NEPC Launches Third Year of Schools of Opportunity Recognition Project: Public High Schools Encouraged to Apply

Key Takeaway: 2017 Schools of Opportunity Application NOW OPEN. Applications due May 1, 2017.

Find Documents:

Press Release: http://nepc.info/node/8450

Contact:

Kevin Welner: (303) 492-8370, kevin.welner@colorado.edu
Adam York: (303) 735-5290, adam.j.york@colorado.edu

More NEPC Resources on Schools of Opportunity

BOULDER, CO (January 30, 2017) - The 2017 Schools of Opportunity application cycle launched today at www.SchoolsofOpportunity.org. Building on the success of the past two years, the National Education Policy Center at CU Boulder will again recognize public high schools that are creating remarkable opportunities to learn for all their students. The application deadline is May 1, 2017.

Schools that apply are asked to demonstrate how they work to close opportunity gaps across a range of key areas. The NEPC derived this set of opportunity measures from the expertise shared by top researchers in Closing the Opportunity Gap, the 2013 book published by Oxford University Press.

Two criteria are required of all applying schools: (1) broadening and enriching learning opportunities and (2) creating and maintaining a healthy school culture. Applicants also select, from a menu of eight additional criteria, four that best represent how their school is responding to its unique local needs. All ten criteria are described on the Schools of Opportunity website, along with the scoring rubric used by the evaluation teams.

NEPC designed the Schools of Opportunity project as a way to highlight the nation’s best schools and practices, shifting away from the nation’s imbalanced focus on standardized test scores. “Even in the face of stark inequities across our social and economic systems, as well as our education system, every school can adopt research-based best practices,” says Project Co-Director, Dr. Linda Molner Kelley. “The 37 Schools of Opportunity recognized over the first two years of the project illustrate how all schools can work to provide great opportunities for their students.”

Along with Dr. Kelley, who is the former Assistant Dean of Teacher Education and Partnerships at CU Boulder, the project is led by Dr. Adam York, the Project Manager, and by NEPC director and CU-Boulder School of Education Professor Kevin Welner. The Ford Foundation and the NEA Foundation both provide funding to support the project.

Each school’s application will be reviewed by a team of evaluators from across the nation, including educational researchers and current and former school leaders. Finalists are selected based on narrative responses as well as data and other evidence submitted. Site visits to top schools are also a vital part of the project. Educators have found that the application process provides a rich opportunity for high school teams to work together to reflect on their strengths, assets and areas of potential improvement.

Recognized Gold and Silver schools will be announced in winter 2017 in the Washington Post Answer Sheet blog and other media outlets. Applications are welcomed until May 1, 2017, with all nomination information and forms available online at: www.SchoolsofOpportunity.org

Born Out of Struggl

PRISM Science & Math Workshops

10% discount for MSUNER Districts:

Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell/West Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Clifton, East Orange, Elizabeth, Englewood, Fair Lawn, Glen Ridge, Hillside, Kearny, Little Falls, Livingston, Maywood, Montclair, Newark, Nutley,

Parsippany/Troy Hills, Pascack Valley Regional, Passaic Valley Regional, Paterson, Randolph, Rockaway Township, South Orange/Maplewood,

Teaneck, Tenafly, West Orange.

$150 per teacher

8:30a-2:30p (parking & coffee)

                               Reserve NOW at:  Workshopregistration form

SCIENCE:

1. February 3, 2016
   NGSS Curriculum Planning
   Grades 6-12
   Wondering how to integrate the Practices, Core Ideas, and Cross-cutting Concepts of the NGSS for effective curriculum planning? Learn how to plan effective units that align with the    standards.    This workshop will provide the fundamentals of planning effective curriculum that will engage students while they gain deeper understanding of the science concepts.
2. February 9, 2016
   Next Generation Science Standards "Fundamentals"
   Grades K-12
   The NGSS must be implemented September 2016 for grades 6-12 and 2017 for K-5.  Changing how Science is taught can be overwhelming.  Workshop participants will have the opportunity to better understand the foundation of the standards; the 3 dimensions and the performance expectations, as well as how to start preparing for their implementation.  This workshop is for those to whom the NGSS are new and need to better understand the basics.
3. March 16, 2016
   Engineering Design is Elementary
   Grades K-5
   Children seem to be born with a creative urge to design and build things. As teachers, we need to channel this tendency to help students use this creativity to solve problems. Participants will be engaged in investigations that will help them get a deeper understanding of the NGSS and the Engineering Process in elementary grades.
4. May 18, 2016
   NGSS Using Formative Assessment Tools

              Grades K-8
              The emphasis on processes in the NGSS makes formative assessment more necessary than ever                              before. Questions like: When? How? Where? students are assessed will be some of the questions answered in this workshop. As teachers are engaged in investigations, they will have the opportunity to   discuss the importance of formative assessment as part of the NGSS implementation.

5. May 26, 2016
   Using Mathematical Modeling to Integrate Mathematics and Science
   Grades: 6-12, Math and Science teachers
   Presenter:  Eileen Murray, Assistant Professor, Mathematical Science
   Scientific disciplines ranging from electromagnetic theory to cryptography use mathematics to understand our world because relationships between quantities form the foundation of every day life. In this workshop, participants will identify real-world situations connected to mathematics and science school curriculum and be guided through the mathematical modeling process. Participants will work on (and develop) tasks that can be used to integrate science and mathematics in their classrooms. Come and learn how to use the power of the Common Core Standards of Mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards to make mathematics and science come alive in your classroom.

MATH:

1.   February 11, 2016
     Title: Navigating 2015-16 Mathematics Standards: Teaching for Understanding with a Focus on Instruction and Assessment ~ Problem Solving and Performance Tasks

Grade Levels:  6-8

Presenter:  Deborah L. Ives, Ed.D., K-12 Educational Consultant
Description:  Come and participate in active learning about the Standards and Mathematical Practices for middle grades math, with a focus on an across the grades look during a hands-on session.  Using a balanced approach for all students, a link between Instructional Strategies, Grade Level Curriculum Expectations and the State Assessments will be addressed using online simulations, performance tasks, and real world applications/modeling.

2.       February 19, 2016

Title: Navigating 2015-16 Mathematics Standards: Teaching for Understanding with a Focus on Instruction and Assessment ~ Fractions

Grade Levels:  3-5
Presenter:  Eliza Leszczynski, Ed.D., K-12 Educational Consultant
Description:  Participants will engage in an across the grades look at the Domain of “Number and Operations – Fractions” in lessons involving operations with fractions, comparison of fractions, and fraction equivalence, including meaningful strategies for connecting concrete and pictorial models of improper fractions and mixed numbers.  Ready-to-use, hands-on activities, including fraction-decimal connections, and instructional strategies incorporating the use of physical manipulatives with fractions will be emphasized. Formative and summative assessment of fraction skills with be addressed.

3.       March 9, 2016

Title: Navigating 2015-16 Mathematics Standards: Teaching for Understanding with a Focus on Instruction and Assessment ~ Problem Solving and the Use of Digital Tools

Grade Levels:  3-5

Presenter:  Deborah L. Ives, Ed.D., K-12 Educational Consultant
Description:  Participants will engage in an across the grades look at the Domain of “Number and Operations – Fractions” that will highlight expectations of problem solving and Performance Tasks.  Ready-to-use, hands-on lessons and instructional strategies, differentiation and accommodations, and the use of multiple assessment and questioning techniques will be emphasized, including easily accessible digital tools.

4.       March 23, 2016

Title: Navigating 2015-16 Mathematics Standards: Teaching for Understanding with a Focus on Instruction and Assessment Updates

Grade Levels:  7-10

Presenter:  Deborah L. Ives, Ed.D., K-12 Educational Consultant
Description:  Come learn updated information through a hands-on look at lessons and Performance Tasks with instructional strategies that focus on algebraic reasoning and sense making for middle and high school students.  Real world applications will be provided through multimedia resources that help students and teachers meet the current  Mathematics Standards and State Assessment expectations.

5.       May 26, 2016

Title: Using Mathematical Modeling to Integrate Mathematics and Science
Grade level: 6-12, Math and Science teachers

Presenter:  Eileen Murray, Assistant Professor, Mathematical Science

Scientific disciplines ranging from electromagnetic theory to cryptography use mathematics to understand our world because relationships between quantities form the foundation of every day life. In this workshop, participants will identify real-world situations connected to mathematics and science school curriculum and be guided through the mathematical modeling process. Participants will work on (and develop) tasks that can be used to integrate science and mathematics in their classrooms. Come and learn how to use the power of the Common Core Standards of Mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards to make mathematics and science come alive in your classroom

The New Jersey Future Educators Association (NJFEA) Middle School Conference will be hosted at Montclair State University on Tuesday, June 7th between 9am and 2pm.
This program is planned for students in grades 6 through 8 who aspire to become future teachers.

We are looking for interested presenters to facilitate a 1-hour session on a topic relevant to middle school students interested in teaching (e.g., leadership in education, teaching special populations/subjects, diversity and inclusion, college exploration, bullying, STEM, etc).

If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please go to:  tiny.cc/NJFEAProposal.

Proposals will not be accepted in email format. The deadline for submitting a proposal is February 5, 2016.

RSVP HERE

Montclair State University, the largest four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution in New Jersey, is offering a Hispanic Student College Institute on August 1-3, 2017 for rising high school juniors and seniors.

There will be no cost for your students to participate and attend.

Through the Hispanic Student College Institute, they will:

• Engage in career exploration and goal-setting initiatives
• Attend college-planning workshops
• Participate in a majors fair and mock college interviews
• Live on campus in Machuga Heights

Institute participants will be eligible for scholarships to attend Montclair State University in the future and will receive certificates of completion to include on their résumés. Academically committed students who identify as Hispanic are encouraged to apply online. Applications are now available, and space is limited.

For more information, please contact Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Jordanna Maziarz at hsci@montclair.edu.

MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN LIFE

MONDAY, JUNE 25TH

8:00 AM-3:30 PM

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY HALL- 7TH FLOOR CONFERENCE CENTER

FOR REGISTRATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONFERENCE FLYER

The Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department at Montclair State University is conducting a survey to better understand the ways that schools and districts provide literacy-related training and coaching.  In particular, the department is interested in assessing employment conditions for Reading Specialists and teachers who have received a Masters of Reading.  The department is also exploring developing new literacy-related Masters and Certificate programs that are responsive to needs identified by those working in the field in New Jersey. In addition, the department would like to expand the type of professional development opportunities it offers, and so is interested in hearing about what types of topics and structures would be attractive to people working in different contexts.

If you are interested in sharing your thoughts about these topics and completing the survey, please click on this link

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Erik Jacobson, Graduate Program Coordinator of the Masters of Reading, at jacobsone@mail.montclair.edu

Thank you for your time.

Masters of Reading

Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department

Montclair State University

Dr. Erik Jacobson, Program Coordinator

jacobsone@montclair.edu

(973)-655-3471

Overview

Two different degrees are offered:

• Masters of Reading (with Reading Specialist Certification)
• Reading Specialist Certification (for students who already have a Masters)

The MA in Reading (33 credits) and the Reading Specialist Program (30 credits) prepare educators to meet present and future demands as literacy specialists.  The program emphasizes practice informed by current theory and research and provides a range of learning experiences that enhance candidates’ understanding of what it means to be an effective literacy educator.  Program graduates will be prepared to serve in a wide array of educational roles in a variety of settings.

It is expected that students will graduate with a broad and multifaceted understanding of literacy, including key developmental, cultural and sociopolitical dimensions. Students will also be able to identify and respond to important shifts in literacy practices, such as those involving the use of digital technologies. Program graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively provide literacy instruction, engage with colleagues about ways to enhance practice and advocate for the field as a whole.

Beginning in May 2017, we will be offering an Accelerated Hybrid version of the Masters of Reading (enabling students to complete the degree in 18 months).

Sample Courses

READ 500    Literacy Foundations   

READ 501    Techniques of Reading Improvement in Secondary Schools                           

READ 502    Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs                                    

READ 503    Literature for Adolescents                                                                   

READ 524    Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms                                        

READ 508    Critical Thinking and Literacy

READ 511    Case Studies of Reading Difficulties                                        

READ 513/514    Supervised Clinical Practicum

READ 505     Research Seminar in Literacy

READ 515      Literacy Strategies for the Inclusive Elementary Classroom

READ 519      Language and Early Literacy Development

Faculty Areas of Interest

Tina Jacobowitz (Department Chair)

Literacy in the content areas / Teacher dispositions for democracy / Teaching for critical thinking / Teaching an and for a democracy

Melissa Collucci         

Emergent literacy / The development and implementation of successful, authentic language arts blocks / Linguistically responsive teaching

Margaret Freedson

Early literacy development and bilingualism / literacy instruction / teacher preparation

Erik Jacobson

Adult literacy practice and instruction / Supporting adolescent writers / Literacy and technology / Content area literacy / Teaching with graphic novels and manga

Michele Knobel

New literacies and digital technologies / In-school and out-of-school literacy practices

Dierdre Paul

Teaching and learning with multiethnic children’s literature / Popular culture literacy / The Millennial morphing of the digital divide / Closing the school discipline gap

Erik Weiner

Critical literacy / Cultural studies / Critical pedagogy / Social theory

Linda Wise

Social context issues in literacy development / Teacher education

TO REGISTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE

To all Teachers and School Counselors:
Please share this with parents, colleagues and friends who might be interested.
Montclair State University's renowned Gifted & Talented Program still has several spots remaining in its Summer Session I (July 5 - July 22) and Summer Session II (July 25 - Aug 12) programs.

Email: giftedmsu@mail.montclair.edu

This high-quality, student-focused enrichment program is one of the nation's oldest and most comprehensive programs.  For 35 years, we have been offering a challenging and engaging program that contributes to and supports every student in meeting or exceeding academic standards and experiencing positive social-emotional growth.

Popular courses in our 2, three-week sessions for K-12 students include:

• 1-4 grades Learning Communities:
  • Tech Pioneers
  • Junior Naturalists
  • Budding Performers
  • World Explorers
  • Future Picassos

• 5-6 and 7-12 grades:
  • Einstein's Astrophysics
  • Workshops on Writing (WOW!) Series
  • Architectural Design Series
  • Engineering Design: 3D Printing
  • Digital Media Production Series
  • RAPs (Robots as Problem Solvers)
  • JAVA Programming
  • CSI Forensics
  • App DevelopmentOnline courses offered (grades 4-8) are Python Programming (Session II) and Wild Weather (Session II).

The program takes place in our state-of-the-art buildings and classrooms at the University, and options are available for half-day, full-day and extended-day programs.

Be a part of this exciting learning opportunity!  To learn more, please view our brochure:

http://www.montclair.edu/media/montclairedu/giftedandtalented/documents/Gifted-and-Talented-BrochureWEB_FINAL.pdf

For more information and to register, visit our web site:

http://www.montclair.edu/gifted/

On behalf of the College of Education and Human Services, Secondary and Special Education and the College of Science and Mathematics we invite you to participate in a brief survey to help design a program targeted to build capacity for teaching computer science in New Jersey.  

To participate please CLICK HERE

Accelerated Hybrid Masters of Reading Program

The Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department at Montclair State University is now offering an Accelerated Hybrid Masters of Reading Program.  The program is designed for those who wish to pursue a master’s degree through a shorter, intensive period of study.  Students enrolled in the program complete their Masters in 15 months, beginning in the summer and ending the next summer.  The 11 courses in the program will all be offered either in hybrid format or fully online, and the program is designed with working teachers in mind.

We are currently accepting applications for the first cohort, starting in May of 2017.

Applications must be received by April 14, 2017.

We will be at the Graduate School Open House on February 26th, and additional information can be found on the program website.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the Accelerated Hybrid Master in Reading please contact:

Dr. Erik Jacobson, jacobsone@montclair.edu or 873-655-3471

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the g

Graduate School at Montclair State University at graduateschool@montclair.edu or 973-655-5147.

***

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK BELOW FOR THE ACCELERATED HYBRID PROGRAM WEBSITE:

https://www.montclair.edu/cehs/academics/departments/ecele/academic-programs/ma-reading-accelerated-hybrid/

New Jersey Future Educators Association (NJFEA) Middle School Conference will be hosted at Montclair State University on Tuesday, June 7^th between 9am and 2pm.

This program is planned for students in grades 6 through 8 who aspire to become future teachers.

We are looking for interested presenters to facilitate a 1-hour session on a topic relevant to middle school students interested in teaching (e.g., leadership in education, teaching special populations/subjects, diversity and inclusion, college exploration, bullying, STEM, etc). If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please go to:  tiny.cc/NJFEAProposal.

Proposals will not be accepted in email format. The deadline for submitting a proposal is February 5, 2016.