We wanted to alert you to a potential problem as you get ready for your fall data days and offer three solutions.
The Problem
The current version of the electronic 4-Box Filemaker Pro tool that you received as part of the IDM Winter or Spring Cohort Reunion no longer works. Because the UO DIBELS Data System has two sets of benchmark goals (i.e., the Recommended and the Former), the Data System no longer populates a necessary field in the data set that is downloaded from their system and imported into the Filemaker Pro tool.
Three Solutions:
1. We have updated the electronic 4-Box Filemaker Pro tool (version 2.1). That means you will be able to initially sort your students by need based on their DIBELS Next data. However, you will need to delete the old Filemaker Pro tool and install the new tool. Click here for directions on how to delete the old tool, install the new tool and download the correct data set from the UO DIBELS Data System. Version 2.1 of the Filemaker Pro tool uses the Former (i.e., the goals we used last year and recommended by the DIBELS Next authors) benchmark goals. Please note that this solution is only for schools that use Mac computers.
2. A second solution is the availability of a quadrant report in HEART. You will need to work with your Heartland assessment consultant for assistance with importing the DIBELS Next data set into HEART. For an overview of how the HEART quadrant report functions, please see http://tinyurl.com/8lhu8ne. The HEART quadrant report allows you to set your own cut scores, thus the DIBELS Next Former or Recommended benchmark goals can be used. This solution works for Macs and PCs.
3. Of course, various paper-pencil versions of the 4-Box are still available. If you or staff at your school are a DIBELS Mentor, the grouping worksheets are available on Dynamic Measurement Group's Mentor website: http://dibels.org/mentors.html. In addition, Becky Hinze, AEA reading consultant, has a version of the grouping worksheets posted on her wiki: http://beckyhinze.pbworks.com/w/page/53368611/DIBELS. For these worksheets, please note that there is a slight modification in the winter and spring of 1st grade grouping. Instead of using Nonsense Word Fluency - Whole Words Read (WWR) as the second sorting variable, Nonsense Word Fluency - Correct Letter Sounds (CLS) is used. The grouping worksheets cited above currently reference the Former Goals.
One Caution
As you download the data set from the UO DIBELS Data System for import into the Filemaker Pro tool or HEART, you’ll notice that the Data System reports that the data set (i.e., DIBELS Next and Math Data Export (Deprecated)) will no longer be available after December 1, 2012. Please know that we are exploring several possibilities and are confident we can develop a solution before your winter data day.
If you have any question about the Filemaker Pro tool, please contact Alecia Rahn-Blakeslee (arahn@aea11.k12.ia.us) or Berrett Rice (brice@aea11.k12.ia.us). If you have questions about the HEART quadrant report, please contact the assessment consultant for your region.
Friday, September 7, 2012
New Data Collection System for Bullying/Harassment
For the 2012-2013 school year, the Iowa Department of Education (DE) is launching a new data collection system for bullying and harassment reports for all public and accredited non-public schools in Iowa.
Webinar sessions have been going on in August and September to give guidance to the system. The sessions are designed for district personnel who have the responsibility for reporting bullying and harassment incidents to the Department. Historically, this reporting has been a part of spring BEDS – Basic Educational Data Survey. Bullying and harassment data reporting will now be a part of Ed-Info.
The purpose of these sessions is to introduce each district to the new reporting system features and to provide guidance on the reporting and use of data from the system to guide district efforts in addressing bullying. There is another webinar scheduled for Friday, Sept. 14, 1-2 p.m., and you can register by clicking here.
Each session will include step-by-step instructions followed by a question-and-answer period. Handouts for the webinar sessions are available on the Department’s Anti-Bullying Anti-Harassment webpage. If you are not able to attend one of the sessions, a pre-recorded webinar will be available beginning Sept. 15.
You can also click here to view a recorded session of a previous webinar. http://iowa.adobeconnect.com/p5zwrgq2tdc/. Click here for a presentation handout introducing the new reporting system.
For more information, contact the Department’s Penny Bisignano at (515) 725-2142 or penny.bisignano@iowa.gov or Barb Anderson at (515) 664-6732 or barb.anderson@iowa.gov.
Webinar sessions have been going on in August and September to give guidance to the system. The sessions are designed for district personnel who have the responsibility for reporting bullying and harassment incidents to the Department. Historically, this reporting has been a part of spring BEDS – Basic Educational Data Survey. Bullying and harassment data reporting will now be a part of Ed-Info.
The purpose of these sessions is to introduce each district to the new reporting system features and to provide guidance on the reporting and use of data from the system to guide district efforts in addressing bullying. There is another webinar scheduled for Friday, Sept. 14, 1-2 p.m., and you can register by clicking here.
Each session will include step-by-step instructions followed by a question-and-answer period. Handouts for the webinar sessions are available on the Department’s Anti-Bullying Anti-Harassment webpage. If you are not able to attend one of the sessions, a pre-recorded webinar will be available beginning Sept. 15.
You can also click here to view a recorded session of a previous webinar. http://iowa.adobeconnect.com/p5zwrgq2tdc/. Click here for a presentation handout introducing the new reporting system.
For more information, contact the Department’s Penny Bisignano at (515) 725-2142 or penny.bisignano@iowa.gov or Barb Anderson at (515) 664-6732 or barb.anderson@iowa.gov.
September Edition of "Each and Every Child"
Click here for the September edition of "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. Please forward it to your parents, and use the stories as opportunities for discussion.
Reminder: Student Invitation to the United State Senate Youth Program
The state of Iowa has accepted an invitation to participate in the U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP), sponsored by the William Randolph Heart Foundation. The program is designed to give young Americans a working knowledge of American political life.
Each year two Iowa students have the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. The William Randolph Heart Foundation pays all expenses. In addition, the two Iowa high school representatives each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Selection of the two Iowa high school representatives is based on the outstanding ability and demonstrated leadership qualities of elected junior and senior high school student officers for the 2012-13 school year.
Each high school may nominate up to three students. Student application materials are available on the Iowa Department of Education website at http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=939:ussenateyouthprogram&catid=671:advanced-learning-opportunities&Itemid=2738.
Completed applications should be submitted to Chris Jeffryes at Heartland AEA 11, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA 50131 by 4:00 p.m. on October 5, 2012. Nominees will take a qualifying examination on October 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Conference Room 13A at the Johnston AEA Regional Education Center on the U.S. Constitution and government. The award recipients will be announced in December.
Contact Chris Jeffryes (chris_jeffryes@aea11.k12.ia.us) or Cheryl Mullenbach (Cheryl.Mullenbach@iowa.gov) for information.
Employment as a Legislative Page for the Iowa Legislature
The 2013 Legislative Session begins on Monday, January 14, 2013, and will likely adjourn in early May. Whole or half-session appointments are available of high school students wishing to become pages. Go to https://www.legis.iowa.gov/Agencies/pageInfo.aspx for additional information and an application form.
Reminder: Save these Dates for ESL Opportunities
We wanted to remind you of some upcoming events and opportunities that focus on the unique needs of ELL/ESL learners. Click here to subscribe to the English Language Learner/Diversity listserv to get timely information on ESL/ELL opportunities.
ESL Advisory/Networking Meetings
All Heartland AEA area districts are invited to send a representative(s) to quarterly ESL Advisory/Networking meetings. Participants identify professional development needs and provide input on Title III support for the school year. They also find out firsthand about mini grant opportunities for implementation in their districts.
Remaining Dates: December 4, 2012; February 5, 2013; May 7, 2013
Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive), Room 13B
Implementing a Quality ESL Program: A Day Seminar for Administrator and Teacher Teams
Date: September 26, 2012
Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive), Rooms 13A/B
Click here to register or register through the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog and put activity number ES006892111301 in the correct field.
Special Education Considerations for English Language Learners with Cristina Sanchez-Lopez
Dates: October 12-13, 2012
Time: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: Zion Lutheran Church (4300 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines)
More information to come. Please join the ESL Listserv.
Mid-TESOL (Regional Conference for Administrators and Teachers)
Dates: October 19-20, 2012 Time: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: Iowa State University
More information to come. Please join the ESL Listserv.
Iowa Culture and Language Conference
Dates: November 11-13, 2012
Location: Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville, IA
More information to come. Please join the ESL Listserv.
The Pearson SIOP for Teachers Virtual Institute
Title III will reimburse the registration fee and provide the text, Making Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners, for participation in the Pearson Virtual SIOP Training for Teachers. A $200 stipend will also be awarded to participants who complete the requirements of the institute and receive the certificate of completion. Teachers are encouraged to form study groups around this training and submit an electronic course proposal for license renewal or Drake credit. Please contact Pat Latham at platham@aea11.k12.ia.us with any questions.
Dates: October 15-November 5, 2012 or November 13-December 11, 2012
Location: Online Learning
Go to http://siop.pearson.com/ to register for the Virtual Institute.
Contact Pat Latham at platham@aea11.k12.ia.us for any questions about these ELL/ESL opportunities.
AEI Fall Conference Registration is Open
Art Educators of Iowa (AEI) is pleased to announce its fall conference on October 5-7 in Council Bluffs. For more information about AEI or the Fall Conference, go to the AEI website at http://www.artedia.org/. Please share this information with interested staff, especially K-12 visual art teachers, GT teachers and/or curriculum directors.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
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