Commissioner's Newsletters
December 13, 2007
Dear School Administrator:
Here are several important items for your information and use.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: COMMENT ON ENTRY-LEVEL COMPETENCIES
We notified you in November about the “Curriculum Alignment Initiative” (CAI) now being conducted by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. The CAI is required by state law enacted last year (Senate Bill 389); its goal is to produce “agreed upon competencies” for entry-level, general education courses at the collegiate level.
Groups of educators (higher education and K-12 representatives) are working hard and moving fast to complete this work. Originally, December 7 was the deadline for educators and the public to comment on the initial drafts of the entry-level competencies.
At the request of several leaders in K-12 education and at the RPDCs, the Department of Higher Education has agreed to extend the deadline for comments and suggestions until January 2. I appreciate this extension. It will give K-12 educators who are interested a more realistic opportunity to review the proposed competencies and to offer constructive comments.
I urge you to make sure your faculty is aware of the important CAI project. It is extremely important for the K-12 community to participate in this process and to make its voice heard. The proposed entry-level competencies are available for review and comment.
APRs AND “REPORT CARDS”
Final Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for all school districts, along with new district- and school-level “report cards” will be published on the DESE Web site tomorrow, December 14. The information contained in the APRs will be the information we use to determine how many districts have qualified for the “Distinction in Performance” award this year. We plan to make a formal statement the middle of next week to announce all the districts that have earned the Distinction in Performance award.
Because of directives from the U.S. Department of Education, the new “report cards” contain more information than in the past. We were required to incorporate more details about highly qualified teachers and the AYP status of districts and schools. Otherwise the format and content of these profiles is essentially the same as in past years.
Let me remind you that your district is no longer required to publish a separate “report card.” As a result of the state law enacted in 2005, our online documents now fulfill your reporting requirements. However, you are still required to make this information available to patrons upon request. You should make sure that your board, staff and community know that the new reports are available online.
“MoVIP” SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER
The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP) has state-funded seats available for the second semester. After the holidays, we will send MoVIP Site Facilitators more information about 2008 summer school classes and MoVIP course offerings for the 2008-09 academic year. Currently, MoVIP enrollment is close to 2,000 students. About 500 students (38% part-time, 62% full-time) are in elementary-level courses. Approximately 1,500 students (7% full-time, 93% part-time) are in secondary-level classes.
2008 CALENDAR
Enclosed for your use is an attractive 2008 calendar, compliments of our Veterans Education section and the “Troops to Teachers” program. If you know a veteran who might be interested in a teaching career, you should refer that person to our office. We may be able to help them make the transition into a teaching career.
ONLINE “MAILBAG”
In October, we began to post more items online in the “DESE Mailbag.” This has largely replaced the consolidated, weekly mailing that we have been doing for several years. Are you accessing the Mailbag? Are you and other members of your staff able to get the information in a timely fashion? We have received a few plaudits about the new system and no complaints that I know of.
We have been updating the contents of the Mailbag on Wednesdays. We send an e-mail notice about new items to those who have subscribed to the “DESE News Bulletin.” If you are not receiving these e-mail alerts, visit the “News Releases” section on the main DESE Web page. Follow the instructions there to subscribe to the “DESE News Bulletin.”
My greeting card to you is enclosed. I am happy to acknowledge Miles Baublite, a student at Wyland Elementary School in the Ritenour School District, for creating the art for my card this year. We thank all the students at Wyland Elementary and their instructor, Jean McMullen, for contributing the wonderful art for this year’s holiday cards.
I am looking forward to some quiet days with my family during the holiday. I hope that you and your family have a safe and refreshing holiday break.
Sincerely,
D. Kent King
Enclosures