Welcome back from what I hope was a relaxing and energizing winter break. I know some of you stayed in Madison, traveled home, enjoyed time in Germany, Mexico and Spain, visited sunny places, and many spent quality time with friends and family. Now we're back, and ready for a wonderful 2016!
For those of you who have felt as though you're experiencing the Disillusionment Phase of beginning teachers, the good news is that soon, very soon, you will begin to feel the Rejuvenation Phase (see this article). This month can be challenging as we are faced with assessments, limited time, cold weather, less sunlight, and looming report cards. Beginning in February, we have 2 months of relatively uninterrupted instruction and an opportunity to conference with families again in March. It is a beautiful part of the school year when distractions are minimized and you get to do what you came here to do: teach our children!
But, first, we need to be successful in January. Here is what you can expect:
Important Dates
- Friday, December 18 - the grading window is open and you may begin to enter grades
- Monday, January 4 - Welcome Back! Are you registered for the PDP Seminar?
- Thursday, January 14 - PDP Seminar (for teachers in the 1st and 2nd year of their Initial Educator's license who have not yet submitted a PDP goal)
- Monday, January 18 - no school - Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
- Friday, January 22 - end of Quarter 2. Early release for students so teachers can complete report cards.
- Tuesday, February 2, noon - the grading window closes; you may no longer enter grades.
- Friday, February 5 - no school - PD Day
Grading Window
- You can work on grades and comments as soon as the window opens! Report cards take a long time; don't wait until the last minute.
- How do I enter grades? Here is a link for Entering Scores, Comments, and Concepts. Use this resource, and ask teammates if you're unsure. Remember to save your work!
Assessments
- You will likely need to assess students in order to have updated information for report cards. Check with your IRTs, team members, and principals about specific school information so you know what assessments to complete.
- Remember - we have a Comprehensive Assessment System here in Madison. This means that we use all types of assessment to decide where a student is along the way to mastering a particular standard. A one-point-in-time assessment is not, and should not be, the only way to determine a student's mastery.
English Language Learners
- Do you have English Language Learners who speak a language at home that is different from the language in which you're teaching? Check with your school for deadlines for these students' comments. The Bilingual Resource Specialists at your schools will translate comments, and the due date for these particular comments is probably earlier than January 29.
Standards-Based Grading
- We grade students based on their achievement of the Common Core State Standards. These are end-of-the-year standards, so we have Grading Guides to help us figure out how to give grades in January. You will need this resource to complete report cards.
Grading Scale
- We grade students using a scale of 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 for each standard.
- 4 Advanced: Exceeds expectations for grade level at this quarter
- 3 Proficient: Meets expectations for grade level at this quarter
- 2 Progressing: Meets some expectations for grade level at this quarter
- 1 Emerging: Not yet meeting expectations for grade level at this quarter
