Notes From MARE 2016

I was fortunate to attend the 2016 Missouri Association of Rural Education conference. Below are a few takeaways I found valuable.

Address from DESE commissioner:
Dr. Vandeven addressed the group. I was impressed with her understanding of the challenges faced by small rural schools. Vandeven was willing to openly discuss the challenges presented by creating MSIP, and she solicited questions from the group. Her candor was appreciated.

Keynote:
Kent Stock coached Norway High School to an Iowa state championship in baseball during its final year of existence. His experience was made into a movie, The Final Season. His talk focused on the value of relationships and learning from failures.

Legal Issues:
A school attorney led a breakout session which focused on the legal issues surrounding communication with board members. She stressed that if a board member used "reply all" to an email the communication would be subject to sunshine law. She also cautioned that informal gatherings of four or more board members could be an "unposted" board meeting, which is a violation of state statute.

Address from Missouri Teacher of the Year:
Darbie Valenti shared her experience of growing up in an abusive environment and her journey to becoming a nationally recognized educator. Her message inspired the audience to cultivate environments where all students were supported and challenged to learn.

Finance:
A session was held on calculating the costs of salary schedule improvements. Participants worked through a scenario which included requests from teachers and limits from board members. One strategy which was explored was adding to the base, but not granting steps in the same year. Over the course of two years teachers gained their requested increase, but the district budget was stabilized in the first year.

Teacher Motivation:
A session on staff motivation reminded administrators of the importance of considering the perspective of teachers. Supporting teachers properly begins with seeing challenges from their perspective.

Fellowship:
While all the sessions were valuable, I found more value in the down time between sessions, visiting with other superintendents, especially those with more experience. The encouragement and advice was appreciated.

First Day As Superintendent

Seventeen years ago I had my first first day of school as an educator, teaching English at Simonsen 9th grade center in Jefferson City, a building with 700 ninth graders. I was excited about the challenges ahead of me, humbled by the responsibility I had been given, and a little nervous: halfway through my first class I spilled cofee on a student. 

This year I found myself in a new role as superintendent of Norborne RVIII, a district just shy of 200 students. In all honesty, I felt much more relaxed on this first day; however, it came on the heels of a six week ramp up that was anything but. When the kids got off the busses and headed to class it was satisfying moment and I took time to reflect on all the hard work I had witnessed from so many people that summer: coaches, principals, and teachers for sure, but also, and especially, custodians, secretaries, cooks, paras, and bus drivers. It takes so many folks to make a district go. Turns out, the superintendancy is the best seat in the house for watching all the activity.

Looking ahead at the year before me I am again excited about the challenges, humbled by the responsibility, and a little nervous. 

But at least I haven't spilled coffee on anyone, yet. 

(My first day was also my son's first day of kindergarten.)

Legal Issues Impacting Educators in 2016/17

A few notes from two school law seminars: Mickes O'Toole, July 31; EdCounsel, July 29.

Student Data:
There is increasing pressure on schools to protect student data. The Missouri State Auditor's office is auditing schools' data security measures. Schools must be able to identify the individuals, policies, and practices that are used to protect student data.

Payroll:
FLSA regulations now require that "salaried" employees must be paid $47,476 a year, or have their hours tracked and be paid for overtime. The regulations do not apply to teachers, but this could impact non-certificated employees.  Every school employee is vital to serving students and all deserve fair compensation, but districts will be forced to hire additional employees to eliminate the need for overtime or raise salaries and expectations. Both measures will redirect funds that might go directly to instruction. It's unlikely that state/federal revenues will be adjusted to address this need so district leaders must be prepared to think strategically.

Reporting of Assaults:
Missouri schools have been required to report assaults to law enforcement for student interactions that did not result in injuries and may not have been motivated by malicious intent. Beginning January 2017, the threshold for reporting assaults will be higher. Interactions where students knowingly cause physical injury will be reported as assaults.  Districts should review their policies for reporting.

Transgender:
No other issue is as unsettled as the support for transgender students in public schools. While some legal advisors encourage adaptation of specific policies, all attorneys rightly acknowledge that no court with authority over Missouri has ruled on the issue. Adopting a policy may not be appropriate at this time.  Whether a district adopts a policy or not, educators must be prepared to work with parents and students to ensure expectations, supports, and protections are well communicated.

Bullying and Suicide Prevention:
House Bill 1583 tightens expectations for districts regarding the response to bullying.  With this law and the increasing trend of suits being brought against districts for failing to properly address bullying and harassment, districts must be more vigilant in documenting how bullying complaints are addressed. Efforts to address complaints that do not include punishment (student conferences and parent notification) should be carefully documented, especially in incidents of cyberbullying. Often cyberbullying takes place outside school hours on student owned devices. Schools may find it difficult to punish students for many of these incidents, but best practice will be to document efforts made to communicate to parents or appropriate law enforcement agencies.  School personnel who observe bullying must report it within two days. Investigations must be complete in ten days.

SB 638
Senate bill 638 enacts requirements for civics education, the constitution project, dyslexia, and the pledge of allegiance.

Flexibility Allowed For Civics Teachers In Meeting New Requirements

This summer Governor Nixon signed into law legislation requiring all students who begin high school after July 2017 to pass a civics test to graduate. According to the legislation, the test should be similar to the tests immigrants must pass to gain citizenship.  While I definitely see the need for a renewed focus on citizenship in our country- for everyone, not just high school students- I wish the legislature recognized there other ways to demonstrate knowledge than a test. It is refreshing; however, that the state has allowed local educators to have flexibility in crafting the test. There will not be another "one size fits all" test required in the spring. Educators will be allowed choose when and how the test will be administered, as well as assign the cut scores.  I'm thankful the legislature trusted local educators enough to provide some flexibility in determining how this important knowledge is assessed.

Help Getting Started: DESE's New Superintendent Meeting

This week I attended DESE's workshop for new superintendents.  The experience was well worth the time. Presenters took time to explain the tool schools use to report data and apply for funding for federal programs.  An official took time to help me with my account to ensure I could access everything my district needs. The day also included information and guidance on budgets, teacher development, mentoring programs, and legislative changes that will affect schools this year. While the information was important, the connections I made that day were even more valuable. I sat at a table with five other first year superintendents in my area, as well as the regional DESE supervisor. The overall tone of the day was encouraging and supportive. Direct numbers to the folks who administer specific programs were made available, which was very helpful because the very next day I found myself calling an office for help with my first submission. I was relieved to find the same supportive approach on the other end of the line. The day before I lost track of how many times I heard the phrase, "We want you to be successful." After getting the support I needed, I believed the sentiment would be followed up with action.

This year I will be on a journey that will include many firsts, but I am much more confident after spending a day with the men and women who will be there to help.

Implementing New Standards: Notes from DESE meeting.

On June 8, area supervisors for DESE met with Northeast school administrators at Moberly high school to discuss the implementation schedule for the new Missouri Learning Standards.

Here are a few takeaways:

-ESSA and MSIP 5 will require the same tests as were given in the spring of 2016.

-Tests in the spring of 2017 will be the same as the tests in 2016, but field tests of ELA and Mathematics items will be embedded in spring tests.

-Tests aligned to new standards will be introduced according to a staggered schedule (see image).

-2022 will be the first year with 3 years of MLS aligned test results in all subjects, which may be the first year APR scores could be used for accountability.

-EOC tests likely won't change much because the test items were developed in Missouri, not purchased from vendors that DESE is prohibited from using.

-IBD reports (likely by another name) will return.

-No definitive statements about testing platforms were made. My personal assumption is that they won't change. 

Inspired by Coyote Hill

My faith in humanity is often thin. Admittedly, many times, my Faith isn't much better. But for the last four years I've found consistent encouragement and reassurance while working with the families at Coyote Hill. While cleaning out my office I found a Christmas gift given to me by a few of the House Dads at Coyote Hill during my first year as principal: a Santa nutcracker dressed in a Hawaiian shirt that resembles the one I wear to ward off snow days. Any family that has middle school boys will most likely have some interaction with the middle school principal and the families at Coyote Hill are no different. When the dads gave me the nutcracker there were snickers. This was just one example of the humor, zest for life, and generosity of spirit that always impressed me when dealing with the Coyote Hill gang, a group of folks, mainly in their twenties, who chose to give up most of the pursuits of their peers to dedicate their lives to loving and raising kids from hard places.  For most it's been a path that they've chosen only for a season before moving on- sometimes adopting kids in their care. Seeing these forever families form has been inspiring. The provision of awesome house parents when folks move on has been inspiring. More than that, watching kids' lives be transformed by Christ's love has been inspiring. A Santa nutcracker in a Hawaiian shirt is an odd symbol of all that, but I'll be keeping it with me to provide the reminders and encouragement that I too often need.