U of M Research to Practices Brief

The University of Minnesota has done research on the achievement gap and college readiness.  They have started to put out short briefs on the research.  Below is some information from the brief on working with EL students.

The Research to Practice Brief will provide school leaders with information and resources on current Minnesota issues related to closing achievement gaps and preparing students for postsecondary success. Each brief will provide short guidance on a topic and include resources available at the University of Minnesota and beyond. School leaders can use the Research to Practice Brief as a framework for applying current research to best meet their school’s needs.

Decades of research tells us that the most effective instructional approaches for ELs follow three principles. Effective instruction:

1. supports the development of the students’ native language;
2. provides high quality, rigorous English as a Second Language (ESL) education that differentiates instruction based on students’ prior experience with formal schooling; and
3. provides access to the full academic curriculum through demanding content courses that support learning content and language skills, including development of academic language (beyond conversational language).

Reaching across all three principles is an emphasis on literacy, reading, and academic language. Both oral and written academic language skills need attention.

Click here to see the full brief.

Tech Tip - BrainRush

I stumbled on this gem the other day!  BrainRush is a website with a variety of adaptive games.  The games are customizable to fit your needs.  The game has a "flipcard" feel to it.  The awesome part of this site is that the games are geared toward mastery.  The students really have to know their material to move on.  Try it today!  I was blown away when browsing the website.

PLC at Work Institute Coming Back

PLC at Work Institute
The Professional Learning Communities at Work Institute from Solution Tree is coming back to Minneapolis this summer, June 22-24.  This is a great conference for those looking to strengthen their PLC process.  You will need to act quickly as these events fill up very fast.

From the Website:
The Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process is increasingly recognized as the most powerful strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement. This institute gives you and your team the knowledge and tools to implement this powerful process in your school or district.

For three days, you will have the opportunity to network with some of the most insightful minds in education, including the architects of the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ process. The presenters, all educators who have successfully led schools through the PLC process, are accessible to you throughout the event.

The program includes time for questions during the breakout sessions, a panel of experts to address questions from the audience, and time for teams to reflect and seek the advice of the presenters. At the end of team time, you will focus on next action steps, with presenters on hand to guide you.

For those just beginning to explore PLCs, this is an excellent way to build your knowledge base. For those who are already involved in deep implementation, this institute is the perfect opportunity to revisit your mission, introduce new team members to the process, and get answers to new questions.

As you delve deep into the three big ideas of a PLC—focus on learning, build a collaborative culture, and results orientation—you will gain specific, practical, and inspiring strategies for transforming your school or district into a place where all students learn at high levels.

For more information visit the PLC at Work website.

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings
February 9, 2015  Title III Teachers
February 11, 2015  MRVED Board (7 p.m.)
February 19, 2015  Teachers' Advisory Council (TAC)
February 20, 2015  Principals' Council (11:30 a.m. start)
February 25, 2015  Superintendents' Council

March 2, 2015  Agriculture
March 3, 2015  Industrial Technology
March 5, 2015  Business
March 24, 2015  FACS (Willmar tours)