Superintendents’ Update

September 24, 2010

  1. ACHIEVE21 Webinar - September 28

ACHIEVE21 is a combined effort of state, county and school to fully utilize the state stabilization Education Job Funds to extend learning and improve student achievement. Each county interested in joining ACHIEVE21 is asked to complete the registration form at:

A webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, September 28 at 1 p.m. to share detailed implementation guidance.

PARTICIPANT INSTRUCTIONS

Audio Conference Access:

  • Step 1:Dial the Conference Access Number 1-646-216-7221 or 1-866-200-6965
  • Step 2: Enter your Participant PIN Code followed by the # key: 628522#
  • Step 3: You will be placed on musical hold until the Event begins
  • Step 4: To join the Web Conference click this link:
  • Step 5: Enter your Name
  • Step 6: Click Go

Or Join the Web Conference Manually

  • Step 1: to join the Web Conference log into:
  • Step 2: Enter the Web Login Reference: 106257003
  • Step 3: Enter the PIN Code: 628522
  • Step 4: Enter your Name
  • Step 5: Click Go

Contact: Liza Cordeiro at

  1. 2010-2011 Special Education Second Month Report Instructions

Due to the variation around the last day of the district’s second school month, WVDE has determined districts will report enrollment data as of October 1, 2010. Please note, however, the submission deadline for this report (Special Education Second Month) in WVEIS is

October 8, 2010. Please see copy of memorandum for additional information.

Contact: Dr. Lanai Jennings at

  1. Early Retirement Notification Incentive

A reminder that classroom teachers providing early notification of intent to retire at the end ofthe 2010-11 school yearby December 1 are eligible to receive a $500 bonus. The reporting form has been emailed to the CSBOs and is due to the Office of School Finance by December 31, 2010. Funds will be distributed during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. Details are provided in the emailsent to CSBOs on September 22, 2010.

Contact: Susan Smith at

  1. Teachers and School Personnel 2010 Retirement Planning Seminars

The West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board will sponsor its annual regional Retirement Planning Seminars for members of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and the Teachers’ Defined Contribution Retirement System (TDC) in September and October 2010. Please refer to the attached events flyer for a location in your area. TRS staff will provide an overview of defined benefit plan provisions including retirement eligibility requirements, timelines and benefits options. A representative will also be in attendance to provide TDC Plan members with helpful information to better manage their accounts and review defined contribution plan features including investment option choices, vesting provisions, rollovers and qualifying distributions.

Contact:2010 TRS/TDC Plan Retirement Planning Seminars or WV Consolidated Public Retirement Board at 304-558-3572

  1. AmberVision

Thank you once again for your support of the AmberVision initiative. As we reach mid-September, there seem to be a few recurring questions regarding the implementation of the program. As such, I thought now would be a good time to provide clarification on a couple of items. Please share the following information, presented as questions and answers, with all principals in your county.

Q: We have not received forms to allow parents to opt-out of AmberVision and to collect student information for those who have opted-in.

A: There is no form with the opt-out language. Instead, principals were asked to paste the language provided into the Student Directory Information document sent home at the beginning of the school year. For your records, below is the opt-out language once again:

Your child’s school directory information will be shared with AmberVision, a secure database which assists in locating missing children. AmberVision can only be accessed by you or by law enforcement if your child is reported missing.Ambervision does not share student information with any other parties. To learn more about AmberVision please visit wvde.state.wv.us/ambervision. If you desire that your child should not be registered with AmberVision, you may check this box to opt out of the program.

If the opt-out language has not yet been sent to parents, the WVDE would suggest that principals create their own form with the opt-out language, student name, student grade and guardian signature line.

Q: What do I do with the opt-out forms?

A: If a parent has decided to opt-out of the AmberVision program, it is the responsibility of the principal to keep the information in the student file.

Q: Who is responsible for removing the pictures of those who have opted out?

A: It is the responsibility of the principal to review the disk provided by the school photographer and REMOVE the pictures of any students that have been opted out of the AmberVision program. As a principal, if you need technical assistance, your local RESA is on standby to help you through the steps.

Q: Who do I send the disk to after I have checked the accuracy of the pictures and DOBs?

A: Once you have checked the accuracy of the pictures and aligned DOBs as well as removed the photos of any student who has opted out of the program, you send the disk to the COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.

The county superintendent will collect ALL of the photo disks from every school in their respective counties and mail ONE packet to the RESA.

Q: How will the rest of the student information for AmberVision be gathered?

The students’ pictures will be aligned with student information in the WVEIS system. The COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT will work with RESA to provide the specific WVEIS data needed for AmberVision. Each county can determine with their RESA the best way to retrieve the WVEIS data so it can be shared with AmberVision.

Q: Is there guidance I can share with the school photographer regarding requirements for the picture resolution?

A: The minimum number of pixels in an electronic digital image shall be 480 pixels in the horizontal direction by 600 pixels in the vertical direction.

Contact: Liza Cordeiro at , 304-558-2699

  1. Critical Skills Intervention Programs at Grades 3 and 8

Please review the memo and application form regarding funds for the critical skills intervention programs at grades 3 and 8. The application is due on November 19, 2010.

Contact: Monica Beane at

  1. SAVE THE DATE: October 6 - Dropout Prevention Initiative Webinar

A webinar is scheduled October 6 at 9:00 a.m. to update superintendents regarding the state’s Dropout Prevention initiative. During the webinar, Dr. Paine will discuss the development of a Dropout Prevention model that includes specific intervention strategies to reduce the risk of dropout. In addition, superintendents will be briefed on the Dropout Prevention Report (Dr. Robert Balfanz, Johns Hopkins University) that focuses on indicators of students’ academic behaviors: attendance rates, behavioral problems and course failure. The purpose of examining the distribution of students with these academic behaviors is to identify which schools most need additional resources in order to reduce the number of dropouts state-wide.

Webinar access information will be provided in the October 1 Superintendents’ Update.

Contact: Shelly DeBerry at

  1. Global 21 Moments

Everyday West Virginia educators, students and parents are doing amazing things in the classroom. In an effort to give counties the opportunity to celebrate good news, a video snapshot project called Global21 Moments has been launched. The West Virginia Board of Education wants to see your 21st century learning success!

Each month during the state board of education meeting Global21 Moments will feature five different counties. The videos are to be a maximum of two minutes (2:00) and showcase the best 21st century learning stories. The video topics, talent and production are in the hands of the county. The videos will not only be featured at the board meeting but will go global via the internet and social media networks. The West Virginia Department of Education Communications Office will be providing additional details regarding video production and planning, and the video schedule for each county.

Global21 Moments is a great opportunity to show the positive learning opportunities provided to West Virginia students. Ready, set, action!

Contact: Liza Cordeiro at

  1. Martin Luther King Essay Contest

The WV Martin Luther King Holiday Commission is now accepting applications for their annual Project on Racism Essay Contest. Any student in grades one through 12 attending public, private or home schools in West Virginia may participate in the essay contest. As a member of the MLK Holiday Commission, the WVDE encourages public school students to submit original essays.

In their entries, students must incorporate a Martin Luther King quote. This year’s quote is“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” Students also must answer a question. For students in grades 1-5, the essay topic is “How is your schooling helping you be a better person?” For students in grades 6-12, the topic is “Using Dr. King’s teachings, describe how your education is molding your character.”

All entries will be judged on originality, grammar, relevancy to the theme and effective expression. They must be postmarked on or before Nov. 1, 2010. Entries should be mailed to: Project on Racism Essay Contest, YWCA of Wheeling, 1100 Chapline St., Wheeling, WV 26003. Entries also can be e-mailed to or faxed to 304-232-0513. Rules and entry forms can also be downloaded from

Winners will receive monetary awards and first place winners will be given the opportunity to read their essay at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Luncheon in January 2011.

Contact: Diana Bell, state coordinator of the MLK Essay Contest, YWCA of Wheeling, (304) 232-0511, or by e-mail at

  1. Thinkfinity Contest

The West Virginia Department of Education is challenging teachers to show how they’ve incorporated 21st century learning into their classrooms through a statewide contest. The department is offering 10 $2,000 awards to teachers who submit lesson plans that incorporate 21st century tools and techniques. The contest is being funded with a $20,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation.

The rules are few. Still, each entry must incorporate at least one of Verizon’s Thinkfinitity partner-created resources, which can be found at This resource does not need to be the highlight of the project. Submissions are due by noon on Thursday, December 16, 2010. Prizes are to be awarded in early 2011. All entries will be shared with teachers across West Virginia.Learn more about the contest at

Contact: Mark Moore at 304-558-7880, or the Office of Communications at 304-558-2699

  1. ThinkQuest International Competition

The new ThinkQuest International Competition has been announced, and we want a team from West Virginia to WIN!!! Please read the information below, and visit for more information.Denise Hobbs, the Sr. Marketing Manager for Oracle Education Initiatives, will be the guest presenter for an informational webinar on Monday, October 4 at 3 p.m.This event will be recorded for those who can’t attend at that time. Please share this information with teachers in your county.

Contact: Bodie Fulford at

  1. Title I and Chief Instructional Leaders, October 4 and 5

On October 5 the Office of Instruction will join with Title I in providing a fall professional development opportunity for Title I Directors and Chief Instructional Leaders. The agenda on October 5 provides opportunities for participants to select from multiple topics focusing on instructional leadership, computational fluency in mathematics, Inquiry-based learning in elementary mathematics and science, student engagement; the new reality of instructional materials, rich formative assessment, balanced assessment and data-driven decision making.

Please be reminded of the Chief Instructional Leaders Google Site located on the WVDE WebTop. If you have not joined this Google Site and wish to have access to information and updates from the Office of Instruction, please contact Carla Williamson .

Contact: Carla Williamson at

  1. New Faces in the Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services

The WVDE welcomes Robert Hull as Assistant Superintendent for the Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services.

The newly established Office of School Readiness is led by Clayton Burch, Assistant Director and Janet Bock, Rhonda Crowley, and Monica Harless, Coordinators. They will provide direct support for early childhood students, teachers and families.

The Office of Instruction is pleased to welcome three new coordinators. Jack Deskins, a former teacher in Raleigh County Schools, is the Coordinator for the Arts; Robert “Joey” Wiseman, a former teacher in Boone County Schools, is the Coordinator for Social Studies; and Edwina Howard-Jack, a former teacher in Upshur County, is the Coordinator for Reading and English Language Arts.

Contact: Robert Hull at

  1. Instructional Materials Update

Since the inception of Global 21 the West Virginia Board of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education have been working to move toward the implementation of quality, digital instructional materials that can be updated annually for all content areas. We have requested and received changes to WV Code and State Board of Education policies to support the transformation of our classrooms into active learning environments in which students use appropriate 21st century skills and tools to solve problems, think critically, and create new knowledge or products. Much progress has been made, but we now find ourselves at another critical decision making point on our journey.

We recently completed the criteria setting, call for bid and adoption process for social studies instructional materials. No materials considered for adoption met the criteria for K-8 social studies; in other words, there are no materials, paper or electronic, that align to the criteria relevant to WV 21st Century content, learning skills and technology tools standards and objectives for social studies, grades K-8. Limited resources for grades 9-12 met the criteria and in some cases, these texts are the same texts we currently have in our classrooms and several titles met the criteria at a minimal level.

There is much attention to the development of digital resources taking place on the national level, and the publishers are aware they must move into the digital arena in order to survive. Several are ahead of the game and have completed some extensive development of digital resources. Examples can be seen in world languages, an interactive physics textbook and other interactive programs that are currently under development in other content areas. During our recent call to bid for social studies one publishing representative shared that their company has an interactive, online social studies program under development, but not sufficiently developed to be submitted for review during this year’s adoption

We are in the midst of as whirlwind of activity surrounding the development of common state standards for social studies and science; the arts community is also discussing the possibility of common state standards. Policy requires us to convene a criteria setting committee for science instructional materials during this school year; the adoption/selection process would take place the following year. Do we proceed with criteria setting in the absence of common state standards for science? We could find ourselves purchasing science instructional materials that are not aligned to common state standards and our teachers and students would be required to use materials not aligned to these common state standards for 6 years. As these common state standards for science are completed, publishers will develop instructional materials to align with common state standards; these resources will include interactive, online digital resources not currently available. To establish criteria and evaluate the currently available instructional materials aligned to the current WV Content Standards and Objectives is not in the best interest of our students and their teachers.

This information is being shared with the WV Board of Education at their October meeting. We are recommending that the State Board delay the instructional materials adoption for two years—until the common state standards for social studies and science are complete—and that they resume the adoption process for instructional materials in 2012. We are also planning to meet with various groups of stakeholders who will assist in the preparation of a guidance document to assist our LEAs in building the appropriate infrastructure to support digital materials.

Contact: Carla Williamson at

  1. 2010 RESA Pre-K Leadership Symposia

Provided for your information is a copy of the memo sent to your Pre-K Coordinators, Special Education Directors, Title I Directors and Pre-K Collaborative Team members.

Contact: Clayton Burch at

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