Cool+Kids+Club

The inaugural meeting of the Cool Kids Club (still working on a new name) was held on Wednesday, November 14.

The following list of topics was generated to discuss at future meetings:
 * Professional Development
 * Assessment
 * Curriculum
 * Union/Work Rules
 * Evaluation
 * Compensation
 * Job Descriptions
 * Professional Collaborations
 * Communication

B. Wiley shared info on NSDC conference on Assessment, focusing on [|Stiggins]' work. He plans to run a WSTC course in the Spring and it will be open to all. More info to follow.
 * 12/27/07**

Great question to ask: "How do you give a grade for...(writing, reading, etc.)?" Can be a terrific PD starter to identify commonalities, inequity, variety - how does this impact learning and teaching? Connect to Reeves' work about grading. Include the article on zero (what's the value of an f? 50? 0? what is it mathematically?)

Homework Hall/Helpers - used after school or free time to get caught up on missing assignments - don't want to fail, want to do well - need structure, feedback, time. Where does homework fit into the grading policy? What's the difference between evaluation and feedback?

P. 13 - Keys to Quality Classroom Assessment - clear purpose, learning targets, sound design, effective communication

Teacher-created rubrics become the common assessment (benchmark)

WS - 13 hours for extended faculty meeting - both high schools can meet by department; 3 full-day grade-level meetings per year OP - 1 early release Friday/month; 4 - 1/2 days per year Lan - share 1/2 day subs
 * Days for Dialogue**

Stiggins - Assessment Reeves Lucy Caulkins Nancy Atwell - Reader's Workshop Marzano - wide reading Beers - Writing in the Content Areas
 * Resources**

Benchmark/Formative Assessments Fron - working to develop at elementary level math, social - MJ - DBQ shouldn't be the focus - work on vocabulary, critical thinking - visited other grades/classes to see learning/teaching strategies Lan - need to connect to PIs WS - HS ELA - how does the final assessment connect to PIs? Where are the gaps? How do we close the gaps?

Time Fron - 1 hour in elementary, 40 in MS Will - 90 minutes at 5-6; 45 7-8