curriculum and instruction updates and information
March 4, 2022
Dear Curriculum and Instruction Leaders,

I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight the benefits of implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Framework as a way to organize your district and school system. In our MTSS work at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), we work with districts to determine what will be different in their systems as a result of building out this framework.

One piece of evidence that we see in MTSS districts is a paradigm shift from student deficit logic to systems deficit logic. By moving the responsibility of changing from the student to the system we can work together to develop supports and remove barriers to student success.
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Student Deficit Logic
  • Student limitations lead to lack of success
  • Goal is to define how the student must change to be successful
Systems Deficit Logic
  • Everyone can succeed under the right conditions
  • Goal is to define the conditions that must change so the student will be successful
Implementing and sustaining MTSS is a continuous improvement endeavor! As you look at the Whole Child Domain of the CA MTSS Framework, what might be your next step in learning about, installing, and implementing MTSS? We are currently looking for local educational agencies that want to start their MTSS journey with us next year as part of our MTSS District Leadership Team Training. During the training series, a team of district- and site-level staff work together to learn strategies to structure, engineer, and implement the MTSS Framework, taking into account local needs and context. If you would like to learn more about how to begin your MTSS journey with us, please contact me.

For more information about our MTSS offerings, please visit our SDCOE MTSS webpage. Below you will find resources from our most recent Curriculum and Instruction Leaders meeting as well as information about learning and leadership opportunities from across SDCOE. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or are in need of support.

Take care,
Shannon

Shannon Baker, Ed.D.
(she-her-hers)
Twitter: @sbaker_SDCOE
curriculum and instruction professional learning and networking
March 1 Curriculum and Instruction Leaders Network Meeting Recap
At the Curriculum and Instruction Leaders Network meeting this week, we heard a variety of presentations focused on universal pre-K, Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs), new requirements for physical fitness testing, and we learned more about how to develop an equity-centered LCAP using the SDCOE Equity Blueprint for Action as a resource. You can find all of the details in the meeting agenda and slide deck that is linked below.
Updates and Learning Opportunities From the Learning and Leadership Services Division

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Application Now Open
Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 cohort for the SDCOE Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program. The program is designed to:
  • Prepare experienced educators for the challenges of school leadership
  • Support future goals of serving in a variety of administrative roles
  • Provide high-quality instruction and leading-edge research
 
More information can be found regarding how to apply by accessing this PASC program flyer.

SDCOE PK-3 Collaboration Opportunity
SDCOE has launched a new team designed to support the efforts, alignment, and implementation of prekindergarten to 3rd grade and universal transitional kindergarten in San Diego County. Our goal is to provide the most up-to-date information, tools, and resources as well as establish a network to support district leaders. In order to support these efforts, we are compiling a point-of-contact list for each local educational agency. Please provide your point-of-contact information here.

SDCOE Equity Conference 2022 — New Dates!
Join hundreds of educators, parents, students, policymakers, advocates, and community members to advance educational equity for California’s students at the 2022 Equity Conference on May 12 and 13 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Equity Conference will be an opportunity to grow and learn as we work to make our campuses safe spaces for all students, staff members, and families, where they feel honored and valued.
 
Native Ways of Knowing Series with Author Dr. Debbie Reese
K-12 educators and leaders are invited to learn from author and founder of American Indians in Children's Literature Dr. Debbie Reese, of Nambé Pueblo, in a series of six free, virtual learning sessions. Grow your knowledge of culturally responsive instruction and literacy to improve representations and classroom climates for teaching and learning about California's first peoples and supporting Native American students. Each session will include access to free, open-source lesson plans, resources, and instructional materials.

Upcoming live webinars will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on March 15, March 29, and April 12. Register to attend live or to receive a recording of the session. Access the flyer to share.
Updates and Learning Opportunities From the Curriculum and Instruction Department

History and Social Science
History-Social Science Educators and Leaders Network
History-social science lead teachers, teachers on special assignment, and administrators are invited to join a network to learn about the current state and local initiatives and share ideas for implementation. Participants will meet virtually from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. April 6 and June 8. Register for all, but you’re welcome to join as you’re able. 
Library Media Services
Virtual Instructional Materials Fair — March 9, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
SDCOE's Library Media Services/Learning Resource Display Center is bringing together 13 instructional material programs approved by the State Board of Education for world languages, visual arts, and music. There will be webinars for each publisher to showcase the approved programs. Register to attend live or access the webinars on-demand on the SDCOE instructional materials webpage.
Mathematics
The Sum Of it All Podcast
Join the Sum Of It All podcast for season 5 on building curious schools or catch up on previous podcast seasons with SDCOE’s Audrey Mendivil and Mark Alcorn. The asynchronous book club for educators makes it easy to read along, learn, and explore texts that matter to math leaders, then continue the conversation on Twitter with #SumMathChat. 
Physical Education and Health
SDCOE Health and Physical Education Hangouts are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 3 to 4 p.m. Use this Zoom link each month to collaborate with other health and physical educators to receive the latest updates, resources, materials and best practices in health and physical education. Following each hangout, from 4 to 5 p.m. there will be grade-level collaboration meetings for those who would like to collaborate with others who teach the same grade span. Attendees will receive follow-up emails with the information and resources that were shared.

SDCOE K-12 Health Education Grants are available to provide $50,000 to $250,000 for local educational agencies to update health education instruction in any of the following health education content areas:
  • Nutrition and physical activity
  • Mental, social, and emotional health
  • Growth, development, and sexual health
  • Injury prevention and safety
  • Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
  • Personal and community health

For more information visit the SDCOE K-12-Comprehensive Health Education webpage or contact Paige Metz.

Health Education Framework Series is an asynchronous and synchronous professional learning designed to help teachers implement skills-based instruction to build students’ health literacy. Learn more about the complete series and click the event dates to register to attend individual sessions.
  • Session 1: Framework Overview (July 11 or Oct. 4)
  • Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity, AND Mental, Emotional and Social Health (March 23, July 11, or Oct. 18)
  • Session 3: Growth, Development, and Sexual Health, AND Injury Prevention and Safety (April 6), July 12, Nov. 1)
  • Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs, AND Personal and Community Health (April 19), July 12, or Nov. 15)

The next SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting will take place May 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. Click here for more information and to register. Collaborate with leaders from throughout San Diego County to discuss:
  • National, state, and local updates
  • Trends and best practices
  • Professional learning opportunities
  • Resources

2022 Chargers Champions Grant Program
The Chargers Champions School Grant Program was created to assist schools with meeting some of the basic physical fitness, nutrition, and athletic needs of their students.

2022 Grant Amounts:
  • High School — Grants up to $70,000
  • Middle School — Grants up to $40,000
  • Elementary School — Grants up to $30,000

Visit the Chargers Champions website to learn more about the application and selection process.
Science and Environmental Literacy
CA Environmental Literacy Initiative — Community-Based Partner Hub
The launch of the CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub in collaboration with CAELI and Ten Strands brings an exciting new resource to San Diego County educators. The hub promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of community-based partners and their products and services. Is also fosters educator and community-based partner relationships for increased student enrichment and engagement. Through the hub, you can identify new environmental education providers in San Diego County as well as connect with programs you are already working with. View the providers currently registered with SDCOE.
Contact Shannon Baker with questions, comments, or feedback about Curriculum and Instruction News and Updates.