Meeting+Notes+Oct.+6+2009

Please add any notes or reflections from this meeting

Hi Everyone- Our second meeting regarding the 21st Century Grant was held yesterday in Val Howard's room yesterday. Some of the highlights of the meeting were: In order to put us in the best possible position to be awarded the grant, we need to show that our integration of technology from the grant funds is reaching as many different kids as possible. Ideally, we need two math teachers from each grade to participate (although more is possible). Should you choose to participate, you must be involved in the product research, the grant writing, and –of course- its implementation.
 *  The grant focus will be on student learning and engagement in an area of (TBD)
 *  Ann Mordecai and Brandon Williams use Performance Tracker will pull results that should help us determine the best area of growth for our focus (they should have this ready for us by the end of the week)
 *  The classrooms of teachers who choose to be part of the study will be outfitted with state-of-the-art technology to incorporate into classroom instruction
 *  The study must include curriculum designed with a ratio of technology devices to students of 1 : 1 and 2 or 3 : 1
 *  The level of student learning will be measured by NECAP results and some form of Benchmark Assessment (we need to figure out if we will use Performance Tracker for the BA or one of the other programs that we are exploring (see below for links))
 *  Anna has created a Wiki for us to dialogue about the various elements of the grant (please join – there are important dates there and your input is important!)

Implementation requires a lot of PD time (over the course of the January 2010 – March 2011, you should expect at least 80 hours of PD time; some of which will occur in the Summer of 2010). Stipends will be awarded to folks who fully commit to the study portion of the grant.

There are a couple of other options that should be available in the event that the grant is awarded, too. If you are not part of the central study required by the grant and funds remain in the budget, you may apply for a piece of technology for your classroom. An application for the technology will need to be completed that will require you to explain how you will be using it and the number of Professional Development hours you will devoting toward successfully implementing it into your classroom, but the PD time will be much less than the time needed for those who are completely involved.

Please check out the following sites for information about a couple of resources Susan found that we may want to include in our proposal: http://www.studyisland.com/demoAsk.cfm?action=RTI&myState=NH http://www.rmeducation.com/files/media/RM%20Math%20videos/RMMFE%20MS.swf Anna, where in the wiki would be the best place for us to discuss our reactions to the product links above, the upcoming visits from vendors, and the information that is gathered from folks who are going to the tech conference in Bedford on October 22nd?

Finally, I would love to meet with 6th grade teachers today or tomorrow so that any questions can be addressed (I’m sure we will all have lots of questions – there’s a lot to digest with this grant!) and the team of study group members can be finalized. Can we meet briefly after school Wednesday or Thursday?

If you’re still reading… thanks for sticking it through to the end! I’m sure that I have omitted some details. The wikispace will be a great place for us all to fill in any gaps that exist. Please remember to join and participate in it!

Thanks,

Christine