[WSCSS] Opportunities and Updates for Social Studies.08.30.07

Thu Aug 30 19:08:37 EDT 2007

Hello,

I hope your summer was a good and restful one and you are ready for a new school year. Below is a summary of the latest news from the state’s social studies program, particularly with regards to Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) and Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). I have received numerous emails over the past few months and I hope this message will address many of your questions. This update also includes a new list of opportunities for teachers and students in the coming year. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or ideas. If you have a specific issue you would like to discuss, please email me with a time to call you (Caleb.Perkins at k12.wa.us). Thank you!

Caleb Perkins

Program Supervisor, Social Studies/International Education

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Titles –

Updates:

1.     Social Studies GLEs – First Public Draft

2.     CBA Repilot

3.     CBA Instructional Resources

4.     CBA Teacher Leadership

5.     CBA Requirements

6.     Teaching American History Grants – over $6 million for History Education in Washington!

7.     Federal “Constitution Day”

Opportunities:

8.     WSCSS Fall Conference

9.     2007 Washington State Student/Parent Mock Election

10.  Grants for Implementing Civics Classroom-Based Assessments

11.  The Legislator’s Back to School Program

12.  2007 History Day Workshops for Teachers

13.  History Club

14.  Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program

15.  WSAME 13th Annual Fall Conference 

16.  Association of Washington Generals - 2007 Student Essay Competition

17.  Capitol Forum 2008 

18.  2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to Costa Rica 

19.  iEARN Online Courses

20.  Smithsonian Museum Day at the MOHAI

21.  OSPI January Conference

Details –

Updates:

1.     Social Studies GLEs – First Public Draft: OSPI has released a draft of the Social Studies Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) in preparation for the new school year.  The GLEs are largely a synthesis of our current EALRs, Frameworks, and CBAs. However, the standards now include examples to clarify how students can meet particular standards. It is important to note that the examples in the document are only suggestions meant to stimulate district and school-based conversations about what perspectives students will find most interesting, engaging, and relevant as they strive to meet these standards. In addition, the GLEs recommend grade levels for each of the 29 CBAs from grades 3 through 12. All documents are now posted on OSPI’s Social Studies website: www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/SocStudies. There is also an on-line survey through which you can provide your feedback on this document (www.surveytool.org/surveys/surveylogin.cfm?SID=536).

2.     CBA Repilot: OSPI plans on conducting a targeted repilot of several of the CBAs, particularly those in civics, in October and November. The primary goal of this repilot is to collect a range of student work that illustrates the diverse ways students can demonstrate proficiency when completing a CBA. We are particularly interested in working with teachers who are interested in videotaping CBA presentations. Prior to conducting this pilot, we will refine some of the CBAs, particularly the support materials, and post more detailed guidelines for administering these assessments by mid-October in an effort to make them more user-friendly. If you think you might be interested in participating in this pilot, please email Caleb.Perkins at k12.wa.us. In addition, please email any specific ideas you have for editing or improving particular CBAs.

3.     CBA Instructional Resources: Numerous non-profit organizations continue to develop materials and resources in an effort to help teachers and students address the CBA requirement. The Washington Library Media Association has taken the lead and is devoting part of its website to research strategies, resources, links, and pathfinders related to specific CBAs. In addition, the Washington State History Museum, the We the People Program, YMCA Youth in Government, History Day, Densho, and many others have developed lesson plans and other instructional materials aligned to specific CBAs. I invite you to check out the WLMA website (www.wlma.org/cbas) and the OSPI CBA site (www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/SocialStudies/bridgingdocs.aspx) and provide these groups with feedback on how to make these resources more useful as you prepare for the new school year. 

4.     CBA Teacher Leadership: OSPI has begun to explore ways to promote teacher leadership across the state to support the implementation of the Social Studies CBAs. We offered sessions in the 2007 Summer Institutes to launch this initiative and the resulting conversations revealed a great deal of interest in and need for this type of leadership. If you would like to hear more about these conversations, please contact Jon Garfunkel at Global Source Network (Garfunkel at globalsourcenetwork.org). Jon has taken the lead in crafting a vision for this emerging initiative.

5.     CBA Requirements: Some have had questions regarding the requirements related to the CBAs. The short answer to these questions is that the relevant law (RCW28A.230.095) provides us all of the legal language regarding requirements in its two short, but important provisions (see below for full text of the law). For those districts seeking additional clarity on how to respond to this law, OSPI has issued recommendations. OSPI’s main recommendation is for districts to include one of the state-developed Classroom-Based Assessment Models (CBAs) at each grade level from grades 3 through 8 and in each required social studies course at the high school level, noting the need to include Civics CBAs at certain grade levels to fulfill the second provision of the law. In addition to issuing more detailed guidelines for administering the CBAs, OSPI will provide guidelines for the “implementation verification report” referenced in the law in the coming school year. For additional information, there is a “Frequently-Asked Questions on the CBAs” document. If you would like a copy, please email Caleb.Perkins at k12.wa.us. 

RCW 28A.230.095: (1) By the end of the 2008-09 school year, school districts shall have in place in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools assessments or other strategies to assure that students have an opportunity to learn the essential academic learning requirements in social studies, the arts, and health and fitness. Social studies includes history, geography, civics, economics, and social studies skills. Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, school districts shall annually submit an implementation verification report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction. (2) Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, school districts shall require students in the fourth or fifth grades, the seventh or eighth grades, and the eleventh or twelfth grades to each complete at least one classroom-based assessment in civics. The civics assessment may be selected from a list of classroom-based assessments approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, school districts shall annually submit implementation verification reports to the office of the superintendent of public instruction documenting the use of the classroom-based assessments in civics.

6.     Teaching American History Grants – over $6 million for History Education in Washington! – It was announced over the summer that six different ESDs and districts in Washington received federally-funded Teaching American History Grants: Clarkston School District, Educational Service District 101, North Central Educational Service District 171, Northwest Educational Service District 189, Seattle Public Schools, and Washougal School District. These grants will provide over $6 million in support for K-12 history education in the state. Congratulations!

7.     Federal “Constitution Day” – A 2005 federal law states "each educational institution that receives federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution." To find ideas on how to address this requirement, the US Department of Education has a website (www.ed.gov/free/constitution/index.html) and OSPI has a brief memo on its social studies homepage (www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/SocStudies).

Opportunities:

8.     WSCSS Fall Conference – The Washington State Council for the Social Studies will be holding its annual Fall Inservice on October 13th at Edmonds-Woodway High School. The theme this year is “Climate, Conflict, and Culture” and Dr. Walter Parker will deliver a keynote address entitled “Towards a Cosmopolitan Curriculum?”. There will also be presentations on the CBAs as well as clock hours available. To register or for more information, go to www.wscss.org/conferences/fall_conference/default.html. 

9.     2007 Washington State Student/Parent Mock Election - Your students have opinions – help make them count! — Which civics activities have local relevance? And promote discussion at home and in the classroom? AND draw attention to all the November ballot issues? The Washington State Student/Parent Mock Election is coming soon! It is a joint effort between the Washington State Secretary of State’s Office and OSPI and will run from October 29 – November 2. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up your class or arrange for your entire school to participate. Online ballots and suggestions for classroom activities will be provided. For more information, and to preregister, go to http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/outreach_enrollment.aspx .

10.  Grants for Implementing Civics CBAs – OSPI will soon issue a Request for Proposal to provide $25,000 in competitive grants to school districts for curriculum alignment, development of innovative civics projects, and other activities that support the implementation of these assessments. The proposals will be funded by money made available by the Washington State Legislation in fulfillment of the requirements of HB 2579, the law related to civics classroom-based assessments.  The estimated length of the project is from October 15, 2007, to June 30, 2008 and the maximum amount of funding for each project is $5,000. Grant applications will be available this week through OSPI’s iGrants system (https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/iGrants/Default.aspx) and the application deadline is October 1st, 2007.

11.  The Legislator’s Back to School Program - Invite a State Legislator to Class. Having a legislator visit the classroom helps students bring the study of government, law, and Washington State history to life. It even ties in with CBAs. The Legislators Back to School Program, a national program, is designed to educate students about representative democracy and what it's like to be a state legislator. It's also an excellent way to let students know that their ideas count. More information about how to participate is available at http://www1.leg.wa.gov/Legislature/BacktoSchool.

12.  2007 History Day Workshops for Teachers – September 29th (Tacoma & Spokane), October 6th (Seattle), and October 20th (Vancouver) -  The state’s History Day program is offering free workshops for teachers interested in using historical methods with their students and who want to learn more about the creative and exciting History Day program. Participants will work with a team of teachers, librarians, historians, and museum educators in this fun and practical workshop. Registration includes 5 free clock hours, History Day teaching materials, and lunch. For more information, go to www.lib.washington.edu/subject/history/historyday/workshop.html 

13.  Starting a History Club at Your School: Have you ever wanted to give your history-loving students a way to continue their exploration of the subject outside the classroom? If so, perhaps you will consider forming a history club chapter at your school this year and joining the National History Club (NHC). Created in March 2002, the NHC was formed to help history clubs from around the country communicate and share ideas and activities with each other through our biannual Newsletter and other programs. There are now chapters in 42 states and over 7,000 students involved. For more information please contact Robert Nasson, Executive Director, at rnasson at nationalhistoryclub.org, or visit their website at www.nationalhistoryclub.org, where you can take a look at their most recent Newsletter.

14.  Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program - Summer 2008; Closing Date:  September 13, 2007 - The Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program provides opportunities for overseas experience. The program is open to educators and administrators with responsibilities for curriculum development in fields related to humanities, languages, and area studies.  Seminars are in non-western European countries.  Terms of the award include: ▪ round-trip economy airfare ▪ room and board ▪ fees ▪ program-related travel within the host country (ies).  Participants are responsible for a cost share, $400.00.  Updated application forms should become available soon.  The Summer 2008 application deadline will be September 13, 2007. For more information, go to www.ed.gov/programs/iegpssap/index.html or contact Gale Holdren: gale.holdren at ed.gov or Michelle Guilfoil: michelle.guilfoil at ed.gov . The application package is available, you may apply online at: http://e-grants.ed.gov <http://e-grants.ed.gov/> . 

15.  WSAME 13th Annual Fall Conference - Saturday, October 27, 2007, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pigott Hall - Seattle University – There will be: Special Prejudice Reduction Student/Staff School Team Training; 24 Breakout Sessions; Cultural Performance; Complimentary Diversity Resources; Up to 5 Clockhours; 1 Professional Credit; Multicultural Vendor Sales; Multicultural Excellence Awards. For more information, go to http://www.wsame.org <http://www.wsame.org/> .  

16.  Association of Washington Generals - 2007 Student Essay Competition - The Association of Washington Generals (AWG) sponsors an essay contest each year for students in grades 7 - 12. The idea behind the AWG essay competition is to inspire young students to learn to express themselves and their ideas in essay form. This year's essay competition has opened and the selected topic for this year's essay is: "How the future of the Internet will make a difference in our lives, both academically and personally."  We encourage all teachers to get their students involved. To obtain more information about the AWG and this competition, please visit our web-site at: http://www.washingtongenerals.org/.  The essay competition closes on Monday, December 3, 2007.  Victoria Laise Jonas/Association of Washington Generals

17.  Capitol Forum 2008. The Capitol Forum program, developed by Brown University in Rhode Island and currently offered in ten states, engages high school social studies students and teachers in deliberation about our nation's future in the changing international environment. The program involves students both within their social studies classroom and beyond the classroom at their state capitol. We have held Capitol Forum in Washington State in 2005. For information on the 2008 workshops, go to http://internationaledwa.org/capitolforum/. If you are interested in participating next year, please take a moment to complete the new online registration form: http://internationaledwa.org/forms/capitolforum_registration.htm <http://internationaledwa.org/forms/capitolforum_registration.htm> 

18.  2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to Costa Rica - The application is now available for the 2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to Costa Rica. This year all full time classroom teachers in grades 7-12 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply.  This year selected participants will have the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects about the environment, culture, history and education system of Costa Rica while traveling on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica.  The application is online at http://www.iie.org/toyota. The deadline for application is September 7, 2007.

19.  iEARN Online Courses – Register now for the next session of iEARN (International Education Resource Network) online courses (Starting October 15th, 2007) An iEARN 9-week online course will help you integrate international collaborative project-based learning into your classroom and fulfill your curriculum standards. You will learn how to connect your classrooms with their peers around the world. This is a great chance to become an active member of the global learning community and learn new skills for online collaboration. For more information, go to www.iearn.org/professional/online.html. Global Connections Exchange Program (U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs) Scholarship opportunity available for secondary school Teachers.  For more information on online courses write to: onlinepd at us.iearn.org.

20.  Smithsonian Museum Day at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) – Seattle - MOHAI is a proud participant in Smithsonian Museum Day, which is being held all across the country. Visitors can receive free admission to MOHAI by bringing a coupon that can be found either in Smithsonian Magazine or online at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaycard  The new Audubon exhibit will be open, and there will be Smithsonian gifts for early visitors. Saturday, September 29th from 10am to 5pm.

21.  OSPI January Conference – The next multi-day opportunity to learn about the Social Studies CBAs will be in January at OSPI’s Winter Conference in Spokane. The conference will run from January 29th – 31st. The call for presenters will be posted at www.k12.wa.us/Conferences. 

Previously Listed Opportunities & Updates:

22.  Constitutional Connections (Ongoing):  ESD 112 invites K-12 teachers to deepen their ability to strengthen teaching and learning of history through a thematic focus on the US Constitution.  Teachers are supported in their efforts to implement CBAs.  Participants are awarded clock hours and a stipend for participation.  The program website, http://www.esd112.org/history/, has detailed information about the program as well as podcasts of past speakers.  For more information, contact Matt Karlsen at 360.750.7505 or matt.karlsen at esd112.org.

23.  National Board for Professional Teaching Standards – Portfolio Scoring -  This summer the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will run a portfolio scoring site in Washington. Middle and high school social studies will be two of the certificate areas scored. Any teacher who is teaching those grade levels and subject areas this year can apply to be assessors, so it is a great way for people who are curious about National Board Certification to find out more without jumping in all the way. (Plus they get paid!) The attached flyer gives additional information. Interested teachers can also get more info on the NBPTS site by following this link: http://www.nbpts.org/get_involved/teachers/become_an_assessor <https://mail.ospi.k12.wa.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nbpts.org/get_involved/teachers/become_an_assessor> 

24.  Global Issues Workshop – Facing the Future - Puget Sound Area - Facing the Future has received funding to conduct limited number of free professional development workshops for middle and high school teachers serving students in the Puget Sound in 2007. To be eligible, your group must include at least 20 educators from middle and/or high schools in the Puget Sound. If you are interested in being considered for one of these workshops, please contact Cecilia Lund at cecilia at facingthefuture.org. For sample workshop titles and descriptions please visit http://www.teacherscorner.org/Workshops/workshops.html <https://mail.ospi.k12.wa.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.teacherscorner.org/Workshops/workshops.html> .

25.  Washington State History Museum - History Lab & History Boxes - Immerse students in a hands-on experience at the Washington State History Museum’s History Lab.  Students, in teams of two, act as Time Detectives on the history trail.  Throughout the Lab, interactive, hands-on exhibits engage student detectives as they attempt to solve a History Mystery about Washington State.  In addition,
Washington State History Museum History Boxes are a great way to introduce students to a variety of historical materials in the comfort of their own classroom.  Choose from six boxes including Ring of Fire: Volcanoes of Washington State, Northwest Native Heritage, Petroglyphs and Pictographs, The Journey of Lewis and Clark, Frontier Towns, and Makah Culture. To reserve these boxes, call Joan Martin at 253/798-5876. For more information about either program, go to www.wshs.org <http://www.wshs.org/> .

26.  The Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) is seeking enthusiastic Social Studies educators and workshop leaders to apply for its 2008 all-expense-paid study tours to Germany!  The 2008 Study Tour application is now available on the TOP website, www.goethe.de/top <https://mail.ospi.k12.wa.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.goethe.de/top> . The application deadline is February 8, 2008.

27.  Washington Teacher-Librarians Collaboration Award -  Mackin Library/Classroom Services and the Washington Library Media Association are pleased to announce a new award that will be of interest to Social Studies educators. This award recognizes a teacher-librarian and a classroom teacher whose collaborative efforts improve student achievement. Each winner will receive  a $300 check from Mackin and a team award plaque. The winning school will receive a $250 certificate for books or other materials from Mackin to further support the collaborative efforts between the library and classroom. For more information, contact: Larry Parsons - larry.parsons at mackin.com, 360-244-0194.

28.  Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsements (WEST-E) – Recruiting Teachers – The WEST-E Recruiting Website has been launched at http://www.warecruit.nesinc.com/ <https://mail.ospi.k12.wa.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.warecruit.nesinc.com/> .  The website is developed for K-12 and Higher Ed Educators to register for the WEST-E test content advisory and fairness review studies that are now tentatively scheduled for November.  All needed information is provided. For more information, contact Esther Baker with the Professional Educator Standards Board - (360)725-6277; esther.baker at k12.wa.us.  

29.  Nature in the Balance – New Exhibition at Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) – Seattle - Kick off spring and visit MOHAI to see a provocative new exhibition of historic and contemporary photographs and paintings that explores the complex relationships between people and nature in Washington State during the last 150 years. The exhibit opens Saturday, March 31st and runs through September 9th.

30.  Colonial Dames History/Social Studies Scholarships -  Any teacher who teaches American history to Washington state students in grades  5-12 is eligible to apply for one or more scholarships in the following categories:  (1) continuing education relating to American history including Advanced Teacher Certification courses; (2) American history or social studies curriculum development with books, costumes, website design or videos; (3) travel and tuition to attend educational seminars relating to American history; and (4) teacher enrichment projects/programs relating to history. To apply, download the Colonial Dames scholarship application by visiting the Dames website of www.coldameswa.net <http://www.coldameswa.net/> . 

31.  Civil Justice High School Education Project - The Washington State Trial Lawyers Association – This is a new effort to help high school students – our immediate future voters and jurors – understand the civil justice system and how it affects their lives.  The project includes scholarship programs; mock trial competitions and a civil justice speaker’s bureau. For more information, please contact Adrianne Williams at adrianne at wstlaoly.org or 360-786-9100. 

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