(122,180,'Report with Jessica Vavrus','report-with-jessica-vavrus','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Report of Meeting with Jessica Vavrus</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I met with Jessica and the bulk of our conversation centered on the passage of ESSHB2337—more commonly known as the Open Source Educational Resource Bill.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This bill which was introduced by Representative Carlyle passed both the house and senate and the bill was signed into law by the Governor. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">At the time I spoke with Jessica, it was still unfunded as the final budget had not been created and passed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jessica expected it to be funded.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Now that the budget has been passed, and since the Governor was making line item vetoes, I’ll check with Jessica next week to see if the bill actually became funded.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">According to the information recorded by Office of Financial Management (OFM) the bill was to be funded at200K for 2012-2013 and more than that for 2013 and 2015. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">According to the bill, OSPI is instructed to create a library of open resource materials that are aligned with CCs and include input from teachers and librarians in the process of its formation. As well as collaborate with other states to process and vet materials for use by schools.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">They must find private organizations (like the Gates Foundation) to help fund forming and sustaining the library.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Provide professional development programs for districts around what is Open Educational Resource Material (OER), and how to use it, how to create OERs, and improvement of courseware. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Finally, OSPI is instructed to advertise to districts that OER is available and emphasize that it is available at no cost to districts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Districts are not mandated to use the OER, but have it available to them if they are interested.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>OSPI is mandated to report to the legislature and the Governor beginning December 1, 2013 regarding the identification and development of a library.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A part of the process is for OSPI to hire a person to be responsible for figuring out how to proceed and what the fund raising looks like.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Most of the available funding will go to this end; however there is also to be an advisory group consisting of Legislator, perhaps Cable Green, the person pushing this agenda, Conn McQuinn, and hopefully NWERA.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Both Jessica and a lobbyist for the Association of American Publishers ( AAP) have asked for this.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">I need to say here that neither Jessica nor Karl Nelson is excited at all at the results of this bill.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Both feel like the requirements will be a drain on already limited resources and that the legislature, namely Rep Carlyle and Hunter are expecting more than is possible for delivery.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">If the bill is funded, the first steps will be to educate the field as to what constitutes OER and what is on line materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>They will build off the work of other organizations such as Achieve, Council of Chief State School Officers, (CCSSO) to develop a rubric to evaluate all materials for alignment with CCS.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The framework of the rubric will come from recommendations that came out of the Bias and Sensitivity Report which states in order for all students to have access to quality education, materials must provide rigor and content, and teachers are able to give entry to all students.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><a href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/CoreStandards/pubdocs/ImplementationRecommendationReport.pdf\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; color: #800080;\">http://www.k12.wa.us/CoreStandards/pubdocs/ImplementationRecommendationReport.pdf</span></span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></a></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Professional Development standards will include work done by the National Staff Developments Council rubric, and learning Forward Standards.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">All of this work will be in conjunction with implementation of CCS, NGSS and OER’s.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Jessica Vavrus and Alan Burke will be joining us at the annual meeting June 15, so please bring your questions to have them addressed at the meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully, </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Jody</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-04-30 14:04:45',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-04-30 14:04:44','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,8,'','',2,8,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(123,181,'Report of Meeting with OSPI Science Coordinator about NGSS','report-of-meeting-with-ospi-science-coordinator-about-ngss','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Report of meeting with OSPI Science Coordinator </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\">When I attended the State Board of Education meeting in March, most of the meeting for one morning centered around new science standards—The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>I wanted more information to pass along to you, so I met with Ellen Ebert, the Science Coordinator for OSPI, to get clarification on some of the items presented to the State Board. </span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">The focus of this meeting was Next Generation Science Standards and what the development of new standards means for </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">curriculum providers around alignment reviews </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">districts considering <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>a science adoption in the next year or two</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpLast\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">·</span><span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">       </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">assessment</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">First and foremost, the state is several years out from an actual state adoption of new standards for science.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span>The next big step to take place in the development is a public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NCSS) will be available for review in May.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Although this is not going to be publically announced, we will let you know when the document is available.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>All public information regarding the process so far is available at the Achieve website at </span><span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.achieve.org\">http://www.achieve.org</a></span><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>This is just the beginning of what looks to be a three year adoption process.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE PROVIDERS?</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Many of you may have heard from your company about the Framework, the new standards and the development process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The terms associated with what is called the framework of the new standards are:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>cross-cutting ideas, engineering and science practices and core concepts</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Achieve</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"> is working with publishers on the front end, so everyone has a clear view of what represents alignment to the framework and thus the standards.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>They have invited publishing companies to participate in discussions around alignment and changes in the way science is taught using the framework as the basis, so materials can match the needs of districts, teachers and students.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The big change is to present curriculum in a way that weaves cross cutting concepts, science and engineering practices and core ideas together in a comprehensive manner.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Where are things locally?</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Ellen is willing to meet with me to make sure you get your questions answered, and keep us informed as to the progress around of the development and the discussions taking place among the lead states.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jessica is open to sharing the process as it unfolds to make sure as stakeholders, you are informed.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\">From my conversation with Ellen, there is still work to be done to clarify what alignment to the standards means. </span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">Ellen said she had seen five presentations from publishers, who assessed their materials as aligned to the NGSS. However, she and colleagues did not see the materials as aligned. She said the materials were missing the connections among the cross-cutting concepts, the core ideas and the science practices.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>She said the information was there but presented ala carte rather than showing the connections as defined by the framework. She said understanding how the framework changes the organization of content is important.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>It will be a key component of any material review process should one take place in the future.</span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">In addition to the progress of developing the standards</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">, there is talk among the 26 lead states, of which WA and OR are members, of creating a depository for materials which have been reviewed and aligned to NGSS and <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>can be accessible electronically to districts in any of the participating states.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>It sounds as if there will be one review for all participating states, which will vet materials as aligned instead of each state conducting an individual review.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This is still in the talking stage.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The member states decided to wait until after the first draft is made public to make any further decisions regarding curricula materials. I plan to meet with Ellen again to lean more about what that will look like, and what it means for our members.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">In terms of <strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\">assessment,</strong> creation of a national science test is also in discussion.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Again, further development is on hold until after public for review of the NGSS draft by all stakeholder groups.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">What Do You Tell Your Customers</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\">.<strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"></strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">According to both Ellen, as the Science Coordinator, and Jessica as the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, the current science standards are what is being taught in WA and districts should use them for all decisions. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Adoption process for NGSS will be similar to that of Common Core Standards. There will be a four phase process led by OSPI.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>It is likely that adoption and implementation of the new standards is at least 3 years away, with review of the standards and consideration for adoption to begin 2013.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Until then, the current science standards will be implemented </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">At the WSTA conference in October, OSPI will be providing sessions regarding NGSS guiding frameworks and connections.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In addition, ESD’s around the state will begin having discussions around NGSS guiding framework. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The intent is to begin the conversation about the NGSS as well as how implementation will be different from past science standards.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Jessica will be able to answer some of your questions regarding the implementation of NGSS at the annual meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">There is another meeting with Ellen scheduled for late June for updates regarding information coming from the lead state meetings.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Stay Tuned. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">If you have questions now and would like to send them to me, I will be glad to forward them to OSPI.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully,</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Jody <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></span></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-04-30 14:48:30',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-04-30 14:48:30','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,7,'','',2,8,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(124,182,'Minutes from May 1 Board Meeting','minutes-from-may-1-board-meeting','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">NWERA Board Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">5/1/2012<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span>7 AM Telephone Conference</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Attendees:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen Tennyson, Abigail McNaughton, Bruce Iria, Shari Martin, Barbara Blair, Jody McCrain, Executive Director.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">AGENDA ITEMS:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Annual Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Discussion</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">: We discussed the format of the annual meeting, building in time to recognize retiring members, whether we should pay for the lunch and sequence of events at the meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Conclusions:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">The annual meeting will be held on June 15 at Hawks Prairie Restaurant, Lacey, WA at 11 AM on June 15. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The business meeting will begin at 11 AM with recognition of retiring reps followed by lunch provided by NWERA at noon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>At 1 PM representatives from OSPI, Alan Burke and Jessica Vavrus will discuss current developments and issues of interest at OSPI.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben Nyquist, our website developer, will provide an overview of the NWERA website with the rationale behind the design of some features that are constructed to drive more traffic to the website that will in turn elevate the prominence of our website on browsers.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Action Items</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Karen will create agenda and invite retired members to attend the annual meeting.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will confirm with Ben, Alan and Jessica and ensure that the proper AV, handouts and other materials will be available if needed for their presentations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will send out menu options to membership.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Deadline</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 15, 2012</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Board Issues</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">We discussed the need for all board members to attend the meetings and be involved in our decision-making process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To ensure participation we decided to hold bi-monthly board meetings on the 4<sup>th</sup> Monday of odd months via conference call at 7 AM.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We need to make it convenient for all board members to participate in meetings.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The board meeting for 2012 and 2013 will be held via conference call at 7 AM the following dates:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a name=\"_GoBack\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 29</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-bookmark: _GoBack;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 24</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 26</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2013</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">January 28<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">March 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 27</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 29</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Action Items:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Karen will introduce the new meeting schedule to board members who have been unable to attend to determine if this schedule will enable them to attend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If the new schedule isn’t amenable, she will ask them if they would like to resign.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Abi will recruit new board members, making them aware of the board meeting requirements.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Deadline:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 21.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Website and Maintenance</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Ben Nyquist developed a very nice website for our NWERA for 1/10 the customary cost.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In order to ensure that the website is maintained and refreshed, we would like to enter into a maintenance contract with Ben.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We discussed the possibility of posting education news on the website and the ramifications of offering access to non-members for a fee.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"> The board charged Karen with discussing the maintenance contract with Ben and reporting back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We decided to continue to post educational articles of interest on the website.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To determine if this information is something members will use, Karen is going to ask Ben to place a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Action Items: </span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Karen will discuss the contract with Ben and report back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen will ask Ben if he can put a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Deadline:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">June 15 (Unless you want to wait until July 23.)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Financial Report</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Bruce reported that we have over </span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-language: JA;\">$8,872.15 </span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">in the bank.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We have enough money in the budget to cover the lunch at the annual meeting and sign a maintenance contract with Ben.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Membership</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that we have four new members.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We observed that there are fewer people joining the publishing business.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben fixed the website so it was easier to join if you membership had expired.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Action items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Announcement from Jody</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that she is submitting her resignation as of June 30 in order to pursue her coaching business.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We thanked her for her service and asked her to compile a job description so we would post the job.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We will post the position on the NWERA website.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will submit a job description to Karen by May 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen and Jody will collaborate to post the job announcement on the NWERA website and anyplace else they deem appropriate by May 25.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully submitted,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Barbara Jo Blair, Secretary</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,13,'2012-05-02 17:00:26',125,'','2012-05-02 17:01:25',125,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-02 17:00:26','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',5,0,0,'','',2,6,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(125,183,'Board Meeting Schedule 2012','meeting-schedule','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">NWERA Board Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The board meeting for 2012 and 2013 will be held via conference call at 7 AM the following dates:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a name=\"_GoBack\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 29</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-bookmark: _GoBack;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 24</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 26</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2013</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">January 28<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">March 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 27</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 29</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 25</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,15,'2012-05-03 15:11:45',125,'','2012-05-03 15:14:05',125,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-03 15:11:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',5,0,6,'','',2,9,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(126,184,'Minutes Board Meeting May 1 2012','may-meeting-minutes','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">NWERA Board Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">5/1/2012<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span>7 AM Telephone Conference</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Attendees:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen Tennyson, Abigail McNaughton, Bruce Iria, Shari Martin, Barbara Blair, Jody McCrain, Executive Director.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">AGENDA ITEMS:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Annual Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">: We discussed the format of the annual meeting, building in time to recognize retiring members, whether we should pay for the lunch and sequence of events at the meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">The annual meeting will be held on June 15 at Hawks Prairie Restaurant, Lacey, WA at 11 AM on June 15. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The business meeting will begin at 11 AM with recognition of retiring reps followed by lunch provided by NWERA at noon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>At 1 PM representatives from OSPI, Alan Burke and Jessica Vavrus will discuss current developments and issues of interest at OSPI.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben Nyquist, our website developer, will provide an overview of the NWERA website with the rationale behind the design of some features that are constructed to drive more traffic to the website that will in turn elevate the prominence of our website on browsers.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Karen will create agenda and invite retired members to attend the annual meeting.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will confirm with Ben, Alan and Jessica and ensure that the proper AV, handouts and other materials will be available if needed for their presentations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will send out menu options to membership.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 15, 2012</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Board Issues</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">We discussed the need for all board members to attend the meetings and be involved in our decision-making process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To ensure participation we decided to hold bi-monthly board meetings on the 4<sup>th</sup> Monday of odd months via conference call at 7 AM.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We need to make it convenient for all board members to participate in meetings.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The board meeting for 2012 and 2013 will be held via conference call at 7 AM the following dates:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a name=\"_GoBack\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 29</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-bookmark: _GoBack;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 24</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 26</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2013</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">January 28<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">March 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 27</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 29</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will introduce the new meeting schedule to board members who have been unable to attend to determine if this schedule will enable them to attend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If the new schedule isn’t amenable, she will ask them if they would like to resign.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Abi will recruit new board members, making them aware of the board meeting requirements.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 21.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Website and Maintenance</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Ben Nyquist developed a very nice website for our NWERA for 1/10 the customary cost.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In order to ensure that the website is maintained and refreshed, we would like to enter into a maintenance contract with Ben.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We discussed the possibility of posting education news on the website and the ramifications of offering access to non-members for a fee.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"> The board charged Karen with discussing the maintenance contract with Ben and reporting back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We decided to continue to post educational articles of interest on the website.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To determine if this information is something members will use, Karen is going to ask Ben to place a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items: </span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will discuss the contract with Ben and report back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen will ask Ben if he can put a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">June 15 (Unless you want to wait until July 23.)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Financial Report</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Bruce reported that we have over </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\'; mso-fareast-language: JA;\">$8,872.15 </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">in the bank.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We have enough money in the budget to cover the lunch at the annual meeting and sign a maintenance contract with Ben.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Membership</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that we have four new members.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We observed that there are fewer people joining the publishing business.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben fixed the website so it was easier to join if you membership had expired.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Announcement from Jody</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that she is submitting her resignation as of June 30 in order to pursue her coaching business.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We thanked her for her service and asked her to compile a job description so we would post the job.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We will post the position on the NWERA website.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will submit a job description to Karen by May 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen and Jody will collaborate to post the job announcement on the NWERA website and anyplace else they deem appropriate by May 25.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully submitted,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Barbara Jo Blair, Secretary</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,11,'2012-05-03 15:25:08',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-03 15:25:08','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,6,'','',1,0,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(127,185,'Minutes Board Meeting May 1 2012','meeting-minutes','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">NWERA Board Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">5/1/2012<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span>7 AM Telephone Conference</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Attendees:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen Tennyson, Abigail McNaughton, Bruce Iria, Shari Martin, Barbara Blair, Jody McCrain, Executive Director.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">AGENDA ITEMS:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Annual Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">: We discussed the format of the annual meeting, building in time to recognize retiring members, whether we should pay for the lunch and sequence of events at the meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">The annual meeting will be held on June 15 at Hawks Prairie Restaurant, Lacey, WA at 11 AM on June 15. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The business meeting will begin at 11 AM with recognition of retiring reps followed by lunch provided by NWERA at noon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>At 1 PM representatives from OSPI, Alan Burke and Jessica Vavrus will discuss current developments and issues of interest at OSPI.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben Nyquist, our website developer, will provide an overview of the NWERA website with the rationale behind the design of some features that are constructed to drive more traffic to the website that will in turn elevate the prominence of our website on browsers.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Karen will create agenda and invite retired members to attend the annual meeting.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will confirm with Ben, Alan and Jessica and ensure that the proper AV, handouts and other materials will be available if needed for their presentations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will send out menu options to membership.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 15, 2012</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Board Issues</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">We discussed the need for all board members to attend the meetings and be involved in our decision-making process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To ensure participation we decided to hold bi-monthly board meetings on the 4<sup>th</sup> Monday of odd months via conference call at 7 AM.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We need to make it convenient for all board members to participate in meetings.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The board meeting for 2012 and 2013 will be held via conference call at 7 AM the following dates:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a name=\"_GoBack\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 29</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-bookmark: _GoBack;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 24</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 26</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2013</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">January 28<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">March 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 27</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 29</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will introduce the new meeting schedule to board members who have been unable to attend to determine if this schedule will enable them to attend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If the new schedule isn’t amenable, she will ask them if they would like to resign.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Abi will recruit new board members, making them aware of the board meeting requirements.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 21.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Website and Maintenance</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Ben Nyquist developed a very nice website for our NWERA for 1/10 the customary cost.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In order to ensure that the website is maintained and refreshed, we would like to enter into a maintenance contract with Ben.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We discussed the possibility of posting education news on the website and the ramifications of offering access to non-members for a fee.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"> The board charged Karen with discussing the maintenance contract with Ben and reporting back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We decided to continue to post educational articles of interest on the website.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To determine if this information is something members will use, Karen is going to ask Ben to place a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items: </span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will discuss the contract with Ben and report back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen will ask Ben if he can put a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">June 15 (Unless you want to wait until July 23.)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Financial Report</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Bruce reported that we have over </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\'; mso-fareast-language: JA;\">$8,872.15 </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">in the bank.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We have enough money in the budget to cover the lunch at the annual meeting and sign a maintenance contract with Ben.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Membership</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that we have four new members.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We observed that there are fewer people joining the publishing business.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben fixed the website so it was easier to join if you membership had expired.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Announcement from Jody</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that she is submitting her resignation as of June 30 in order to pursue her coaching business.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We thanked her for her service and asked her to compile a job description so we would post the job.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We will post the position on the NWERA website.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will submit a job description to Karen by May 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen and Jody will collaborate to post the job announcement on the NWERA website and anyplace else they deem appropriate by May 25.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully submitted,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Barbara Jo Blair, Secretary</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-05-03 15:26:12',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-03 15:26:12','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,6,'','',1,7,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(128,186,'Minutes Board Meeting May 1 2012','minutes-board-meeting-may-1-2012','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">NWERA Board Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">5/1/2012<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span>7 AM Telephone Conference</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Attendees:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen Tennyson, Abigail McNaughton, Bruce Iria, Shari Martin, Barbara Blair, Jody McCrain, Executive Director.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">AGENDA ITEMS:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Annual Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">: We discussed the format of the annual meeting, building in time to recognize retiring members, whether we should pay for the lunch and sequence of events at the meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">The annual meeting will be held on June 15 at Hawks Prairie Restaurant, Lacey, WA at 11 AM on June 15. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The business meeting will begin at 11 AM with recognition of retiring reps followed by lunch provided by NWERA at noon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>At 1 PM representatives from OSPI, Alan Burke and Jessica Vavrus will discuss current developments and issues of interest at OSPI.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben Nyquist, our website developer, will provide an overview of the NWERA website with the rationale behind the design of some features that are constructed to drive more traffic to the website that will in turn elevate the prominence of our website on browsers.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Karen will create agenda and invite retired members to attend the annual meeting.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will confirm with Ben, Alan and Jessica and ensure that the proper AV, handouts and other materials will be available if needed for their presentations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will send out menu options to membership.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 15, 2012</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Board Issues</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">We discussed the need for all board members to attend the meetings and be involved in our decision-making process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To ensure participation we decided to hold bi-monthly board meetings on the 4<sup>th</sup> Monday of odd months via conference call at 7 AM.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We need to make it convenient for all board members to participate in meetings.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The board meeting for 2012 and 2013 will be held via conference call at 7 AM the following dates:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a name=\"_GoBack\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 29</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-bookmark: _GoBack;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 24</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 26</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2013</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">January 28<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">March 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 27</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 29</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will introduce the new meeting schedule to board members who have been unable to attend to determine if this schedule will enable them to attend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If the new schedule isn’t amenable, she will ask them if they would like to resign.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Abi will recruit new board members, making them aware of the board meeting requirements.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 21.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Website and Maintenance</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Ben Nyquist developed a very nice website for our NWERA for 1/10 the customary cost.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In order to ensure that the website is maintained and refreshed, we would like to enter into a maintenance contract with Ben.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We discussed the possibility of posting education news on the website and the ramifications of offering access to non-members for a fee.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"> The board charged Karen with discussing the maintenance contract with Ben and reporting back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We decided to continue to post educational articles of interest on the website.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To determine if this information is something members will use, Karen is going to ask Ben to place a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items: </span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will discuss the contract with Ben and report back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen will ask Ben if he can put a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">June 15 (Unless you want to wait until July 23.)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Financial Report</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Bruce reported that we have over </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\'; mso-fareast-language: JA;\">$8,872.15 </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">in the bank.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We have enough money in the budget to cover the lunch at the annual meeting and sign a maintenance contract with Ben.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Membership</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that we have four new members.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We observed that there are fewer people joining the publishing business.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben fixed the website so it was easier to join if you membership had expired.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Announcement from Jody</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that she is submitting her resignation as of June 30 in order to pursue her coaching business.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We thanked her for her service and asked her to compile a job description so we would post the job.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We will post the position on the NWERA website.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will submit a job description to Karen by May 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen and Jody will collaborate to post the job announcement on the NWERA website and anyplace else they deem appropriate by May 25.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully submitted,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Barbara Jo Blair, Secretary</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,12,'2012-05-03 15:27:51',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-03 15:27:51','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,0,'','',2,9,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(129,187,'Minutes Board Meeting May 1 2012','minutes-board-meeting-may-1-2012','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">NWERA Board Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">5/1/2012<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span>7 AM Telephone Conference</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Attendees:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen Tennyson, Abigail McNaughton, Bruce Iria, Shari Martin, Barbara Blair, Jody McCrain, Executive Director.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">AGENDA ITEMS:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Annual Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">: We discussed the format of the annual meeting, building in time to recognize retiring members, whether we should pay for the lunch and sequence of events at the meeting.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">The annual meeting will be held on June 15 at Hawks Prairie Restaurant, Lacey, WA at 11 AM on June 15. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>The business meeting will begin at 11 AM with recognition of retiring reps followed by lunch provided by NWERA at noon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>At 1 PM representatives from OSPI, Alan Burke and Jessica Vavrus will discuss current developments and issues of interest at OSPI.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben Nyquist, our website developer, will provide an overview of the NWERA website with the rationale behind the design of some features that are constructed to drive more traffic to the website that will in turn elevate the prominence of our website on browsers.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Karen will create agenda and invite retired members to attend the annual meeting.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will confirm with Ben, Alan and Jessica and ensure that the proper AV, handouts and other materials will be available if needed for their presentations.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will send out menu options to membership.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 15, 2012</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Board Issues</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">We discussed the need for all board members to attend the meetings and be involved in our decision-making process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To ensure participation we decided to hold bi-monthly board meetings on the 4<sup>th</sup> Monday of odd months via conference call at 7 AM.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We need to make it convenient for all board members to participate in meetings.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The board meeting for 2012 and 2013 will be held via conference call at 7 AM the following dates:</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a name=\"_GoBack\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 29</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-bookmark: _GoBack;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 24</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 26</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">2013</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">January 28<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">March 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">May 27</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">July 29</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">September 23</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">November 25</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will introduce the new meeting schedule to board members who have been unable to attend to determine if this schedule will enable them to attend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>If the new schedule isn’t amenable, she will ask them if they would like to resign.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Abi will recruit new board members, making them aware of the board meeting requirements.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>May 21.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Website and Maintenance</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Ben Nyquist developed a very nice website for our NWERA for 1/10 the customary cost.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In order to ensure that the website is maintained and refreshed, we would like to enter into a maintenance contract with Ben.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We discussed the possibility of posting education news on the website and the ramifications of offering access to non-members for a fee.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"> The board charged Karen with discussing the maintenance contract with Ben and reporting back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We decided to continue to post educational articles of interest on the website.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>To determine if this information is something members will use, Karen is going to ask Ben to place a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items: </span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Karen will discuss the contract with Ben and report back to the board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen will ask Ben if he can put a counter on the news articles.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Deadline:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">June 15 (Unless you want to wait until July 23.)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Financial Report</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Bruce reported that we have over </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\'; mso-fareast-language: JA;\">$8,872.15 </span><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">in the bank.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We have enough money in the budget to cover the lunch at the annual meeting and sign a maintenance contract with Ben.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Membership</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that we have four new members.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We observed that there are fewer people joining the publishing business.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusions:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Ben fixed the website so it was easier to join if you membership had expired.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>None</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Announcement from Jody</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Discussion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody announced that she is submitting her resignation as of June 30 in order to pursue her coaching business.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We thanked her for her service and asked her to compile a job description so we would post the job.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Conclusion:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>We will post the position on the NWERA website.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\">Action Items:</span></strong><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Jody will submit a job description to Karen by May 15.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Karen and Jody will collaborate to post the job announcement on the NWERA website and anyplace else they deem appropriate by May 25.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Respectfully submitted,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: \'Arial\', \'sans-serif\';\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Barbara Jo Blair, Secretary</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,15,'2012-05-03 15:29:46',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-03 15:29:46','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,5,'','',2,15,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(130,188,'Boosting Reading skills:  Will Common Core Experiment Pay Off','pbs-newshour-report','','<p>John Merrow of PBS Newshour reports on the changes ahead in teaching reading as Common Core Standards are implemented in schools.</p>\r\n<p> <a href=\"http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/education/jan-june12/commoncore_05-14.html\">Boosting Reading Skills:  Will Common core Experiment Pay Off? </a></p>','',1,0,0,16,'2012-05-16 15:22:18',125,'','2012-05-16 15:37:11',125,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-16 15:22:18','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',6,0,10,'','',1,2063,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(131,189,'Microsoft IT Academy and OSPI Partner','career-and-technical-education','','<p> </p>\r\n<p>Microsoft IT Academy provides training and certification in a number of Microsoft products, including Word, Excel, Access, Project, as well as advanced topics, including programming, Web development, and database development. OSPI has also partnered with CCI Learning Solutions to provide free certification testing for students, teachers and staff at each high school. You can find much more information at http://www.k12.wa.us/CareerTechEd/IT-Academy.aspx</p>\r\n<p>While there are online training resources, it is not an online school, nor is it connected in any way to OER\'s...</p>\r\n<p> </p>','',0,0,0,19,'2012-05-16 16:04:56',125,'','2013-01-28 16:21:57',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-16 16:04:56','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',4,0,7,'','',1,342,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(132,190,'Next Generation Science Standards First Public Review Available','next-generation-science-standards-first-public-review-available','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">We are very excited to announce the release of the first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) today through Achieve.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">You are cordially invited to review the standards and provide feedback to the writers. Reviewers will be able to select the standards they would like to review.  Feedback will be given to the writers using an online survey via the Achieve website </span><a href=\"http://www.nextgenscience.org/\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">http://www.nextgenscience.org/</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> . When you get to the website, click in the section next to the blue arrow #3 in the middle of the screen. This will take you to a page with access to documents and the survey.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"color: red;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Some helpful hints include: </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">(1) read the documents titled “How to Read the Standards” and “NGSS May Front Matter” before anything else,</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">(2) click on the “Go to the NGSS Survey” link to register and begin your review,</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">(3) read all directions thoroughly, </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">(4) provide meaningful feedback that addresses ways in which to improve the standard, </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">(5) write in complete sentences and avoid acronyms.  </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">You are welcome to sit with colleagues and submit your comments together. We also encourage you to direct some attention to the engineering standards which are completely new.  The <strong>deadline</strong> for providing feedback is <strong><span style=\"color: red;\">June 1, 2012</span></strong>.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Thank you so much for your help and your professionalism. Your feedback is vital to strengthening science education in Washington and in the United States.  More information will be available through the OSPI Teaching and Learning Science website: </span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/Standards.aspx\">http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/Standards.aspx</a></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> . </span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-05-16 16:11:19',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-16 16:11:19','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,5,'','',2,5,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(133,191,'Next Generation Science Standards Available for First Public Review','next-generation-science-standards-available-for-first-public-review','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">We are very excited to announce the release of the first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) today through Achieve.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">You are cordially invited to review the standards and provide feedback to the writers. Reviewers will be able to select the standards they would like to review.  Feedback will be given to the writers using an online survey via the Achieve website </span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.nextgenscience.org/\">http://www.nextgenscience.org/</a></span></span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.nextgenscience.org/\"> </a>. When you get to the website, click in the section next to the blue arrow #3 in the middle of the screen. This will take you to a page with access to documents and the survey.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"color: red;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Some helpful hints include: </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(1) read the documents titled “How to Read the Standards” and “NGSS May Front Matter” before anything else,</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(2) click on the “Go to the NGSS Survey” link to register and begin your review,</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(3) read all directions thoroughly, </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(4) provide meaningful feedback that addresses ways in which to improve the standard, </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">(5) write in complete sentences and avoid acronyms.  </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">You are welcome to sit with colleagues and submit your comments together. We also encourage you to direct some attention to the engineering standards which are completely new.  The <strong>deadline</strong> for providing feedback is <strong><span style=\"color: red;\">June 1, 2012</span></strong>.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>','',1,0,0,11,'2012-05-16 16:14:51',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-16 16:14:51','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,5,'','',2,2,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(134,192,'Next Generation Science Standards First Public Review','science-standards-review','','<p>See the first draft of the <a href=\"http://www.nextgenscience.org/\">Next Generation Science Standards </a></p>','',1,0,0,19,'2012-05-16 17:29:36',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-16 17:29:36','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,6,'','',1,3338,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(135,193,'Job Posting for NWERA Executive Director','job-posting-for-nwera-executive-director','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 4.5pt 0in 9pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 14pt;\">Summary:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 4.5pt 0in 9pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The Executive Director is a part-time contract position to insure external NWERA operations are organized and smoothly implemented according to the guidance and direction of the NEWRA board, annual performance plan and the NWERA Bylaws. </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 4.5pt 0in 9pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"color: #606a74; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 14pt;\">Duties and Responsibilities:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Foster and maintain an open neutral non-partisan communications conduit to the educational establishment in all member states.. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Attend appropriate meetings of the educational establishment to collect information and advocate for positions beneficial to the membership. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Disseminate the information to the membership fairly and equitably in a timely manner via email and website postings to facilitate the mutually beneficial transactions of members and educators. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Attend regular NWERA board meetings. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Plan, coordinate and implement meetings, trainings and appropriate business for the benefit of NWERA members and educators.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Recruit new members to join and benefit from NWERA services. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Recruit new educator clients to use NWERA services. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Build the perceived value of NWERA as a professional association with mutual benefits to members and educators. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Encourage educators to post conference exhibit opportunities on the NWERA website.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Advocate for favorable exhibit conditions for dates, locations, exhibit space proximity to meeting space, and time for viewing exhibits. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Manage non-profit status of NWERA</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Work with NWERA board to insure functional backup and seamless continuity of responsibility for Executive Director Roles.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Administer NWERA website and work with webmaster to increase SEO and functionality of site.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt -3pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt -3pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 14pt;\">Qualifications</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt -3pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">5+ years experience as working with a company specializing in Educational Resources—publishing, equipment, technology, etc.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">1 year membership in NWERA or WOATRA</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">No affiliation with any Educational Resource Company</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Knowledgeable of pertinent educational trends and developments as they relate to educational resources</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Organized, self-directed and self-motivate</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Excellent verbal and written communication skills</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 15pt; background: #f7f7f9; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; color: #606a74; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">·<span style=\"font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">         </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Technology skills sufficient for administration of NWERA website</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">Application Process:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\">If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a letter of application and resume’ to Shari Martin—incoming President of NWERA at <a href=\"mailto:members@nwedresources.org\">members@nwedresources.org</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; background: #f7f7f9;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #606a74; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>','',0,0,0,15,'2012-05-25 23:36:53',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-05-25 23:36:53','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,4,'','',2,7,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(136,194,'open position with OSPI','open-position-with-ospi','','<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">OLAC members and guests,</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">I thought I’d let you know that OSPI is hiring an Open Educational Resources program manager. This position will be housed in the DLD. If you know of anybody who might be a good candidate for this very exciting job, please pass along the link.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a href=\"http://k12.wa.us/employment/OpenEducationalResourcesProgramManager2012.doc\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">http://k12.wa.us/employment/OpenEducationalResourcesProgramManager2012.doc</span></span></a></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Brief description:</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">This is a new position created to support implementation of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 2337 passed and funded by the state Legislature during the 2012 Legislative session. E2SHB 2337 provides resources to OSPI related to developing a library of high-quality, openly licensed K-12 educational courseware that is aligned with the newly adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts and mathematics. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The position will provide leadership and vision for OSPI’s OER project, communicate to school districts and other stakeholders, and lead in developing a library of openly licensed courseware aligned with the CCSS. The position is funded initially from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Continuation beyond June 30, 2013 will be based on continued legislative and/or private funding for the work.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">The position reports to me, and I\'m happy to answer any questions about it.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Thanks,</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Karl Nelson</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Director, Digital Learning Department</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\">Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction </span><a href=\"http://digitallearning.k12.wa.us/\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">http://digitallearning.k12.wa.us/</span></span></a></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-06-11 22:02:40',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-06-11 22:02:40','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,4,'','',2,18,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(137,195,'ACTS Conference Sponsorship Form 2012','acts-conference-sponsorship-form-2012','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 16pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">2012 ACTS CONFERENCE</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 16pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">SPONSORSHIP FORM<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">                        </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">The Radisson Hotel at Opryland</span></h1>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 6;\">                                                                                          </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span>Nashville, TN</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>July 22-25, 2012</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">We thank you for your continued support. Please complete this form and return it, together with your <strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">check payable to ACTS</span></strong> to the address listed below or <strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">complete the credit card information section.</span></strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">NAME ____________________________________ TELEPHONE _____________________________</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">COMPANY ________________________________ STREET _________________________________</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">CITY _____________________________________<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>STATE _________ ZIP _____________________</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">EMAIL __________________________________________</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 6pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\">SPONSORSHIP FEE </span></span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>$500.00<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">CHECK ONE:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span>Check Enclosed ______<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Credit Card _______</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                    </span>Name <em>(as it appears on credit card)</em>_____________________________<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">               </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">            </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                 </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 1in; mso-pagination: none; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">Card #:_______________________________­­­­­­­­____ Exp. Date: ___/___<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">     </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.4in 0pt 1in; mso-pagination: none; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">Credit Card Billing Address: _________________________________</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -1.1in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                    </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -1.1in 0pt 1in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">___________________________________________ZIP________</span></strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">____</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>(Please make check payable to \"ACTS\")</span></strong><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\">SEND TO:</span></span><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"></span></span></p>\r\n<h1 style=\"margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;\">Advisory Commission on Textbook Specifications</span></h1>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">Two Armand Beach Drive, Suite 1B</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">Palm Coast, FL<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>32137</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">(386) 986-4552</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in -0.5in 0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none;\"><span style=\"layout-grid-mode: line; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman;\">(386) 986-4553 fax</span></span></p>','',1,0,0,11,'2012-06-12 04:15:36',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-06-12 04:15:36','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,4,'','',2,3,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*','');
INSERT INTO `joomla_content` VALUES (138,196,'ACTS Conference Schedule 2012','acts-conference-schedule-2012','','<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"background-color: transparent; border: #ece9d8;\">\r\n<div>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 9pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"position: relative; text-transform: uppercase; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; top: 3pt; mso-text-raise: -3.0pt;\"></span></em></p>\r\n</div>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 1.0in;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial Black&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p><br style=\"mso-ignore: vglayout;\" /></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 1.0in;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial Black&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;\">The Radisson Hotel at Opryland ● Nashville, TN</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;\">Vetting Instructional Materials</span></span></em></strong><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;\"></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 220.5pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Monday, July 23</span></span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">5:00 PM – 7:00 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Pre Function Area<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">        </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Registration opens</span></strong></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Tuesday, July 24</span></span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">7:30 AM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                 </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">            </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Pre Function Area<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Registration and Continental Breakfast</span></strong></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">8:00 AM – 10:00 AM</span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock C<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Advisory Commission for Textbook Specifications (ACTS) <br /></span></strong><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 5;\">                                                                           </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">        </span></em><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Executive Committee Meeting (Only Executive Committee)</span></strong></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">10:00 AM – 12:00 PM</span></em><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"> <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span></span></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Bellevue<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">        </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Association of American Publishers (AAP) Committee Meeting </span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                             </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock D<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Book Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (BMI) Committee Meeting</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                             </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock C<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State Instructional Materials Review Association <span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.6pt;\">(SIMRA)</span> Committee Meeting</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">12:00 PM – 12:15 PM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span></span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Atrium<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Welcome by the Advisory Commission on Textbook Specifications, Inc. (ACTS) </span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 5;\">                                                                           </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Master of Ceremonies:</em></span></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dan Bach, Executive Vice President, BMI</span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">12:15 PM – 1:45 PM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">            </span></span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Atrium<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                   </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span></span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Luncheon and Keynote: </span></span></strong><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Building Smart Demand in a Time of Digital Textbooks</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; letter-spacing: -0.6pt; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"> </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">The US Department of Education has developed the National Educational Technology Plan and the Learning Registry that seek to provide a pathway toward learning powered by technology and better information about quality digital materials. This lunchtime keynote seeks to open a rich dialog that recognizes the state review and selection of quality materials and blend that process with opportunities to gather information about the materials effectiveness from teachers and students using them.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span></span></em></strong><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                              </span>Session Facilitator:</span></em></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Drew Hinds, SIMRA</span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Participants:</em></strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SIMRA/Publishers and Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">         </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">      </span>Keynote Speaker: </span></em></strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Karen Cator<strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">, </em></strong>US Department of Education, Director of the Office of Technology</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">2:15 PM – 3:15 PM <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">             </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">McGavock CD<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span></span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Vetting Digital Textbooks</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Reviewing electronic submissions represent significant challenges to the reviewer as well as the publisher\'s expectation during the review. This session will provide an opportunity to identify these challenges and discuss possible solutions to promote a successful review of electronic submissions.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>Session Facilitator:</span></em></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Mark Schneiderman, SIIA</span> <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Participants:</em></strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>Other Possible Contributors</span></em></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Vicky Hurwitz (Pearson Education), HMH, EG, Cengage, Discovery, Apple, Dell</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>State Contributors:</span></em></strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">David Sikes (FL), Alan Griffin (UT), David Almquist (CA), Drew Hinds (OR), Marcie Buckle (LA)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">3:15 PM – 3:30 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">             </span>Lobby<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                  </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Break</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: -1.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">3:30 PM – 4:45 PM</span></em><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">             </span></span></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock C/D<strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\">Publisher Criteria for Quality Instructional Materials</span></span></strong></span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">This session seeks to build on the work from previous ACTS conferences in the development of Common Criteria for the vetting of instructional materials. Achieve hosted the Quality Instructional Materials Collaborative (QIMC), convening more than fifteen states in support of developing a common definition of “quality” instructional materials, support the review of model instructional modules, units, lessons, pilot cross-state collaborative review panels, develop rubrics based on the Publishers’ Criteria (developed by the CCSS authors for publishers and curriculum developers who are working to ensure alignment of their materials to the CCSS) David Coleman is a co-author of both the Common Core Standards and the Publishers’ Criteria.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>Session Facilitator:</span></em></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dr. Christine Tell, Achieve</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Participants:</em></strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.3in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.2in;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>Speaker: </span></em></strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">David Coleman, Student Achievement Partners</span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"></em></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: -1.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; tab-stops: 1.0in;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">6:00 PM – 7:00 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Atrium<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Reception</span></strong></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Wednesday, July 25</span></span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">9:00 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\"> </span>- </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">10:30 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock C/D </span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">   </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">    </span></span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Interactive Presentation and Discussion on State Reports</span></span></strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Where are States going with the adoption of instructional materials? Hear from the State Instructional Materials Review Associaton (SIMRA, formerly NASTA) as they speak about their adoption cycles, funding and policy changes, initiatives, pilot studies and challenges relating to the evaluation, review, vetting, and adoption of instructional materials.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span></span></em></strong><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>Session Facilitator:</span></em></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Alan Griffin (UT) &amp; Jackie Bobbett (LA)</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Participants:</em></strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                              </span>Panel Members:</span></em></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SIMRA Member States &amp; Non-Member States</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">10:30 AM – 10:45 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span>Lobby<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                  </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Break</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">10:45 AM – 11:45 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span>McGavok C/D<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">      </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Market Size and Growth Trends in the K-12 <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"></em></span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Bob Resnick has specialized in K-12 school market research for most of his career. His descriptions of market size and growth trends in K-12 are based on original surveys conducted by his company, Education Market Research, using a school market information gathering network comprised of tens of thousands of educators at all grade levels.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Forecasts of future growth come from analysis of historical patterns and projections of student enrollments and per pupil expenditures.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span>Presenter:</span></em></strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dr. Robert Resnick, Education Market Research</span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"> Participants:</em></strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees<strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"></em></strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">12:00 PM – 1:00 PM </span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span>On Your Own<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lunch</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">1:00 PM – 3:30 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">              </span>McGavock C/D<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ACTS Commission Meeting</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">3:30 PM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                 </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                              </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span></span></em><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Adjournment</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"> </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"> </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"> </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">SPEAKER BIOS:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"> </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Karen Cator is the Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. She has devoted her career to creating the best possible learning environments for this generation of students. Prior to joining the department, Cator directed Apple\'s leadership and advocacy efforts in education. In this role, she focused on the intersection of education policy and research, emerging technologies, and the reality faced by teachers, students and administrators.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"http://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/cator.html\">http://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/cator.html</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 76.3pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"></span></span><a name=\"OLE_LINK2\"></a><a name=\"OLE_LINK1\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"> </span></a><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; letter-spacing: -0.2pt; font-size: 10pt;\">Mark Schneiderman is the Senior Director of Education Policy at the Software Information Industry Association (SIIA) and represents SIIA’s member software and digital content developers before Congress and national stakeholders on education policies, programs, and regulations that impact technology at all levels of education. Prior to joining SIIA, Schneiderman was Legislative Associate for the Council of Chief State School Officers.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>He serves on the executive board of the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET), and he previously served on boards of the KIPP DC/Key Academy charter school and the Committee for Education Funding (CEF). </span></span></span><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"> </span></span><a href=\"http://www.siia.net/etbf/2011/speakers.asp\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">http://www.siia.net/etbf/2011/speakers.asp</span></span></span><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"> </span></span><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;\"><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; letter-spacing: -0.2pt; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></span></span></a></p>\r\n<p><a><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;\"> </span></a></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"><a> </a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">David Coleman is founder and CEO of Student Achievement Partners, LLC, an organization that assembles leading thinkers and researchers to design actions to substantially improve student achievement. Most recently, he and Jason Zimba of Student Achievement Partners played a lead role in developing the Common Core State Standards in math and literacy. The two also founded the Grow Network – acquired by McGraw-Hill in 2005 – which has become the nation’s leader in assessment reporting and customized instructional materials.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><a href=\"http://commoncorestandards.com/faq/authors-of-the-common-core-state-standards\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">http://commoncorestandards.com/faq/authors-of-the-common-core-state-standards</span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;\"></span></a></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 76.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\">Dr. Robert M. Resnick has been associated with K-12 education for over 30 years.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>He started out teaching Science and Mathematics at the middle and high school levels in the New York City public schools, and then moved up to teaching Psychology at the college level while finishing his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology. He then worked for 14 years at McGraw-Hill, first in market research, then in sales, product development, general management, and planning and acquisitions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Bob was then VP of sales and marketing at Market Data Retrieval.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>He founded his own company, Education Market Research, dedicated to K-12 market research publishing and consulting, in 1995. <a href=\"http://www.educationmarketresearch.com/index.php?p=501\">http://www.educationmarketresearch.com/index.php?p=501</a></span></p>\r\n<div style=\"border-bottom: windowtext 1.5pt solid; border-left: medium none; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; padding-top: 0in; mso-element: para-border-div;\">\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><a href=\"http://www.educationmarketresearch.com/index.php?p=501\"> </a></span></span></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">Participants, Partners and Sponsors</span></span></em></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">               </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">            </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span> </span></span></strong><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p> </p>','',1,0,0,11,'2012-06-12 04:22:45',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-06-12 04:22:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,3,'','',2,6,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(139,197,'ACT Schedule for 2012 conference','act-schedule-for-2012-conference','','<p><span style=\"font-size: small;\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Calibri;\">\r\n<p><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;\"><strong>The Radisson Hotel at Opryland ● Nashville, TN</strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt;\"><strong> </strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;\">Vetting Instructional Materials</span></span></em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;\"></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 220.5pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Monday, July 23</strong></span></span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">5:00 PM – 7:00 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Pre Function Area<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">        </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Registration opens</strong></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Tuesday, July 24</strong></span></span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">7:30 AM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                 </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">            </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Pre Function Area<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Registration and Continental Breakfast</strong></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">8:00 AM – 10:00 AM</span></em><span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span>McGavock C<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Advisory Commission for Textbook Specifications (ACTS) <br /></strong></span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 5;\">                                                                                </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">        </span></em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Executive Committee Meeting (Only Executive Committee)</strong></span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">10:00 AM – 12:00 PM</span></em><span><strong> <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">   </span></strong>Bellevue<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">        </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Association of American Publishers (AAP) Committee Meeting </strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                                </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock D<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Book Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (BMI) Committee Meeting</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 3;\">                                                </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock C<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>State Instructional Materials Review Association <span style=\"letter-spacing: -0.6pt;\">(SIMRA)</span> Committee Meeting</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">12:00 PM – 12:15 PM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span></span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Atrium<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Welcome by the Advisory Commission on Textbook Specifications, Inc. (ACTS) </strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 5;\">                                                                                </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">Master of Ceremonies:</em></strong> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dan Bach, Executive Vice President, BMI</span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">12:15 PM – 1:45 PM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span></span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Atrium<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                    </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span></span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Luncheon and Keynote: </span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Building Smart Demand in a Time of Digital Textbooks</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; letter-spacing: -0.6pt; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">The US Department of Education has developed the National Educational Technology Plan and the Learning Registry that seek to provide a pathway toward learning powered by technology and better information about quality digital materials. This lunchtime keynote seeks to open a rich dialog that recognizes the state review and selection of quality materials and blend that process with opportunities to gather information about the materials effectiveness from teachers and students using them.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></strong></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                                </span>Session Facilitator:</strong></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Drew Hinds, SIMRA</span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><strong>Participants:</strong></em><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SIMRA/Publishers and Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">         </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span>Keynote Speaker: </strong></span></em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Karen Cator<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><strong>, </strong></em>US Department of Education, Director of the Office of Technology</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">2:15 PM – 3:15 PM <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">             </span></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">McGavock CD<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">      </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">       </span></span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><strong>Vetting Digital Textbooks</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Reviewing electronic submissions represent significant challenges to the reviewer as well as the publisher\'s expectation during the review. This session will provide an opportunity to identify these challenges and discuss possible solutions to promote a successful review of electronic submissions.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>Session Facilitator:</strong></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Mark Schneiderman, SIIA</span> <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><strong>Participants:</strong></em><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>Other Possible Contributors</strong></span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">: <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Vicky Hurwitz (Pearson Education), HMH, EG, Cengage, Discovery, Apple, Dell</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>State Contributors:</strong></span></em><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">David Sikes (FL), Alan Griffin (UT), David Almquist (CA), Drew Hinds (OR), Marcie Buckle (LA)</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">3:15 PM – 3:30 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">             </span>Lobby<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                   </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Break</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: -1.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">3:30 PM – 4:45 PM</span></em><span><strong> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">             </span></strong>McGavock C/D<strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\">Publisher Criteria for Quality Instructional Materials</span></span></strong></span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong> </strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">This session seeks to build on the work from previous ACTS conferences in the development of Common Criteria for the vetting of instructional materials. Achieve hosted the Quality Instructional Materials Collaborative (QIMC), convening more than fifteen states in support of developing a common definition of “quality” instructional materials, support the review of model instructional modules, units, lessons, pilot cross-state collaborative review panels, develop rubrics based on the Publishers’ Criteria (developed by the CCSS authors for publishers and curriculum developers who are working to ensure alignment of their materials to the CCSS) David Coleman is a co-author of both the Common Core Standards and the Publishers’ Criteria.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong> </strong></span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>Session Facilitator:</strong></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dr. Christine Tell, Achieve</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><strong>Participants:</strong></em><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.3in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.2in;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>Speaker: </strong></span></em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">David Coleman, Student Achievement Partners</span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"></em></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: -1.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; tab-stops: 1.0in;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">6:00 PM – 7:00 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">Atrium<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">    </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Reception</strong></span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Wednesday, July 25</strong></span></span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">9:00 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\"> </span>- </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">10:30 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span></span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt;\">McGavock C/D </span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">   </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">    </span></span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Interactive Presentation and Discussion on State Reports</span><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"></span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Where are States going with the adoption of instructional materials? Hear from the State Instructional Materials Review Associaton (SIMRA, formerly NASTA) as they speak about their adoption cycles, funding and policy changes, initiatives, pilot studies and challenges relating to the evaluation, review, vetting, and adoption of instructional materials.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">           </span></span><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></strong></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>Session Facilitator:</strong></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Alan Griffin (UT) &amp; Jackie Bobbett (LA)</span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">  </span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><strong>Participants:</strong></em><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                                </span>Panel Members:</strong></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SIMRA Member States &amp; Non-Member States</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">10:30 AM – 10:45 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span>Lobby<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                   </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Break</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">10:45 AM – 11:45 AM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">         </span>McGavok C/D<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">       </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Market Size and Growth Trends in the K-12 <em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"></em></strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">Bob Resnick has specialized in K-12 school market research for most of his career. His descriptions of market size and growth trends in K-12 are based on original surveys conducted by his company, Education Market Research, using a school market information gathering network comprised of tens of thousands of educators at all grade levels.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Forecasts of future growth come from analysis of historical patterns and projections of student enrollments and per pupil expenditures.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong> </strong></span></em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span>Presenter:</strong></span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dr. Robert Resnick, Education Market Research</span><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><strong> Participants:</strong></em><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">All Conference Attendees<em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"></em></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">12:00 PM – 1:00 PM </span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span>On Your Own<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">        </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Lunch</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">1:00 PM – 3:30 PM</span></em><span style=\"line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">              </span>McGavock C/D<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">     </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ACTS Commission Meeting</span></strong></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><em style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\">3:30 PM<span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                 </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">                </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\">                                </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">      </span></span></em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><strong>Adjournment</strong></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></span></p>\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNoSpacing\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong> </strong></span></span></span></p>\r\n</span></p>\r\n</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: \'Times New Roman\';\"></span></span></p>','',1,0,0,11,'2012-06-12 15:51:47',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-06-12 15:51:47','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,2,'','',2,5,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(140,198,'Loss of a friend and Colleague','loss-of-a-friend-and-colleague','','<p>Larry Hatch passed away on June 5th 2012.  During his career as a bookman, he carried many lines of books, and he touched many lives. </p>\r\n<p>Services will be held on Wednesday June 20, 2012 at 4 pm at the Edmonds Church of God.</p>','',0,0,0,16,'2012-06-19 16:34:52',125,'','2012-06-19 16:36:01',125,196,'2015-02-19 07:14:48','2012-06-19 16:34:52','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,9,'','',1,217,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(141,199,'OSPI presentations from 2012 Annual Meeting','nwera-presentation','','<p><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;\"><a href=\"http://nwedresources.org/images/documents/nwerapresentation.pptx\">Click here for the  OSPI presentations from 2012 Annual Meeting.</a></span></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-06-21 23:03:42',45,'','2012-06-28 16:51:41',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-06-21 23:03:42','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',5,0,3,'','',2,59,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(142,200,'We are now linked to  ODE','we-are-now-linked-to-ode','','<p>To help your Oregon customers find us easier, NWERA website is now listed on the Oregon Department of Education website.  We can be found on the Instructional Materials  External Links and Resources Page.  Check it out. <span style=\"font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: \'Times New Roman\'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"><a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1858\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\">http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1858</span></a></span></p>','',1,0,0,19,'2012-06-21 23:19:00',125,'','2012-08-23 17:29:25',159,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-06-21 23:19:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,5,'','',1,2127,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(143,201,'Repoort from Teaching and Learning in Oregon','repoort-from-teaching-and-learning-in-oregon','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">Report from Oregon Department of Education<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>June 30, 2012</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">Materials Review Update:</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\">          </span>This year is as you know is the bridge year.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>It is filling in the gaps of existing materials created in math and English Language Arts by the adoption of the Common Core Standards. Only those companies who are already adopted for math and Language Arts have submitted for this review process.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">2013-2014 adoption both English Language Arts and English Language Development or ELL materials will be up for adoption.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">2014-2015 adoption math materials</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">2015-2016 adoption of science materials (although Oregon is a lead state in the development of the NGSS, they are not developed enough for a determination by State Board of Education regarding their adoption.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>More information will follow.)</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">The state intends to continue the video caravan that was started last year. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>It has proven successful for districts around the state.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">One change for districts adopting materials that are not on the state list of recommended materials is they will no longer be required to notify the state.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>They will still be required to assess materials for alignment to CCS and file that information in the district office, but they will not be sending the findings to the state.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">Timelines for submission are listed on the Oregon Department of Education Website. </span></strong><a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; color: #800080; font-size: small;\">http://www.ode.state.or.us</span></strong><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"></strong></a></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">Much of what districts and schools are going to be looking for in the next year are materials to fill the gaps of existing materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Districts and schools are looking at every option to fill the gaps with little or no budget to purchase instructional materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Supplemental materials will be important and OERs (open source educational materials) are being considered as districts explore all options available to meet the needs of their students.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">About OERs</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">Although some districts are looking at various options to fill gaps without costing them money, and open source materials are part of their consideration.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Drew Hinds is not an advocate for OERs.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>His philosophy is, “you get what you pay for”.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>He is not advising or suggesting to districts that OER’s are a way to fill gaps. He recommends districts purchase quality supplemental teaching materials to fill the gaps. However, he knows some are looking for whatever they can find to use with no budget. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">He differentiates between teaching materials and learning materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>OERs fall into the category of learning materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>They are content driven with a particular viewpoint and often an agenda.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>They are designed and meant for someone to learn about an isolated subject. </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">Teaching materials support the entire teaching process. These are the materials that you have in your bag.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>This is a concise and easy way to explain the difference when talking with curriculum directors, principals and teachers.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">Changes are happening in the governance structure and the adoption rules in Oregon.</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">As of July 1, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction resigned her position.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The Education Investment Board will take charge of the department of Education in Oregon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Rudy Cruz will be the chairman of the Education Investment Board (OEIB)</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; color: #800080; font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3598\">http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3598</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">No one knows what this means so far, so stay tuned to see what unfolds in the months ahead.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">Common Core Standards</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">Implementation of the Common Core Standards (CCS) is well underway.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>This year is the bridge year for materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>In looking ahead Drew worked backwards to fill in the gaps.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">2014/15 Smarter Balance Assessments come on line as the way to assess progress with CCS.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>There will be a pilot in 2013/14 with all districts and schools coming on line the next year.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Since Oregon has been heavily involved in the creation of these assessments, it is pretty sure they will be the ones chosen.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">2012 is an awareness year.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>The big change Drew talks about is the shift from developmentally appropriate curriculum (materials) to career and college ready.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>That means college entrance standards are the driving force for curriculum and scope and sequence rather than student development.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>He also sees the alignment of materials to CCS will be much tighter that previously to state standards.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>It will be a more rigorous process than current correlations have been.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Currently, the belief is that very few published materials are actually aligned to CSS at the level at which Oregon will be looking in future adoptions. Oregon is another state working with Achieve and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in the development of a rubric for a state, district, or school to use when choosing materials.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>This tool will help to evaluate the alignment of materials to CCS. The idea is to build a tool that can help to evaluated materials that are printed, on line, open source educational materials or digital.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>You can find information regarding them at the Achieve website—</span><a href=\"https://www.nwedresources.org/www.achieve.org%20%20%20\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style;\">www.achieve.org<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span></span></span></a></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">Oregon is a lead state in the creation of Next Generation Science Standards.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>However, Drew said nothing will be determined until they are adopted by the State Board.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Stay tuned for more about NGSS.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">To get more information, about CCS, there is a tool kit for CCS implementation on the ODE website </span><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\"><a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3590\">http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3590</a></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\">Here you will find information about how to check alignment of materials to CCS as well as the information being delivered to districts and schools regarding the implementation of CCS in Oregon.</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 10pt;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"><span style=\"font-family: Bookman Old Style; font-size: small;\"> </span></span></p>','',1,0,0,11,'2012-07-11 21:40:07',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-07-11 21:40:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,1,'','',2,43,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(144,202,'OSPI and NWERA members meet regarding Common Core Standards','ospi-and-nwera-members-meet-regarding-common-core-standards','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">Jessica Vavrus, Teaching and Learning, OSPI will work with publisher representatives on creating common messages regarding Common Core State Standards for school district personnel.  Come learn what OSPI is doing to assist school districts with understanding and implementing CCSS and how publishers’ materials meet the standards.  Receive power point slides from OSPI to imbed into your own curriculum presentations relating to CCSS.  This meeting is August 2, 2012.  If you are a Northwest Educational Representative member, be sure to RSVP.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\">See newsletter for more information.</p>\r\n</p>','',0,0,0,19,'2012-07-16 19:49:13',125,'','2013-01-28 16:19:39',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-07-16 19:49:13','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,4,'','',1,262,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(145,203,'NWERA and OSPI meet August 2, 2012','nwera-and-ospi-meet-august-2-2012','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">What:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>NWERA Members/OSPI Common Core State Standards <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">              </span>Meeting</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;\"> </span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">Who:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Educational Publishing Representatives and Consultants</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">             </span>working<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>in/with Washington Educators</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">When:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>August 2, 2012 - 9:00a to 12:00p</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">Where:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>WIIN Center</span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">   </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">             </span>6501 N. 23<sup>rd</sup> Street</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">                </span>Tacoma, WA 98406</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">          </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">     </span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"><strong style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\">Jessica Vavrus, Teaching and Learning, OSPI</span></strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"> will work with publisher representatives on creating common messages regarding Common Core State Standards for school district personnel.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Come learn what OSPI is doing to assist school districts with understanding and implementing CCSS and how publishers’ materials meet the standards.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">  </span>Receive power point slides from OSPI to imbed into your own curriculum presentations relating to CCSS.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">Please RSVP to Karen Tennyson, our new Executive Director, </span><a href=\"mailto:Karen.tennyson@gmai.com\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">Karen.tennyson@gmai.com</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> or 425-985-5017 (cell) by July 25 with your name, company name(s) and names number of people attending.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">A continental breakfast will be served.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">NWERA membership required.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\">WIIN Reception Desk- 2530571-3500 if you need directions.</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Cambria;\"> </span></span></p>','',1,0,0,10,'2012-07-16 19:50:51',125,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-07-16 19:50:51','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,2,'','',2,27,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(146,204,'The Future of Education:Tablets vs Textbooks','tablets-vs-textbooks','','<p> </p>\r\n<div class=\"section\">\r\n<div class=\"section\">\r\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\r\n<div class=\"column\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: \'Georgia\'; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(14.900000%, 47.840000%, 77.650000%);\">The  Future  of  Education:  Tablets  vs.  Textbooks </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(33.720000%, 33.720000%, 33.720000%);\">October 5, 2012 by </span><span style=\"font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(33.720000%, 33.720000%, 33.720000%);\">Margaret  Rock </span><span style=\"font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(33.720000%, 33.720000%, 33.720000%);\">for </span><span style=\"font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(14.900000%, 47.840000%, 77.650000%);\">Mobiledia </span><span style=\"font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(14.900000%, 47.840000%, 77.650000%);\">3 </span></p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page1image2072\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page1image2072\" width=\"386.496600\" height=\"0.800200\" /></div>\r\n<div class=\"section\">\r\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\r\n<div class=\"column\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">The federal government, book publishers and the technology industry are considering a large-scale effort to push tablets into public schools, raising questions about hidden costs to implement such a program. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Apple, Intel and McGraw Hill representatives and other technology and publishing heavy hitters are working with Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski and Education Secretary Arne Duncan discussion to figure out effective ways to introduce digital technology into the emerging classroom. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: \'Georgia\'; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Tablets  Offer  Savings  for  Schools </span></p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"section\">\r\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\r\n<div class=\"column\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">According to the FCC, the U.S. spends about $7 billion per year on textbooks, but many of them are seven to ten years out of date. Advocates believe using tablets instead will save money and improve learning. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">The FCC based its $3 billion cost savings estimate on the assumption that today’s tablet cost of $250 each will drop to $150 as schools buy tablets in bulk, hardware gets cheaper and technology advances. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Based on these parameters, the future savings would result in saving $60 per student, which considering there are more than 49 million students in public schools equates to nearly $3 billion in savings — nearly half the price of traditional textbooks today. Still, how can a price reduction of $100 in tablets only result in a $60 savings? Other factors besides the fixed price of the tablets account for the difference. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: \'Georgia\'; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Hidden  Costs  of  Tablets:  Can  Schools’  Tech  Infrastructure  Handle  It? </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Late last year, the New York City public schools banned new iPads and other mobile devices from using schools’ Wi-Fi. Widespread iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and Android phone use </span><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(14.900000%, 47.840000%, 77.650000%);\">maxed out IT departments’ Exchange servers, </span><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">said Tom Kambouras, deputy CTO of the New York City school system. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">New York City spent more than $1 million on iPads for teachers earlier this year, possibly taking on more technology than its infrastructure was ready to handle. Even if public school systems can offset the cost of mobile devices with federal grants and other programs, they will still need dollars for network improvements to accommodate them. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Still, educators are betting big that the transition is worth it. Tablets are especially suited for today’s fast-paced, modern learning environments and tablet versions of textbooks, with interactive and visual tools for teachers, appeal to the changing preferences of increasingly plugged-in young students. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">The picture is rosy, but is there scientific evidence to back up the benefits of learning on tablets? Some early studies reveal mixed and interesting results. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: \'Georgia\'; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Do  Tablets  Really  Improve  Learning? </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tested an interactive, digital version of an </span><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(14.900000%, 47.840000%, 77.650000%);\">Algebra 1 textbook </span><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">for Apple’s iPad in California’s Riverside Unified School District. Students who used the iPad version scored 20 percent higher on standardized tests versus students who learned with traditional textbooks. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">The program, which replaced worn textbooks with interactive, digital versions with video, graphics and built-in quizzes that invited students to participate and give instant feedback, spurred positive comments that students using the iPad version were “more motivated, attentive, and engaged” than those with the paper algebra books. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">This pilot program reveals when it comes to engaging today’s students, it’s not the content that matters, but the format. Students in the California experiment accessed the same content on the iPad as in a traditional book, but those who used the digital version tested higher. That may not be true for all subjects and over time. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">A small but growing number of researchers are uncovering evidence that readers are better able to remember what they </span><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(14.900000%, 47.840000%, 77.650000%);\">read in printed books </span><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">long-term when compared to materials read via an electronic screen, raising questions about tablets in the classroom. </span></p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page2image25512\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page2image25512\" width=\"212.853200\" height=\"0.800200\" /></div>\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page2image25784\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page2image25784\" width=\"88.022000\" height=\"0.800200\" /></div>\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page2image26056\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page2image26056\" width=\"100.025000\" height=\"0.800200\" /></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"section\">\r\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\r\n<div class=\"column\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">For example, Kate Garland, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Leicester in England, conducted a study on the effects of e-books on memory, “bombarding” psychology students with questions on economics on digital and printed versions of texts, and found learning differences. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Students using digital versions of the unfamiliar material had to read the same information several times to gain the same level of knowledge as print readers. Students reading printed books seemed to more fully digest and understand the material. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Tablets’ success in replacing text books will also come down to educational apps. Between them, Apple and Google offer over a millions apps, and educators will be challenged to curate the best and most appropriate for schools. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Students with special learning needs may offer the most concrete evidence of the benefits of tablets in the classroom. Advocates, desperate to bridge the educational gaps in children with learning issues, are ahead of traditional educational leaders, since children with special learning needs used tablets and apps early on. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Apps help autistic children develop skills, for example, but experts believe the wide spectrum of the disorder and the novelty of the technology needs to be tightly integrated and supported by sound educational research to more completely address the challenges facing children with special needs. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Some tablet apps help give those with language delays a voice, while others help kids learn to navigate often bewildering social situations and reduce their stress. Yet some more apps improve fine-motor skills to help children write and manipulate small objects, offering evidence that tablets do have concrete benefits in the classroom, at least for some students. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: \'Georgia\'; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">An  Inevitability? </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Tablets are here and will come to classrooms, either through parents who can afford them or by school districts who take the plunge. A joint report by McKinsey and the GSMA predict the m-Education market could be worth $70 billion globally by 2020 and predicts demand for m-education devices, like smartphones and tablets, may be worth another $32 billion by the same timeframe. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Educators can point to many positives of digital books. Tablets can easily update information and assignments, high-resolution audio and video illustrate and reinforce concepts, and with online assignments, students gain the ability to interact with the material they’re learning. </span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: \'HelveticaNeue\'; color: rgb(20.000000%, 20.000000%, 20.000000%);\">Still, beyond the actual tablets themselves, other components of digital learning, such as infrastructure, specific benefits, education apps and even security should also play a key role in developing a comprehensive plan for the nation’s public schools. </span></p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page3image23424\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page3image23424\" width=\"66.416600\" height=\"0.800200\" /></div>\r\n<img src=\"file:///page3image23584\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page3image23584\" width=\"4.001000\" height=\"4.001000\" />\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page3image24120\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page3image24120\" width=\"348.887200\" height=\"0.800190\" /></div>\r\n<img src=\"file:///page3image24280\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page3image24280\" width=\"4.001000\" height=\"4.001000\" />\r\n<div class=\"section\"><img src=\"file:///page3image24816\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page3image24816\" width=\"222.455600\" height=\"0.800200\" /></div>\r\n<img src=\"file:///page3image24976\" border=\"0\" alt=\"page3image24976\" width=\"4.001000\" height=\"4.001000\" /></div>\r\n<p> </p>','',1,0,0,7,'2012-10-09 19:18:19',159,'','2012-10-09 19:19:16',159,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-10-09 19:18:19','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,1,'','',1,176,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(149,208,'All senators back $544 million for schools','544m-for-schools','','<p>All senators back $544 million for schools<br />Vote includes $10 million for security upgrades in response to the Sandy Hook shootings</p>\r\n<p>The Washington state Senate voted unanimously Monday to authorize $544 million in bonds for school construction projects, including $10 million for security upgrades spurred by the deadly Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.</p>\r\n<p>Read more here: <a href=\"http://www.theolympian.com/2013/02/12/2419733/all-senators-back-544-million.html#storylink=cpy\" target=\"_blank\">The Olympian</a></p>','',1,0,0,20,'2013-02-27 15:52:28',42,'','2013-02-27 15:54:01',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-02-27 15:52:28','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"0\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',3,0,10,'','',1,352,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(147,205,'Minutes - September 2012','minutes-september-2012','','<p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">We discussed the marketing plan, building of the database. Probably top 30 districts in WA, 20 Oregon + ID and AK– less than 60 districts.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Board members to add a few titles. Karen and Shari to create a spreadsheet for our mail and email contacts and with the desired contacts. Divide up the contacts. Each to provide curriculum people. Each member to send an email with territories they cover.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Start with constant contact or similar like MailChimp or Peer360.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Marketing brochure – size is fine, discussed images that might capture peoples attention with a northwest flavor.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Discussion of what the brochure/postcard should say and how the process would work. All members to provide bullet points and ideas for brochures.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Discussion of possible new members and how to market to them.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Vote on designer  - moved by Bruce, seconded by several – passed.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Contact Jodi and Phil to see about a deal on the picture.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Feedback on ideas for the Banner Pull Up</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; min-height: 16px;\"> </p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-family: \'Arial Narrow\';\">Who are the other rep types and constituents that we should be marketing to?</p>\r\n</p>','',1,0,0,15,'2012-11-06 17:52:10',159,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-11-06 17:52:10','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,3,'','',2,8,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(148,206,'Tablets vs Textbooks','tablets-vs-textbooks','','<p><strong>The  Future  of  Education:  Tablets  vs.  Textbooks</strong></p>\r\n<p><em>October 5, 2012 by Margaret Rock for Mobiledia 3</em></p>\r\n<p>The federal government, book publishers and the technology industry are considering a large-scale effort to push tablets into public schools, raising questions about hidden costs to implement such a program.</p>\r\n<p>Apple, Intel and McGraw Hill representatives and other technology and publishing heavy hitters are working with Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski and Education Secretary Arne Duncan discussion to figure out effective ways to introduce digital technology into the emerging classroom.</p>\r\n','\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<h3><strong>Tablets  Offer  Savings  for  Schools</strong></h3>\r\n<p>According to the FCC, the U.S. spends about $7 billion per year on textbooks, but many of them are seven to ten years out of date. Advocates believe using tablets instead will save money and improve learning.</p>\r\n<p>The FCC based its $3 billion cost savings estimate on the assumption that today’s tablet cost of $250 each will drop to $150 as schools buy tablets in bulk, hardware gets cheaper and technology advances.</p>\r\n<p>Based on these parameters, the future savings would result in saving $60 per student, which considering there are more than 49 million students in public schools equates to nearly $3 billion in savings — nearly half the price of traditional textbooks today. Still, how can a price reduction of $100 in tablets only result in a $60 savings? Other factors besides the fixed price of the tablets account for the difference.</p>\r\n<p>Hidden  Costs  of  Tablets:  Can  Schools’  Tech  Infrastructure  Handle  It?</p>\r\n<p>Late last year, the New York City public schools banned new iPads and other mobile devices from using schools’ Wi-Fi. Widespread iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and Android phone use maxed out IT departments’ Exchange servers, said Tom Kambouras, deputy CTO of the New York City school system.</p>\r\n<p>New York City spent more than $1 million on iPads for teachers earlier this year, possibly taking on more technology than its infrastructure was ready to handle. Even if public school systems can offset the cost of mobile devices with federal grants and other programs, they will still need dollars for network improvements to accommodate them.</p>\r\n<p>Still, educators are betting big that the transition is worth it. Tablets are especially suited for today’s fast-paced, modern learning environments and tablet versions of textbooks, with interactive and visual tools for teachers, appeal to the changing preferences of increasingly plugged-in young students.</p>\r\n<p>The picture is rosy, but is there scientific evidence to back up the benefits of learning on tablets? Some early studies reveal mixed and interesting results.</p>\r\n<h3>Do  Tablets  Really  Improve  Learning?</h3>\r\n<p>Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tested an interactive, digital version of an Algebra 1 textbook for Apple’s iPad in California’s Riverside Unified School District. Students who used the iPad version scored 20 percent higher on standardized tests versus students who learned with traditional textbooks.</p>\r\n<p>The program, which replaced worn textbooks with interactive, digital versions with video, graphics and built-in quizzes that invited students to participate and give instant feedback, spurred positive comments that students using the iPad version were “more motivated, attentive, and engaged” than those with the paper algebra books.</p>\r\n<p>This pilot program reveals when it comes to engaging today’s students, it’s not the content that matters, but the format. Students in the California experiment accessed the same content on the iPad as in a traditional book, but those who used the digital version tested higher. That may not be true for all subjects and over time.</p>\r\n<p>A small but growing number of researchers are uncovering evidence that readers are better able to remember what they read in printed books long-term when compared to materials read via an electronic screen, raising questions about tablets in the classroom.</p>\r\n<p>For example, Kate Garland, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Leicester in England, conducted a study on the effects of e-books on memory, “bombarding” psychology students with questions on economics on digital and printed versions of texts, and found learning differences.</p>\r\n<p>Students using digital versions of the unfamiliar material had to read the same information several times to gain the same level of knowledge as print readers. Students reading printed books seemed to more fully digest and understand the material.</p>\r\n<p>Tablets’ success in replacing text books will also come down to educational apps. Between them, Apple and Google offer over a millions apps, and educators will be challenged to curate the best and most appropriate for schools.</p>\r\n<p>Students with special learning needs may offer the most concrete evidence of the benefits of tablets in the classroom. Advocates, desperate to bridge the educational gaps in children with learning issues, are ahead of traditional educational leaders, since children with special learning needs used tablets and apps early on.</p>\r\n<p>Apps help autistic children develop skills, for example, but experts believe the wide spectrum of the disorder and the novelty of the technology needs to be tightly integrated and supported by sound educational research to more completely address the challenges facing children with special needs.</p>\r\n<p>Some tablet apps help give those with language delays a voice, while others help kids learn to navigate often bewildering social situations and reduce their stress. Yet some more apps improve fine-motor skills to help children write and manipulate small objects, offering evidence that tablets do have concrete benefits in the classroom, at least for some students.</p>\r\n<h3>An  Inevitability?</h3>\r\n<p>Tablets are here and will come to classrooms, either through parents who can afford them or by school districts who take the plunge. A joint report by McKinsey and the GSMA predict the m-Education market could be worth $70 billion globally by 2020 and predicts demand for m-education devices, like smartphones and tablets, may be worth another $32 billion by the same timeframe.</p>\r\n<p>Educators can point to many positives of digital books. Tablets can easily update information and assignments, high-resolution audio and video illustrate and reinforce concepts, and with online assignments, students gain the ability to interact with the material they’re learning.</p>\r\n<p>Still, beyond the actual tablets themselves, other components of digital learning, such as infrastructure, specific benefits, education apps and even security should also play a key role in developing a comprehensive plan for the nation’s public schools.</p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p> </p>',1,0,0,16,'2012-11-06 18:30:47',159,'','2013-01-28 16:20:53',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2012-11-06 18:30:47','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',10,0,8,'','',1,5219,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(150,209,'Minutes - May 2013','minutes-may-2013','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>NWERA Board Meeting Minutes</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">5.28.13</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Present:  Shari, Bruce, Barbara, Rebecca, Karen and Dave joined later.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>PROPOSED BOARD NEXT YEAR:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Shari, Past President; Bruce, President; Rebecca, Vice President; Dave, Treasurer; Kirk Fuller, Secretary; Kevin Budge, at large.  Barbara is stepping down.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Karen, Executive Director</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>ANNUAL LUNCHEON MEETING:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Red Lion, Janzten Beach, OR</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Final invitation to luncheon to include:  Entrée choice, bring a non-member friend for $70.00, reach out to known retirees.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item</em>:  Karen will post invitation to membership.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item</em>:  Karen will check in with Drew Hines, guest speaker for meeting and</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">provide needed equipment.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item</em>:  Shari will speak briefly to membership about the benefits of serving on</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">the Board</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>License Renewal:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item: </em>Karen making appointment with Aspen Law Group, 501C status and</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">needed paperwork.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Accountant:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Making errors with duplication of 1099s.  Requested reports are redundant.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item</em>:  Karen checking into another accountant connection.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Website:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Old data from WOATRA site to be captured by Ben.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Job postings, charge companies to advertise, look into nonprofit issues.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Board members send articles to Karen and she will post them on site.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Board members to send conferences to Karen and she will post them on site.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item</em>:  Dave meeting with Karen regarding email address for site.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Marketing:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Buy contact list, Dave has a source.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Banner for conferences.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Business cards with titles.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Membership Recruiting:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Outreach for renewals.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Buy list of vendors from NCCE</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Happy Hour after a conference to recruit new representative members.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Banking:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Incoming and outgoing Treasurer to meet at Umpqua Bank after Luncheon on 6.17.13 in Portland or Vancouver area.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><em>Action Item:</em></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Bruce will collect the details for Board members needed to be in attendance.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Shari will inform Kirk Fullmer.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Bruce working on debit card issues<strong>.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Next Meeting:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">7.29.13 at 7a.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Respectfully submitted by:</p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Shari Martin</p>','',1,0,0,15,'2013-06-06 03:51:48',42,'','2013-06-06 03:52:42',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-06-06 03:51:48','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,2,'','',2,23,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(151,210,'Tech Forum Report','june-tech-forum','','<p>The June Tech Forum was held at the PSESD office, last week, and I attended as the NWERA representative.  There were about 20 people in attendance, mostly from school districts around Seattle.</p>\r\n<p>There was a presentation by a representative of Think Through Math (formerly Apangea) and he also brought Michelle Morrison, Tacoma SD, who is piloting their math intervention program.   This presentation option is available to anyone who contacts the PSESD to get on the schedule and pays the fee to present for about 20 minutes.</p>\r\n','\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p>PSESD also had a presentation on what\'s happening in the legislature regarding funding.  A summary is:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><span style=\"white-space: pre;\"> </span>IT Academy funding is included </li>\r\n<li><span style=\"white-space: pre;\"> </span>There has been an increase in the amount available for student technology from $56/student to $83/student</li>\r\n<li><span style=\"white-space: pre;\"> </span>OER (Open Education Resources) has been funded again</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"white-space: pre;\"> </span>President Obama announced on Wednesday of last week that there is an initiative to connect education to broadband within 5 years (hope to reach 99% of students).  There was discussion that it looks like T1 and TII funding will be repurposed for this goal.</p>\r\n<p>RTTT - 18 sub projects are in the works</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><span style=\"white-space: pre;\"> </span> 7 schools are competing</li>\r\n<li><span style=\"white-space: pre;\"> </span> Digital stem tools - 62 schools are implementing blended learning across the state - Bethel, Franklin Pierce, Highline are piloting blended learning for their districts</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>A state auditor has announced that their is a problem with the Apple sole source letter and it is not being accepted in some instances</p>\r\n<p>There is a conference being sponsored by Micro K12 and I have asked the rep to post the information on the NWERA website.</p>\r\n<p>They had a ACPE debriefing - are any of you familiar with this conference?  It is held in Oregon in May and a lot of school districts attend.  I will investigate further and see if we can get them to post to our website for next year.</p>\r\n<p>There was also a presentation by Federal Way of the LearnPad, they are piloting for their district.   They had very positive feedback on this Android tablet.</p>\r\n<p>Regards,</p>\r\n<p>Karen Tennyson</p>\r\n<p>Executive Director, NWERA</p>',1,0,0,16,'2013-06-15 16:57:37',42,'','2013-06-15 16:58:24',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-06-15 16:57:37','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,7,'','',1,927,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(152,211,'New Washington K-12 Standards Prove Challenging For Students – And Teachers','new-standards','','<h2><a href=\"http://www.kuow.org/post/new-washington-k-12-standards-prove-challenging-students-and-teachers\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"New Washington K-12 Standards Prove Challenging For Students – And Teachers\" style=\"font-size: 10px;\">Read the origional post at KUOW.org</a></h2>\r\n<p>This fall, some classes may get harder for public school students — and teachers — across Washington. That\'s when many districts will roll out new, more rigorous language arts and math standards, known as the Common Core. Washington is one of 45 states that have adopted the same set of K-12 standards.</p>\r\n','\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p>Some Washington teachers have already started using them. At Sylvester Middle School in Burien, teacher Christy Bowman-White read a poem about a nail-biter basketball shot to her honors language arts class on a recent school day.</p>\r\n<p>\"The ball slides up and out, lands, leans, wobbles, wavers, hesitates, plays it coy,\" Bowman-White read the poem slowly so her students could savor each word.</p>\r\n<p>Bowman-White had a very specific goal for her class that day.</p>\r\n<p>\"Here it is,\" she told her students. \"Analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sound on a specific verse or stanza of a poem.\"</p>\r\n<p>That\'s one of the Common Core State Standards. The new learning objectives are meant to prepare kids for college, and to make sure students here in Burien are on the same page as students across the county and across the country. Until now, each state had its own, often very different, set of standards.</p>\r\n<p>Until now, each state had its own, often very different, set of standards.</p>\r\n<p>In language arts, for example, students are supposed to read more difficult books, more non-fiction, and use more textual evidence to support their arguments. Although most classrooms in Washington won\'t incorporate the Common Core standards until this fall at the earliest, these students in the Highline School District have been learning the new, tougher standards all year.</p>\r\n<p>Reinventing Lesson Plans</p>\r\n<p>There’s no set Common Core curriculum; it’s up to teachers to decide how to teach the rigorous standards.</p>\r\n<p>In Bowman-White’s class, she asked the students to cite the sounds at play in the basketball poem she chose.</p>\r\n<p>One student raised her hand tentatively. \"Right here, with all these \'s\' sounds and all these calm words, it makes you feel calm,\" she says. Bowman-White nods.</p>\r\n<p>In her first year of using the new standards, Bowman-White said she’s found they help students become better thinkers. She says the Common Core is better organized than Washington’s last set of standards, which seemed really random to her. Bowman-White said even though only some of the old standards appeared on a previous state standardized language arts test, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, the list of standards she was supposed to teach filled a book.</p>\r\n<p>\"It was like a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and they put a \'W\' next to the ones that would appear on the WASL. And so everybody paid attention to just those 12,\" she said. \"It was kind of a muck. And who knows what students were really learning. It turns out maybe not so much.\"</p>\r\n<p>\"It\'s a big jump. It\'s a big, big jump.\"</p>\r\n<p>New State Tests Coming</p>\r\n<p>In 2015, students in Washington will start taking new statewide tests reflecting the Common Core objectives. Bowman-White said even though the state tests are two years away, the increased rigor of the new standards makes it important to get a head start. \"It’s a big jump. It’s a big, big jump,\" she said.</p>\r\n<p>Bowman-White said the students in her honors class take fairly easily to the increased focus on analysis, like the repeating sounds in the poem. But she said that level of analysis is trickier in her non-honors classes. Most students, she said, need more preparation. \"In other classes they wouldn’t have been able to access [the lesson] because they wouldn’t have noticed the sounds repeating in the first place,\" Bowman-White said. \"So a lot of lessons [have to be] built to get them to do the one standard that’s listed, and there’s not a lot of time in the year to do things like that.\"</p>\r\n<p>\"We have been forced to teach more curriculum at a higher level to less-ready students consistently over the years.\"</p>\r\n<p>Some Teachers Wary</p>\r\n<p>Noam Gundle shares that concern. He’s a science teacher at Ballard High School in Seattle. Gundle said he doesn\'t have a problem with rigor or standards, but questions whether Washington schools are prepared for the Common Core.</p>\r\n<p>\"As educators, we have been forced to teach more curriculum at a higher level to less-ready students consistently over the years,\" Gundle said. \"The accountability for teachers has gone up, but the resources for teachers and for students and for classrooms and for schools has consistently gone down. And at some point, that doesn’t work.\"</p>\r\n<p>Gundle said the main beneficiary of the standards may not be students, but rather the testing companies whose products can soon be more standardized than ever. He also takes issue with the fact that the Gates Foundation is a major promoter and financial backer of the Common Core. The foundation lists the standards as a pillar of its strategy to get kids ready for college.</p>\r\n<p>While the Common Core has a lot of support among teachers, many in education consider the Gates Foundation’s education initiatives to be based more in ideology than in research. \"We have gotten burned so many times in the past with the flavor-of-the-month of the Gates Foundation, the new test that they think is going to solve all the problems in education,\" said Gundle. \"But the reality is: Testing is not teaching. Teaching is teaching.\"</p>\r\n<p>Bipartisan Effort</p>\r\n<p>State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn takes issue with that argument. \"Let’s not get into propaganda. Let’s get into the facts,\" Dorn said. He argues that it wasn’t the Gates Foundation that came up with the new standards. \"This was Republican and Democratic governors,\" he said. \"It was nonpartisan educators getting together and saying \'what’s the best thing for our students of our own states?\' And then we agreed to do it.\"</p>\r\n<p>Dorn acknowledges that moving to the Common Core standards will be difficult and expensive. But he said change is always hard. And hopefully, he said, the legislature is about to come through with more money for schools.</p>\r\n<p>\"Is it hard? Yes. But it\'s necessary. We have to do it.\"</p>\r\n<p>Bowman-White said even after countless hours building all-new lesson plans around the standards, she still has a lot of work to do. In order to implement the new standards well, she plans to spend her summer working with fellow teachers on new and better ways to help every student meet the more rigorous demands of the Common Core.</p>\r\n<p>Although it can be overwhelming, to her it\'s worth it. \"We’re saying every group of students in every school needs to have access to the same type of thing, and they don’t. It’s an equity problem,\" she said. \"So is it hard? Yes. But it’s necessary. We have to do it.\"</p>',1,0,0,20,'2013-06-15 17:07:13',42,'','2013-06-18 04:07:16',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-06-18 04:05:34','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',4,0,9,'','',1,564,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(153,212,'The Ideal v. The Reality: Technology & The Common Core','idealvreality','','<p>While K12 principals are happy about the incorporation of technology into the Common Core State Standards as noted in the Principals’ Assessment of Public Education: 2nd Annual Report, they have concerns about the technology needed to implement online assessments. As we see decreased funding for schools at all levels (federal, state, local), it is easy to understand their concern.</p>\r\n<p>Read the rest of this article at: <a href=\"MCH Strategic Data\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"The Ideal v. The Reality: Technology &amp; The Common Core\">MCH Strategic Data</a></p>','',1,0,0,20,'2013-06-18 04:11:16',42,'','2013-06-18 04:12:11',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-06-18 04:11:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,8,'','',1,308,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(154,213,'Districts split over charter schools','district-splits','','<p class=\"MsoPlainText\">The three largest school districts in the state are taking different approaches on whether or not to authorize charter schools, approved by state voters in November.</p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoPlainText\">Read the entire article at <a href=\"http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2021302946_charterschoolsxml.html\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Seattle Times\">The Seattle Times</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,16,'2013-07-02 05:02:22',42,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-07-02 05:02:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,6,'','',1,739,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(155,214,'Spokane Only School District Seeking Charter Authorizer Status','spokanecharter','','<p>Thirteen Washington districts formally expressed interest in being charter authorizers this spring, but only Spokane applied to the state by the July 1 deadline.</p>\r\n<p>Read the rest of the article at <a href=\"http://www.kuow.org/post/spokane-only-school-district-seeking-charter-authorizer-status\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"KUOW.org\">KUOW.org</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,20,'2013-07-03 23:55:35',42,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-07-03 23:55:35','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,7,'','',1,465,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(156,215,'OMG: Teachers say texting, tech tools can help kids write','teachersandtexting','','<p>A nationwide survey examining the impact of tech tools in the schools refutes some common perceptions of their effect on student writing abilities.</p>\r\n<p>Read the entire article at <a href=\"http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2021405874_studentwritingxml.html\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"OMG: Teachers say texting, tech tools can help kids write\">The Seattle Times</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,16,'2013-07-23 14:23:08',42,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-07-23 14:23:08','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,5,'','',1,3704,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(157,216,'Education Investment is a Drop in the Bucket','education-investment-is-a-drop-in-the-bucket','','<p>Without new revenue, lawmakers will struggle to make the required investments in public schools that are required by the state constitution. As we pointed out in our 2013 Session Recap: Not a Path to Prosperity, investments in the next two years will make only a small dent towards meeting our full funding obligation.</p>\r\n<p>The State Supreme Court, in its McCleary v State ruling, ordered the state to fully fund basic education by 2018, and stipulated that the legislature must in the meantime demonstrate steady progress towards making this $4.5 billion investment.</p>\r\n<p>Read the rest of this article at <a href=\"http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/education-investment-is-a-drop-in-the-bucket\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Education Investment is a Drop in the Bucket\">BudgetAndPolicy.org</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,16,'2013-08-05 16:37:29',42,'','2013-08-05 16:38:45',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-08-05 16:37:29','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,4,'','',1,1111,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(158,217,'The Trouble With Testing Mania','the-trouble-with-testing-mania','','<p>Congress made a sensible decision a decade ago when it required the states to administer yearly tests to public school students in exchange for federal education aid. The theory behind the No Child Left Behind Act was that holding schools accountable for test scores would force them to improve instruction for groups of children whom they had historically shortchanged.</p>\r\n<p>Testing did spur some progress in student performance. But it has become clear to us over time that testing was being overemphasized — and misused — in schools that were substituting test preparation for instruction. Even though test-driven reforms were helpful in the beginning, it is now clear that they will never bring this country’s schools up to par with those of the high-performing nations that have left us far behind in math, science and even literacy instruction.</p>\r\n<p>Read the rest of the article at <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/opinion/sunday/the-trouble-with-testing-mania.html?_r=0\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"The Trouble With Testing Mania\">The New York Times</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,20,'2013-08-07 14:42:46',42,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-08-07 14:42:46','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,6,'','',1,1301,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(159,219,'Seattle Falling Behind in Specialed Reforms','seattle-falling-behind-in-specialed-reforms','','<p>$11 MILLION AT RISK</p>\r\n<p>As deadline looms, state says district’s plan lacks specifics</p>\r\n<p>By LINDA SHAW</p>\r\n<p>Seattle Times education reporter</p>\r\n<p>To fix longstanding prob­lems in Seattle Public Schools’ special­education programs, the district’s first step was to write a correc­tion plan — and already it has stumbled.</p>\r\n<p>The school district sub­mitted a proposal to state officials by the June 30 deadline, but they have rejected it, saying it falls far short of what is required.</p>\r\n<p>In April, the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction gave the district 18 months to fix its short­comings or risk losing $11 million a year in federal support.</p>\r\n<p>Read the rest of the article <a href=\"http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/SeattleTimes/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=U1RDRC8yMDEzLzA4LzA3&amp;pageno=MQ..&amp;entity=QXIwMDEwMQ..&amp;view=ZW50aXR5\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Seattle Falling Behind in Specialed Reforms\">here</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,16,'2013-08-09 15:19:05',42,'','2013-08-09 15:19:54',42,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-08-09 15:19:05','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,3,'','',1,1590,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(160,220,'ConnectED','connected','','<p>The ConnectED initiative announced by the President on June 6, 2013 aims to connect 99% of students across the country to broadband in 5 years. The initiative consists of three main efforts:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Upgraded Connectivity</li>\r\n<li>Trained Teachers</li>\r\n<li>Build on Private-Sector Innovations</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Read the full details at the <a href=\"http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/technology/connected/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"ConnectEd\">Office of Educational Technology</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,20,'2013-08-24 15:12:22',42,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-08-24 15:12:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,5,'','',1,1068,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(161,221,'L.A. students breach school iPads\' security','la-students-breach-school-ipads-security','','<p>It took exactly one week for nearly 300 students at Roosevelt High School to hack through security so they could surf the Web on their new school-issued iPads, raising new concerns about a plan to distribute the devices to all students in <a id=\"ORGOV000940\" class=\"taxInlineTagLink\" href=\"http://www.latimes.com/topic/education/schools/los-angeles-unified-school-district-ORGOV000940.topic\" title=\"Los Angeles Unified School District\">the district</a>.</p>\r\n<p>Similar problems emerged at two other high schools as well, although the hacking was not as widespread.</p>\r\n<p>Officials at the Los Angeles Unified School District have immediately halted home use of the Apple tablets until further notice.</p>\r\n<p>Read the rest of this article at <a href=\"http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-lausd-ipads-20130925,0,906924.story\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"The LA Times\">The LA Times</a>.</p>','',1,0,0,20,'2013-09-28 14:20:14',42,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2013-09-28 14:20:14','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,3,'','',1,1291,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(162,222,'Governor Kitzhaber Releases Statewide Kindergarten Assessment Results','governor-kitzhaber-releases-statewide-kindergarten-assessment-results','','<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>NEWS RELEASE</strong></span><br /><strong>JANUARY 31, 2014</strong><br /><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br />Rachel Wray, 503-559-1277</p>\r\n<p><strong>Governor Kitzhaber Releases Statewide Kindergarten Assessment Results</strong><br /><em>Reinforces Need for Early Childhood Investment and Community Participation</em></p>\r\n<p><em>(Salem, OR)</em> — Today, Governor Kitzhaber and the Oregon Department of Education released the results of Oregon’s statewide Kindergarten Assessment. The assessment was called for by Governor Kitzhaber and passed by the Legislature in 2012, and is a key aspect of the Governor’s early childhood reform efforts. With over 95% of all entering kindergarteners participating in the assessment, the results provide an unprecedented and sobering look at the readiness of Oregon’s youngest learners.</p>\r\n<p>“Today’s results validate our focus on reforming Oregon’s historically scattershot approach to early learning,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “This assessment will help drive our current early learning reforms and accountability for results, and should serve as a challenge to all our communities to focus on kindergarten readiness with a true sense of urgency.”</p>\r\n<p>The assessment was designed to focus on the areas that are most strongly linked to 3rd grade reading, which is one of the strongest predictors of future academic success. These results will be used by schools, districts, early learning hubs, and providers of early learning services to focus resources and proven programs on the areas of greatest need. Some results give a startling look at the state of early childhood development in Oregon. For instance, 33% of entering kindergarteners could name five or fewer letters of the alphabet and 14% couldn’t name a single letter.</p>\r\n<p>“The Kindergarten Assessment information will provide us critical baseline data so that educators can ensure students are poised to read at grade level by 3rd grade,” said Chief Education Officer Nancy Golden.  “We know that early education plays a profound role in a student\'s trajectory, and the ability to provide concrete feedback to early education providers creates tremendous system alignment and focus towards the third grade reading benchmark.”</p>\r\n<p>By highlighting gaps in student knowledge and skill – and gaps between student subgroups and underserved communities – these results provide direction and urgency for early action. In addition, results provide a baseline for tracking trends over time, measuring progress and increasing accountability.</p>\r\n<p><strong>The Results</strong><br />The test was comprised of three main elements: two 60 second literacy measures, an early math measure, and a teacher observation component which assessed the student’s approaches to learning including interpersonal skills and self-regulation.<strong></strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>Early Literacy and Math</strong><br />These measures were designed to assess some of the skills entering kindergarteners had in early literacy and math. Students build on these early skills as they start learning to read, write, and do simple math problems, and this early assessment provides teachers and parents with information about students’ strengths and areas that could use additional focus and development.</p>\r\n<p>The early literacy measures were designed to assess fluency in the identification of letter names and letter sounds. Early letter fluency is a key contributor to later reading development and academic success. Students were shown a chart with 100 letters – both lower case and upper case – and were asked to identify as many letter names as they could within 60 seconds.  They were also shown a chart with 110 letters and letter combinations and were asked to produce as many letter sounds as they could within 60 seconds. The numbers below represent the average number of letter names and letter sounds students named correctly in the 60 second fluency assessments.</p>\r\n<p>For the early math assessment, students were posed 16 simple math questions that addressed addition, subtraction, patterns, and number recognition and were asked to point at the correct answer.  The numbers below show the average number of questions a student got correct.  This assessment was not timed but generally took 5 to 9 minutes.</p>\r\n<table border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Student Group</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Early Literacy:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Letter Names</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Early Literacy:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Letter Sounds</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Early Math:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Numbers &amp; Operations</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">All Students</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">18.5</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">6.7</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">8.0</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Asian</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">29.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">12.3</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">9.4</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">African American</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">19.1</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">6.2</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">7.2</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Hispanic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">9.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">2.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">6.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Native American</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">14.5</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">4.7</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">7.2</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Multi-Ethnic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">21.3</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">7.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">8.4</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Pacific Islander</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">14.7</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">4.2</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">7.0</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">White</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">20.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">7.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">8.4</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Female</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">19.2</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">7.1</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">8.0</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td8\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Male</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td9\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">17.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td10\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">6.4</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td11\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">8.0</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p><strong>Approaches to Learning</strong><br />How a student approaches learning and his or her ability to focus, persevere at a task, and work with others are also critical skills which must be developed and practiced.  Teachers observed students during regular classroom activities and assessed students on 15 factors related to self-regulation and interpersonal skills using a research validated assessment tool. Students were rated on a 1 to 5 scale on these measures with 1 being never demonstrated the skill, 3 being sometimes, and 5 being always demonstrated the skill. State averages are provided below.</p>\r\n<table class=\"t7\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Student Group</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Self-Regulation</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Interpersonal</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"p20\"><strong>Skills</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">All Students</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.5</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Asian</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">4.1</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">African American</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.3</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.7</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Hispanic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.4</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Native American</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.3</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Multi-Ethnic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.6</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Pacific Islander</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.4</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.8</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">White</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.6</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.9</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Female</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.7</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">4.1</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"td12\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">Male</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td13\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.3</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td class=\"td14\" valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p class=\"p20\">3.7</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p>To learn more about the kindergarten assessment, please visit: <a href=\"http://oregonearlylearning.com/kindergarten-assessment/\">http://oregonearlylearning.com/kindergarten-assessment/</a><br />For kindergarten assessment results by school and district, please visit: <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/go/KA\">http://www.ode.state.or.us/go/KA</a></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><br />###</p>','',1,0,0,11,'2014-02-04 20:57:22',196,'','2014-02-10 21:05:32',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-02-10 08:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',3,0,0,'','',1,12,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(163,223,'Education Leaders Reflect on Grad Rates, Reaffirm Commitment to Long-term System Reforms','education-leaders-reflect-on-grad-rates-reaffirm-commitment-to-long-term-system-reforms','','<p><strong>NEWS RELEASE</strong></p>\r\n<p>February 6, 2014</p>\r\n<p>Media Contact: Crystal Greene, <a href=\"mailto:crystal.greene@state.or.us\"><span>crystal.greene@state.or.us</span></a>, 503-947-5650 (office), 503-428-3481 (cell)</p>\r\n<p><strong>Education Leaders Reflect on Grad Rates, Reaffirm Commitment to Long-term System Reforms</strong></p>\r\n<p>State sees minimal gains in graduation rates; New dropout data captures more kids</p>\r\n<p>(<em>Salem, Ore.</em>) — Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton today announced that Oregon\'s 4-year graduation rate for 2013 was 68.7%, up only slightly from the previous year\'s rate of 68.4%. The 4-year graduation rate has increased 2.5% over the past five years. When the graduation rate increases, generally we would anticipate seeing a flat or declining dropout rate. However, this year, that was not the case. As part of ongoing data improvement efforts, the state identified an issue relating to the reporting of dropout data. Previous years\' reports did not include students who dropped out during the month of June. Including these June dropouts, a total of 3.98% of students dropped out of high school last year. This is a more accurate dropout count than counts from previous years and should be considered a new baseline.</p>\r\n<p>\"While I\'m pleased to see our graduation numbers increasing, we simply aren\'t seeing the pace of change we need,\" said Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton. \"However, true systems change — including how well we support our students on their path to higher education and workforce training — takes time and starts early. Our recently released kindergarten assessment results are an excellent reminder of the importance of giving students that strong early start. Improving our graduation rate begins with getting students prepared for kindergarten, ensuring they are strong readers by third grade, making sure to address issues of chronic absenteeism, and finally helping students connect to the world of work and earn college credits while in high school. We have laid the foundation for these critical efforts, and I believe that if we keep moving forward with intention and urgency we will start to see more significant gains. But change will not happen overnight, and it will not happen without all of us working to improve the opportunities and outcomes for our students.\"</p>\r\n<p><span>Oregon has set an ambitious goal, known as 40-40-20, that calls for a 100% high school completion rate by the year 2025. This means that 100% of students would earn a high school diploma or equivalent within 5 years of entering high school. </span>In order to capture how well our state is doing in getting all students to the high school completion mark, the Oregon Department of Education tracks both a 4-year and 5-year high school graduation rate and a 4-year and 5-year high school completer rate. The graduation rates look at the number of students who receive a regular high school diploma within 4 or 5 years of entering high school. The completer rates are broader than the graduation rates and also include students who received a GED, Modified Diploma, Extended Diploma, or Adult High School Diploma within that timeframe. <span>Last year, Oregon\'s five year completion rate was 81.5%, up one percent from the previous year.</span></p>\r\n<p>\"As we work towards reaching the state goal of 100% of students completing high school by 2025, these results certainly aren\'t in line with where we hoped we\'d be,\" said Chief Education Officer Nancy Golden \"That said, meaningful systemic change does take time, and I believe deeply in the alignment, collaboration, and focus we\'re building throughout the system in support of student achievement. For example, we know that students are four times more likely to graduate high school if they are reading by third grade so, among other efforts, our collective laser focus will be on preparing students early for future success.\"</p>\r\n<p><strong>A Closer Look at the Numbers</strong></p>\r\n<p>The graduation rate looks at a cohort, or group of students, who entered high school in a given year. Most of last year\'s seniors were part of the 2009-10 cohort, meaning they entered as freshman in the 2009-10 school year. Students who were in their 5<span>th</span> year of high school last year were part of the 2008-09 cohort.</p>\r\n<p>Below is a look at the statewide graduation and completer rates for Oregon students. Areas with an increase are indicated in bold. A bolded number which appears the same as the previous year\'s represents an increase of less than one percent.</p>\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"642.0\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>Student Group</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2012-13</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>4 year</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>grad rate</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>(2009-10 cohort)</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2011-12</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>4 year</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>grad rate</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>(2008-09 cohort)</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2012-13</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>5 year</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>grad rate</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>(2008-09 cohort)</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2011-12</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>5 year</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>grad rate</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>(2007-08 cohort)</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2012-13</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>5 year completer rate</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2011-12</strong></p>\r\n<p><strong>5 year completer rate</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>All Students</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>68.7%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>68.4%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>73.2%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>72.4%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>81.5%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>80.5%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>White</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>71%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>71%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>75%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>74%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>84%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>83%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Asian</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>84%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>81%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>85%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>83%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>88%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>86%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Pacific Islander</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>64%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>66%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>70%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>78%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>77%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>82%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Black</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>57%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>53%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>59%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>60%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>71%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>71%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Hispanic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>61%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>60%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>67%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>65%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>74%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>71%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Native American</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>52%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>51%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>56%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>56%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>68%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>66%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Multi-Ethnic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>67%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>69%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>74%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>77%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>82%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>85%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Students with Disabilities</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>37%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>38%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>44%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>47%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>64%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>66%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>English Language Learner</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>49%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>49%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>59%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>60%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>65%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>64%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Economically Disadvantaged</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>60%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>61%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>67%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>67%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>77%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>77%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Females</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>73%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>73%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>77%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>77%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>84%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>83%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Males</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>64%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>64%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>69%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>69%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>79%</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>78%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p>As these numbers illustrate, the state still faces large graduation gaps for many underserved student groups. However, we are starting to see a narrowing of some of these gaps, particularly for our African-American and Hispanic students. Over the past five years, the graduation rate for African-American students has increased almost 10% and the graduation rate for Hispanic students has increased over 8%. While the graduation rates for both of these groups are still well below the state average, the gains are impressive and point to real successes in supporting students on their pathway to graduation. However, there are also some concerning trends where the graduation gaps are actually getting wider. This is most notable for Special Education students whose graduation rate has dropped more than 5% over the past five years.</p>\r\n<p><strong>The Power of a Fifth Year</strong></p>\r\n<p>The numbers above also highlight the impact that a fifth year of high school can have on preparing a student for graduation. Students stay in high school for a fifth year for a number of reasons including to complete graduation requirements, participate in a particular 5-year program focused on earning college credit, or build skills in order to successfully demonstrate proficiency in the essential skills. And more students are opting to stay in school past the traditional 4 years. Last year, 4,475 students — an increase of almost 300 over the previous year — chose to enroll in high school for a fifth year. This shift has resulted in lower graduation rates at some schools.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Bright Spots</strong></p>\r\n<p>Despite a relatively flat statewide graduation rate, a majority of schools saw an increase in graduation rates last year, with some schools and districts posting impressive gains. <span>Bend - La Pine Schools</span> has seen a 10.4% increase in the graduation rate over the past few years from 68.2% in 2010-2011 to 78.6% in 2012-2013. Bend <span>-</span> La Pines\' Mountain View High School and Bend Senior High both posted particularly strong gains over that time, with 14.2% and 11.5% increases respectively. Portland Public Schools also saw gains, with close to a 4% increase since last year district-wide. Portland\'s Jefferson High and Franklin High have increased graduation rates 12.2% and 13.8% respectively since 2010-11. And Jefferson County\'s Madras High School has seen a 10% increase in graduation rates since 2010-11, increasing rates from 57% to 67%. Both Jefferson High and Madras High are very diverse schools with high levels of student poverty that have struggled to increase graduation rates in the past and are now receiving some additional attention to turn things around through Oregon\'s Focus and Priority Schools program. The schools are now focused on providing culturally responsive instruction, an attention to personalized learning, and targeted interventions to re-engage students and keep them on track to graduate.</p>\r\n<p>\"I am pleased to see the gains made by some of our high schools this year,\" said Deputy Superintendent Saxton. \"In particular, I am encouraged by the gains made by schools like Madras and Jefferson — majority-minority schools where three quarters or more of students are from low-income families. We have made turning things around at these schools a priority, and while there is clearly much work left to be done, these results point to the commitment, hard-work, and dedication of the staff and students of these schools.\"</p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p><strong>Demonstrating Your Skills</strong></p>\r\n<p>In order to earn a diploma, students now need to do more than simply complete the required coursework. This cohort is the second required to demonstrate their reading skills in order to earn a diploma — and the first required to demonstrate their ability to write well. These new requirements, known as the Essential Skills, were first adopted by the State Board of Education in 2007 along with <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1681\"><span>increased credit requirements</span></a> and an emphasis on <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1669\"><span>personalized learning</span></a> to ensure that all graduates left school with a strong foundation that would prepare them for college and career. The requirements were phased-in over time, with the <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/diploma/essential-skill-of-reading.pdf\"><span>reading</span></a> requirement coming on board first, followed by <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/diploma/essential-skill-of-writing.pdf\"><span>writing</span></a>, and finally <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/teachlearn/diploma/essential-skill-of-math.pdf\"><span>math</span></a> — which will be a graduation requirement for this year\'s seniors. Students can meet the Essential Skills requirements in a variety of ways including passing state tests or completing locally-scored work samples. A report on how this year\'s graduates met their Essential Skills is available <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3960\"><span>online</span></a>.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Dropout Rates</strong></p>\r\n<p>While we track graduation based on four and five year cohorts of students, the federal government still requires states to report a one-year dropout rate. This rate is calculated by looking at the number of students who drop out (grades 9-12) in a given school year. This means that the dropout rate is not the inverse of the graduation rate. Students who receive GEDs, modified diplomas, etc., are not considered either graduates or dropouts but are included in the four- and five-year completer rates. <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1\"><span>Click here</span></a> for more information on dropout rates in Oregon.</p>\r\n<p>As mentioned earlier, the Department of Education identified a systems error that had resulted in previous years\' reports not including students who had dropped out during the month of June. This error has been addressed and we have identified 949 students who dropped out during the month of June. In total 7,086 students dropped out of Oregon high schools last year for a dropout rate of 3.98%, up from 3.37% in 2011-12. If previous years\' methodology were applied to last year\'s results, dropout rates would have been up only very slightly to 3.44%. This indicates that while a few more students did drop out last year, the vast majority of the increase was due to correcting the systems error. This year\'s results are the most complete and accurate reported in state history and should be considered a new baseline.</p>\r\n<p><strong>2012-13 Dropout Rates by Student Group:</strong></p>\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"336.0\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>Student Groups</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p><strong>2012-13</strong></p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>All Students</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>3.98%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>White</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>3.5%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Asian</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>1.5%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Pacific Islander</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>5.0%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Black</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>6.2%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Hispanic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>5.2%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Native American</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>8.0%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Multi-Ethnic</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>4.5%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Students with Disabilities</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>6.0%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>English Language Learner</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>6.7%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Economically Disadvantaged</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>3.8%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Females</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>3.3%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>Males</p>\r\n</td>\r\n<td valign=\"middle\">\r\n<p>4.6%</p>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<p><strong>For an audio clip of Deputy Superintendent Rob Saxton, go to: </strong><a href=\"http://video.orvsd.org/ode/110101-004.MP3\"><span>http://video.orvsd.org/ode/110101-004.MP3</span></a></p>\r\n<p>For school district cohort graduation data, go to: <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2644\"><span>http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2644</span></a></p>\r\n<p><span>For dropout data, go to: <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1\"><span>www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?=1</span></a></span></p>\r\n<p><span>For the Essential Skills report, go to: <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3960\"><span>http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3960</span></a></span></p>\r\n<p><span>To access an FAQ on the graduation and dropout rates, go to:</span><span> <a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/data/schoolanddistrict/students/docs/cohort-faq-2012-13.pdf\"><span>http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/data/schoolanddistrict/students/docs/cohort-faq-2012-13.pdf</span></a></span><span> </span></p>\r\n<p># # #</p>','',1,0,0,11,'2014-02-10 08:00:00',196,'','2014-02-10 21:05:08',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-02-10 08:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,0,'','',1,2,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(164,224,'March 24 Board Meeting & OSPI Meeting','march-24-board-meeting-a-ospi-meeting','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Meeting – NWERA Board and OSPI - March 24, 2014; 8AM</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Attendees:</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">OSPI:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Jessica Vavrus, Alan Burke, Barbara Soots, Dennis Small </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">NWERA:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Bruce IrlA, rebecca Holcome, Dave Parkhurst, Shari Martin, Kirk Fullmer,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 1;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Karen Tennyson</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right: -22.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Agenda:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Technology update for Smarter-Balanced<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>and OER implementation</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right: -22.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"><span style=\"mso-tab-count: 2;\"> </span><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Common Core Implementation Update</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: -22.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; text-indent: 4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Discussion started with an overview of the tech readiness survey of districts across the state and found that 5-10 districts will have equipment or bandwidth issues.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>While the specifications are not completed, they are close.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>OSPI is forecasting a 3-5 year span to get schools ready for full access for digital learning and testing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span> Some schools will have more challenges than others and will take longer to get implemented and that is not surprising.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Issue - kids do not have keyboarding skills; no tech standards for K-2, but have checklist of what to teach</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Issue - 50% of schools still using windows XP operating system.  Tech support from Microsoft ends next year the state is anticipating an equity standard of 1:1 environment, using iPads and Chrome tablets, so every kid has access </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">The digital library for language arts, math will be available by this fall 2014. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Anticipating launch of beta stage late April/early May.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>It will not be a bank of tests, but will be about quality of instructional assessments, summative and formative, and materials and will provide links to OER materials that can be used to enhance curriculum. </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Note:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>OSPI is offering a regular webinar series for training of this process. Links for the webinar series will be forwarded to NWERA and posted on our website. (I have viewed the math and ELA webinars and they were informative, in depth and aimed at teachers.)</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"><br /> Common Core, where are the districts?  Still a long ways to go, struggling to move forward.  The coming year to grow this process.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">1/3 on board; 1/3 moving toward getting on board; 1/3 resisting</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">The state is looking for evidence of process for ELA, science and math (2015).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">22-23 states are using Smarter Balanced; 8 states using Park</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Recommended resource tools;<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">AchievetheCore.org &amp; TOSSO – How to look at curriculum materials; used by schools</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">IMET – rubrics for lessons; assessment evaluation tool, Materials &amp; alignment tool kit.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Many states are receiving funding to understand this process.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>States are working together and can be used for ideas on usage.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Washington is looking at the Louisiana model.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Schedule for implementation:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Digital library time frame; Sept to June. </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Interim testing - late fall.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Summative last 12 weeks; performance tasks, multiple choice, short answer. how to use properly, part of digital library. </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Tools not currently aligned; these need to be adjusted</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Tech survey – readiness tools available mid-April</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Achieve the Core</span></span></strong><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">;</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Guidance on review of publishers – Review comments are important</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Rubrics, full curriculum, imet, achieve OER. Tool for digital content,</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">instructional support.  Most important is reviewer comments for improvement.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Results; is much better for providing support.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Spokane SD has chosen Engage NY for their math program; Science curriculum several districts looking at OER materials; Checkout Shorelines SD and Aberdeen MS.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Looking for materials before/after school</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">WASDA working with them for model policy to consider OER as process.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Goal, all districts working together to share resources and OER. </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Will districts be more consumers or what is seen? Trying as it now and look</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">for changes &amp; adjustments as they go for use of software.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Many material in digital library is OER, but not limited to this.  Can be</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">used for OER and PDF materials. </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Passed out flier on \"Learning Assistance Program\" K-12 strategies. <span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Content experts, selection of panel members.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>This will be posted to the NWERA website.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong><strong>Meeting – NWERA Board and OSPI - March 24, 2014; 8AM</strong></p>\r\n  0 0 1 595 3396 LearningMate 28 7 3984 14.0        Normal 0     false false false  EN-US JA X-NONE                                                                                                                                                                       \r\n\r\n /* Style Definitions */\r\ntable.MsoNormalTable\r\n	{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\";\r\n	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;\r\n	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;\r\n	mso-style-noshow:yes;\r\n	mso-style-priority:99;\r\n	mso-style-parent:\"\";\r\n	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;\r\n	mso-para-margin:0in;\r\n	mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;\r\n	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;\r\n	font-size:12.0pt;\r\n	font-family:Cambria;\r\n	mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;\r\n	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;\r\n	mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;\r\n	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}\r\n\r\n \r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Attendees:</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>OSPI:  Jessica Vavrus, Alan Burke, Barbara Soots, Dennis Small </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>NWERA:  Bruce IrlA, rebecca Holcome, Dave Parkhurst, Shari Martin, Kirk Fullmer,                          Karen Tennyson</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right: -22.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>Agenda:  Technology update for Smarter-Balanced  and OER implementation</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-right: -22.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> Common Core Implementation Update</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-right: -22.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; text-indent: 4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Discussion started with an overview of the tech readiness survey of districts across the state and found that 5-10 districts will have equipment or bandwidth issues.  While the specifications are not completed, they are close.   OSPI is forecasting a 3-5 year span to get schools ready for full access for digital learning and testing.   Some schools will have more challenges than others and will take longer to get implemented and that is not surprising. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Issue - kids do not have keyboarding skills; no tech standards for K-2, but have checklist of what to teach</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Issue - 50% of schools still using windows XP operating system.  Tech support from Microsoft ends next year the state is anticipating an equity standard of 1:1 environment, using iPads and Chrome tablets, so every kid has access </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>The digital library for language arts, math will be available by this fall 2014.  Anticipating launch of beta stage late April/early May.  It will not be a bank of tests, but will be about quality of instructional assessments, summative and formative, and materials and will provide links to OER materials that can be used to enhance curriculum. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>Note:  OSPI is offering a regular webinar series for training of this process. Links for the webinar series will be forwarded to NWERA and posted on our website. (I have viewed the math and ELA webinars and they were informative, in depth and aimed at teachers.)</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong><br /> Common Core, where are the districts?  Still a long ways to go, struggling to move forward.  The coming year to grow this process.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>1/3 on board; 1/3 moving toward getting on board; 1/3 resisting</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>The state is looking for evidence of process for ELA, science and math (2015). </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>22-23 states are using Smarter Balanced; 8 states using Park</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>Recommended resource tools; </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>AchievetheCore.org &amp; TOSSO – How to look at curriculum materials; used by schools</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong>IMET – rubrics for lessons; assessment evaluation tool, Materials &amp; alignment tool kit.  Many states are receiving funding to understand this process.  States are working together and can be used for ideas on usage.  Washington is looking at the Louisiana model.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: -4.5pt; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 472.5pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Schedule for implementation: </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Digital library time frame; Sept to June. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Interim testing - late fall.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Summative last 12 weeks; performance tasks, multiple choice, short answer. how to use properly, part of digital library. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Tools not currently aligned; these need to be adjusted</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Tech survey – readiness tools available mid-April</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Achieve the Core</span></strong><strong>;</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Guidance on review of publishers – Review comments are important</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Rubrics, full curriculum, imet, achieve OER. Tool for digital content,</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>instructional support.  Most important is reviewer comments for improvement.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Results; is much better for providing support.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Spokane SD has chosen Engage NY for their math program; Science curriculum several districts looking at OER materials; Checkout Shorelines SD and Aberdeen MS.  Looking for materials before/after school</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>WASDA working with them for model policy to consider OER as process.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Goal, all districts working together to share resources and OER. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Will districts be more consumers or what is seen? Trying as it now and look</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>for changes &amp; adjustments as they go for use of software. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Many material in digital library is OER, but not limited to this.  Can be</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>used for OER and PDF materials. </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Passed out flier on \"Learning Assistance Program\" K-12 strategies.  Content experts, selection of panel members.  This will be posted to the NWERA website.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Good discussion at the end about where digital tech and print going forward.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Next 5 years to really see it as a complete process.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong> </strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><strong>Meeting ended, 9:10 am.</strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>','',1,0,0,15,'2014-04-05 06:19:49',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-04-05 06:19:49','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','',1,0,1,'','',2,12,'',0,'*',''),(165,225,'March 24 Additional Board Discussion','march-24-additional-board-discussion','','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">March 24, 2013 NWERA Board Meeting</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Additional meeting thoughts with board members: </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Checking preferred meeting dates with OSPI for our annual meeting agreed June 27 is open for us.</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">There was general discussion regarding the use of Post cards at exhibits/conferences and at meetings with curriculum people and schools – Are they effective? Are they being distributed?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>what\'s happening?</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Conference &amp; exhibits, what\'s happening?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>We will look at NWERA having a presence at the WSASCD conference this fall.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>This will give us an opportunity to<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span></span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">NWERA signup for a few exhibits to promote us, i.e., WASASCD, it is local (doesn’t require an overnight stay) and is gaining a different exhibitor audience  and may allow us to expand our membership and will also allow us to connect with administrators. </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Where is the opportunity to connect with tech reps and companies?</span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\"> </span></strong></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Discussion about adding a blog or Facebook business page in addition to the NWERA website.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>Need to allocate funding, resources.   Linking to information such as OER type, Smarter Balanced, Achieve the Core....</span></strong></p>\r\n<p>  0 0 1 182 1044 LearningMate 8 2 1224 14.0        Normal 0     false false false  EN-US JA X-NONE                                                                                                                                                                       \r\n\r\n /* Style Definitions */\r\ntable.MsoNormalTable\r\n	{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\";\r\n	mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;\r\n	mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;\r\n	mso-style-noshow:yes;\r\n	mso-style-priority:99;\r\n	mso-style-parent:\"\";\r\n	mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;\r\n	mso-para-margin:0in;\r\n	mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;\r\n	mso-pagination:widow-orphan;\r\n	font-size:12.0pt;\r\n	font-family:Cambria;\r\n	mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;\r\n	mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;\r\n	mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;\r\n	mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}\r\n\r\n  </p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"><strong><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Copperplate Gothic Bold&quot;;\">Note:<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"> </span>we need to be careful of what information we are giving away on a Facebook page, since our business model relies on paid subscriptions.</span></strong></p>','',1,0,0,15,'2014-04-05 06:20:31',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-04-05 06:20:31','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','',1,0,0,'','',2,13,'',0,'*',''),(166,226,'TEACH: Summer Learning Galore; 800 Needed for Smarter Test Items; Digital Library Preview; and Much More','teach-summer-learning-galore-800-needed-for-smarter-test-items-digital-library-preview-and-much-more','','<h2>Are You Ready for Summer Learning?</h2>\r\n<p>Summer is here for the majority of our state\'s 1 million+ students! AND... summer should not mean learning stops! <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=eed9814d7b&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Research</a> shows an imperative for families, community-based organizations, and extended learning partners to keep a focus on maintaining foundational literacy and math skills for ALL students. Summer provides an opportunity to have fun, hands-on opportunities that capitalize on student interests and dig in deeply -- either through grass-roots, home-based activities, or through more formal summer camps and learning opportunities.</p>\r\n<p>I encourage you to get involved this summer with the kids closest to your hearts to continue to support their love for learning. Connect with the opportunities that abound in our state and in your local communities to support summer learning. In addition to the resources listed below, check out the <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=ef717fb087&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Summer Learning Guide (PDF)</a> from the Office of Education Ombudsman for more information on statewide learning opportunities.</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=742126a1b3&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington State\'s Summer Reading Program</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=fe24ca8473&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Summer Math Scholars, MESA</a></li>\r\n<li> Summer learning programs through <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=5c6d5ddd66&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington\'s colleges and universities:</a></li>\r\n<li> <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=50a7afd88f&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">UW Summer Youth Programs</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=77cc82c204&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">WWU Summer Youth Programs</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=05b207f023&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">WSU Summer Youth Programs</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=601c5f26ba&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">UW Russian Summer Startalk Program for Heritage Russian speakers</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=64260e63e0&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington State Museums</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=03b7de0faa&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington State National Parks</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Have a great summer! In partnership,</p>\r\n<p>Jessica Vavrus</p>\r\n<p>Assistant Superintendent, Teaching &amp; Learning</p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<h2>Upcoming Learning Opportunities<a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=bbdb231f3e&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"></a></h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=bbdb231f3e&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">WASA/AWSP Summer Conference</a></p>\r\n<p>June 29-July 1, Spokane</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=c6ac49daee&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">OSPI/WASA Special Education Workshop</a></p>\r\n<p>August 7-8, Tacoma</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=66d2ab431b&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington Educators• Conference</a></p>\r\n<p>October 27-28, SeaTac</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=e2c76b8b67&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Full-Day Kindergarten and Starting Strong P-3 Institutes</a></p>\r\n<p>August 4-6, Tri-Cities</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=4207eba54e&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Career and Technical Education Summer Conference</a></p>\r\n<p>August 3-6, Yakima</p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=3087a47a8d&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">5th Annual RTI/PLC Institute</a></p>\r\n<p>August 19-20, Richland</p>\r\n<h2>General Opportunities</h2>\r\n<p><strong>Attention Teacher Librarians!  Sign-up now for the <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=656f005497&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Common Core Day Camp</a> that starts later this month!</strong> Since summer 2013, the Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) (in partnership with the Washington State Library and OSPI) have supported building teacher librarian capacity across the state through a <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=0c6d171ffc&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Teacher Librarian Common Core Cadre (TLC3)</a> that focuses on the pivotal role of school librarians in supporting the transition to the Common Core State Standards. TLC3 resources and professional development tools will be available to all educators and school administrators, public librarians, and communities engaged with Common Core implementation.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Calling Teacher Applicants for the <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=08199b9a4e&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">2013 Legislative Scholar Program</a>: </strong>This program (July 15-19, 2013) provides Washington\'s social studies, history, government and civics teachers an opportunity to learn first-hand about the state legislative process and the ways in which the Legislature and the state Supreme Court interact. Teachers leave with valuable resources and ideas to more effectively teach civics in their classrooms. Apply today!</p>\r\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=fadba79aab&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab</a> </strong>is a professional development program with a focus on supporting arts education as part of basic education in K-12 schools. This training is appropriate for experienced professional teaching artists, educators, and newer teaching artists. The application deadline is July 24.</p>\r\n<p><strong>ArtsEd Washington</strong> is seeking highly qualified visual art teachers and teaching artists for <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=725e5e3301&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">ongoing opportunities to train elementary teachers in the implementation of Art Lessons in the Classroom</a>, a K-6 visual art curriculum aligned with WA State arts standards and Common Core State Standards</p>\r\n<p><strong>Become a Physical Activity Leader! </strong>The Physical Activity Leader Learning System develops and coaches individuals who will champion an effort in their local schools to ensure 60 minutes a day of physical activity for ALL students. A one-day, in-person training gets you started. Visit <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=1e2d43c7e8&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">ShapeAmerica.org</a> for more info.</p>\r\n<h2>Resources<a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=2abe8e6617&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"></a></h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=2abe8e6617&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Schools Out Washington &amp; National Summer Learning Day</a><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=e0f5d6d76a&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"></a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=e0f5d6d76a&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Resources for Parents to Support Learning</a><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=29529ebb76&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"></a></p>\r\n<p><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=29529ebb76&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">National Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills, K-12 (PDF)</a> and <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=1ba10310c3&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">OSPI Sexual Health Education Comparison (PDF)</a></p>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=1ba10310c3&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"></a>Career- and College-Ready Standards and Assessments<a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=2952ba4f44&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"></a></h2>\r\n<p><strong><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=2952ba4f44&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">800 Online Panelists Needed for Smarter Balanced Test Item Review</a></strong> OSPI needs 800 Washington participants for a three-hour commitment in October. If you take part, you will log in to a secure website and spend up to three hours reviewing actual test items over a two-day window. Choose which days work best for you between October 6-17. To apply, complete the<a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=3b3da15e17&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\"> registration process</a>.</p>\r\n<p><strong><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=5baa4fd9d2&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Smarter Balanced Digital Library Preview for K-12 Educators</a></strong>! School districts have received information about how to sign up their educators (including specialists, parapros, etc) to access the Digital Library this summer! For more information view <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=2858e00845&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">OSPI Memorandum M032-14</a>.</p>\r\n<p><strong>Announcing the <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=d15b333e34&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington Transforming Professional Learning</a> (WA-TPL) project!</strong> 15 school districts were awarded grants for the next 3 years to work together in supporting strong CCSS and NGSS transitions for all teachers! Thank you to state partners from Learning Forward Washington, the Association of Regional Educational Service Districts for helping design the project, and to Regional the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for funding.</p>\r\n<h2>Kudos and Congrats</h2>\r\n<p>Congrats to OSPI\'s <strong><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=5ec654259a&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Green Ribbon Schools team</a>!</strong> We are excited to announce that Gilda Wheeler (OSPI\'s Environment and Sustainability Education lead) will receive the 2012 national Green Ribbon Director\'s Award in July. This award recognizes Washington\'s program as a truly collaborative effort with Green Ribbon School Awardees, OSPI\'s awards coordinator (Hillary Seidel), and OSPI\'s facilities director (Gordon Beck).</p>\r\n<p>Congrats to <strong><a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=e86cfd6c9b&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Imagine Tomorrow competitors and winners</a></strong> from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana! Consider having your students participate in 2015!</p>\r\n<p>Way to go McClure, Harriet Thompson and Arthur H. Smith elementary schools--all from the Grandview School District. They won national awards for improving the health of their students! Get more information about the <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=65730ad5b2&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">HealthierUS School Challenge.</a></p>\r\n<p>ArtsEd Washington and the Association of Washington School Principals announced Avanti High School in Olympia as the winner of the 4th annual <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=8fc8c0ca65&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Schools of Excellence in Arts Education Award</a>.</p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<hr />\r\n<p>Teaching &amp; Learning, a division of OSPI, provides leadership, service, and support in the development, implementation, and dissemination of research-based teaching and learning resources aligned with <a href=\"http://k12.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=13b5c8b0181e6f96958036941&amp;id=bc1d1260ba&amp;e=e6bb79d80a\">Washington State Learning Goals</a>. We strive to build strong and lasting partnerships throughout the state that will support school districts in their preparation of educators and students in providing high quality instruction and to achieve at high levels. Communication, clarity, collaboration, coordination, and commitment are the core values that guide our work.</p>\r\n<p> </p>\r\n<p>© 2014 Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, All rights reserved.</p>','',1,0,0,10,'2014-06-14 00:31:50',196,'','2014-06-14 00:40:45',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-06-13 00:32:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',3,0,1,'','',1,9,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(167,227,'Safe school plans - RCW 28A.320.125','safe-school-plans-rcw-28a320125','','<p><br />http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.320.125<br /><br />Safe school plans — Requirements — Duties of school districts, schools, and educational service districts — Reports — Drills — Rules.<br /><br />(1) The legislature considers it to be a matter of public safety for public schools and staff to have current safe school plans and procedures in place, fully consistent with federal law. The legislature further finds and intends, by requiring safe school plans to be in place, that school districts will become eligible for federal assistance. The legislature further finds that schools are in a position to serve the community in the event of an emergency resulting from natural disasters or man-made disasters.<br /><br /> (2) Schools and school districts shall consider the guidance provided by the superintendent of public instruction, including the comprehensive school safety checklist and the model comprehensive safe school plans that include prevention, intervention, all hazard/crisis response, and postcrisis recovery, when developing their own individual comprehensive safe school plans. Each school district shall adopt, no later than September 1, 2008, and implement a safe school plan consistent with the school mapping information system pursuant to RCW 36.28A.060. The plan shall:<br /><br /> (a) Include required school safety policies and procedures;<br /><br /> (b) Address emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery;<br /><br /> (c) Include provisions for assisting and communicating with students and staff, including those with special needs or disabilities;<br /><br /> (d) Use the training guidance provided by the Washington emergency management division of the state military department in collaboration with the Washington state office of the superintendent of public instruction school safety center and the school safety center advisory committee;<br /><br /> (e) Require the building principal to be certified on the incident command system;<br /><br /> (f) Take into account the manner in which the school facilities may be used as a community asset in the event of a community-wide emergency; and<br /><br /> (g) Set guidelines for requesting city or county law enforcement agencies, local fire departments, emergency service providers, and county emergency management agencies to meet with school districts and participate in safety-related drills.<br /><br /> (3) To the extent funds are available, school districts shall annually:<br /><br /> (a) Review and update safe school plans in collaboration with local emergency response agencies;<br /><br /> (b) Conduct an inventory of all hazardous materials;<br /><br /> (c) Update information on the school mapping information system to reflect current staffing and updated plans, including:<br /><br /> (i) Identifying all staff members who are trained on the national incident management system, trained on the incident command system, or are certified on the incident command system; and<br /><br /> (ii) Identifying school transportation procedures for evacuation, to include bus staging areas, evacuation routes, communication systems, parent-student reunification sites, and secondary transportation agreements consistent with the school mapping information system; and<br /><br /> (d) Provide information to all staff on the use of emergency supplies and notification and alert procedures.<br /><br /> (4) To the extent funds are available, school districts shall annually record and report on the information and activities required in subsection (3) of this section to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.<br /><br /> (5) School districts are encouraged to work with local emergency management agencies and other emergency responders to conduct one tabletop exercise, one functional exercise, and two full-scale exercises within a four-year period.<br /><br /> (6) Schools shall conduct no less than one safety-related drill each month that school is in session. Schools shall complete no less than one drill using the school mapping information system, three drills for lockdowns, one drill for shelter-in-place, three drills for fire evacuation in accordance with the state fire code, and one other safety-related drill to be determined by the school. Schools should consider drills for earthquakes, tsunamis, or other high-risk local events. Schools shall document the date and time of such drills. This subsection is intended to satisfy all federal requirements for comprehensive school emergency drills and evacuations.<br /><br /> (7) Educational service districts are encouraged to apply for federal emergency response and crisis management grants with the assistance of the superintendent of public instruction and the Washington emergency management division of the state military department.<br /><br /> (8) The superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules to implement provisions of this section. These rules may include, but are not limited to, provisions for evacuations, lockdowns, or other components of a comprehensive safe school plan.<br /><br /> Findings -- 2002 c 205: \"Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the government\'s primary role in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of its citizens has been underscored. The legislature recognizes that there is a need to focus on the development and implementation of comprehensive safe school plans for each public school. The legislature recognizes that comprehensive safe school plans for each public school are an integral part of rebuilding public confidence. In developing these plans, the legislature finds that a coordinated effort is essential to ensure the most effective response to any type of emergency. Further, the legislature recognizes that comprehensive safe school plans for each public school are of paramount importance and will help to assure students, parents, guardians, school employees, and school administrators that our schools provide the safest possible learning environment.\" [2002 c 205 § 1.]<br /> Severability -- 2002 c 205: \"If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.\" [2002 c 205 § 5.]<br /><br /> Effective dates -- 2002 c 205 §§ 2, 3, and 4: \"(1) Sections 2 and 4 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [March 27, 2002].<br /><br /> (2) Section 3 of this act takes effect September 1, 2002.\" [2002 c 205 § 6.]</p>','',1,0,0,10,'2014-06-20 02:43:30',196,'','2014-06-20 02:50:34',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-06-18 07:00:00','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,0,'','',1,9,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(168,228,'Summer Learning Loss','summer-learning-loss','','<p>NBC\'s Brian Williams discusses how summer learning loss puts students at a disadvantage academically. For more information, go to gradelevelreading.net.</p>\r\n<p><br /></p><p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolcNG3GVCs\" _mce_href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolcNG3GVCs\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolcNG3GVCs</a><br _mce_bogus=\"1\" /></p>\r\n<p><br /></p>','',1,0,0,16,'2014-06-20 03:02:04',196,'','2014-06-20 03:10:14',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-06-19 03:02:04','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',5,0,2,'','',1,774,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(169,229,'Wash. state must abide by school-choice law under NCLB','wash-state-must-abide-by-school-choice-law-under-nclb','','<p>The federal government has rejected Washington state\'s request to be exempt from a requirement under No Child Left Behind that students at struggling schools be given the option to switch to a higher performing school. In a letter to state officials, Assistant Education Secretary Deborah S. Delisle said it was important for parents to be notified that under the law, they have the right of school choice. <em><a target=\"_blank\" _mce_href=\"http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2014/07/feds_reject_washingtons_reques.html\" href=\"http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2014/07/feds_reject_washingtons_reques.html\">(AP via The Oregonian)</a></em><br _mce_bogus=\"1\" /></p>','',1,0,0,16,'2014-07-31 05:13:22',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-07-31 05:13:22','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,1,'','',1,1782,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(170,230,' Washington STEM Announces $4 million in 2014 Grant Recipients to Fuel Innovation in Science, Math Education','washington-stem-announces-4-million-in-2014-grant-recipients-to-fuel-innovation-in-science-math-education','','<p>August 26, 2014 | SEATTLE, WA – Washington STEM announced today nearly $4 million in investments in innovative, regionally based programs aimed at improving teaching and learning of science, engineering, technology, and math across Washington state.<br />&nbsp;<br />The statewide nonprofit\'s investments have two main focuses: (1) Continuing the growth of regional STEM Networks across the state and (2) Expanding its cutting-edge professional development initiative to help teachers with implementation of the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.<br />&nbsp;<br />\"These investments will bring STEM professionals, educators, and communities together to improve STEM education and prepare our students for the STEM careers that drive Washington state\'s economy,\" said Patrick D’Amelio, Washington STEM CEO. \"The networks will improve STEM education coordination in their community and across the state; and rigorous, high-quality teacher professional development will help ensure students in the classroom are STEM literate.\"<br /><br /><strong>Regional STEM Networks</strong></p><p>Subject to meeting specific grant requirements, each of the seven regional networks will receive $200,000 over the next three years to partner with Washington STEM and continue growing systems in which educators, employers, and community leaders work together to match STEM education to STEM career opportunities in their communities. STEM Networks have been created in seven regions around the state: Mid-Columbia (Tri-Cities), Snohomish, South Central (Yakima), South King County, Southwest Washington, Spokane, and West Sound (Bremerton). While working with Washington STEM to meet grant guidelines, each network is tailoring their approach to unique regional needs and opportunities. Detailed descriptions of the networks can be found at <a _mce_href=\"http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-networks\" href=\"http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-networks\">www.washingtonstem.org/stem-networks</a>.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />\"The grant will bring STEM professionals into classrooms and students into STEM work places in south-central Washington communities and build programs that train our young people for the jobs of the future,\" said Jeff Charbonneau, ESD 105 STEM Coordinator and 2013 National Teacher of the Year. \"The investment will help bring our plans to fruition and learn best practices from STEM Networks across the state.\"<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Math and Science Professional Development</strong></p><p>The STEM Networks help stream innovations into the schools including the teacher professional development initiative known as STEM-PD. Building on a pilot project in the Anacortes, Nooksack, Bellevue, Renton, and Highline school districts, Washington STEM is investing $2.5 million to expand the STEM-PD initiative to 45 schools statewide, the majority of which are in STEM Networks. Additionally, six teachers will be participating individually to share their practice to teachers across the initiative as they explore new ways to use technology in their professional learning.<br />&nbsp;<br />\"The key to successful STEM learning is excellence in STEM teaching,\" said Sandi Everlove, Chief Learning Officer at Washington STEM. \"Washington STEM\'s professional development innovations will help spread best practices and help teachers share ideas and techniques around the state and beyond.”<br />&nbsp;<br />The professional development initiative uses state-of-the art technology that enables teachers to take charge of their own professional learning. With this technology, teachers can collaborate, share and learn from one another, and request real-time coaching.<br />&nbsp;<br />“This technology helps me overcome big constraints, like location and time, to provide personalized and high quality professional development to teachers,” said Bethany Sjoberg, Science Coach at Highline Public Schools. \"I look forward to sharing this with teachers around Washington state as we prepare all our students for a world in which STEM education is vital.\"<br />&nbsp;<br />For a list of schools participating in the professional development initiative, go to <a _mce_href=\"http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-pd\" href=\"http://www.washingtonstem.org/stem-pd\">www.washingtonstem.org/stem-pd</a><br />&nbsp;<br />###<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>About Washington STEM</strong><br />Washington STEM is a statewide nonprofit advancing excellence, equity, and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Launched in March 2011 with support from the business, education, and philanthropic communities, our goal is to reimagine and revitalize STEM education across Washington. For more information, go to <a _mce_href=\"http://www.washingtonstem.org\" href=\"http://www.washingtonstem.org\">www.washingtonstem.org</a><br /><br _mce_bogus=\"1\" /></p>','',1,0,0,20,'2014-08-26 22:36:37',196,'','2014-08-27 22:40:54',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-08-26 22:36:37','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',5,0,4,'','',1,3967,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(171,231,'School test results mixed on Twin Harbors','school-test-results-mixed-on-twin-harbors','','<p><br />School test results mixed on Twin Harbors<br /><br /><img src=\"https://www.nwedresources.org/images/statetestresults.jpg\" _mce_src=\"images/statetestresults.jpg\" alt=\"Test Results\" /><br />Schools on the Twin Harbors reported mixed results as standardized test passing rates for 2013-14 were released Wednesday by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.<br /><br />MSP or Measurement of Student Progress tests are taken at all levels except at the high school. The 10th graders take the HSPE (High School Proficiency Exam).<br /><br />This year’s test results carry a bit more weight, since the U.S. Department of Education refused to renew Washington State’s waiver from some of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, including the reporting of “adequate yearly progress.” Without the waiver, schools could be forced to divert some of their federal Title 1 funding to specific programs prescribed by the law if they don’t make adequate yearly progress, taking those funds away from other programs. Title 1 funding supports low-income students.<br /><br />According to the OSPI, of 295 school districts in the state, just 22 met the adequate yearly progress requirement. At the school level, just 260, out of more than 2,100 elementary, middle and high schools statewide, made adequate yearly progress.<br /><br />Many Harbor districts and individual schools are in some level of “school improvement” under the law due to not making adequate yearly progress.<br /><br />Missing from today’s MSP test results release were Aberdeen, Cosmopolis, Montesano and McCleary school districts, who participated in field testing for the Smarter Balanced Assessment. The results of the field test were not compiled and released, so those districts do not have test results for the elementary and middle-school grades that took the new assessment.<br /><br />The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is working to develop the new test that is in line with so-called “common core” standards in English, language arts and math.<br /><br />Though the Legislature has yet to finalize all the details, the plan is for Smarter Balanced tests to replace the reading and writing portions of the MSP for this school year. High school juniors will also take a Smarter Balanced test, but it will not be a graduation requirement until the Class of 2019, according to the OSPI. Currently, high school sophomores must pass the HSPE to graduate.<br /><br /><strong>Hoquiam</strong><br /><br />Hoquiam Superintendent Mike Parker noted the mixed results in his district. “we’ve been busy, boy, we have been busy over the past many years with the purpose of wanting to improve and doing all we can to improve.”<br /><br />The HSPE scores in reading and and writing did drop slightly to 82 percent and 83 percent respectively. “Kids are all different aren’t they?” Parker said. The high school had “really good groups” that scoreD in the 90s a year or two ago, he said.<br /><br />“We are not where we want to be, but we are not disappointed either,” Parker added. The scores were competitive, he added.<br /><br />The 9th grade showed some gains and “we have been working hard with our middle school,” where an OSPI coach has been working with the principal and teachers, he said. The students benefited from that work. “We are on the right track there,” he said. “We didn’t quite see the gain we want” in 6th and 7th grade, he said.<br /><br />Skill groups, where students of like abilities are grouped together, are helping in elementary ages, he added.<br /><br />Scores dropped in math and writing for 4th and 5th grade, and Parker said OSPI coaching will be added to Central Elementary to help it meet yearly progress this year.<br /><br />The staff met Tuesday to emphasize personalizing teaching so that each student feels they have an adult advocate, Parker said.<br /><br />“We have to be prepared to dig deep to reverse the trend at Central,” he said.<br /><br />“We don’t want any students to fall through the cracks,” he said. “It’s not realistic that 100 percent of the kids meet reading and math standards.”<br /><br />Part of the challenge is that students with special needs such as fetal alcohol syndrome, learning disabilities, or “social and emotional deficits” are expected to do as well and judged in comparison to other students, he said.<br /><br />That is the “challenge across all of our schools, we have got to focus and find a way to move those kids higher and we are doing that in middle school,” he said.<br /><br /><strong>Aberdeen and other districts</strong><br /><br />Aberdeen’s only reported scores — its 10th-grade scores — were higher than last year and close to the state average.<br /><br />Montesano’s reported scores showed optimistic trends. All of the district’s scores in the 7th, 8th and 10th grades were up except for math in the 7th and writing in the 10th grade.<br /><br />Pacific County schools had some good news to report, as well. Tenth-graders in Raymond outdid the state average in writing, though they dropped in reading. Willapa Valley 10th-graders scored higher than the state average in both reading and writing.<br /><br />Elementary students in the Wishkah Valley also did well, particularly in 4th grade where math and writing scores hit the 90th percentile, though reading dropped below 60 percent.<br /><br />Ocosta Schools reported increases in virtually every grade and every category except the 5th grade, which fell in reading and math. Seventh-graders reported lower math scores, as did 4th-graders.<br /><br />“We were very happy with the results, we are still analyzing them,” Ocosta Superintendent Dr. Paula Akerlund said. “We are actually looking at what our strategies for even hopefully strengthening our scores are … yeah, we were pretty pleased.”<br /><br />Unlike Hoquiam, Ocosta did not have to send a letter to parents saying they have failing schools.<br /><br />“We are one of those districts that did not fail, we had certain subgroups where we did not make AYP overall results (but) we did not have to send a letter to parents saying we were ‘failing schools.’ ”<br /><br />With the changes next year to standardized tests and the move to common core, Ocosta is in the same boat as most everyone else. “We are just looking at all that right now,” she said.</p><p>http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/school-test-results-mixed-twin-harbors</p>','',1,0,0,20,'2014-09-02 16:38:53',196,'','2014-09-02 16:42:26',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2014-09-02 16:38:53','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,2,'','',1,714,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(172,232,'VIDEO: McCleary v. State of WA','video-mccleary-v-state-of-wa','','<blockquote type=\"cite\" class=\"\" style=\"font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;\" _mce_style=\"font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"\"><table width=\"700\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"center\" class=\"mceItemTable\"><tbody class=\"\"><tr class=\"\"><td class=\"\"><p class=\"\">To understand more about&nbsp;<em class=\"\">McCleary v. State of Washington</em>&nbsp;and how education funding works in the state, take a look at this video:&nbsp;<a href=\"http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&amp;enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwMTA2LjM5OTcyNTMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDEwNi4zOTk3MjUzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTkyMjMzJmVtYWlsaWQ9a3RlZHVyZXAzN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWt0ZWR1cmVwMzdAZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&amp;&amp;&amp;100&amp;&amp;&amp;http://youtu.be/ZGX69spelNY\" _mce_href=\"http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&amp;enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwMTA2LjM5OTcyNTMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDEwNi4zOTk3MjUzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTkyMjMzJmVtYWlsaWQ9a3RlZHVyZXAzN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mdXNlcmlkPWt0ZWR1cmVwMzdAZ21haWwuY29tJmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&amp;&amp;&amp;100&amp;&amp;&amp;http://youtu.be/ZGX69spelNY\" class=\"\">http://youtu.be/ZGX69spelNY</a>.</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></blockquote>\r\n\r\n<div></div>','',1,0,0,20,'2015-01-08 07:44:26',196,'','2015-01-08 07:50:09',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-01-08 07:44:26','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',7,0,1,'','',1,220,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(173,233,'2013-14 Homeless Student Data for Washington State','2013-14-homeless-student-data-for-washington-state','','<p>Important new information published by OSPI on Homeless Students in Washington State. <a href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/LegisGov/2015documents/HomelessStudentsJan2015.pdf\" _mce_href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/LegisGov/2015documents/HomelessStudentsJan2015.pdf\" title=\"2013-14 Homeless Student Data\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to read the full PDF Report.</a></p>','',1,0,0,19,'2015-01-20 06:30:14',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-01-20 06:30:14','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,3,'','',1,137,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(174,234,'South Seattle lawmakers want to split Seattle Public Schools','south-seattle-lawmakers-want-to-split-seattle-public-schools','','<p><a href=\"http://crosscut.com/2015/01/30/under-the-dome/123802/south-seattle-lawmakers-want-split-seattle-schools/\">http://crosscut.com/2015/01/30/under-the-dome/123802/south-seattle-lawmakers-want-split-seattle-schools/</a></p>','',1,0,0,16,'2015-02-03 07:28:55',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-02-03 07:28:55','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,0,'','',1,176,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(175,235,'Community Colleges Go To Prison','community-colleges-go-to-prison','','<p><a href=\"http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025481425_prisoneducationxml.html#.VL7R05oMX70.email\" _mce_href=\"http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025481425_prisoneducationxml.html#.VL7R05oMX70.email\">http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2025481425_prisoneducationxml.html#.VL7R05oMX70.email</a></p>','',1,0,0,16,'2015-02-03 19:41:43',196,'','2015-02-03 19:43:42',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-02-03 19:41:43','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',3,0,0,'','',1,463,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(176,236,'Dorn\'s Technology Literacy Bill Heard in Senate','dorns-technology-literacy-bill-heard-in-senate','','<p><a href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/communications/PressReleases2015/TechLiteracyBill.aspx\" _mce_href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/communications/PressReleases2015/TechLiteracyBill.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Technology Bill SB 5229</a></p><blockquote type=\"cite\" class=\"\" style=\"font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;\" _mce_style=\"font-family: \'Arial Narrow\'; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;\"><div class=\"\"><span id=\"OLK_SRC_BODY_SECTION\" class=\"\" style=\"font-family: \'Arial Narrow\', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\" _mce_style=\"font-family: \'Arial Narrow\', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"><div xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:o=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\" xmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\" xmlns:m=\"http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\" class=\"\"><div lang=\"EN-US\" link=\"blue\" vlink=\"purple\" class=\"\"><div class=\"WordSection1\" style=\"page: WordSection1;\" _mce_style=\"page: WordSection1;\"><div class=\"\"><div align=\"center\" class=\"\"></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></blockquote>','',1,0,0,19,'2015-02-03 19:44:34',196,'','2015-02-03 19:46:33',196,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-02-03 19:44:34','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',2,0,2,'','',1,158,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(178,238,'Oregon ODE: New Numbers Show Targeted Investments Accelerate Graduation Rates','oregon-ode-new-numbers-show-targeted-investments-accelerate-graduation-rates','','<p><a href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/announcements/announcement.aspx?ID=10386&amp;TypeID=5\" _mce_href=\"http://www.ode.state.or.us/news/announcements/announcement.aspx?ID=10386&amp;TypeID=5\" target=\"_blank\">Five year trend highlights gains in rates for underserved communities.</a></p>','',1,0,0,19,'2015-02-03 19:50:45',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-02-03 19:50:45','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,0,'','',1,150,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*',''),(177,237,'Sponsors Needed for Summer Meals Program','sponsors-needed-for-summer-meals-program','','<p><span style=\"font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;\"><a href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2015/SummerMealPrograms.aspx\" _mce_href=\"http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2015/SummerMealPrograms.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is seeking sponsors for the 2015 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)</a></span></p>','',1,0,0,19,'2015-02-03 19:49:07',196,'','0000-00-00 00:00:00',0,0,'0000-00-00 00:00:00','2015-02-03 19:49:07','0000-00-00 00:00:00','','','{\"show_title\":\"\",\"link_titles\":\"\",\"show_intro\":\"\",\"show_category\":\"\",\"link_category\":\"\",\"show_parent_category\":\"\",\"link_parent_category\":\"\",\"show_author\":\"\",\"link_author\":\"\",\"show_create_date\":\"\",\"show_modify_date\":\"\",\"show_publish_date\":\"\",\"show_item_navigation\":\"\",\"show_icons\":\"\",\"show_print_icon\":\"\",\"show_email_icon\":\"\",\"show_vote\":\"\",\"show_hits\":\"\",\"show_noauth\":\"\",\"alternative_readmore\":\"\",\"article_layout\":\"\"}',1,0,1,'','',1,144,'{\"robots\":\"\",\"author\":\"\",\"rights\":\"\",\"xreference\":\"\"}',0,'*','');
