K-12 Alliance

Director: Kathy DiRanna    (K-12 Alliance Director) Contact: Kathy DiRanna Tel: 949.824.7809 Email: kdirann@wested.org

The K-12 Alliance unites the professional development programs of CSIN, SPAN, and SS&C to promote change and foster excellence in science and math education. The alliance offers three types of professional development services: The Long-Term Program This program focuses on the school or department as the unit of change, providing an in-depth professional development experience for designing and implementing standards-based, articulated science and mathematics programs for all students. The Associate Program This program meets the needs of individual teachers or school/district teams by providing a content-rich, standards-based program to enhance teaching and learning. The Hub Program This program is offered statewide through a system of local services based in the Superintendents’ regions. The Hubs bring together educators (K-University) and the public to provide a forum for networking and learning. This program complements and extends the opportunities for systemic reform. Our Goals and How We Achieve Them K-12 Alliance professional development centers around enhancing teacher content knowledge, addressing teacher practices and beliefs, facilitating pedagogical techniques that are effective for all students, analyzing student work for conceptual understanding and student growth, engaging administrators and the community in reform efforts, and developing teacher leaders. For our long-term programs, an implementation team of lead teachers, an administrator, and parents represents each school. The team receives intensive professional development and support, and is charged with creating and maintaining schoolwide change for science education. Project Web Site: http://k12alliance.org

Who's involved with this Project? Diane Carnahan (Regional Director, K-12 Alliance - Regions 4 & 6) Karen Cerwin (Regional Director, K-12 Alliance - Region 10) Kathy DiRanna (K-12 Alliance Director) Jody Skidmore Sherriff (Regional Director, K-12 Alliance - Region 2) Rita Starnes (Regional Director, K-12 Alliance - Regions 5, 7 & 8) Jo Marie Topps (Regional Director, K-12 Alliance - Region 11) Doris Waters (Administrative Program Manager, K-12 Alliance)

What kind of Resources are available? Assessment-Centered Teaching: A Reflective Practice Because assessment and instruction are two sides of the same coin, it is critical for teachers to not only assess what students understand, but also use that information to adjust their teaching. Assessment-Centered Teaching (ACT) is a unique practice that allows teachers to gather information during instruction to uncover learning gaps and guide students toward deeper understandings of complex ideas. Suitable for all grade levels, this resource describes how reflective practitioners can use the ACT portfolio to reflect on, modify, and improve their curriculum and instruction. The forms included on the CD-ROM guide teachers through the process. This book encourages educators to: Reflect on their own practice Systematically examine student progress toward identified learning goals over time Monitor instruction and assessment for continuous improvement Assessment-Centered Teaching helps teachers, professional developers, and school teams establish quality instructional goals and implement ongoing formative assessment to promote student success. R&D Alert® Vol. 9, No. 1 Contents Making the Most of Mistakes: Math Pathways and Pitfalls Improves Student Learning Helping English Learners Acquire the Language of Mathematics Opening the Gateway: Interventions Aim for Algebra Success Formative Assessment: At the Center of Effective Science Instruction It All Adds Up: Strengthening Mathematics Teacher Leaders Means Better Teaching and Learning What's New & Useful: WestEd Products & Services Single copies are available free of charge. All current and past issues of R&D Alert are available online. Science and Mathematics Education Solutions: 2008 Products and Services Catalog Our Science and Mathematics Education Solutions catalog presents evidence-based products and professional development services, from language development to differentiated instruction, from data-driven decision-making to assessment and more. Order books and other products reflecting WestEd work and expertise. To receive a free copy of this publication, please click Add to Cart above and proceed through check out. Selecting & Purchasing Science Instructional Materials The Data Coach's Guide to Improving Learning for All Students The Data Coach's Guide to Improving Learning for All Students provides detailed guidance for helping schools move away from unproductive data practices and toward examining data as a catalyst for systematic and continuous improvement in instruction and student learning. To help both current and aspiring data coaches facilitate school-based data teams and lead teachers in collaborative inquiry, the authors demonstrate a data model that has been field-tested and proven to be effective in: Narrowing achievement gaps among students in all content areas and grade levels Achieving strong, steady gains in local and state assessments in mathematics, science, and reading Using data as a springboard for powerful conversations about race/ethnicity, class, education status, gender, and language differences Developing shared values and a vision for creating a high-performing, data-informed school culture This culturally responsive resource benefits staff developers, teachers, and administrators interested in creating change through effective data practices. It includes a CD-ROM keyed to the book, with templates, handouts, PowerPoint slides, resources, and sample goals and agendas.