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INFO: May 2023 Secondary ELA Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 10 May '23

10 May '23

Hello, Colleagues: Attached is the May 2023 Secondary ELA Newsletter. Please feel free to share with interested parties. Thank you, Naomi Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO/ACTION: RISE assessment development workshop opportunities
by Watkins, Naomi 10 May '23

10 May '23

Greetings, Utah ELA Educators, We are excited to announce two RISE assessment development workshop opportunities coming in June 2023. Below is a description of the RISE Grade 8 ELA Essay Writing Passage Review Workshop and the RISE Grades 6-8 ELA Cluster Passage Review and Item Writing Workshop. Each workshop has a survey form to be completed for consideration to be selected to participate in either workshop. Opportunity 1: RISE Grade 8 Essay Writing Passage Review Tuesday June 20, 2023, and Wednesday June 21, 2023 ELA Writing Grade 8 The RISE Grade 8 Essay Writing Passage Review Workshop will review passages selected or written for writing prompts that will be administered in future RISE Grade 8 writing assessments. The group will evaluate the passages for content and writing prompt alignment. Passages will be reviewed, and edits will be recommended to align to Utah ELA standards. Location: Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S W Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Time: 8:00AM to 4:00PM each day. Breakfast will be served at 8:00AM. Lunch and snack will be provided as well. Compensation: Substitute reimbursement is offered to schools for teachers who participate in the meeting on school time. Educators whose school is not in session, or who use a personal day for the meeting, may receive a stipend beginning at $230 per day (or more depending on traveling distance). Every educator who participates will receive 8 relicensure points per day. Note: Participants must attend both days. Please know that there is limited space, so all respondents are not guaranteed a spot. Committee participants are chosen to comprise an accurate representation of Utah educators. We will let you know by Tuesday, May 16, 2023, if you are chosen to participate to make the appropriate arrangements. To register for consideration to participate in the RISE Grade 8 Essay Writing Passage Review, please complete this survey by Friday, May 12, 2023 (you do not need to respond to this email unless you have any questions or concerns): https://forms.gle/99AWdTqXvWD2EhfJ9 Opportunity 2: RISE Grades 6-8 ELA Cluster Passage Review and Item Writing Workshop Thursday June 22, 2023, and Friday June 23, 2023 ELA Grades 6-8 The RISE Grades 6-8 ELA Cluster Passage Review and Item Writing Workshop will review passages and write item drafts for clusters that will be administered in future RISE Grades 6-8 ELA assessments. The group will evaluate the passages for content. Passages will be reviewed, and edits will be recommended to align to Utah ELA standards. Participants will develop item clusters, based on the reviewed passages, to be reviewed in future ELA RISE Content Reviews and that will be administered in future RISE Grades 6-8 ELA assessments. ELA Cluster development is new for RISE ELA. In contrast to a group of single item writing, each cluster is written as a unified and authentic task that builds toward a deeper understanding of the concepts it assesses. Location: Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S W Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Time: 8:00AM to 4:00PM each day. Breakfast will be served at 8:00AM. Lunch and snack will be provided as well. Compensation: Substitute reimbursement is offered to schools for teachers who participate in the meeting on school time. Educators whose school is not in session, or who use a personal day for the meeting, may receive a stipend beginning at $230 per day (or more depending on traveling distance). Every educator who participates will receive 8 relicensure points per day. Note: Participants must attend both days. Please know that there is limited space, so all respondents are not guaranteed a spot. Committee participants are chosen to comprise an accurate representation of Utah educators. We will let you know by Tuesday, May 16, 2023, if you are chosen to participate to make the appropriate arrangements. To register for consideration to participate in the RISE Grades 6-8 ELA Cluster Passage Review and Item Writing Workshop, please complete this survey by Friday, May 12, 2023 (you do not need to respond to this email unless you have any questions or concerns): https://forms.gle/zJSKTRnK9qtSL2t56 We appreciate you taking an active role in Utah's assessment development process. Feel free to pass this information along to other ELA educators with expertise in the Utah Core ELA Standards and at least two years of teaching experience. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Thanks for all you do! Megan Megan Lopez, M.Ed. Education Specialist, Secondary English Language Arts|WIDA A2A Program Manager Assessment & Accountability Utah State Board of Education Phone: (801) 538-7723 Email: megan.lopez(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:megan.lopez@schools.utah.gov> Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: Spikes 2 Utah Campaign
by Watkins, Naomi 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

[cid:image002.png@01D96617.A24A7590] Utah is well-known for its historic role in the building of the transcontinental railroad; however many may be surprised to learn that the Golden Spike, the ceremonial final spike driven to join the rails of the transcontinental railroad, is not in Utah but instead housed at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University in California. Neil Armstrong Academy fourth grade teacher Mr. Pendleton traveled to San Francisco with his family last summer and visited the Cantor Arts Center to see the Golden Spike. Mr. Pendleton was shocked to find that there was no special display for the Golden Spike. In fact, there was not even a name plate identifying it, nor any kind of explanation as to what it was or its historical significance. This inspired Mr. Pendleton to create a writing assignment for his fourth grade class to write persuasive letters to the museum to convince them that the Golden Spike deserves an honored place in Utah. This writing assignment has since blossomed into a full-fledged media campaign led by Armstrong Academy fourth grade students requesting the Cantor Arts Center loan the Golden Spike, Silver Spike, and Silver Maul to the Museum of Utah. Students in Mr. Pendleton’s class have worked with media partners to create a letter-writing campaign with the goal to get as many members of the Utah public involved in the campaign as possible using billboards, radio ads, TV ads, and social media. Students have created the spikes2utah.org<http://spikes2utah.org/> website, a YouTube video, and a Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089669621120> and Twitter<https://twitter.com/Spikes2Utah> page to spread the word about the campaign. Broadway Media Group and Compass Billboards have already generously donated ad space for students on their respective platforms, and students hope to get more advertising companies, media partners, and all schools across the state involved. Utahns interested in helping the letter-writing campaign can send letters directly to Armstrong Academy or submit their letters online using the student-created website<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-A2HpzL4GAY5k-45qGidpDOm9voDgB84…>. A teacher lesson plan<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XOwV669BPTWyC9LeW2tRAz4aSdNRExeUiNLoxTa…> has even been designed should teachers need some additional support carrying out this activity with their students. Armstrong Academy fourth grade students officially kicked off the student-led Spikes2Utah letter-writing campaign during a press conference at the school on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. They will be collecting letters until May 10th. Please join in this historic campaign to help bring the spikes home to Utah. Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: April 2023 Secondary ELA Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 12 Apr '23

12 Apr '23

Hello, Secondary ELA Friends, You will find the April 2023 Secondary ELA Newsletter attached. Feel free to share with interested parties. Thank you, Naomi Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: Civil Dialogue Professional Learning
by Watkins, Naomi 10 Apr '23

10 Apr '23

Dear Educators: Mary Ellen Daneels recently joined us for professional learning regarding creating conditions for civil dialogue. Here is the link to that session's recording<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S-JSY8JsO0Yc8PtjWOChf2X7Sffv8q91>. She will be continuing the conversation Wednesday, April 12 at 3:30 pm, with the third of four independent webinars to share more strategies and resources and field questions as we all work to engage in the vital civic skill of civil dialogue. The remaining two webinars are scheduled for April 12, and May 2. Sign up<https://usbe.midaseducation.com/midas/staff/pd-sections/course/62350> here. You need not have attended the initial workshop in December to attend these follow-up webinars. Each webinar will have a different focus. You will receive one licensing hour for each webinar you attend. Please see the attached flyer for more information. [cid:image001.png@01D93BC4.C99DEFA0] Robert Austin Humanities Team Coordinator Secondary Social Studies, International Initiatives/Exchange Visitor Program Utah State Board of Education Robert.austin(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:Robert.austin@schools.utah.gov> Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: Apply to be a Utah Teacher Fellow today!
by Watkins, Naomi 21 Mar '23

21 Mar '23

[cid:image001.jpg@01D95B7D.2C895E60] We are currently recruiting the 4th cohort of Utah Teacher Fellows, who will collaborate with their peers and Utah decision makers to develop policy solutions to critical education challenges. Teacher Fellows remain in their classrooms and work with the program ~10 hours a month throughout the 2-year Fellowship. Fellows receive an annual stipend of $1,000. Educators from all areas are encouraged to apply; general education, special education, counselors, librarian, coaches, specialists, etc. Teacher Fellows must have a current Utah Professional Educator License. The Fellowship application opened March 15, 2023 and closes April 15th. You can learn more by reviewing our application checklist<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K2tok7CHywfqeCKwrYqjx_XtQAhND_aQ/view?usp=…>. If you have any questions, please reach out. Tabitha Pacheco, M.Ed., NBCT she/her/hers Director, Education Programs Hope Street Group tabithap(a)hopestreetgroup.org<mailto:tabithap@hopestreetgroup.org> LinkedIn<http://linkedin.com/in/tabitha-pacheco-57694b85> Twitter<https://twitter.com/tabitha_pacheco> 801.830.6443 [Image removed by sender.] Hope Street Group<http://hopestreetgroup.org/> strives to ensure every American has access to economic opportunity Learn more about our Utah Teacher Fellows<https://hopestreetgroup.org/teacher-fellows/utteacherfellows/> Find us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/utahteacherfellowsprogram/> Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/HSG_UT> Check out our blog - The Utah Teacher<http://theutahteacher.com> [Image removed by sender.] Subscribe to the Skilling America newsletter<http://eepurl.com/guS-CH> to receive regular updates on curriculum development, pilot testing, Distinguished Fellows and Teacher Fellows delivered to your inbox.

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INFO: March 2023 Secondary ELA Newsletter
by Watkins, Naomi 13 Mar '23

13 Mar '23

Hello, Colleagues. Attached is the March 2023 Secondary ELA Newsletter. Please feel free to share with interested parties. Thank you, Naomi Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: Next Webinar for Civil Dialogue Professional Learning
by Watkins, Naomi 08 Mar '23

08 Mar '23

Dear Educators: Mary Ellen Daneels recently joined us for professional learning regarding creating conditions for civil dialogue. Here is the link to that session's recording<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S-JSY8JsO0Yc8PtjWOChf2X7Sffv8q91>. She will be continuing the conversation Monday, March 13 at 3:30 pm, with the second of four independent webinars to share more strategies and resources and field questions as we all work to engage in the vital civic skill of civil dialogue. Future webinars are scheduled for April 12 and May 2. Sign up<https://usbe.midaseducation.com/midas/staff/pd-sections/course/62350> for as many as you like. You need not have attended the initial workshop in December to attend these follow-up webinars. Each webinar will have a different focus. You will receive one licensing hour for each webinar you attend. Please see the attached flyer for more information. [cid:image001.png@01D93BC4.C99DEFA0] Robert Austin Humanities Team Coordinator Secondary Social Studies, International Initiatives/Exchange Visitor Program Utah State Board of Education Robert.austin(a)schools.utah.gov<mailto:Robert.austin@schools.utah.gov> Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: Press Briefing for Student Journalists (Free Opportunity)
by Watkins, Naomi 09 Feb '23

09 Feb '23

Feel free to share with journalism educators. College and high school student journalists are invited to join the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)<https://cdt.org/> for a briefing on potential stories on school surveillance, student privacy, and free expression on- and off-campus. We'll discuss the issues raised by software widely adopted by K-12 schools across the country<https://cdt.org/insights/report-hidden-harms-the-misleading-promise-of-moni…> that monitors students' activity online, and online surveillance tools being used by colleges and universities. The software, which can track students' logins to systems, and the content of their screens, emails, chats, and search and browsing history, is often implemented to comply with schools' perceived legal obligations and to keep students safe online.<https://cdt.org/insights/report-online-and-observed-student-privacy-implica…> However, these tools - and others adopted at the college and K-12 levels, like social media monitoring, remote proctoring, and bluetooth beacons - instead increase the risk of discrimination, chill free expression, and threaten privacy. As part of Student Press Freedom Day,<https://studentpressfreedom.org/> CDT invites college and high school student journalists to join a virtual press briefing to discuss these issues and more on Wednesday, March 1 from 7:30-8:15pm ET. Participants will hear from CDT experts working on student surveillance and free expression, and have the chance to ask them questions. We will also have an open discussion about how participants have seen surveillance tools used in schools, and the impacts on students. At the press briefing, participants will: * Learn about surveillance tools used by schools, and understand how they work. * Learn about how these tools can impact students' privacy and free expression, and their potential unintended consequences, like "outing" LGBTQ+ students and punishing students with disabilities. * Learn how to cover issues of school surveillance in their local communities. * Learn about and practice covering a press briefing and asking questions of experts for their reporting. Registration and more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/student-press-briefing-impacts-of-school-surve… Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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INFO: Follow-Up Webinars for Civil Dialogue Professional Learning
by Watkins, Naomi 08 Feb '23

08 Feb '23

Colleagues: Mary Ellen Daneels joined us last week for professional learning regarding creating conditions for civil dialogue. She will be continuing the conversation with four independent webinars to share more strategies and resources and field questions as we all work to engage in the vital civic skill of civil dialogue. These sessions will each begin at 3:30 pm on February 22, March 13, April 12, and May 2. Sign up<https://usbe.midaseducation.com/midas/staff/pd-sections/course/62350> for as many as you like. You need not have attended the initial workshop to attend these follow-up webinars. Each webinar will have a different focus. You will receive one licensing hour for each webinar you attend. Please see the attached flyer for more information. [cid:image001.png@01D93BC4.C99DEFA0] Naomi Watkins, Ph.D. Secondary English Language Arts Specialist Utah State Board of Education (801) 538-7616

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