Course Details

Every day decisions are being made about your school, your district and the condition of education in your state based upon an accountability model. This course will discuss in user-friendly terms the history and need for an accountability system; what the prevalent models are, what the similarities and differences are between the various models and how the information from these models can lead to better educational decisions that support improved achievement.

Content Experts:
Timothy Vansickle, Vice President for Educational Policy Research and Analysis at Questar Assessment
Recardo Sockwell, Director, Office of Program Evaluation, Fairfax County Schools, Virginia

Audience:
Appropriate for administrators at the building and district level, as well as classroom personnel and non-classified office staff. May also be used as an introduction of the subject matter for parent groups.

Students, especially high-poverty students, come to us with varying degrees of readiness for learning. Poverty-related issues can be significant barriers to teaching and learning. This course goes beyond the academics and will explore various models and programs that focus on an integrated, comprehensive approach for providing community and school resources to maximize student learning.

Content Experts:
Howard Adelman, Co-Director, School Mental Health Project, UCLA
Linda Taylor, Co-Director, School Mental Health Project, UCLA
Rhonda Neal Waltman, Former Assistant Superintendent, Mobile County Public Schools, Alabama

Audience:
Appropriate for administrators at the building and district level, as well as classroom personnel and non-classified office staff. May also be used with civic groups as the basis for developing cooperative programs for students.

We all agree that parent and family involvement is crucial to student success. The why we know -- the how is often times more problematic. This course will explore some of the most effective parent involvement models and programs and provide you with the knowledge needed to evaluate your current program and make it more effective and relevant for the parents and students of today.

Content Experts:
Nancy Feyl Chavkin, Director, Center for Children & Families, Texas State University, San Marcos
Linda Riddick Barron, Supervisor, Educational Grants Office, Waterbury Department of Education, Connecticut
Steve Foster, Principal, Lakeside Elementary School, Indiana

Audience:
Appropriate for administrators at the building and district level, as well as classroom personnel and non-classified office staff.