The Power of a Single Voice

A message from Director Colt Gill. "This year has been a learning experience for all of us, but I think one of the most important messages is that when people come together around a specific purpose, they can bring about immense change. Nowhere is that more clear than in some of the recent actions taken at State Board of Education meetings.

In September, the board approved a temporary rule to ensure all our students are welcome and have full access to their education in Oregon’s schools. The All Students Belong rule prohibits hate symbols, specifically three of the most recognizable symbols of hate — the swastika, the Confederate flag, and the noose - except where used in teaching curricula that are aligned with the Oregon State Standards. It requires districts to adopt and implement policies and procedures for prohibiting symbols of hate and addressing bias incidents by January 1, 2021. We are pleased to see that many districts have already implemented such a policy.

What should not be lost, though, is that the rule is a direct result of actions by a student."

To read the full message, click here.

Student Survey Item Fairness and Sensitivity Review Panel Recruitment

Oregon Department of Education’s Office of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is seeking individuals to participate in an online review of items for a student survey. The student survey will collect information from students about their learning experience in Oregon: Access, Opportunity to Learn, Self-Efficacy, Belonging, and Engagement. The purpose of the item review is to ensure the high quality and fairness of items presented to 3^rd-11^th grade students.

A meeting will be held on January 21^st at 4:00-5:00 pm to provide training and review instructions. Participants will be assigned a small set of potential items to review on their own time (estimated 1-2 hours). This is a voluntary, unpaid meeting. Upon submission of the feedback form by 5:00 pm on January 29, 2021, participants will be provided with PDUs for their time.

Applications will be accepted until 8:00 am, January 11, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified via email with a meeting link by 5:00 pm, January 15, 2021

For more information, please contact Noelle Gorbett, Science Assessment Specialist

Tribal History/Shared History - Online Courses

We are pleased to announce the New Release of our next online professional development course as part of our virtual asynchronous learning series:

SB 13 Tribal History/Shared History Module 4 Online Course

Course Description:The objective of this online professional development course is to: provide an understanding of the Essential Understandings of Native Americans in Oregon.

This course covers Essential Understanding 7: Language and Essential Understanding 8: Treaties with the United States of the nine (9) Essential Understandings. It is designed to support educators in building a foundation for teaching, training, and serving as a source of support, knowledge, and advocacy within their school, district, or organization for the Senate Bill 13 Tribal History/Shared History curriculum.

*Time Estimation: Approximately 2 hours - depending on whether it is completed individually or in a group setting (PDU certificate available for completion).

If you need assistance with establishing an iLearn account, please watch the introductory video: SB13 Professional Development Courses Introduction with iLearn Instructions and follow these directions: Text with Screen Shots or Text Only Version.

If you already have an iLearn account, you can follow this link to the SB13 Professional Development page, click on Module 4 to access this course.

Or here is the direct link (must have an iLearn account established to access): Module 4

Thank you all for your continued dedication and support of the implementation of SB 13 Tribal History/Shared History. We are truly grateful.

The Office of Indian Education

Early Learner Workshop Series: Fostering Natural Curiosity 

Description: Have you noticed how innately curious young children are about the natural world around them? Are you interested in getting your early learners outside and in nature more often? Join us for a two workshop series intended to foster and further your young students’ curiosity of the natural world around them, all while learning foundational math, science, and literacy skills.

Registration required. Offered at no cost to formal and non-formal Oregon educators. PDUs available. Substitute reimbursement available. 

Workshop 1 in January will introduce you to the Project Learning Tree Guide, Environmental Experiences for Early Learners.

Please make every effort to attend both sessions. Times and dates of both sessions:

• Tuesday, January 12th, 2021, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 26th, 2021, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

Registration for Workshop 1 closes at 5:00 p.m. Thursday January 7th, 2021

Curriculum: Project Learning Tree’s Environmental Experiences for Early Learners, Project Learning Tree (E-book)

Audience: PreK-2^nd grade formal and non-formal educators, and caretakers of young children

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Workshop 2 in February will introduce you to the Project Wild Guide, Growing Up WILD. Participants can register for one or both workshops. Workshops will prepare you to use the guides for your teaching scenario which may be in person, digital or hybrid.

Please make every effort to attend both sessions. Times and dates of both sessions:

• Tuesday, February 2nd,   12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 16th, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

Registration for Workshop 1 closes at 5:00 p.m. Thursday January 14th, 2021

Curriculum: Growing Up WILD (physical guide)

Audience: PreK-2^nd grade formal and non-formal educators, and caretakers of young children

Additional information and registration can be found at: here.

Equitable Remote Learning Series -  Middle School Educators

Are you a middle school science educator teaching remotely who is committed to equity and justice? If so, please join CU Boulder and the ACESSE project for this paid virtual professional learning opportunity focused on creating more equitable science learning experiences in the time of the pandemic.

As part of the series, you will gain access to and learn to use a new online system for helping you understand your students’ experiences in your science classes. The professional learning series requires attendance to all four virtual sessions (90 minutes each), and test equity strategies in your classroom in between those sessions.

The sessions will take place on alternating Thursdays in January, February, and March 2021 starting at 4:30 PT | 5:30 MT.

Please click here for additional information or complete this application form (10 minutes) by Thursday, December 31, 2020.

Oregon Open Learning Hub

Recently, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Washington has shared via the Open Education Resource - K-5 Science: Essential Question Units and Resources provides conceptual unit guidance from the NGSS Topic Arrangement with a variety of freely available resources listed for each PE, many of which may be used or adapted for learning from home. 

STEM Happier Hour Chats

First and Third Tuesdays, 4:05-4:50 Pacific

Register here for this free series to receive the Zoom link and password that we use every session and join on weeks that work best for you.

There has never been a more important time to find community. These loosely facilitated sessions are spaces for you to laugh with others, learn from others, share your ideas, and get inspiration to keep you going in these challenging times.  

Open to every Oregon educator seeking community and connection.

2020 - 2021 PAEMST for Grades 7-12 Nominations Open

The PAEMST program is pleased to announce that nominations and applications for the 2020–2021 awards cycle are open.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching.

Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public—may nominate exceptional STEM teachers who are currently teaching grades 7–12 for the 2020–2021 award year. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org.

The nomination deadline is Monday, March 1, 2021, and the application deadline is Thursday, April 1, 2021, for secondary teachers (grades 7–12). Elementary teachers (grades K–6) will be eligible to apply during a future cycle.

Administrator Diversity Scholarships and License Reimbursements Available

The Educator Advancement Council and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) are pleased to offer two opportunities for diverse educators to receive financial assistance with expenses. These funds are intended to support and increase the number of diverse educators in Oregon.   

The Oregon Administrator Scholars Program is offering scholarships up to a maximum of $10,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year for racially and/or linguistically diverse administrator candidates accepted and enrolled in a TSPC-approved administrator program. The scholarships may be used to pay for classes, fees, and related costs.

The License Expense Reimbursement Program assists diverse educators with expenses related to the cost of becoming licensed and/or renewing licenses, as well as provides reimbursement for testing fees (edTPA, ORELA, Praxis, etc.). Recipients can be current in-service teachers or administrators as well as student candidates enrolled in an Oregon educator preparation program.  

These programs, in addition to the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program, create opportunities that strengthen the educator workforce to better support Oregon’s students.

Announcing Funding Opportunity for Openly Licensed K-5 or 9-12 Comprehensive Sex Ed Lessons

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is seeking applications from local educators, other non-profit groups, or consortias to develop openly licensed lessons that cover Oregon’s Sexuality Education Laws & Health Education Standards to be made available on the Oregon Open Learning (OOL) Hub.

This project will provide small one-time grants (~$10,000-$20,000) to teams developing free and openly licensed health and sexuality education lessons for grades K-5 or 9-12 for optional use in Oregon schools.

All application materials and information can be found here. 

For more information, please register for our Q&A sessions: 

Session 1: Date: December 14th, 2020 Time: 3:30pm Where: Link will be emailed

Session 2: Date: December 16th, 2020 Time: 8:30am Where: Link will be emailed

Session 3: Date: December 22nd, 2020 Time: 3:30pm Where: Link will be emailed

Please reach out to Sasha Grenier at sasha.grenier@state.or.us or Andrea Bibee at andrea.bibee@ode.state.or.us with questions.

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