A newsletter for members of AESA                                                  September 20, 2016

Saying goodbye to one of our own

Lee Eugene Christiansen (1935 - 2016)
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Dr. Lee Christiansen. As a longtime advocate of regional service agencies, Dr. Christiansen maintained ESAs are  best positioned to work with districts and agencies in ways that truly make a difference in the education programs for all students. During his four-year tenure as AESA executive director, the organization witnessed outstanding growth. Dr. Christiansen initiated Perspectives, the AESA journal  of research and opinion about educational services agencies. Dr. Christiansen authored the first historical document,  History-Association of Educational Service Agencies . The publication was a gift to the AESA membership on its 25th anniversary and remains a valuable resource for understanding the history and importance of ESAs. Dr. Christiansen was the recipient of the 1999 Justice A. Prentice Award and the 2002 Robert E. Stephen's Award. Complete Obituary.
 
Ohio ESCs develop a white paper on implementation of ESSA! 

The recently enacted federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) creates a fundamental shift in the focus and control of public education systems by empowering states, districts and schools to drive local engagement and decision-making to improve educational outcomes for all students in all schools. The Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) is committed to working in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Education, school districts, allied educational organizations, state and local policy makers, and other stakeholders to promote and support implementation of ESSA and related state-level educational reform efforts that provide for an efficient, effective and quality system of education that is fiscally and academically accountable and which prepares all students to achieve high levels of success in college and careers. The Essential Role of Ohio's Educational Service Centers in the ESSA Era, is a report thatwas created with that commitment in mind in order to assist the Ohio Department of Education and State Board of Education in developing the required state plan under ESSA.
 
The report offers eight strategic recommendations for how the state can partner with ESCs, Ohio's statewide system of support, to ensure the continuous improvement of every school and district in Ohio.
 
For more information, click on the links below:

Transgender Student Webinars

AASA is sponsoring a three-part series that will focus on many issues, including policies for student athletes, responding to community concerns about transgender students, and how to develop a plan for a student transitioning from one gender to another. Noelle Ellerson, Director of Federal Advocacy, states that "these presenters are incredible and I think this will prove to be an invaluable PD opportunity for many Supterintendents". We have negotiated a discounted rate of $50 each for those AESA members that are not members of AASA. 
 
Dates, Topics, and Registration
 
September 21, 2016 
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Learn how to ensure the needs of transgender student athletes are appropriately met.
This webinar is for school leaders interested in learning how their districts can ensure the needs of transgender student athletes are appropriately met.

After the webinar, school leaders will be able to answer the following questions:
  • What are the benefits of adopting inclusive policies and practices regarding transgender student athletes?
  • How should school leaders address concerns about competitive equity if they have transgender students on athletic teams?

 
October 4, 2016 
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Learn who transgender students are and how to discuss transgender students with all K-12 students, parents and community members.  This webinar will focus on building a superintendent's understanding of who transgender students are and how to present issues of gender, and gender transitions to students, teachers and members of the community in a helpful way. 
 
After the webinar, participants will be able to answer the following questions:
  • What terminology should leaders be aware of when discussing transgender students?
  • How should you frame the concept of gender and the experience of students transitioning from one gender to another gender to students depending on their age?
  • What is the best approach to discussing gender, and transgender students specifically, to teachers, members of the community, and school boards?
  • How should school leaders respond to the following common questions: 
    a. Why should my child learn about gender in schools? 
    b. If you are talking about gender, are you talking about sexual orientation, too? 
    c. Won't my child be confused if we talk about more than two genders?
 

October 25, 2016 
Time: 1-2 p.m.

Learn what the district's role is when you have students or school personnel transitioning from one gender to another.  This webinar will focus on the transition process for students and school personnel. 

At the end of the webinar, school leaders will be able to answer the following questions:
  • What is a transition for a f-m student for a m-f student/teacher and how does it work?
  • What is a gender support plan and should my district develop one?
  • What is a gender transition plan and should my district develop one for trans-students and teachers?
  • What are best practices for handling a transgender student or teacher's public transition vs private one?
  • How should school leaders address harassment of transgender students or personnel?
 
 

AESA 
832-437-8231
info@aesa.us
http://www.aesa.us