Safe and Healthy Schools Conference
It will be November 6th in OKC at the Clarion Meridian Conference Center at I-40 and Meridian. Vendors will be there with curriculum and other information. Lunch is on your own. There will be CEU's for LPC, LMFT, LADC and CADC, and they are awaiting CLEET approval for law enforcement. Download Schedule --- Download info sheet . You can register online for this one day, free conference and find out more information at http://www.sde.state.ok.us/Services/Conference/default.html If you have questions about the workshop, contact Gayle R. Jones, Director, Title IV Safe and Drug-Free Schools Oklahoma State Department of Education, (405) 521-2107, Gayle_Jones@sde.state.ok.us
Free Talk Kit for Parents of Military Families
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, together with the National Military Family Association and the National Association of School Nurses, developed new online tools to assist military families and teens through difficult periods of transition, such as a deployment, major injury or illness of a parent, or when moving frequently to new neighborhoods and schools.
Designed specifically for military parents of tweens and teens, this kit provides ideas on how to start the conversation about drugs and alcohol, scripts to help you find the right words, and tips for answering tough questions and getting support from other adults around you. The new resources available at: http://www.timetotalk.org/military include (1) Transitions and Teens: A Guide for Military Parents, (2) The Military Talk Kit, (3) 10 Things School Nurses Want You To Know and (4) 10 Things Military Teens Want You To Know.
Choosing a Career eJournal
One of the publications that the government does is a monthly electronic journal available in multiple languages about U.S. foreign affairs and U.S. society and culture. In December of 2008, an eJournal was done on Choosing a Career. This edition of eJournal rambles down the many varied paths that Americans take on their way to find their life's work. Professionals in various fields explain how they got there, and some wrong turns they made along the way. Experts describe how young people can weigh and explore the options before them. Click on:
http://www.america.gov/publications/ejournalusa/1208.html to view this publication.
Unfilled Position
Due to the budget cuts we have received and the anticipated budget cuts to come, the position of Disability Services Specialist cannot be filled at this time. We will keep you informed of any changes. Presently, we are looking at ways to cover the gaps this will leave us and ask your patience during this time.
Basic points of new or updated legislation for 2009-2010 school year
Robin Schott gave a great overview of this year's legislation at summer conference. Here are some key points from that presentation.
SB 497 allows for technical certifications to be added to High School Diploma
"Beginning with students who enter the 9th grade in 2008-2009 school year, school districts shall report the student's performance levels of satisfactory and above on the end of instruction tests and any business and industry-recognized endorsements attained on the high school transcript."
SB 867 allows for technology centers to provide remediation on any EOI subject
"Technology center school shall be authorized to provide intervention and remediation in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, English II, English III, United States History and Biology I to students enrolled in technology center schools, with the approval of the independent school district board."
SB 1168 creates a Legislative Study Committee for ACE
-Creates the Legislative Task Force on Achieving Classroom Excellence
-Task Force will conduct a comprehensive review of the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act of 2005 and subsequence amendments
-Shall submit report to Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives by November 30, 2009.
-Report shall include findings and recommendations for any statutory or regulatory changes necessary to improve the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act of 2005.
SB 222 creates an Advisory Groups for Accountability
-Known as the "Educational Accountability Reform Act"
-Creates a P-20 Coordinating Council with designated membership which shall advise the SDE, OSRHE, and ODCTE, Office of Accountability, OESC, Legislature, and Governor on coordination of the creation of a unified longitudinal student data system.
-Creates a Quality Assessment and Accountability Task Force to study the testing system
-Creates an Educational Quality and Accountability Board which shall review all functions related to the determination of adequate yearly progress (AYP)
ACT Southwest Conference
This year's conference will be held at the contemporary W Hotel in festive New Orleans from Wednesday, April 28, 2010, through Friday, April 30, 2010. The 14th annual conference coincides with the internationally recognized New Orleans Jazz Fest! http://www.nojazzfest.com/
Registration is a cost of $145.00 per person. This cost includes four meals. Conference, hotel arrangements and registration information is available at: http://www.act.org/southwest/placement.html
Most of the conference will focus on how ACT's programs and services, specifically the COMPASS internet version, can strategically be used to enhance student success initiatives associated with recruitment, placement, advancement and retention.
For more information, contact Don Pitchford Ph.D.,ACT Southwest Region, 319 321-9383 (cell), 512 345-1949 (office), Don.Pitchford@act.org
Guidance Coordinator
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech
1500 West 7th Avenue
Stillwater, OK 74074-4364
405.743.5159
karri@okcareertech.org