Many districts began their administrator evaluation planning with the first edition of the Leader Evaluation Rubric. Since the revision of the rubric, many are now switching to the 2015 version as part of their revised planning for administrator evaluation. If your district is now adopting the 2015 rubric, why not invite CAS to do an in-district workshop? Contact Ev Lyons (elyons@casciac.org) now to schedule a workshop for the 2016-17 academic year.

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The CT School Finance Project has prepared a summary of the revised FY 2016-17 Department of Education Budget, including a town-by-town analysis of the Education Cost Sharing grant. The summary reflects the changes that followed the adoption of S.B. 501, “An Act Adjusting the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2017.” The CSDE revised budget reduces all but one program from the FY 2016-17 budget originally adopted. In total, the revised budget decreases the CSDE budget by $108.6 million, or 3.5%. See which programs/areas were hit hardest.

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On September 21st and October 5th, two noted assessment presenters, Barbara Beaudin and Linda Kauffman, will facilitate a two-day professional learning community experience on developing quality formative assessments. This two-day workshop, sponsored jointly by CAS and EASTCONN, is open to district and building administrators, curriculum developers, instructional specialists and teacher leaders. Registration is open now and space is limited!

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Drs. Rachel Gabriel and Sarah Woulfin from UConn's Neag School of Education are undertaking an important study on K-12 professional development practices in Connecticut. They will be examining how leaders from districts around the state learn about, evaluate and select professional development services and materials. If you play a role in the selection and design of professional development within your district, you are invited to participate in one 45-60 minute, semi-structured interview. Please consider providing your input!

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The Connecticut State Department of Education has launched a new interactive data website that will strengthen transparency and streamline online access to important school and district information. EdSight is a brand new data portal that successfully integrates information on key performance measures that make up the Next Generation Accountability System, as well as dozens of other topics including school finance, staffing levels and school enrollment.

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As part of its newly established Sage Park Leaders Program, Sage Park Middle School in Windsor hosted a leadership training program involving 100 young men of color yesterday. The event was the culmination of months of work that started with CAS’ leadership conference at Goodwin College last fall. The program brings together students with leadership capabilities, the mentors, and students who could benefit from experiences that develop such skills. The goal of the program is to promote a shift in the culture of the school in how young men of color are viewed, supported and challenged. Read more about this transformational program!

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Schools are invited to take part in a fitness challenge on June 2nd called “Walk to the Moon.” The goal is to encourage Connecticut families to walk together to cover 238,855 miles, the distance from the Earth to the moon. June 2nd is significant because it is the 50th anniversary of the first American spacecraft landing on the moon. The initiative was designed as a fun and purposeful way of engaging children in healthy activities.

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