Up to Date, with SST8

News and Events for February 5 Through February 16, 2024

K-12 Principals Network

In January, we focused on understanding the report cards and school designations with special guests from DEW. Here is a recording of their presentation. Please join us on February 27 from 9-10:30 to learn more about effective classroom practices and methods to capture student voice. We will explore ways to include students in building a culture of respect, inclusivity, and interdependence. Few quotes capture the student voice better, “No decisions about me without me” by Andrew Lansley .

Please register so that you can receive any updates and information.

PBIS Leaders Network

Our next in-person meeting will include a high school/middle school panel who will discuss student voice and experience. Be part of a dynamic community of educators, leaders, and change-makers as we gather to share success stories, explore cutting-edge strategies, and unite to elevate student outcomes.

New Episode Now Available

In the last two episodes of our season, we find some early childhood co-teaching magic in Barberton, and talk to two teachers with a passion for working with middle schoolers in Kent. Check out our most recent episodes of our podcast 8 with 8.

Save the Date: 7th Annual Literacy Academy

The Literacy Academy, brought to you by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, is returning in-person on June 10-11, 2024, in Columbus! The seventh annual Literacy Academy will provide professional learning to support the use of evidence-based language and literacy practices. This event is intended for Ohio districts, schools and early care and education programs working toward raising literacy achievement. There are no registration fees to attend this event.

Registration will open in spring 2024. Please continue to check our website for additional information. Questions may be emailed to ReadOhio@education.ohio.gov.

Teaching Decoding to Adolescent Readers

We are excited to offer an additional session of Teaching Decoding to Adolescent Readers in collaboration with the Summit ESC, on February 22. This specially curated session aims to provide you with advanced techniques and insights essential for enhancing literacy development in adolescent learners.

You'll engage with experienced educators and peers in a collaborative setting, sharing best practices and exploring new approaches to literacy instruction. During this session, we'll dive into: Effective strategies for teaching decoding skills to adolescent readers, Methodologies to empower you in guiding young learners, Practical approaches to enhance literacy instruction.

This event is a fantastic opportunity for educators to gain valuable insights and tools to strengthen the reading foundations of adolescent students. Join us to enhance your literacy teaching techniques and make a lasting impact on your students.

We are looking forward to an insightful day of learning and discovery!

PBIS Recognition - Submit Your Intent to Apply!

The application for 2023-24 Ohio PBIS State Recognition is now available. You must submit the Intent to Apply linked on the application by February 12th to be eligible for recognition this year. This informational video will walk you through how you apply. More information can be found on the DEW webpage for PBIS.

Science of Reading Professional Development

In an effort to keep you all informed of the new requirements regarding the required Science of Reading Professional Development, here is the latest information we have from the DEW and the OAESA Roundtable held in January.

District Requirements

Must require teachers and administrators to complete the SoR PD course by 6/30/25.
Districts are responsible for paying a stipend for full completion of the DEW course
The Department will reimburse districts for PD stipends. More information will be coming soon on the process for reimbursement.

Administrator Requirements

Must complete the course by 6/30/25
Includes district/building administrators with the following licenses (superintendent, alternative superintendent, administrative specialist, alternative administrative specialist, principal, and alternative principal licenses)
Administrators previously completing a similar course are not required to take the course.
Administrators are NOT eligible for the stipends.

Educator Requirements

The following roles must complete the Department's SOR course by 6/30/25.
Teachers of grades K through 5
ELA teachers of grades 6 through 12
Intervention Specialists
PK through 12
English Learner teachers
Reading Specialists
Instructional Coaches
Teachers who teach a subject area other than ELA in grades 6 through 12
Music, Art, PE Teachers & AP and IB Teachers etc.: There is NO carve out to exempt these teachers under the Science of Reading PD legislation. NO EXEMPTIONS.
CTE HS: This PD is required for all public district and community schools including career tech schools.
Similar training courses to the Department's SoR PD previously completed will satisfy the requirements.
Educators who have completed the 18 hours of dyslexia support pd will only be required to complete a shortened pd sequence.

As always, we are here to support you with evidence-based best practices in language and literacy. All policy questions we will direct to the Department.

All questions should be sent to readohio@education.ohio.gov.

Structured Literacy Process Tool

The Structured Literacy Certification Process Tool, developed by members of the State Literacy Network, is now available on the Department website. The tool includes a comprehensive checklist of items for districts to consider when establishing their structured literacy certification process.

Attention Cohort 1 School Leaders!!

The One Needs Assessment tool is open now. EDSTEPS Cohort 1 entities are required to complete a three-year needs assessment and plan. The due date for Cohort 1 entities to complete the One Needs Assessment and One Plan is April 30, 2024. Please see these updates from DEW to learn about upcoming training. Here is the link to the DEW website for ONA guidance.

The First Five

The First Five is a free daily resource tailored for educators, offering practical ideas and activities ideal for the initial five minutes of class time. Delivered to your email inbox daily at 7 AM EST, it provides 18+ new activities and ideas each day. These activities focus on classroom connections, self-care, care for others, and character development. The website emphasizes building dynamic and trusting relationships within classroom communities and allows users to choose one activity from either the Primary or Secondary First Five categories. Click here to sign up.

DEW has released their Approved List of

Core Curriculum and Instructional Materials

The Department’s initial list of approved core curriculum and instructional materials includes all materials that met the required criteria under processes for automatic approval and limited alignment review for prekindergarten and kindergarten-grade 5. To learn more about approved core curriculum and instructional materials, including contact information and program details provided by the respective vendor, access the hyperlinked product title.

The Department is reviewing additional programs as part of Phase 2 in the phased review process. A list of core curriculum and instructional materials under review will be available in early February. Additional approved materials may be added to the approved list in March 2024 following the Department’s review.

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