Kansas Educational Leadership Institute
Seminar Series Resources
March 8, 2013
What’s New: How Leaders are Preparing for New Standards, for College and Career Readiness, and for Significant Changes in Student Achievement
The day began with the latest information from the KSDE
Director of Research and Evaluation and Career Standards and Assessment Services and his staff assistant. Tom Foster and Laurie Winter connected the College and Career Ready definition recently adopted by the Kansas State Board of Education to efforts by schools to transition to new College and Career Ready (CCR) standards with the assessments used to measure student achievement. More rigorous standards for students will require a proactive response by educators to school accountability. Changes in both the standards and how we assess students present challenges that policy makers will need to give careful consideration. Dr. Foster discussed the new definition and its implications, review new standards in core academic areas and present an update on both the new assessments and proposed changes in the current assessments.
Participants had the opportunity to review the latest in test item technology and the next generation standard development, discuss emerging trends at the state and national level, and provide input on Kansas educational policy. Practitioners from Kansas school districts shared what leaders are doing in their own settings to prepare for these changes.
Handouts from the March 8, 2013 What's New Seminar:
→ KSDE - Foster and Winter Presentation [pdf]
→ USD 379 Clay County Schools Handout [pdf]
February 9, 2012
Let’s Talk: Legal Advisors and School Leaders
Education leaders know the importance of respecting legal frameworks embedded in routine operations. KELI asked practicing superintendents what topics they wanted to see addressed in a conversation with experts on school law. Their list included personnel issues such as RIF, teacher non-renewal, due process and payment to certified staff without current credentials; executive session procedures, open records act; liability for student group trips not funded by the district; parent rights; liability for use of buildings by outside groups; and reporting crimes to law enforcement. In this session, Cheryl Whelan, (KSDE staff attorney), Donna Whitman (KASB staff attorney) and Cindy Kelly (USD 501 staff attorney) responded to these common school-based concerns. A panel of three superintendents (Sue Givens, El Dorado; Rick Doll, Lawrence; and John Severin, Hiawatha) wrapped up the discussion. In the spirit of partnership KELI represents, KASB hosted this LET’s Talk session in their meeting facilities and Pam Coleman, KSDE Director of Teacher Evaluation and Licensure, served as Moderator.
Photos from the Legal Advisors and School Leaders Seminar:
April 5, 2012
Let’s Talk: Social Media/Technology Innovations
The Let’s Talk topic on April 5 related to social media and technology innovations– issues touching all Kansas districts. Cyndi Danner- Kuhn teaches students in KSU pre-service classes how to use technology to support learning and assists school districts with this across the state and beyond. She provided an overview of how schools in Kansas make effective use of technology, the problems commonly encountered and examples of districts have overcome them.
Four Kansas leaders presented the challenges their districts successfully managed related to technology. Chief of Staff, David Smith (KCKPS) described how a district funded the infrastructure and equipment needed for a one to one computer initiative. Kevin Case (Inman) focused on how technology implementations changed the culture in his district and Paul Dorathy shared how Baldwin City developed policies related to the use of social media. Jerri Kemble (Centre) described her experiences starting a virtual school in a small rural district and her participation in the virtual school movement nationally. Topics related to leaders at all levels and those attending had an opportunity to interact with presenters and to network with others with common concerns.
Handouts from the Social Media/Technology Innovations Seminar:
→ Cyndi Danner-Kuhn: Social Media and How Schools are Using (or Not) [pdf]
→ Paul Dorathy: Setting Policies Related to Social Media and Other Technologies [pdf]
→ Jerri Kemble: From the Wheat Field to the White House [pps]
Photos from the Social Media/Technology Innovations Seminar:
May 3, 2012
Let’s Talk: Common Core/21st Century Curriculum/Accreditation
Everyone is talking about the transition to Common Core Standards! Nationally recognized experts, KSDE Summer Academies, and professional organizations are offering meaningful support for transition planning. KELI’s niche is to support the leaders whose decisions create conditions for transition efforts to succeed. On May 3, Kansas superintendent/principal/and teacher leaders shared what they have learned about making it happen in real Kansas districts now. Wherever your district was in the transition process, this session was useful as leadership teams developed local plans for next year.
KELI encouraged districts to bring leadership teams. During the session, leaders networked with others to discover new resources and ideas. Participants also helped KELI plan for ongoing similar conversations during the coming school year. Teams had agenda time to plan next steps in their own districts, such as who to send to the Summer Academies and how to put what they bring back to the best use. The process of transition is not content specific, so leaders across all content areas found the topics applicable.
Handouts from the Common Core/21st Century Curriculum/Accreditation Seminar:
→ Melisa Hancock: Implementing the Common Core Standards: Leading the Change [pdf]
→ Geary County USD #475: Implementing the Common Core State Standards [pdf]
→ Common Core in Maize [prezi]
→ Common Core Toolkit Documents:
Common Core Shifts [pdf]
Benchmarks for Choosing a Curriculum [pdf]
Implementing the Common Core State Standards: State Spotlights [doc]
P21 Common Core Toolkit [pdf]
Implementing Common Core State Standards and Assessments Workbook [pdf]
Common Core Standards for Mathematics [doc]
Exploring Critical Areas K-8 [doc]
Exploring Critical Areas High School [doc]
Common Core Standards for Mathematics: Domain Progressions K-8 [pdf]
Photos from the Common Core/21st Century Curriculum/Accreditation Seminar:
