|
|
“Equality is leaving the door open for anyone who has the means to approach it; equity is ensuring there is a pathway to that door for those who need it.”
- Caroline Belden
|
|
Promotion of Quality Leadership
School and district leadership has been the focus of intense scrutiny in recent years as researchers try to define not only the qualities of effective leadership, but the impact of leadership on the operation of schools, and even on student achievement. A recently published literature review titled How Leadership Influences Student Learning contributes to this growing body of knowledge by examining the links between student achievement and educational leadership practices.
This article summarizes what the review reveals about the basics of successful educational leadership and offers practical suggestions for their implementation.
|
|
|
Support for High-Quality Educational Environments
Support for your New Teachers
Virginia ASCD would like to share information about an opportunity for ALL new teachers. Virginia ASCD (VASCD) is a membership organization of over 1400 teachers, school leaders, and teacher educators in the Commonwealth. VASCD is dedicated to advancing excellence in teaching and learning by hosting high-quality professional learning and advocating for the needs of teachers and students. To help support and retain Virginia's beginning teachers, VASCD offers free one-year membership to ALL new teachers in the Commonwealth. This membership includes the following benefits:
- A special email message each month on a topic of interest to new teachers. These messages include video messages from members of the Virginia Teacher of the Year Network along with links to helpful resources.
- All VASCD member benefits. In 2020-21, these will include free webinars, discussion groups, and bundles of resources on timely education topics.
New teachers may sign up at this link. If you have questions, please contact Laurie McCullough, VASCD Executive Director, at laurie@vascd.org
Updates for OSQ Contacts
The Office of School Quality is pleased to announce and welcome our new director, Dr. Aurelia Ortiz. Dr. Ortiz along with OSQ team members continues the commitment to supporting all schools across the Commonwealth with our regional support model. We are currently working with a reduced staff and team members’ assignments have been adjusted in the table below in order to support your needs. Their direct contact information can be found on VDOE’s Directory.
*Memorandum of Understanding
|
|
Q-Tip
Professional Learning Opportunities
Leveraging Feedback in Virtual Learning Course: July 20–August 20, 2020
Participants in this self-paced workshop will learn where, when, and how to implement reflection as a means of self-assessment. Join Dr. Brandy Hempen, ASCD Emerging Leader and Curriculum Coordinator, for these high-impact strategies shared in a hands-on and engaging way. Many strategies to optimize positive feedback while still focusing on progress will be shared. Bonus: There is also an embedded slow twitter chat where participants can share ideas related to the workshop with each other and the instructor.
Professional Development Opportunities to Support Effective Instructional Strategies and Programs for English Learners: As part of the VDOE’s ongoing effort to support school and division personnel in planning and implementing effective instructional strategies and programs for English Learners (ELs), multiple professional development opportunities for division and school staff who support ELs will be offered in October, November, and December. This document provides session descriptions, recommended audiences, registration links, and registration deadlines for the professional development opportunities.
Providing Social-Emotional Supports in a Virtual Setting: The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) offers several FREE 2-hours introductory workshops on practices for teaching in a virtual setting. This one session provides information on how to build positive relationships with students and deliver advisory sessions and activities that support students’ well-being — online or off. For more information visit the SREB website.
|
|
Collaboration Corner
Virginia Board of Education Seeking Written Public Comment on the Standards of Quality
The Virginia Board of Education is seeking written public comments on the Standards of Quality (SOQ). Last prescribed in October 2019, the Board’s SOQ outlined the foundation for instructional programs and support services all schools must provide. Recognizing the immense changes the Commonwealth has experienced in the past few months, the Board is reviewing the October 2019 SOQ to ensure these standards still reflect the condition and needs of Virginia’s public schools. At the July 23, 2020, meeting, the Board considered first review of a resolution prescribing the Standards of Quality.
The October 2019 standards are aligned with the Board’s goals of promoting educational equity, supporting educator recruitment and retention, and helping students and schools achieve the Board’s graduation and accreditation requirements. The Constitution of Virginia requires the Board of Education to prescribe Standards of Quality for the public schools of Virginia, subject to revision only by the General Assembly.
Written public comment will be accepted until August 28, 2020, and may be submitted to the Board at BOE@doe.virginia.gov.
|
|
Reminders
- As you begin implementing your reopening plans, consider revising your school's continuous improvement plans to reflect professional development, implementation of evidence-based practices, and monitoring of those improvement plans.
- If your school receives School Improvement Grant (SIG) funds, please be sure to encumber all funding that is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2020.
- Submit OMEGA reimbursements at least once a month.
- A new feature coming to Quick Takes-OSQ will look to feature in future editions a leader in the Commonwealth who exhibits quality leadership principles. We will provide information in the September QT on how you can nominate a leader to be recognized.
-
2020 #EdEquityVA Virtual Summit-If you missed the event on August 5 and 6, soon you will be able to access recordings of the breakout sessions on the summit’s web site.
|
|
|
|
Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated. If you have a topic you would like to see in a future monthly edition of Quality Quick Takes, contact your OSQ regional team member or OSQ at OSQ@doe.virginia.gov.
This monthly communication is intended for school and division leadership throughout the Commonwealth.
Don't ever miss a Quick Takes, sign up to join our mailing list.
|
|
|
|
