February 2020 - Science Educator Update

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Oregon Department of Education

Oregon Science Teacher Update                                                              February 24, 2020

Students hands raised

OSAS Science Achievement Cut Scores Approved by State Board

On Thursday, February 20, 2020 the Oregon State Board of Education adopted the OSAS Science Assessment cut scores and achievement level descriptors. The cut scores and achievement level descriptors can now be viewed on the Oregon Department of Education Science Assessment webpage. An additional notification will be sent out regarding the date districts can expect to have access to student scores.

ODE has created a communication toolkit in support of the OSAS Science Assessment and release of scores for the 2018-19 school year. The toolkit can be accessed on the ODE Science Assessment webpage.

A webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 3:30 PM to share information about the OSAS Science Assessment and score information. This webinar will be recorded and posted to the Science Assessment webpage. Please use this link to register.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Noelle Gorbett, Science Assessment Specialist, or Jamie Rumage, Science Education Specialist, if you have any additional questions or concerns.


Presidential Awards Logo

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching

The National Science Foundation is now accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching program! For more information on how to recognize an outstanding K-6 educator, please visit the PAEMST website.


OSTA Logo

OSTA Webcast: The Patterns Approach: Science Education for the Next Generation

Join Bradford Hill, OSTA Member At Large, Teacher and Science Specialist, Beaverton School District on Tuesday, March 10 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Wondering about the Patterns Physics curriculum? Curious about trying it in your school or district? Bradford Hill, OSTA Member-At-Large, will join us to answer questions about the curriculum, share lessons learned from implementation, and provide some peeks into what high school students are doing in Beaverton and beyond! 

This webcast is open to both OSTA members and non-members. To attend this webinar, please register here.


STEM Teaching Tool number 6

How Can I Get My Students to Learn Science by Productively Talking with Each Other?

STEM Teaching Tool #6 focuses on students engaging in productive discourse.

Talking is integral to human learning. The science and engineering practices described in the NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education highlight that scientists and engineers routinely communicate through talk—not merely to share their final form products—but to make sense of their work and to gather feedback and refine their ideas as the work unfolds. Learners benefit from such accountable talk as well, but it can be tricky to scaffold and manage productive discourse in the classroom..

For more Science resources, visit STEM Teaching Tools and Science in Elementary Classrooms.


ODE Logo

English Language Arts and World Languages Instructional Materials Reviewer Applications

 

The Oregon Department of Education is currently accepting applications of teachers, curriculum specialists, and other experienced professionals for the 2020 English Language Arts and World Languages Instructional Materials Review.

Please obtain approval from your administrator prior to filling out an application. Individuals selected to participate will receive professional development, travel reimbursement, and an honorarium. Please visit the survey links to find out more information on what committee member participation will require. Please complete this survey for the English Language Arts review committee and this survey for the World Languages review committee. An application should take between 15-20 minutes to complete and must be completed by April 29, 2020.


MESD Logo

Responsive Science Classrooms

You are invited to Engaging Students in Culturally Responsive Science Classrooms in Multnomah County on April 17, 2020 at Multnomah ESD (11611 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, OR 97220).

A major shift in Next Generation Science Standards is a focus on phenomena-driven instruction. In this session we will explore how phenomenon can be used to anchor science teaching and learning in a culturally responsive classroom. With respect to formative assessments, participants will experience the process of selecting phenomena that can support students' 3D science learning.

  • 8:00 - 11:00 am   Session One for Grades 6-12
  • Noon - 3:00 pm   Session Two for Grades K-5

Presenters: Jamie Rumage and Noelle Gorbett, Science Specialists, ODE

REGISTRATION is required for participation.

Additional questions? Please contact Penny Plavala.