Division of School Improvement - Instructional Technology

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Home : Division of School Improvement : Education Technology : Newsline

Instructional Technology Staff
(573) 751-8247
http://www.dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/newsletters

Deborah S. Sutton, Director
Claranne Vogel, Supervisor
Lisa Walters, Library Media and
Technology Consultant
Rosalyn Wieberg, Supervisor
Shirley Brumley, Administrative Assistant

         In This Issue . . .
Instructional Technology Update
Ed Tech Research, Publications, Resources
Missouri Violence Prevention
      Curriculum Framework
Proven Practice Nominations
      Being Accepted
MOREnet Suggested Technologies
Show-Me TechKnowledge Day
      February 18, 2004
Invitation to World Quest for High School
      Students
Missouri Schools and Programs in the News
Copyright Question of the Month
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming 2004-2005 Conferences
From the Mailbag
Internet Sites of Interest

Instructional Technology Update

FY04 Technology Budgets and Grant Programs
State and Federal Funds/Programs:
TAG (Not funded for FY04)

TNP and Safe Schools (No news to report)

Title IID Ed Tech Program
2003-04 -- Instructional Technology staff are conducting desk audits and telephone interviews with districts in their second year of the two-year eMINTS program and reviewing first quarter reports submitted by teachers and technology directors in their first year of the program.

2004-05 -- Indications are Congress will level-fund the Ed Tech Program for next year. Application information for Missouri’s FY05 Title IID competitive grant program will be mailed to districts in January. A general program information workshop will be conducted on February 23, 2004 in Jefferson City. The application due date is March 31, 2004.

District Technology Plan Approvals
Submission / Approval Process
New and/or substantially updated plans are to be submitted to DESE Instructional Technology section by March 31, 2004. Once the plan is developed and board-approved, attach a copy of the Department’s District Technology Plan Review/Approval form to the front of the plan. Complete the form’s district information section and mail both the plan and scoring guide to IT by March 31. A panel of readers will review the plans in Jefferson City on April 15-16, 2004. (Contact the Instructional Technology office to learn more about becoming a district tech plan reader/evaluator.) Approval status letters will be mailed to districts during the first week of May.

Technical Assistance
METPA volunteers will be available in January and March to provide tech planning technical assistance. Educators are invited to bring drafts of their plans to have them reviewed by trained evaluators. Opportunities for technical assistance will be provided in Jefferson City in January and at MOREnet’s spring technical conference in March at Tan-Tar-A.

Census of Technology / Core Data
2003 COT REPORT AVAILABLE – The state summary report of the 2003 COT data is posted on the IT website. Below are a few of the highlights from the report.

§ The 2003 ratio of students per computer (all computers) is 3.3, compared to 3.8 in 2002 and 2001.

§ The ratio in the instructional rooms is 3.7, compared to 4.2 in 2002 and 4.4 in 2001.

§ The 2003 ratio of students per Internet-connected computer is 4.0, compared to 4.3 in 2002 and 5.0 in 2001.

§ The ratio in the instructional rooms is 4.0, compared to 4.8 in 2002 and 5.5 in 2001.

§ In 2003, 79 percent of teachers have intermediate and/or advanced technology skills, compared to 76 percent of teachers in 2002 and 72 percent in 2001.

§ Approximately 90 percent of principals have intermediate and/or advanced technology skills, compared to 82 percent in both 2002 and 2001.

§ About 88 percent of students are computer literate, compared to 86 percent of students in 2002 and 84 percent in 2001.

2004 FORMS AVAILABLE FOR PREVIEW
The Census of Technology (COT) is collected via Core Data during the April Cycle. The 2004 COT forms and instructions for completing the forms can be accessed on the Instructional Technology home web page. These are being released now to help district and school building personnel prepare for the data collection and submit the necessary data by the April 15 deadline date. Our special thanks to Craig Snethen from Fulton Public Schools and Michelle Dryer with the Nixa R-II School District who volunteered their time and assistance in reviewing draft forms.

E-rate Program
FUNDING YEAR 2003
Wave 19 for E-rate funding for funding year 2003 (July 1, 2003-June 30, 2004) will be issued on Tuesday, December 30, 2003. In this wave, the SLD will be committing over $50.7 million in 110 letters to school and library applicants. The funding associated with this wave included funding for priority 1 (telecommunications and Internet access) and for priority 2 (internal connections) at the 85% discount level. To date, the SLD has committed nearly $1.65 billion in over 29,450 letters for funding year 2003. Additional waves will be issued every other week until the process is complete. Visit the E-rate website at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/default.asp.

FUNDING YEAR 2004
Applicants for 2004 E-rate discounts have until February 4, 2004 at 11:59 p.m. EST to submit their Form 471 applications for funding year 2004.

FCC Adopts New E-rate Rules – December 12, 2003
In mid-December, the federal Communications Commission adopted several new rules aimed at improving the operation and administration of the E-rate program. One of the most significant parts of the order is that it directs the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the program’s administrator, to release to applicants in this coming fiscal year an additional $420 million in unused E-rate funds from previous years. As a result, many more applicants than in years past should be able to receive internal connections discounts.

Other changes to the program announced by the FCC include:

Barring applicants from transferring equipment that has been purchased with E-rate discounts to other locations for three years, ith limited exceptions including the closing of a school.
Establishing a more formal process for updating the eligible services list annually.
Allowing applicants to apply for upgrading and replacing internal connections equipment only twice every five years. Maintenance services will be exempt from this restriction.

The Commission also announced a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it seeks public comment on a number of major changes, many of which were proposed by the Schools and Libraries Division’s Waste, Fraud and Abuse Task Force. These items include:

   ·    Adjusting the discount matrix to lower the top-level internal connections discount, which currently stands at 90%.
·    Instituting a ceiling on the total amount an applicant can request annually.
·    Strengthening technology plan requirements.
·    Instituting additional record-keeping requirements.

The full text of the Order should be available soon in the Federal Register.

SLD Waste, Fraud and Abuse Task Force Releases Recommendations – December 1, 2003
The School and Library Division’s Waste, Fraud and Abuse Task Force released its recommendations on December 1. Among the most significant recommendations are:

Revise the discount matrix to cap internal connections discounts at 80%; if there is insufficient funding to support entire 80% band, then pro rated discounts should be provided.
Impose a ceiling on the amount of E-rate funding that any applicant can receive.
Create simpler versions of Forms 470 and 471.
Review E-rate technology plan goals, requirements, and procedures in accordance with other federal technology plan requirements, including the Department of Education’s requirements.
Develop voluntary guidelines on what would be considered reasonable costs and functionalities for E-rate eligible products and services.
Bar transfer of equipment until the service life period of the equipment has elapsed.

The complete report can be found at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/data/pdf/finalreport.pdf

Washington Update
DECEMBER 22, 2003 -- FY04 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Although the House approved the FY04 Omnibus Appropriations Bill on Monday, the Senate moved on Tuesday to delay consideration of this bill until January 20, 2004. Senators from both sides of the aisle continue to raise objections to a number of controversial policy riders included in the bill, especially provisions to change the FCC's new media ownership rules, to implement the Department of Labor's new overtime rules, to implement new gun record destruction requirements, and to establish a school voucher program in the District of Columbia. Fearing that he would be unable to muster 60 votes to cut-off debate on the bill with so many Senators absent from Washington, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) opted to delay consideration of it until the Senate returns to session in January. Observers indicate that, even at that late date, Senate passage might prove difficult unless compromises on some or all of these policy provisions are reached. Because of this delay in completing the FY04 appropriations process, all federal programs, including education technology programs, will be funded at last year's funding levels.

EDUCATION AND COMMERCE LAUNCH INTER-AGENCY ED TECH WORKING GROUP – The Departments of Commerce and Education have teamed-up to launch the Inter-agency Working Group on Advanced Technologies for Education and Training. The working group will be co-chaired by Commerce Undersecretary of Technology Phil Bond and John Bailey, the Department of Education’s Director of Educational Technology. It will include representatives from the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Museum and Library Sciences, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Interior, the Department of Labor, the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Security Agency and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. This working group was created in response to employers’ growing demand for skilled employees who are prepared to compete in today’s knowledge-based economy and aims to help integrate new technologies in the classroom to prepare students for future employment.

The working group’s first task will be to conduct an inventory and examine federal investments focused on the development of advanced technologies for learning, and the development of digital libraries and learning resources. The working group will then explore and prioritize barriers to the commercialization, deployment and adoption of these technologies. Throughout the entire process, the working group will convene appropriate stakeholders from the industry, the education community, and government to address these issues. At this point, no new federal funds have been appropriated for this initiative.

Ed Tech Research, Publications, Resources

Handbook To Support Technology Integration
A Technology Coach Handbook, developed by Dr. Deborah Lowther and colleagues at the University of Memphis, is designed to support in-service workshops led by teachers for teams of collaborating teachers in school settings. It can be used to support the efforts of regular classroom teachers who work with their colleagues to advance the integration and effective use of technology in individual classrooms and throughout an entire school. “An experienced and well-trained educational technology 'coach' will be in a position to facilitate the collaborative learning that needs to take place if we expect uses of technology to support and extend opportunities for all students to learn and achieve higher academic standards.”

To view or download a copy of the Handbook, see: http://techcoach.memphis.edu/.

New Guide On Evidence Based Education
The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has released a report, “Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported by Rigorous Evidence: A User Friendly Guide.” The guide is designed to help state and local education officials to deal with "scientifically-based requirements" that are cited in the No Child Left Behind Act and in federal grant programs. It is touted as a user-friendly resource for identifying and implementing evidence-based practices that may improve educational and life outcomes for the children that state and local officials serve. The guide was developed by the Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. See: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ies/news.html#guide.

The Coalition and the Council of Chief State School Officers sponsored a two-day conference of state and local officials, at which a discussion of the guide took place, with support from the Institute of Education Sciences. A webcast video of the conference will be posted shortly on the Coalition's web site at http://www.excelgov.org/evidence.

NCES Report on Participation in Technology-Based Postcompulsory Education
The recent NCES publication, "Participation in Technology-Based Postcompulsory Education" examines participation in formal, postcompulsory learning activities (such as college programs and courses, employer-provided training, and other coursework) in which computer technologies were used to deliver instruction. The analysis uses the 2001 Adult Education and Lifelong Learning Survey of the National Household Education Surveys Program to examine overall participation in these activities, as well as differences in the extent to which learners with various characteristics (by gender, race/ethnicity, occupation, education level, income, and locale) participate in technology-based activities. To view or download this report, see: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2004020

New Department of Education Site on Student Identity Theft
Ed.gov created a website for students and school personnel with useful tools and insights regarding what is identity theft, how it happens, and how to reduce the risk.For more information, visit http://www.ed.gov/misused.

eSchool News Online Toolkit to Help Meet the Challenge of Ed Tech Support
Editors of eSchool News have compiled the "Network Resources Management" Center, a one-stop source for expert advice on tech-support efforts in K-12 schools. This online toolkit features an extensive collection of articles from the eSchool News archives as well as links to outside resources from research groups, government agencies, foundations, think tanks, and education associations. Topics include how to empower and retain your tech-support staff; how self-managing server technology could reduce the demand for tech support in your district; and how automated job tickets and email alerts can streamline tech support and make your workload more manageable. See: http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/reports/nrm/index.cfm

Fiscal Survey Of States, December 2003
Despite signs that the national economy is recovering, many states continue to face pressure to balance their budgets amidst soaring health care costs and stagnant revenue growth. Plagued by budget shortfalls for the past three years, states still face uncertainty in the current fiscal year. The Fiscal Survey of States, which is not weekend reading, was prepared by the National Association of State Budget Officers, and includes data on actual fiscal 2002, preliminary actual fiscal year 2003, and appropriated fiscal year 2004. See: http://www.nasbo.org/

Missouri Violence Prevention Curriculum Framework
School districts are invited to provide input in the revision of the Missouri Violence Prevention Curriculum Framework. The Framework was developed in 1998 in accordance with the Missouri Safe Schools Act (1996) and approved by the State Board of Education in 1998. As part of MSIP Cycle 3, a school district safety coordinator should be familiar with the Framework and able to demonstrate how the school district incorporates violence prevention in the program of instruction.

The revision effort is being facilitated by the Missouri Center for Safe Schools. The original Framework, the draft revision, and a form for submitting revisions are located on the "Downloads" sub page of the website for Safe Schools http://www.umkc.edu/safe-school. Please provide your input by January 6, 2004 to thompsonrs@umkc.edu or call (816) 235-5656.

Proven Practice Nominations Being Accepted
--Submitted by Mike Flynn, SuccessLink

The Proven Practice Program, formally known as Best Practices, recognizes practices developed by Missouri educators that have proven to address areas of concern. Practices that have won the award in the past include programs created by small groups of educators, practices that work for an entire grade level, and practices involving an entire school or district.

To Qualify - A Proven Practice must have been in place for at least two full years before nomination date. The practice must show clear evidence of success in improving the particular need addressed by the practice. The practice must have capacity for replication to other districts and application or potential application to wide audience. It must be aligned with the Missouri School Improvement Program Standards. Schools receiving the Proven Practice award will serve as a resource for the state and the educators involved with the project will be awarded a $1,000 honorarium. Please consider nominating a practice that is having a positive impact in your school or forwarding this information to those involved with those programs.

For more information or questions, please contact Michael N. Flynn at 573-636-4395 or
mflynn@successlink.org If you have difficulty accessing our website to view the previous Proven Practices please contact Julie Knernschield at 573-636-4395 or juliek@successlink.org.

MOREnet Supported Technologies
--Submitted by Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, K-12 Technology Network Program, MOREnet

MOREnet provides a comprehensive list of supported technologies on its website. Its purpose is to inform MOREnet customers of the equipment and technologies supported by MOREnet and the level of support available for each item. The Supported Technologies list recently has been updated and continues to change as MOREnet’s services evolve.

MOREnet customers are encouraged to read the support information for a product before contacting MOREnet. Please note that MOREnet does not support every function/application of each technology listed as a supported product. The MOREnet support level for each product is available by clicking on the title of the supported product.

MOREnet’s Supported Technologies list can be an important resource for MOREnet customers. It provides a reference for what MOREnet staff can and cannot help them with. It also provides links for additional information related to each supported item.

The Supported Technologies list can be used a numbers of ways to assist organizations:

Purchasing decisions: Does MOREnet support this technology or does the organization want MOREnet’s assistance with support? When customers are planning a technical decision about purchases, network configuration, etc., they should call MOREnet and ask to speak with a consultant.
Network compatibility: Technologies and equipment listed (for example, Cisco routers) have been thoroughly tested and are compatible with MOREnet’s network.

The list of Supported Technologies presents eight categories: Connectivity, Customer Server, Managed Applications, Online Resources, System Administration, Video Streaming, Videoconferencing and Workstation. Each category lists specific items that MOREnet supports. For example, in the videoconferencing category, customers can find information for supported Polycom and Tandberg video equipment. The information describes supported features and supported operating systems. This information can be very useful to users since not all codec operating systems are compatible with MOREnet video services.

The Supported Technologies list is updated as new equipment and technologies are added and older ones removed. MOREnet recommends that its customers’ staff periodically check the Supported Technologies information to stay current with MOREnet’s supported technologies.

Questions about MOREnet Supported Technologies should be directed to MOREnet Technical Support by e-mail to techsupp@more.net or telephone at (800) 509-6673.

METPA News
--Submitted by David Dillard, METPA

Writing A School Technology Plan - Technical Assistance Session
Thursday, January 15, 2004, 1:00-4:00 pm
Truman State Office Building, Room 490
Jefferson City, MO

As a follow-up to the regional "Writing A School Technology Plan" workshops, METPA is also sponsoring technical assistance sessions. Districts may bring drafts of their technology plans for peer reviews. METPA officers and volunteers will help determine whether the drafts are on track and provide technical assistance.

Another opportunity for technical assistance will be provided in March at the MOREnet spring technical conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, MO.

Show-Me TechKnowledge Day 2004 is Set for Feb 18th!
--Submitted by Sally Burnett, Show-Me TechKnowledge 2004 Chairperson
Last year, thirteen districts, grades K -12 participated in a statewide student technology showcase held at the state Capitol Rotunda. They did a wonderful job representing their communities and highlighting the positive activities taking place in their classrooms. Based on a review of applications for 2004, this year’s event shows great promise. The review committee was pleasantly surprised by both the number and quality of prospective participants submitting applications. Consequently, those schools that will participate in Show-Me TechKnowledge 2004 will be announced in the February issue of Newsline. Schools are doing great things with technology in Missouri! If you’d like to showcase your students, it’s not too early to consider submitting an application for the 2005 event.

A grassroots organization, Show-Me TechKnowledge helps identify and support students as they exhibit effective and innovative uses of technology. State leaders, policy-makers and others are invited to the Capitol Rotunda to view the exhibits, talk to the students, and learn how education technology positively impacts teaching and learning.

Invitation to WorldQuest for High School Students
--Submitted by Bob Fisher, Executive Director, World Affairs Council, and Martha Bogart, Coordinator, Distance Learning, Cooperating School District

The World Affairs Council of St. Louis invites your school to participate in an exciting international trivia competition entitled: WorldQuest!

What is WorldQuest? WorldQuest is a copyrighted offering of the World Affairs Councils of America with a long history of success. It is a competition where teams of "high school" students test their knowledge of world affairs, world leaders, geography, recent history, flags and international relations. In addition to this competition in St. Louis, there will be competitions in over thirty additional cities located throughout the United States in advance of a national competition scheduled in March 2004.

St. Louis WorldQuest will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2004 5:30 PM (when registration begins) to roughly 9:00 PM. The location will be at the A.G. Edwards' Benjamin F. Edwards, III Learning Center. Visitor parking will be located at 2801 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. There is no cost to participate.

We believe the competition will attract a minimum of 25 teams of four students for a total of 100 students. Team members may be freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors. Second and third place winners will receive prizes that may include cash or gift certificates. The winning team will receive the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. and the distinction of representing St. Louis in the national WorldQuest competition on March 26 - 28, 2004. While in our nation's capital, other weekend activities will include:

Visits to Museums and Monuments on the Mall
Tours of the White House (space limited)
A Visit to the Spy Museum
A pizza party after the competition
An evening with Capital Steps (a political satire performance group)

How should an interested school prepare for WorldQuest? First, identify your school's best and brightest students. Second, by any process of your choice (election or school competition), narrow your field of participants to four students and one teacher/adult chaperone (we request that each school enter one team only). Third, please register your team with us as soon as possible. Fourth, once you've assembled your team, encourage team members to read periodicals such as the New York Times and the Economist.

Who is the World Affairs Council of St. Louis? They are a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that has been pursuing global understanding as a St. Louis community value for fifty-five years. Since 1948, the Council has offered ambassador forums and distinguished speakers. Funding for Council activities comes from membership and program fees, grants and gifts.

This organization consists of two parts: Council Funded Membership Programs and Council Managed Programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.

Council Funded Membership Programs

Ambassador Forums
Topical Seminars
U.S. Department of State Videoconferences
Young Global Professionals Network
Outreach to Schools
Corporate Leadership Meetings
National Conference

Council Managed Programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State

International Visitors Program (involving the entire world)
Community Connections Program (involving Eastern Europe and Russia)

Do any other schools participate or support Council activities? Yes. All of the region's major universities such as the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Washington University, Saint Louis University, Webster University, Maryville University and St. Louis Community College are Council members who support our activities. Furthermore, other schools in the region such as the Rockwood R-6 School District, Ladue School District, Rohan Woods and St. Joseph's Academy are Council members. They invite your school also to take out an academic membership at $300 per year.

Why would a school choose to become a Council member? As return on their investment, the Council offers several benefits to schools. Through the U.S. Department of State, the Council hosts approximately 350 international visitors each year. While in St. Louis, international visitors meet with local companies and civic organizations to become familiar with American culture. Often, the U.S. Department of State, the Visitor, or a school will request a "school visit". During school visits, international visitors make presentations and share information about their background and country - an excellent way to excite young minds about the world in which we live.

Other benefits include being able to take advantage of Council sponsored teacher workshops and receiving "World in Transition" curricula to help increase your students global understanding. World in Transition curricula will include videotapes, teaching guides and student workbook materials.

Enclosed is further information on the World Affairs Council of St. Louis. We hope to hear from you soon regarding your school's interest in WorldQuest, and about becoming a Council member. If you have any questions, please contact me at 314-727-9988.

Missouri Schools and Programs in the News

eMINTS Program
Special CONGRATULATIONS to Stephanie Moore (one of the original MINTs Teachers): San Francisco, December 8, 2003—Technology & Learning magazine named one National Winner and three runners up of its 2003 Ed Tech Leader of the Year contest. Each was profiled in a feature article in the magazine’s December Awards Issue. This year’s National Winner is: Stephanie Moore, a director of instructional technology who transformed her school from a place where staff development was little more than a handout of computer basics, and technology integration was almost nonexistent, to a tech-forward environment that empowers accomplishments, Moore developed a 12-week after-school training boot camp, initiated a wireless Tablet PC computing program, and formed a cross-cultural Web partnership with a Taiwanese school. (Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School, St. Louis, MO)

Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District
Congratulations to Chris Klein, Technology Director for the Maplweood-Richmond Heights School District, who was recently featured in Scholastic Administrator publication. The article, “Presentation Do’s and Don’ts,” focuses on lessons to consider when designing a new classroom environment that provided learning spaces complete with state of-the-art technology.

SEMO’s David Starret Interviewed by Syllabus Magazine
The December 18, 2003, Syllabus IT Newsletter featured an interview with David Starret, the Director for the Center for Scholarship in Teaching and Learning at Southeast Missouri State University. Entitled “Increasing Quality in Online Instruction”, Starret discuss roles and rewards, assessment, and other issues regarding faculty development. To listen to this Syllabus Radio interview, go to http://www.syllabus.com/radio/index.asp .

Copyright Question of the Month

Q. May an educator (e.g., administrator, classroom teacher, substitute teacher, or student teacher) other district employee, volunteer, or others display an
image (cartoon, chart, diagram, graph, picture, or drawing) for distance learning education and repeat the use from term to term?

A. No A copyrighted work may be transmitted only once for any distance learning course.
Repeated transmission requires permission from the copyright owner.

Mark Your Calendar

	HAPPY NEW YEAR 2004 FROM THE IT STAFF
January 1	New Year’s Day - State Offices Closed
5	Newsline published online
15	Writing a Tech Plan - Technical Assistance (Sponsored by METPA) Truman State Office Building, Room 490, Jefferson City, MO
25	Newsline articles due
February 1	Newsline published online
12	Lincoln’s Birthday - State Offices Closed
16	President’s Day - State Offices Closed
18	Show-Me TechKnowledge Day Third Floor Capitol Rotunda Jefferson City, MO
23	Title IID eMINTS Workshop Governor Office Bldg, Room 450 Jefferson City, MO
March 10	METPA Forum: Technology and No Child Left Behind
March	District Technology Plans are due to DESE

Upcoming 2004-2005 Conferences

January 22-24	Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) 2004 Orlando, Florida http://www.fetc.org
January 29-31	Twenty-Second Annual International Conference: Technology, Reading and Learning Difficulties (TRLD) 2004 Grand Hyatt San Francisco on Union Square, San Francisco, CA http://www.trld.com
February 19-21	Interface A-Grades K-6 Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum
February 22-24	Interface B-Grades 7-12 Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/curriculum
March 24-25	Connections 2004 MOREnet Spring Technical Conference Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO http://www.more.net/conferences
July 15-16	Missouri Distance Learning Conference (MoDLA) Site to be determined
October 3-5	Missouri Educational Technology Conference - 2004 Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO

From the Mailbag

Kids Are Authors Contest
Kids are Authors is an annual competition for Grades K-8 and is designed to encourage students to use their reading, writing, and artistic skills to create their own books. Entry deadline for this year’s competition is March 15, 2004.

Under the guidance of a project coordinator, children work in teams of three or more students to write and illustrate their own book. The creative process of working in teams helps provide a natural environment to practice editing, teamwork, and communication skills necessary for future success. All students involved get a sense of pride and accomplishment from submitting the team project.

Scholastic Book Fairs will publish the winning books and distribute them at Book Fairs throughout the country.

IT Classes Growing in Popularity
stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Education/22666B4F24FAD21786256DDA00196C4D?OpenDocument&Headline=Students+flock+to+computer+classes <http://news.techlearning.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/heOW0FHUAc0E2V0CHE70AD>
Students in the St. Louis area know a good thing when they see it. Enrollment in high school information technology classes has more than doubled this year, as students take advantage of sophisticated offerings that might cost $12,000 or more in tuition at a local college. Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Twenty Years of Technology Policy
nationaledtechplan.org/
A new report from the Center for Children and Technology (CCT) synthesizes the findings of more than 25 major studies and policy papers. "A Retrospective on Twenty Years of Education Technology Policy" was commissioned by The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology as part of the development of the National Education Technology Plan. Source: U.S. Department of Education

Follett Library Resources has developed a web site that is useful even if you are not trying to purchase books. Check out www.titlewave.com for

lists of books that support specific state and/or national curriculum standards,
supplemental lists for textbooks and programs,
guided Reading and Leveled Reading lists,
state-specific lists, and
lists of books on popular curriculum-related subjects.

The site also includes tools for collection analysis and instructional tips and a long list of links to reading specialists and strategies, awards and funding opportunities.

12 Things Top School Administrators Know and You Should Too
While many school administrators are hopping from job to job or getting axed in today's challenging educational environment, there are some who aren't just surviving but thriving. Despite all the pressures, they ooze confidence and win kudos -- even awards -- from teachers and parents throughout their communities. Pamela Wheaton Schorr reports that top school leaders share the following successful tools and techniques: (1) Don't try to play spin doctor; (2) Remember that kids are your customers; (3) Don't forget who writes the checks; (4) Don't just call when you need something; (5) Don't play the blame game; (6) Acknowledge people’s feelings; (7) Distinguish fact from opinion; (8) Close the technology gap between teachers and students; (9) Demonstrate a vested interest in your community; (10) Mentor your teachers; (11) Empower staffers; and, (12) Empower yourself!

The Internet Public Library
http://www.ipl.org/
The Internet Public Library (IPL) was founded in 1995 by graduate students at the University of Michigan, School of Information. The IPL is the first of its kind, an organization that provides a mixture of traditional and innovative library services via the Internet. A major goal of the Library is to support and complement existing public libraries, by providing easy access to high quality library services and Internet resources. Services available through the IPL include stories for children, college advice for teens, a comprehensive list of online texts, and a highly acclaimed ready-reference collection. The Library is staffed by experienced librarians, with the assistance of students from the School of Information at the University of Michigan.

Toshiba America Foundation
www.toshiba.com/about/taf.html
Toshiba America Foundation supports improvements in the classroom teaching of science, mathematics, and technology in grades 7-12; projects costing less than $5,000 may be proposed at any time. Deadline: 02/01/2004

Intel Teach to the Future
http://www97.intel.com/education/teach/us_program.htm
Intel® Teach to the Future is a free professional development program for K-12 in-service teachers and pre-service educators. Participants learn how, when, and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into their curriculum.

Intel Teach to the Future is available throughout the United States for K-12 teachers, schools, and districts. Teacher-led trainings focus on the creation of curricular units and evaluation tools that address standards. Master Teachers receive Intel training and resources enabling them to lead trainings for their colleagues.

When teachers participate in Intel Teach to the Future, they learn how to integrate technology into their lessons and units. Many creative and engaging projects are presented at http://www.intel.com/education/unitplans/

From The Annenberg/CPB Channel
New Science Content Course
The Annenberg/CPB Channel will premiere a new science professional development course for elementary teachers this spring. "Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science" provides the life science concepts needed to teach standards-based curricula. This in-depth course is the first of three "Essential Science for Teachers" courses, and offers the option of three graduate credits from Colorado State University. It will premiere Wednesday, March 3, 2004.

To receive the free support materials for this course or any others offered by the Channel, please register by calling 1-800-LEARNER, or online: http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/register_info.html For details on optional graduate credit, go to http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/graduate_credit.html

The Gift of Growth
www.learner.org
The Channel's free professional development workshops and courses allow us to grow as educators. Plan on giving yourself that privilege and fulfill your desire to learn more by registering for one of the Channel's free offerings. In the upcoming spring season, beginning January 1, we will offer 40 workshops and courses, ten libraries, and 36 series through satellite broadcast, Web simulcast, online Video on Demand, and purchased tapes.

You will find a complete listing of workshops and courses on the Channel's Web site, or search there by grade level or discipline. Register at 1-800-LEARNER for the free support materials and Certificates of Participation, and optional graduate credit is available at a reasonable cost for many of these offerings.

The Knowledge Loom
http://knowledgeloom.org
The Knowledge Loom is a web-based professional learning resource managed by the Education Alliance at Brown University. It features collections of K-12 best practice resources and draws on the work of nationally-recognized technical assistance organizations, researchers, schools, and districts.