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IN THIS EDITION
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ACTION ITEMS
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Letter about ESSA from Commissioner to Parents
As some of the biggest stakeholders in the Every Student Succeeds Act, it is critical that parents are engaged in the process of creating our state plan. Commissioner Cassellius penned a letter to parents with a brief introduction to the new act as well as information on how to get involved. Please distribute this letter to parents in your district.
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Regional Stakeholder Meeting
Thursday, November 3, 6-7:30 p.m., Burnsville, Diamondhead Education Center
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ESSA Webinar
Wednesday, November 2, 6-7:30 p.m.
Join the Stakeholder Meeting.
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Visit the ESSA website.
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Please see the memorandum from Assistant Commissioner Daron Korte regarding the statutorily required Compulsory Instruction Compliance Report to the Minnesota Department of Education. This report is to be submitted via the department’s Data Submissions site by December 31, 2016. For information on how to create a new Data Submissions account or request access, see instructions on the department website. The department website also has more information for superintendents regarding Compulsory Instruction.
Please distribute this information to all district staff members whose duties involve regular nonpublic schools or homeschools.
For more information, contact Cindy Sue Jackson, Office of Equity and Innovation, 651-582-8572.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITY
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The Minnesota Department of Education invites applications from Minnesota public school districts, charter schools and education districts who want to implement School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in the school and classroom to increase the use of positive practices in the learning environment and reduce the use of restrictive procedures.
The amount of $2,000,000 is available in state funding from Minnesota Laws of 2016 for this initiative. Grant amounts will range depending on the number of school sites where SW-PBIS implementation will begin or continue.
A school district, charter school or education district may only submit one application. The applicant must identify each school site where PBIS will be implemented, provide the grade level and indicate whether or not PBIS is currently being implemented.
The estimated grant period is January 25, 2017, through June 30, 2017. An extension of up to one year is expected but contingent upon progress and continued funding. Funds remaining from the initial grant period would be available during an extended period.
Questions are due through email by November 11, 2016, to Eric Kloos(eric.kloos@state.mn.us). Applications must be received by (not postmarked by) November 30, 2016, 3:30 p.m., Central Time.
The grant opportunity documents and announcement are available on the Grants Management website (https://w1.education.state.mn.us/EGMS/searchAllActiveGrants.do).
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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Join over 580 schools around Minnesota by applying to be a part of the next cohort training for School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Schools and districts across Minnesota have found that implementing PBIS contributes to improved academic performance as well as school climate.
Selection for school teams to participate in Cohort 13 (summer 2017 ‒ spring 2019) is based on this application process. A strong emphasis will be placed on evidence of a data system that informs behavioral practices; administrative support and participation; and demonstration of staff buy-in. All training dates for each region are included in the application. Regional Implementation Projects will coordinate training and coaching and support implementation in the northern, southern and metro areas of the state. View additional information and the application on the Minnesota PBIS website. The dates for informational meetings for each of the regions are also posted on the Minnesota PBIS website.
The completed application is due no later than 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Only electronic submissions will be accepted and should be submitted to MDE.PBIS@state.mn.us. Any questions about the application can also be sent to MDE.PBIS@state.mn.us.
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The Minnesota Department of Education and the Regional Centers of Excellence is pleased to offer a Minnesota Early Indicator and Response System (MEIRS) Training Webinar for superintendents, principals, school psychologists, counselors, and other staff who will use the data to plan student interventions. A district team is encouraged to participate. The MEIRS data is generated for students in sixth and ninth grade. The objectives of the training are to review the definitions of MEIRS variables, understand the benefits of Early Indicator and Response Systems, review Minnesota’s 2014 graduation rate, understand the value of the tool, review the seven-step MEIRS implementation cycle, and discover where to locate effective strategies and other resources.
NOTE: Access to the MEIRS secured data site will be provided to the district designee upon successful completion of the training and receipt of the authorization from the superintendent.
MEIRS Webinar Dates and Times
- Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- Thursday, November 17, 2016, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
For more information, visit the MEIRS website. Open a Google form to register.
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
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The importance of the school principal’s role as an instructional leader is supported in research and realized in the principal’s job specifications ‒ a job description that continues to change and grow. Principals, however, are not the only ones faced with new responsibilities. Superintendents and principal supervisors are finding that they also need to be mentors and coaches when it comes to instructional leadership.
Over the past 16 months, the department has worked with stakeholders to develop a number of resources to aid both principals and principal supervisors in building the capacity of Minnesota principals. The principal supervisor resources include the "Principal Leadership Evidence-Gathering Tool for Minnesota Principal Supervisors," and soon a "Guide to Coaching School Principals in Minnesota." Other resources for principals and supervisors include tools to help lead change, support school teams, use student outcome data, implement growth-focused principal evaluation, and use stakeholder feedback.
Come explore all of these and more on the Principal Development and Evaluation web page (http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/prev/index.htm).
A webinar titled What’s New in Principal Development and Evaluation Resources, targeted at principals and principal supervisors, will be presented on Wednesday, November 2 at 7:30 a.m., and on Thursday, November 10, at 9:30 a.m.
Please contact Mike Coty (michael.coty@state.mn.us) for login information or if you have any questions regarding the resources.
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The Minnesota Board of Teaching has taken the following licensure actions:
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Breiland-Hodgson, Sondra (FF# 146308) Ms. Breiland-Hodgson’s license was reinstated on October 26, 2016.
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Liebenow, Delmer (FF# 112947) Mr. Liebenow’s license was suspended on October 24, 2016, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 214.101, subdivision 1(b), until he meets requirements of the Board of Teaching.
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Overlie, Gregory (FF# 440180) Mr. Overlie’s license was suspended on October 21, 2016, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 214.101, subdivision 1(b), until he meets requirements of the Board of Teaching.
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