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May 6, 2022
Updates in this email:
When teachers implement formative assessment practices as a process, in collaboration with their students, it can have powerful effects on student learning. Part of COMPASS, includes building capacity at the local level for Data and Assessment Literacy. To support districts and schools in this work, MDE and WestEd are launching a year-long formative assessment cohort pilot.
In the 2022-23 school year, up to 20 teams of educators and leaders from across the state will have the opportunity to join Minnesota’s first Student Agency in Learning (SAIL) cohort pilot through COMPASS. Teachers will participate in continuous learning cycles of new content, the application of formative assessment skills in the classroom, community of practice meetings, and self-reflection on progress within a blended, digital and in-person learning design. The blended learning design encourages teachers to take risks and integrate new content with existing expertise, while also developing an awareness of where they will lean in to improve student outcomes.
Leaders play a significant role in supporting the opportunities, culture and conditions that advance teacher learning. Schools that are most successful in SAIL have teachers and leaders working alongside one another to learn about and support the changing roles of students, through formative assessment. Each school-based team should include one school system leader, one school leader, and three to five teachers.
There will be an informational meeting for school and district leaders who would like to learn more about this opportunity on Tuesday, May 24 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Please register if you would like to attend the informational meeting.
To apply, school leaders should complete the interest form by June 16.
For more information about SAIL and additional COMPASS Data and Assessment Literacy Pathways, visit Testing 1, 2, 3 or contact Kendra Olsen.
The amendment process for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funds (finance codes 160 and FIN 161) spending plan is now available. Districts and charter schools are able to add newly identified spending needs to their approved applications up to one time every quarter of the fiscal year. An amendment is needed only if there are newly identified spending needs that are not included in the approved application. Budget amendments can happen at any time; all budgeted items must be in the approved application or an approved amendment.
Please check MDE Federal Relief Funds page for the amendment document (under the “Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER)” drop-down) and watch your email for a message from John Ford sharing a SharePoint site for upload.
Join us in an upcoming session to learn about the amendment process on May 10, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. See the MDE calendar for more details. Contact John Ford if there are questions.
Throughout COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen impacts to enrollment of children in our public-school settings, including Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education student enrollment. As districts are making decisions regarding staffing and allocations of resources, it is important to track several indicators when looking at your Early Childhood Special Education workforce need. Currently, we are seeing record numbers of referrals coming into the districts as well as our Help Me Grow referral system. These referrals are not yet represented in your enrollment numbers. December 1 child count reports do not include the ongoing evaluations and referrals that happen in early childhood throughout the calendar year, the transitions between Part C and Part B programs or the workload impacts of the increased referral numbers combined with increased needs of children and families who may have delayed entrance to these programs due to COVID.
Ensuring timely identification and provisions of services for early childhood students is essential for both meeting the mandated post-referral timeline requirements and ensuring all children are provided the supports necessary to be successful learners.
- For our infants and toddlers birth to age three, this means that evaluations must be completed and shared with parents, and the initial meeting to develop the IFSP all happen within 45 calendar days of referral.
- For children transitioning from Part C to Part B, eligibility for Part B must be established and the initial IEP must be in place prior to the child’s third birthday.
- For initial referrals of children 3 and older, the district must ensure that the timeframe from referral to seeking parent consent for an initial evaluation is reasonable and that evaluations are completed within 30 school days of the date consent is received.
Scholarships for the Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium: June 14-16
Scholarships to the Hormel Symposium are now open to all educators, psychologists, counselors, administrators, school board members, specialists and paraprofessionals working in Minnesota schools
A one-time-only donation will fund 20 scholarships to the 2022 Virtual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium. A maximum of two individuals per school may be awarded free registration to the symposium. Applicants must be working in a Minnesota school. Awardees must:
- Agree to attend the entire symposium, June 14-16 (Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – Thursday at 4 p.m.).
- Agree to report on their experience at a fall building level staff meeting.
Scholarships will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis until all funds have been dedicated. Applicants must send a statement of their interest including the name of their school and district. Applications will only be accepted by email with the subject line Hormel Scholarship and sent to wendy.behrens@state.mn.us. This offer is available until May 16 or when all funds have been allocated.
Reminder: Career and Technical Education Levy Revenue Budgets – Due June 6
Read the memo regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) Levy Reporting. The CTE Levy reporting system opens May 2 for entering the anticipated FY23 (2022-2023 school year) budgets. Budgets must be entered for approved CTE programs by June 6.
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.4531, directs the Minnesota Department of Education to annually recalculate the authority of a school district to levy for costs associated with its CTE programs. Districts must submit annual budgets for their CTE programs to qualify for this permissive levy.
For assistance with detailed questions about the CTE Levy Program System, contact Shelli Sowles, 651-582-8403.
Reminder: Restorative Practices for Growing Resilience—June 13-17 and June 21-24
The Restorative Practices June Trainings on June 13-17 and June 21-24 include sessions and trainings that help strengthen resilience and offer practices of self-care. Restorative Mindfulness and Nurturing Professional Wellness offer those new to restorative practices a grounding in building a restorative mindset. For the experienced circle keeper, Circle 2—Supporting Educators in Loss and Hope, provides a place to explore the components of supporting others in times of difficulty, such as what we have all experienced these last two years. Finally, the Restorative Practices Affinity Circles for Connection and Support on June 16-17 and June 23-24 give anyone—with or without circle training—the opportunity to experience circle as a way of learning and supporting each other. Grow your own resilience with these sessions!
For more information, visit Implementing Restorative Practices (mn.gov), or contact Nancy Riestenberg at the Minnesota Department of Education, 651-582-8433.
Reminder: 2022 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS)
Nearly 70% of school districts have registered for the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS). Districts may register and complete the survey now through Friday, June 10. The 2022 MSS results will help schools understand the health and well-being of their students. These results will be especially beneficial when compared with pre-pandemic results from 2019.
District Assessment Coordinators received an email on December 2, 2021 with registration information. If you need additional help with registration or cannot find the email, please contact mss@wilder.org. Other questions about the survey can be directed to mde.studentsurvey@state.mn.us.
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