Showing posts with label RISC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RISC. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Education Commissioner Steve Bowen at public forum in Camden
Commissioner Bowen explains how local Maine schools are doing away with traditional grade levels.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Baldacci-era Ed Reforms in a new age
Standards-based grading, RISC, Maine lap-top program, RSU 1 & RSU 2.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
(RISC) Budget woes slow expansion of standards-based education
The Maine DOE won't renew the contract it holds with the Alaska-Based Re-Inventing Schools Coalition (RISC) when it expires in June.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
RSU2 superintendent to step down in 2011
Here's another example of an administrator leaving the frontlines planning to "provide consulting services" for the districts making the switch to "standards based education".
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Goodbye Grade Levels
Read the comments on this one. George & Nancy do a good job explaining some of the challenges of standards-based grading.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
More details about RISC at the State level
Informational Letter: 12
Policy Code: GCI
TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner of Education
DATE: August 6, 2009
RE: Superintendent’s Conference Follow-Up – Standards Based Education
Thank you for your continued interest in Maine’s transition to a standards-based system of education and our work with the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition. This week we engaged 100 more participants for the 2009 Maine RISC Summer Institute to deepen their understanding and build action plans for this exciting work.
As promised at the Superintendents' Conference in Bar Harbor, Rich DeLorenzo, Co-Founder of the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition, will be returning to Maine in September from the 10th to the 18th for a series of statewide events that are currently being planned. These events will provide the opportunities you requested in order for regions and districts to go deeper into the Model to gain increased awareness and understanding.
At the Superintendents’ Conference the idea of bringing conversations about standards-based education to the regional level surfaced. To that end, we have organized a series of meetings for groups to explore, go deeper and actually have customized interactions with stakeholders for the next steps.
The schedule is as follows:
Performance-Based Systems Workshop for Administrators – Designed for educational leaders who have previously attended RISC workshops
WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday, September 11, 2009 8:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE: Holiday Inn Portland West, 81 Riverside Street, Portland
Directions – http://www.portlandholidayinn.com/Directions
2009 Maine Re-inventing Schools Coalition Fall Symposium
WHEN: Sunday, September 13, 2009 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Monday, September 14, 2009; 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday, September 15, 2009; 8:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE: Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel, 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland
Directions – http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PWMHT/mapanddirections/main.wnt?param=1
- Please Provide Feedback Response -
Regional Opportunities for Building/Deepening Understanding of Performance-Based Educational Systems
Open for regional work with Superintendents and their shareholders. I would like suggestions as to how to best utilize Rich’s knowledge and skills to build capacity for this work in your region.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
WHERE: Regions To Be Determined by Superintendent Responses
Please e-mail your ideas or suggestions for regional collaborative work to Tammy Morrill at tammy.morrill@maine.gov no later than Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon. We will try to accommodate as many ideas as possible.
Meeting with the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs
WHEN: Friday, September 18, 2009
WHERE: Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta
2nd Floor - Room # 202
Directions – http://www.maine.gov/education/directions.htm
If you are interested in attending any of the meetings, please know that they are inclusive and you are most welcome. The groups gathering for September 10-11 are a little more ahead in the planning/implementation process, while the meetings scheduled for September 13,14,15 are for a broader awareness of the work.
I realize that the September dates may present a challenge with schools just getting started, but wanted to make the opportunity available to those who may be able to participate. It is also important to note that the Winter Institute dates are being determined and will provide, yet, another opportunity. In the meantime please visit the Maine Department of Education website with the latest resources on Standards Based Education at http://www.maine.gov/education/sbs/index.html
Thank you again for your continued interest in this exciting work to deliver on the promise of Maine’s Learning Results.
Policy Code: GCI
TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner of Education
DATE: August 6, 2009
RE: Superintendent’s Conference Follow-Up – Standards Based Education
Thank you for your continued interest in Maine’s transition to a standards-based system of education and our work with the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition. This week we engaged 100 more participants for the 2009 Maine RISC Summer Institute to deepen their understanding and build action plans for this exciting work.
As promised at the Superintendents' Conference in Bar Harbor, Rich DeLorenzo, Co-Founder of the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition, will be returning to Maine in September from the 10th to the 18th for a series of statewide events that are currently being planned. These events will provide the opportunities you requested in order for regions and districts to go deeper into the Model to gain increased awareness and understanding.
At the Superintendents’ Conference the idea of bringing conversations about standards-based education to the regional level surfaced. To that end, we have organized a series of meetings for groups to explore, go deeper and actually have customized interactions with stakeholders for the next steps.
The schedule is as follows:
Performance-Based Systems Workshop for Administrators – Designed for educational leaders who have previously attended RISC workshops
WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday, September 11, 2009 8:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE: Holiday Inn Portland West, 81 Riverside Street, Portland
Directions – http://www.portlandholidayinn.com/Directions
2009 Maine Re-inventing Schools Coalition Fall Symposium
WHEN: Sunday, September 13, 2009 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Monday, September 14, 2009; 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday, September 15, 2009; 8:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE: Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel, 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland
Directions – http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PWMHT/mapanddirections/main.wnt?param=1
- Please Provide Feedback Response -
Regional Opportunities for Building/Deepening Understanding of Performance-Based Educational Systems
Open for regional work with Superintendents and their shareholders. I would like suggestions as to how to best utilize Rich’s knowledge and skills to build capacity for this work in your region.
WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
WHERE: Regions To Be Determined by Superintendent Responses
Please e-mail your ideas or suggestions for regional collaborative work to Tammy Morrill at tammy.morrill@maine.gov no later than Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon. We will try to accommodate as many ideas as possible.
Meeting with the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs
WHEN: Friday, September 18, 2009
WHERE: Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta
2nd Floor - Room # 202
Directions – http://www.maine.gov/education/directions.htm
If you are interested in attending any of the meetings, please know that they are inclusive and you are most welcome. The groups gathering for September 10-11 are a little more ahead in the planning/implementation process, while the meetings scheduled for September 13,14,15 are for a broader awareness of the work.
I realize that the September dates may present a challenge with schools just getting started, but wanted to make the opportunity available to those who may be able to participate. It is also important to note that the Winter Institute dates are being determined and will provide, yet, another opportunity. In the meantime please visit the Maine Department of Education website with the latest resources on Standards Based Education at http://www.maine.gov/education/sbs/index.html
Thank you again for your continued interest in this exciting work to deliver on the promise of Maine’s Learning Results.
RISC in Maine...here's the mandate!
INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 88
POLICY CODE: IKF
TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: April 13, 2009
RE: Statewide Conference: Transitioning to a Standards-Based System of Education in Maine
In 1989, with the publication of Maine’s Common Core of Learning, Maine began its journey to develop a system of education that was focused on what students need in order to demonstrate proficiency in a common set of knowledge and skills. Much has been learned on this journey over the past twenty years. Learning from our past, the Department intends to build upon its collaboration with school administrative units and truly fulfill the promise of Maine’s Learning Results. Informed by the research of many, especially Dr. Michael Fullan and Dr. Robert Marzano, the Department intends to continue the journey by creating the conditions, policies, and resources to support transitioning from the current standards-referenced system to a standards-based system.
The Department has reached out to the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition (RISC), an organization with fifteen years of experience with standards-based practices and, as Dr. Robert Marzano states: “As far as I can tell, the Re-Inventing Schools Model, as implemented by Chugach and other districts in Alaska involved with RISC is the most comprehensive and well articulated approach to standards-based reform in the entire country.”
It is important to note that Rich DeLorenzo, RISC Co-Founder and Education Specialist, was superintendent of the Chugach School District, and both Wendy Battino, RISC Co-Founder and Executive Director, and Rick Schreiber, Co-Founder and Director of Operations, served as classroom teachers in the Chugach School District, which was awarded the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award in 2001.
Establishing pilot sites in Maine, Department staff and RISC staff will offer technical assistance to support the use of research-based processes and practices that create effective learner-centered, standards-based school cultures. These pilot sites will provide an opportunity to “make visible” in Maine examples of the transition to a standards-based system.
The purpose of this letter is to invite school administrative unit personnel and related stakeholders (school board members, students, and parents/community members) to a statewide conference. This will provide participants with an opportunity to:
More information and links to online conference registration can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.maine.gov/education/sbs/
If you have any questions, please contact the following Department staff:
Diana Doiron- diana.doiron@maine.gov 624-6823
Nigel Norton- nigel.norton@maine.gov 624-6745
Sarah Simmonds- sarah.simmonds@maine.gov 624-6823
POLICY CODE: IKF
TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: April 13, 2009
RE: Statewide Conference: Transitioning to a Standards-Based System of Education in Maine
In 1989, with the publication of Maine’s Common Core of Learning, Maine began its journey to develop a system of education that was focused on what students need in order to demonstrate proficiency in a common set of knowledge and skills. Much has been learned on this journey over the past twenty years. Learning from our past, the Department intends to build upon its collaboration with school administrative units and truly fulfill the promise of Maine’s Learning Results. Informed by the research of many, especially Dr. Michael Fullan and Dr. Robert Marzano, the Department intends to continue the journey by creating the conditions, policies, and resources to support transitioning from the current standards-referenced system to a standards-based system.
The Department has reached out to the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition (RISC), an organization with fifteen years of experience with standards-based practices and, as Dr. Robert Marzano states: “As far as I can tell, the Re-Inventing Schools Model, as implemented by Chugach and other districts in Alaska involved with RISC is the most comprehensive and well articulated approach to standards-based reform in the entire country.”
It is important to note that Rich DeLorenzo, RISC Co-Founder and Education Specialist, was superintendent of the Chugach School District, and both Wendy Battino, RISC Co-Founder and Executive Director, and Rick Schreiber, Co-Founder and Director of Operations, served as classroom teachers in the Chugach School District, which was awarded the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award in 2001.
Establishing pilot sites in Maine, Department staff and RISC staff will offer technical assistance to support the use of research-based processes and practices that create effective learner-centered, standards-based school cultures. These pilot sites will provide an opportunity to “make visible” in Maine examples of the transition to a standards-based system.
The purpose of this letter is to invite school administrative unit personnel and related stakeholders (school board members, students, and parents/community members) to a statewide conference. This will provide participants with an opportunity to:
- Develop an understanding of the RISC Model of a standards-based system of education
- Learn how to apply tenets of the RISC Model in school administrative units
- Learn about Maine Department of Education’s plans to facilitate and support this work.
More information and links to online conference registration can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.maine.gov/education/sbs/
If you have any questions, please contact the following Department staff:
Diana Doiron- diana.doiron@maine.gov 624-6823
Nigel Norton- nigel.norton@maine.gov 624-6745
Sarah Simmonds- sarah.simmonds@maine.gov 624-6823
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Rally in the works....keep the first week of December open!
We, the concerned parents and citizens all over Maine, must come together and talk to our newly elected State officials and let them know where we stand.
We don't want our students and schools to be guinea pigs -- the test case for the RISC model is the multiple Alaska schools that dumped it.
While we find Standards acceptable, we believe Maine taxpayers should have a voice in the Standards and that should be able to set higher standards when appropriate. We don't want to participate in a further "dumbing down" of education that seems the goal of 'lowest common denominator' standards touted in the CCSS and National movement. (Didn't anyone notice that Massachusetts had to LOWER their excellent standards to join the National movement?)
We believe traditional grading and its' inherent competition is essential to the education process. Where better to learn how to compete than within the safe, nurturing school environment. We are not properly preparing our students for life after public school -- or even college -- if we fail to teach them healthy competition or to provide real feedback on their efforts with a 15 scale grading system vise a 4 scale system of standards.
We don't want high-priced administrators siphoning off huge salaries and educator retirement pay simultaneously or setting up self-serving, lucrative consulting positions based on their experience implementing educational models, like RISC, that are not beneficial to our students.
We want community input into curriculum -- get rid of the paradigms that don't work like EDM and Whole Language. Mastering mathematical algorithms does more to build self-esteem in a student than handing them a calculator and telling them which buttons to press. (There is a place for technology, but you can't validate/audit work if you don't understand the logic. One must wonder if Kindergarten is really the place for calculators.)
Readers - please post your concerns in the comment section (you can do this and remain 'anonymous') to help us ensure we capture the biggest issues appropriately. Together we can effect a better outcome for our student! Let us TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!!!
We don't want our students and schools to be guinea pigs -- the test case for the RISC model is the multiple Alaska schools that dumped it.
While we find Standards acceptable, we believe Maine taxpayers should have a voice in the Standards and that should be able to set higher standards when appropriate. We don't want to participate in a further "dumbing down" of education that seems the goal of 'lowest common denominator' standards touted in the CCSS and National movement. (Didn't anyone notice that Massachusetts had to LOWER their excellent standards to join the National movement?)
We believe traditional grading and its' inherent competition is essential to the education process. Where better to learn how to compete than within the safe, nurturing school environment. We are not properly preparing our students for life after public school -- or even college -- if we fail to teach them healthy competition or to provide real feedback on their efforts with a 15 scale grading system vise a 4 scale system of standards.
We don't want high-priced administrators siphoning off huge salaries and educator retirement pay simultaneously or setting up self-serving, lucrative consulting positions based on their experience implementing educational models, like RISC, that are not beneficial to our students.
We want community input into curriculum -- get rid of the paradigms that don't work like EDM and Whole Language. Mastering mathematical algorithms does more to build self-esteem in a student than handing them a calculator and telling them which buttons to press. (There is a place for technology, but you can't validate/audit work if you don't understand the logic. One must wonder if Kindergarten is really the place for calculators.)
Readers - please post your concerns in the comment section (you can do this and remain 'anonymous') to help us ensure we capture the biggest issues appropriately. Together we can effect a better outcome for our student! Let us TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!!!
Grading system unsettles Hall-Dale parents
RSU 2 again! These parents have worked soooooo hard to get their School Board to listen.
Parents' petition protests change in grade system
Yet another RSU 2 Standards-based grading article (May, 2010).
Home schooling, education jobs and Social Security: An education roundup
Interesting article and very interesting comments from readers at the bottom of the article.
Friday, October 29, 2010
RSU 2 won't delay standards-based grading
Standards-based grading K-12....
The Yarmouth school administration just proposed eliminating letter grades in middle school, but their board voted to keep traditional grades. Do we want to go the way of RSU 2 or Yarmouth in regard to Standards Based grading?
The Yarmouth school administration just proposed eliminating letter grades in middle school, but their board voted to keep traditional grades. Do we want to go the way of RSU 2 or Yarmouth in regard to Standards Based grading?
Did RSU 2 share false NAEP data to push RISC reform?
Today, the Kennebec Journal added a clarification to their RSU 2 article from October 22nd. RSU 2 shared "their" NAEP results with their parents. They used this data as an argument to switch to the RISC model of Standards Based Education. There was one slight problem....individual districts in Maine have NO WAY of learning their NAEP data. This Federal test only gives the results for the entire state.
If you are trying to create a case that reform needs to take place....use REAL data!
If you are trying to create a case that reform needs to take place....use REAL data!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Adams 50 latest test results
Refer to "Standards in Westminster." This article presents Adams 50 results after a year with RISC. The district says that the drop in scores was expected. Perhaps the growth model (see other posting) is the model to watch closely?
Adams 50 latest "Growth Model"
This shows the latest % at or above proficient at Adams 50 (currently using the RISC model of reform).
Adams 50 performance levels spelled out
This link brings you to the exact performance levels for Adams 50 (by content). They have "personal and social skills" levels.
RISC - Westminster Schools Launch Radical Overhaul (Adams 50)
Another article on the Adams 50 district. This sounds like an interesting model to try out at an alternative school or a charter school. What are your thoughts about converting an entire RSU to this "radical" model in Maine?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Parents skeptical of new system as math scores stagnate
Reporter summarizes RSU2 meeting run by the Curriculum Director for parents. This was the "set the stage" meeting to shock parents with the terrible the RSU2 academic performance data. Create the atmosphere to welcome radical change. Unfortunately for the RSU, only a handful of parents attended and many weren't embracing the RISC model.
Especially noteworthy are the comments that follow the article.
Especially noteworthy are the comments that follow the article.
Friday, October 22, 2010
RISC School - Adams 50 - Do they have school choice?
In looking at the Adams 50 school website, they say that it's the "district of choice.". This implies that Colorado has school choice. Is this the case?
Thursday, October 21, 2010
RSU 2 workshop examines standards base
It appears that RSU 2 began implementing RISC last year with a reformatted report card. At what point in the process did the district begin to hold meetings on this model involving the public?
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