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NEW NOTIFICATIONS
MDE News
State Board Approves Statewide Assessment Contract with Questar Assessment Inc.
MDE Begins Work on Establishing Process for Special Needs Voucher Program
Number of Literacy Coaches Surpasses State Goal
High School Seniors Provided Additional Option for Graduation
FAQs about Proposed Revisions to Graduation Requirements
Regional Meetings Focusing on New Graduation Options Spring 2015
The MDE, through the Office of Accreditation and Office of Secondary Education, is offering
two-hour regional meetings to discuss the new graduation options. The meetings will include
opportunities for district and school staff to learn more about the new options, the Concordance
Tables, and other resources to properly document student records. There are no limitations on the
number of participants per district and districts are not assigned to a Regional Educational
Service Agency (RESA). Registration will be on a first-come-first-served basis at
https://services.nmec.net/MDE_Workshops.cfm. Contact the RESA if there are questions
about registration. Contact Jean Massey in the Office of Secondary Education at
jmassey@mde.k12.ms.us or 601-359-3461, or Dr. Paula Vanderford in the Office of
Accreditation at pvanderford@mde.k12.ms.us or 601-359-3764 if there are questions for the
MDE.
Click here for more information.
Date
April 20, 2015
April 21, 2015
April 22, 2015
Meeting Time(s)
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location Site
Biloxi High School, Lecture
Hall
University of Southern
Mississippi,
Cochran Ball Room
Southwest Mississippi
Community College,
Regional Workforce Training
Center
Location City
Biloxi, MS
Hattiesburg, MS
Summit, MS
April 24, 2015
9:00 am – 11:00 am
April 27, 2015
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
9:00 am – 11:00 am
April 28, 2015
April 29, 2015
April 30, 2015
May 1, 2015
9:00 am – 11:00 am
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Mississippi State University,
Riley Center
Hinds Community College,
Muse Center
Oxford Conference Center
DeSoto County School
District, Central Office
Board Room
Itawamba Community
College, Belden Center
Delta State University,
Jacob Conference Center
Meridian, MS
Pearl, MS
Oxford, MS
Hernando, MS
Belden, MS
Cleveland, MS
School Improvement Summer Conference
The Mississippi Department of Education Office of School Improvement will host the annual
School Improvement Summer Conference June 24-25, 2015, at the Lake Terrace Convention
Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza in Hattiesburg. This year’s conference will focus on
leveraging leadership; therefore, district and school leaders of identified SIG, priority, focus, and
at-risk schools are required to attend both days of the conference. Registration is limited to 8
people per district that must include the superintendent, two district leadership team members,
principal, assistant principal, and one school leadership team member. Additionally, school
improvement officers supporting SIG schools must also attend the two day conference.
To register, visit https://services.nmec.net/EMI_Conferences.cfm?CN=39&CR=39 and use the
key code summer conference to complete registration. You may also register by going to the
North Mississippi Education Consortium at nmec.net and selecting “Conferences.” For
assistance with registration, please contact Dr. Mary Walters at 601-266-6777. Questions
regarding the required attendance may be directed to Dr. Jamilliah Longino
at jlongino@mde.k12.ms.us. There is no cost to attend the conference, and lunch will be
provided.
Mississippi School Bullying Solutions Symposium
The First Annual Mississippi School Bullying Solutions Symposium will be held August 27-28,
2015, at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Jefferson Davis Campus in the
Hospitality Resort Management Center in Biloxi. Registration will open on May 6, 2015, at the
Gulf Coast Education Initiative Consortium (GCEIC) website www.gceic.org. When posted, the
information on the symposium will be listed under GCEIC News and Updates. Administrators
and other educators are invited to register (maximum 350 individuals). Early bird registration is
$159 per person until July 1, 2015. After July 1, the registration fee will be $179.
This symposium is being hosted by GCEIC and various partners including Franklin
Covey “Leader in Me,” the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Adams and Reese Law Firm,
the Mississippi Department of Education’s Safe and Orderly Schools division, Voyager Sopris
Learning, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Waveland Police Department and
several other organizations. A tentative schedule will be posted on www.gceic.org under the
announcements. Concurrent session topics will include:
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Legal issues
MDE Bullying Curriculum Implementation
Battling Bullying with relationships
Using Conscious Discipline to develop relationships
The Leader in Me – Franklin Covey
Bully proof your school
Bully investigations
Violent Confrontational Avoidance
Dangers of Cell Phones and Cyberbullying
Transformative solutions
And several other topics.
Achieve and Teaching Channel Launch New EQuIP Videos
Achieve and Teaching Channel are excited to announce the launch of the last set of videos in the
three-part series exploring Achieve’s Evaluating Quality Instructional Products (EQuIP)
initiative. These videos, which are posted on Teaching Channel’s website, focus on four
Maryland teachers selecting, downloading, and implementing instructional materials from the
EQuIP website.
Each featured lesson was evaluated by the EQuIP Peer Review Panel, which applied the EQuIP
Rubrics and quality review process to determine the lesson's alignment to college- and careerready standards. The videos showcase four different teachers with students in grades 2, 4, 7, and
11 in both English language arts (ELA)/literacy and mathematics. Using both the original
materials and the feedback from the EQuIP Peer Review Panel, the teachers in these videos
masterfully adapted and executed the lessons to fit their own classrooms and their students'
needs.
More information on the EQuIP rubrics and examples of exemplary lessons for different grades
are available here. Information on how to submit materials for review by the EQuIP Peer Review
Panel can be found here. Achieve is currently accepting submissions for the EQuIP Call to
Action through June 3, 2015.
Additional videos in the EQuIP series are available here:
EQuIP Overview
Using the EQuIP math rubric
Using the EQuIP ELA rubric
Using the Student Work Protocol
Resources for Educators on State Standards, Reading in One Location
Educators can easily access resources to help them with literacy and implementing Mississippi
College and Career-Ready Standards at one location. In an effort to better serve teachers and
administrators, the MDE has combined a list of resources for Reading, English Language Arts
and Mathematics. The resources can be found here. Be sure to bookmark this page for future
reference. The webpage can also be found on the MDE home page under Hot Topics.
Mathematics Support Documents
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The Offices of Elementary Education and Reading and Secondary Education have
developed additional support documents to assist teachers as they continue to teach the
Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Mathematics. These documents include
36 “unpacked” standards that grades K-12 mathematics teachers across the state have identified
as “hard-to-teach” or difficult for students from special populations. Each document includes the
following instructional details:
Math CCR Content Standard(s)
Prerequisite Skills
Key Vocabulary and Skills (which include precise definitions and student-friendly language)
“I Can” Statements
Essential Questions
Alignment to the Standards for Mathematical Practice
Teachers may access the Grades K-5 Unpacked Standards documents and the Grades 6-12
Unpacked Standards documents through the Mathematics Training Materials folder in
SharePoint.
GOT AN ITEM FOR EdUpdate?
To submit information for consideration in the EdUpdate, email the information to Tabatha
Burkett at tburkett@mde.k12.ms.us by noon on Thursday. Please include a contact name and an
email or phone number as part of each item.
VACANCIES
Are you a licensed educator seeking employment in a Mississippi public school district? Are
you seeking the most current district vacancies available? If so, please visit our job board at
http://teach.k12.ms.us to discover your career opportunities.
For information on employment in the MDE, contact the Office of Human Resources at 601359-3511 or visit the "Active Recruitment List" on the State Personnel Board Web site at
www.msps.ms.gov for a list of openings in all state agencies.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics Programs
The Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics is excited to announce its 2015 Classroom
Grants, Graduate Scholarship, and Teacher of the Year programs. Individuals who teach
mathematics can apply for the programs at www.mctmonline.com.
EVENTS
COSEBOC Gathering of Leaders
COSEBOC will convene its 9th annual Gathering of Leaders in Memphis, Tennessee on April
22-24, 2015, hosted by the University of Memphis. This theme salutes Memphis’ historical role
in the civil rights movement while recognizing the civil rights issue of today: developing
educators and schools that produce academic achievement in boys and young men of color. Click
here for more information.
Plein Air 2 Studio” Exhibit Opens at Library Commission
The Plein Air Artists of Mississippi (PAAM) has launched a two-month exhibition entitled, “Plein Air 2
Studio” at the Mississippi Library Commission from through April 29. The exhibit can be viewed
Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mississippi Library Commission,
3881 Eastwood Drive off Eastover Drive on the grounds of the Education and Research Center in
Jackson. The exhibit is free and open to the general public. For more information contact: Gloria J.
Washington, at 601-432-4056, 1-800-647-7542 or gloriajw@mlc.lib.ms.us.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teaching with Primary Sources Mississippi to Hold Professional Development – May 23,
2015
Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, the Teaching with Primary Sources Program
offers professional development opportunities to current and future educators. The professional
development on May 23, 2015, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Andrews School in
Ridgeland. Participants can earn 1.0 CEU. Teaching with Primary Sources is coordinated by Dr.
Kenneth Anthony and Dr. Nicole Miller. They can be contacted at msstatetps@gmail.com. To
register, visit http://msstatetps.org/pd/may-23-ridgeland-mississippi-pd-registration-form/. For
more information, visit http://msstatetps.org.
Delta Math Science Partnership
Delta State University Math Science Partnership Summer Institute 2015 is now accepting
applications. The first institute will run June 1-12, 2015, and the second will run June 15-26,
2015. The focus will be on 6-8th grade Statistics and Probability content from the Mississippi
Career and College Ready Standards and methods of teaching these standards. Participants will
receive a stipend, graduate credit, and a plethora of resources for their participation. Please
contact Project Director Kathleen Lott for more information at klott@deltastate.edu.
Principals’ Summer Institute at Millsaps College
Millsaps College in Jackson will hold its 23rd consecutive Principals’ Summer Institute, June
7-12, 2015. Registration forms will be received until May 1, 2015, or until the remaining slots
are filled. The Principals’ Summer Institute is designed to: refine leadership skills; provide
feedback, support, and insight to pressing issues of principals in their role as school leaders;
share research based and established plans for improved student achievement; involve
administrators in structured meetings with national presenters and experienced facilitators for
distinct discussions and reflections; and share effective practices during numerous networking
opportunities. Contact the Principals’ Institute office at 601-974-1354 or 601-955-1673 or visit
http://principalsinstitute.millsaps.edu for more information and a registration form.
Tech Camp Technology Event for Educators
The Pascagoula-Gautier School District is offering a free, two-day Tech Camp for K-12
Mississippi educators on June 8-9, 2015. The sessions range from Google Apps for Education,
flipping the classroom resources, social media, grant opportunities, and much more. Lunch will
be provided and there will be vendors and door prizes. Teachers, administrators and tech
specialists are welcome. Teachers can earn 0.8 CEUs. The event can accommodate 120
participants, so if you plan to send teachers, please be considerate of other districts. For more
information, contact Eva Harvell at eharvell@psd.ms or 228-938-6212. To register, visit
https://services.gceic.org/EMI_Conferences.cfm.
Making Connections Conference
Mark your calendar for the 2015 Making Connections Conference, June 10-12, 2015, at the Gulf
Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. With approximately 2,000 participants, it is
Mississippi’s largest conference for teachers, packed with more than 160 sessions featuring
presenters who share their successful strategies that help empower and inspire teachers and
administrators.
Learn what’s working in classrooms and school wide. Trying new ideas and experimenting
with instructional strategies is the heart and soul of teacher growth and professional
development. You don’t have to “reinvent the wheel” every time you want to add to your skill
set. Other teachers and leaders from across the state have their successful strategies to share with
you during this two-and-a-half day conference.
Bring a team! Learning together and collaborating with your colleagues is the best way to
advance your practice. Use this opportunity to jump-start that process by bringing a team to share
and explore all that this conference has to offer. For information and to register, visit
www.mcconference.net.
UM-CMSE Hosts K-12 Mathematics Summer Institute
The University of Mississippi CMSE will host its workshop series as a four-day institute in the
Hattiesburg area during the summer. Sessions will be available for every grade band: K-2, 3-5, 68 and 9-12. Each day will be filled with hands-on, problem-solving tasks designed to deepen
your knowledge of the Mississippi College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics and
engage you in the Standards for Mathematical Practice. The Summer Institute will be held June
15-18, 2015, with the option of an additional workshop for 6-12th grade teachers on the June 19.
Registration starts at $350. For information about session topics and to register, visit
http://umcmse.com/pd/summer-institute/. For questions, contact Jessica
Sowers, jasowers@olemiss.edu, 662-915-6621.
Summer Workshops at Georgia State for K-12 World Language Teachers
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Workshop 1: Technology and Foreign Language Teaching (July 6-8), Ed
Cieslak M.A., Duluth High School
Workshop 2: Enhancing your language instruction: SLA basics for teachers
(July 9-11), Dr. Paula Garrett-Rucks, Georgia State University
Workshop 3: Assessment in the Language Classroom (July 13-15), Dr. Sara
Cushing Weigle, Georgia State University
Workshop 4: Teaching Heritage Language Learners: Needs and Networks
(July 16-18), Dr. Amanda Lanier Temples, Michigan State University
Each session is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a lunch break. Registration deadline is June 12,
2015. Cost is $150 for the first workshop, $100 for each additional workshop. A $5 fee will
apply for those paying online. Cost includes free continental breakfast and lunch. On-campus
housing is available for $35/night. For more information about housing, campus dining services,
or parking, please contact us at cultr@gsu.edu or visit http://cultr.gsu.edu/. To register for our
summer workshops online, visit: http://bit.ly/18vyJ1n.
The Gulf Coast Research Lab's Marine Education Center Professional Development
Opportunities
For workshop requirements and complete descriptions visit:
http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/mec/teacher.professional.development.php
July 13-17, 2015: AUV Jubilee
Join scientists of the CONCORDE project working to understand the effects of Deepwater
Horizon Oil Spill in the coastal Gulf of Mexico. .
July 28-30, 2015: Watershed Education Aboard the R/V McIlwain
Join us as we launch a new program to guide you in engaging your middle and high school aged
students in a meaningful watershed educational experience (MWEE) that takes place during the
2015-2016 school year in your classroom and during a research cruise on the Pascagoula River
aboard GCRL’s R/V Tom McIlwain.
18th Annual National Principals Leadership Institute
Designing Schools for the Future: July 11 – 17, 2015 - New York City
Imagine it is 2040. How will our daily lives be different? Will technology lead to utopia or
dystopia? What will it take to educate the next generation? We selected inventors and innovators
in diverse fields to describe their creative process. We will hear from artists, economists,
entrepreneurs, futurists, medical researchers, technology wizards, urban planners and, of course,
educational leaders. Using the insights offered by our speakers, on-stage interviews and panels,
institute participants will think like innovators and design a school for 2040, a school that will be
radically different. Existing schools (including yours!) may be able to use some of the ideas now.
Register now at www.npli.org. Group scholarships are available.
Advanced Placement Summer Institute at Millsaps College – July 13-17, 2015
Millsaps College offers the Advanced Placement© Institute for teachers who are currently
teaching or preparing to teach Advanced Placement© or Pre-AP© courses in their schools. The
Institute introduces the curriculum content and teaching methods needed by teachers of these
courses. The Institutes will be beneficial for teachers seeking guidance in beginning an
AP© program or strengthening an existing one. Click here for more information or call 601-9741133.
International Association for Truancy & Dropout Prevention – October 25-28, 2015
This conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Memphis and will provide the tools to
assist professionals in addressing the barriers students and families face relating to attendance,
mental health, violence, and school dropouts. Professionals from across the country will provide
in-depth presentations with information that can be put to immediate use. This conference is for
anyone working with youth. For more information, visit IATDP.org or call 901-416-6295.
AWARD NOMINATIONS
MAAE Arts Education Awards
The 2015 Mississippi Alliance for Arts in Education (MAAE) Awards will be presented on July
14, 2015, at a celebration luncheon at the Whole Schools Institute at the MSU Riley Center in
Meridian. All awardees must be in attendance.
1. Annual MAAE Arts Education Awards: Teachers, administrators, and the community can be
nominated for these awards. Awards include arts-specific categories, arts integration, outstanding
administrator, outstanding school, and others. Nominations are due May 22, 2015.
2. NEW! Derek Pouncey Memorial Scholarship & Award: One award will be given to an
incoming freshman to a Mississippi university (approximately $750); and a second award will be
given to a teacher/leader with an arts integration project idea (approximately $750).
Nominations are due May 15, 2015.
View the nominations packets for details at http://www.msartsalliance.com.
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Resources and Information from the Office of Curriculum and Instruction and the Office
of Student Assessment
MATH
PARCC-PBA
Practice tests for the PARCC Math Performance Based Assessments (PBA) for Grades 3-12 are
now available in print and electronic form at http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/math/.
PARCC has updated the Math Tools Policy to include a few clarifications regarding ruler and
protractor use for the Grades 3-HS math assessments.
PARCC has launched a webpage specifically for the PARCC math assessments, Grades 3-12.
This page includes the redesigned test specification documents, high leverage blueprints (which
detail the type and number of items for each grade level assessment), assessment blueprints
("evidence tables") (with clarity around calculator usage on grade-level standards) and
other resources educators may find helpful as they continue to prepare for the PARCC math
assessments.
LITERACY
3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment Test Blueprint and Sample Item Booklet
This booklet provides an overview of the blueprint and item samples on the MKAS2 3rd Grade
Reading Summative Assessment. The assessment’s purpose is to determine a 3rd grade
promotion or retention decision based on students’ reading proficiency level at the end of third
grade. The booklet provides information about the test blueprint, identifies the skills that the test
measures, and explains how these skills align with the Mississippi College and Career-Ready
Standards. It also provides 24 sample assessment items — one item for each skill area that is
assessed. View the booklet here.
Flyer for Parents About 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment
The MDE has created a flyer for parents that includes key information about the 3rd Grade
Reading Summative Assessment. Schools are strongly encouraged to share this flyer with their
PTO presidents, distribute it during parent nights, and place one in each 3rd grader’s backpack.
Recording of Literacy-Based Promotion Act Session for Parents
In an effort to assist school districts with the implementation of the Literacy-Based Promotion
Act, the Mississippi Department of Education is conducting regional informational meetings for
parents of Kindergarten through 3rd grade students. During these sessions, parents are provided
an overview of the legislation, as well as strategies that can be used at home to help improve
reading outcomes for children. In response to requests from principals, teachers, and district
administrators, the MDE has developed a recording of the session that may be used as needed.
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3rd Grade Summative Assessment Webinar and PowerPoint: This webinar provides 2nd and
3rd grade teachers with a deeper understanding of the 3rd Grade Summative Assessment. Topics
include: standards the test assesses, text complexity, number of test items, and sample items. The
webinar discusses system requirements for testing and provides teachers, principals, and
superintendents with a “demo” of the user interface.
3rd Grade Summative Assessment Webinar and PowerPoint.
3rd Grade Summative Assessment Sample Item Booklet
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact LaToya Blackshear at
lblackshear@mde.k12.ms.us or 601-359-3497.
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Literacy Webinars for K-3 teachers, Interventionists, and Administrators: The Office of
Elementary Education and Reading has released two new webinars to iTunes U, accessible
at https://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/id935694307. One webinar focuses on the multi-level
prevention system of the Response to Intervention Process. Facilitators also review how to
access and effectively use STAR Instructional Reports to integrate the Five Reading Components
+ Writing, Common Core State Standards, and Florida Center for Reading Research Center
Activities to Address Tier II and Tier III Interventions. The second webinar provides a review of
research that supports a 90-minute reading block, components of the reading block, and best
practices for organizing the reading block. Facilitators discuss the importance of systematic
explicit instruction and explain how to differentiate instruction with flexible groups. An example
literacy block frame and implementation checklist is provided during this session.
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Video titles:
Using Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) to Address Tier II and Tier III
Interventions, Presented by Jill Hoda, Literacy Coach
Description: In this session, participants will review the multi-level prevention system of the
Response to Intervention Process. Facilitators will also review how to access and effectively use
STAR Instructional Reports to integrate the Five Reading Components + Writing, Common Core
State Standards, and Florida Center for Reading Research Center Activities to Address Tier II
and Tier III Interventions.
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Literacy Instruction During the 90 minute Reading Block: Effective Tier 1 Instruction
Description: In this session, participants will review research that supports a 90 minute reading
block, components of the reading block and best practices for organizing the reading block.
Facilitators will discuss the importance of systematic explicit instruction and explain how to
differentiate instruction with flexible groups. An example literacy block frame and
implementation checklist will be provided during this session.
ARTS
College, Career-ready Standards Scaffolding Documents and Video Training Now
Available for Teachers
The Mississippi Department of Education has been working with a group of teachers and content
specialists from across the state to develop the 2014 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness
Standards Scaffolding Documents. The primary purpose of these documents is to provide
teachers with a deeper understanding of the Standards as they plan for classroom instruction. In
addition to the direct link above, the documents can be located on the right side of
www.mde.k12.ms.us/ccss.
Based on the 2014 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards, these documents
provide a close analysis of the requirements for student mastery. Because of the rigor and depth
of the Standards, scaffolding instruction to meet the needs of all learners is essential to individual
success. These documents will aid teachers’ understanding of how to teach the Standards through
a natural progression of student mastery. It is anticipated that these documents will be useful to
teachers as they work with diverse learners, particularly those who may be struggling with the
increased demands of the new CCR standards.
For additional information on the CCR scaffolding documents, please view the following videos:
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English Language Arts
Math
Online Practice Test Available for PARCC ELA - PBA and EOY
An online PARCC practice test is available for the Performance Based Assessment (PBA)
portion of English Language Arts (ELA). The ELA PBA online practice test can be found by
clicking this link. This practice test can be utilized by anyone with an internet
connection…perfect for students, teachers, parents, etc. A math End-of-Year (EOY) practice test
will be available in mid to late April. Please check this website often for updates.
PARCC practice tests will be available for grades 3-11 EOY tests for ELA, grades 3-8 PBA tests
for mathematics, and Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II PBA in the area of mathematics.
Please utilize these practice tests with your students and help spread the word of its availability.
USA TODAY Summer Classroom e-Edition
Register to receive access to the electronic edition of USA TODAY at no cost for your
classroom, courtesy of the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation and/or one of its partners in
education. Grant requests will be accepted from May 2015 through the summer semester. The
e-Edition is the exact digital replica of the print edition of the newspaper and is available five
days per week. Educators (elementary, middle and high school) may register here to receive
complimentary access to the e-Edition for use in the classroom. Print edition newspaper grants
are currently unavailable. However, if you are interested in purchasing a print subscription to the
USA TODAY, click here.
Teacher Center Launches Job Board
Understanding the need to notify potential employees about school district vacancies in real
time, the Mississippi Teacher Center has created a teacher job board that will allow each district
to post vacancies directly to the job board to reach applicants faster.
To post to the job board, visit http://teach.k12.ms.us/. For more information, call the Teacher
Center at 601-359-3631.
New M-STAR Videos and Resources Available
The Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric (M-STAR) is an evaluation process
designed to improve the professional performance of all educators. A new series of M-STAR
videos provides a quick and useful overview of the evaluation components. The videos, as well
as forms and general information about M-STAR, can be found here.
Office of Curriculum and Instruction Offers Educator Resources
The Mississippi Department of Education Office of Curriculum and Instruction is online
at www.mde.k12.ms.us/ci. From this page, individuals can view the MDE PD Calendar and sign
up for the C&I Open Listserv. Through this list, the office sends a weekly email with several
short items, including links to College and Career-Ready Standards resources, upcoming events,
and webinars.
Our College and Career-Ready Standards webinar series for both
Mathematics and English/Language Arts is available on iTunes U. Simply search for the
Mississippi Department of Education on iTunes. Webinars are available from the Office of
Curriculum and Instruction as well as other program offices.
Remember that you can follow the MDE on Twitter: @MissDeptEd.
Mississippi History Now
Mississippi History Now, an online publication of the Mississippi Historical Society, provides
teaching materials for Mississippi history and social studies teachers on the state’s history. Its
newest article is “The Truth About the Boll Weevil” by James C. Giesen, associate professor of
history at Mississippi State University. Read the article
here: http://mshistorynow.mdah.state.ms.us/. To see the accompanying lesson plan for the article,
visit: http://mshistorynow.mdah.state.ms.us/articles/391/index.php?s=lesson-plans&id=392
For updates on future publications, like Mississippi History Now on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mshistorynow
The Mississippi Children’s Museum
The Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) wants to be a resource for teachers. To find out
more information, sign up for the monthly Educator E-News. First, “like” MCM on Facebook,
visit www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com, or call 601-981-5469.
MASA Announces New District Membership Option
The Mississippi Association of School Administrators is pleased to announce a new District
Level option for membership. Details are available at http://msasa.org. Be sure to follow MASA
on Twitter and Facebook.
Assessment Redesign
The College Board has a new website, directed primarily at students in grades 9 and 10, to
support the assessment redesign. The site focuses on familiarizing them with the SAT Suite of
Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9). Additionally, it features nearly
100 interactive practice items from the new assessments, as well as 16 scored student essays.
Students in grades 9 and 10 who access My College Quick Start to view their PSAT/NMSQT
scores from the October 2014 administration will be directed to this new site to learn about the
changes that they will encounter on the redesigned exams. Check out the new Assessment
Redesign site at collegereadiness.collegeboard.org.