The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) recently issued guidance designed to inform schools and districts as they make annual instructional technology purchases. The guidelines include hardware and operating system specifications covering the vast majority of commercially available computers and tablets.

The full guidelines are available online:

Smarter Balanced New Hardware Purchasing Guidelines 

Technology Guidance for PARCC Assessments

Read more.

 

The State Department of Education has released a Request For Proposals (RFP) for training for each of the teacher and leader evaluation systems. As you may be aware, communications between potential trainers during this RFP process is prohibited.  It is critical that all district personal refrain from communications regarding TLE training, pricing, etc. with any potential TLE trainer until the State Department notifies districts that training awards have been issued. If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Currin-Moore at Alicia.Currin-Moore@sde.ok.gov. 

The State Department is accepting applications for the 2013 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Get an application packet. In addition, the State Department will host a videoconference on May 11, 2012 and a repeat videoconference on May 14, 2012 to assist district Teachers of the Year with the application process.  Kristin Shelby, Oklahoma’s 2012 Teacher of the Year will also speak about her experiences representing Oklahoma educators across the country. Register for the videoconference. If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Currin-Moore at Alicia.Currin-Moore@sde.ok.gov.