa.gov or Mary Jo Clark, (515) 281 – 4751, maryjoclark@iowa.gov for questions concerning classes, registration or reimbursement.

Heartland Provided Summer Workshop: Effective School Team Leadership

Schools and districts interested in learning how to build effective leadership teams will have the opportunity to send staff to one of two Effective School Team Leadership Workshops this summer. The three-day workshops will be offered across different regions on June 10-12 or August 3-5. Areas of focus will be building culture and trust, doing the right work of a team and reviewing how the team will address implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum. Click here for more information including dates and locations.

The deadline for registration is May 13, 2009.

National Clean Diesel Funding Available

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, "The Stimulus Bill", Congress has made over $300 million available for retrofits, re-powers, replacements, engine upgrades and idle reduction technologies. Of the $300 million appropriation, approximately $26 million will be made available to eligible entities within the Blue Skyways Collaborative Region.

The Request for Application (RFA) is posted at www.epa.gov/cleandiesel, and the anticipated closing date is April 13, 2009.

For additional information on applicant eligibility and projects that qualify for funding under this program, go to www.blueskyways.org/funding/archives/DERA.htm.

To stay current on the latest grant opportunities and other Blue Skyways Collaborative information, email info@blueskyways.org.

See What's New on the Professional Development for Iowa School Leaders Web site

The Professional Development for Iowa School Leaders Web site offers a one-stop resource to locate professional development available from some of Iowa’s foremost providers. Go to http://iowaschoolleadership.org to view upcoming professional development opportunities.

In addition, Iowa school leaders may continue to subscribe to the mailing list to stay abreast of the latest professional development posted on the site. Sign-up is available on virtually any page on the site, below the menus in the right column.

Assessment for Learning around the World: What Would it Mean to Be "Internationally Competitive"

A new article written by Linda Darling-Hammond, a Stanford University professor, outlines nations whose educational systems thrive without relying on high-stakes testing and standardized tests. To read the article, go to http://edpolicy.stanford.edu/pages/events/kerner/kerner_materials.html scroll down to the section, "Recommended Readings", and choose Assessment for Learning around the World: What Would it Mean to Be 'Internationally Competitive?'