NDSBL Launches New Supports for Schools | |
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On behalf of North Dakota Standards-Based Learning (SBL), educators from across the state assembled virtually throughout the summer of 2023 with facilitators from the NESC, CREA, and SEEC to create a collection of state level resources that can support local adoption and implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum and standards-based instructional practices.
Educators collaborated through their experiences in standards writing, teaching of the standards, and SBL to draft proficiency scales for grades K-12 in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Music, and Essential Skills. ELA and Math scales are aligned to updated priority standards, vetted by members of the ND content standards writing teams.
Explore our full collection of NDSBL proficiency scales at ndsbl.org/resources/.
We are inspired by the passion, dedication, and thoughtful application of the standards demonstrated by those who participated in this challenging work! We offer special thanks to the following local educators for their contributions: Raechel Newgard (Devils Lake), Beth Romfo (Langdon Area), and Carissa Johnson and Kim Ness (Tate Topa).
This work elevates the 2023 release of the North Dakota ELA and Math Content Standards and our previous versions of the NDSBL priority standards and scales. We are grateful to all of the educators who have contributed to our NDSBL learning experiences and resources over the years, and we thank the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction for their support!
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Elevate Your Impact Paraeducator Workshop | |
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Over 150 North Dakota paraeducators attended the Elevate Your Impact with Brain-Based Learning Strategies sessions on Monday, January 15th. Facilitated by NESC School Support Specialist, Jess Edwards, they engaged in reflective practices, delving into plasticity and active learning through Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory. Exploring reflexive processes and patterning techniques, paraeducators learned prompting techniques as a form of intentional intervention. The session concluded with a focus on reconciling reflective practices and reflexive processes to establish full presence, intentionality, and priming skills through thoughtful question-asking.
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Over 72% reported an increase in skills to implement the day's learning strategies, with a significant number noting substantial improvement.
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Over 81% of respondents affirmed the relevance of brain-based learning content to their role, with over half indicating substantial applicability.
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More than 88% of participants predict a positive impact on the students and people they serve, with over half expressing a substantial effect.
Participants engaged in multiple activities throughout their training. One respondent gave this statement when asked how they plan to stretch their learning and elevate their impact with students:
"I have the intention to start focusing on the 3-part brain processing to better understand where my student is when getting new information or handling given information. I will use thoughtful questioning to better understand what they are thinking or what they know at the moment. I have the intention to use patterning to be able to put more effort into acknowledging the positives with my student."
In response to the same question, another respondent decided to take an individualized reflective lens by saying, "I plan to use reflection by being present and aware of the feedback my student is offering me, and being thoughtful about the intentions behind every action that my student shows me, which will give me feedback and insight to how the student is receiving the information. I will use this information to decide which type of prompting the student will be the most receptive to and build off of this to re-regulate the brain from a state that it is in to one of calm and receptivity to learning."
And finally, this respondent took the interest of inclusion by saying, "I will remember to reflect with my student on the expectations and what we need to do throughout the day."
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Promoting Learner-Centric Environments
We want to give a shout out to North Star and Rolette educators for embracing continuous improvement through application of Cognia's Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool® (eleot®)!
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NESC staff had the pleasure of visiting these schools, completing eleot® observations across classrooms, and providing external feedback regarding student engagement, agency, and self-efficacy. Many powerful practices were observed!
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NESC Learning Opportunities | | |
NESC Beginning Teacher Workshop
This series is specifically designed for teachers in their first, second, or third years of the profession who want to improve student learning! Join us to observe high-quality, high-impact practice through instructional rounds!
Cohort #1
9:00 AM -12:00 PM each date (virtual):
- February 9
- February 23
- March 8
- April 5
Cohort #2
1:00 - 4:00 PM each date (virtual):
- February 12
- February 26
- March 11
- April 8
Find more information about the workshop here!
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Registration link:
tinyurl.com/24BeginningTeacher
Registration deadline: February 1
Cost: FREE!
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NESC educators are welcome to attend the Bridges Out of Poverty training on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 9:00-3:00 at LRSC's Robert Fawcett Auditorium!
Presenter, Bethanie Tucker of Aha Process, will increase your effectiveness in working with people in poverty and help you learn how economic differences impact opportunities for success.
This training is FREE to all community partners.
Please RSVP to Tammi by emailing tammi.beck@k12.nd.us or calling 701-665-4452.
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Paraeducator Online Training is available as a school-wide program with this NO COST opportunity. Paraeducators and tutors will have access to 150+ self-paced modules covering general education and special education environments. Learning modules typically ranges from 45-60 minutes in length, can be accessed using any platform day or night, and can be personalized to fit each individual within your system.
Administrators, simply complete this form to enroll your school district today ($35/person value).
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Assessing to Inform:
Put Your Data to Work For You
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Through hands-on experiences, learn key guidelines and tips for interpreting data and viewing reports at the student, classroom, school, district, and national levels. Learn how to really understand and apply the data to guide instruction and intervention, plan student groupings, etc. See how to use data to facilitate improved educational outcomes for students.
Go to ndrea.org and select Statewide Initiatives / Assessing to Inform to access archived resources and webinar recordings for the following:
- Assessment overview
- ACT & PreACT
- AIMSweb
- FastBridge
- NWEA
- Renaissance STAR
- WorkKeys
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The NESC is partnering with Valley City State
University to offer cafeteria graduate credit to member educators for NESC professional learning events.
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Graduate Level
Professional Development
Credit Courses
(up to nine credits) for $275!
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Purchase an annual subscription to gain access to online Graduate Level Professional Development Credit courses at a significant savings only available to NESC members. You'll be able to take one course each term for a total of three courses per year.
Courses are offered through a partnership with University of North Dakota and Virtual Education Software (VESi).
- Three courses per year (up to nine credits) for $275
- Learn online at your own pace from the convenience of your home
- Choose from over 30 online courses for license renewal and salary advancement
Questions? Call 1-800-313-6744.
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STEM Academy for Native American Students Expanded Statewide
Indians into STEM (INSTEM) summer program application is now open and is being expanded for all ND Native American students in grades 6-12 eligible to apply.
INSTEM began in 2018 as a pilot project and is an opportunity for students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and to experience living on a college campus.
The application deadline is April 15, 2024. For more information, click here.
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Calling All Middle School STEM Educators
Check out this unique opportunity to partner with Rock by Rock, an educational design studio that develops instructional tools to help learners thrive in our ever-changing world.
This research study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeks 20 educators to explore the most effective methods for cultivating a middle school student's STEM identity and enhancing their career readiness.
Click here for more information regarding the benefits and commitments required, along with the links to register for one of the two scheduled informative sessions!
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NESC Partner & North Dakota Learning Opportunities | | | |
Past NESC Workshops - Continued Support | | |
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Strategies to Engage All Families / Steven Constantino
Episode 27: Working With Families
This episode's bestselling author, Steve Constantino, will break down why it’s important to prioritize engaging families, how engaging families has shifted in our current time, and give some practical tips that work quickly. Listen now.
In this excerpt from Engage Every Family, author Steven Constantino shares a school-family culture inventory. It takes data collecting a step further to understand the beliefs and attitudes of staff members. Download now.
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Mission
The NESC supports schools through leadership and collaborative opportunities.
Vision
The NESC positively impacts schools' capacity to offer high-quality education.
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