As President-Elect for the past year andPASCD member for 19 years, I am excited to begin a new journey as President of our state organization. Throughout the years, I have wit-nessed the organization evolve as the needs of the members change. The membership is PASCD. As the needs of our membership grow, so will the organization. Keeping that in mind,I plan to focus on the following during my two-year tenure:

1. The go-to organization for any educator involved with supervision and/or curriculum, PK thru Higher Education, will be PASCD.

2. The services offered by PASCD will be evaluated to ensure that all are meaningful and valuable to members. We will provide periodic surveys through our website to find out what you want and need from PASCD.

3. Timely legislative action, upates and job-related current resources will be distributed to members.

4. PASCD will provide high-quality professional development and support to meet the various needs of our members.

5. Educators who want to “do more” to lead in changing times will be encouraged to be involved with PASCD committee and leadership roles.

The Executive Board has spent numerous hours devising a plan based on what our members are telling us. I would like to thank them for their continuous insight and vision. Their enthusiasm continues to evolve as they keep an open mind on the future direction of the organization.

As part of the plan, our new website has been enhanced and will be used as an outreach tool. Thanks to Dr. Jeff Taylor, who worked tirelessly to develop the interactive website, it was able to be launched this sum-mer. Check us out at www.pascd.org! As we grow and build over the next few months, you will find legislative information, regional activity an-nouncements, networking, annual conference updates, and other timely resources. The site will contain periodic surveys to voice your profession-al needs. It will allow for online opportunities instead of waiting for face-to-face interaction. Eventually, the majority of written communications will become paperless.

UPDATEPDATEVolume 32, Number 1 Fall 2012

Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Twice International ASCDTwice International ASCDAward-Winning Newsletter.Award-Winning Newsletter.

www.pascd.org

Mission StatementPASCD, educators impacting

teaching and learningthrough leadership.

President’s Message• ....................1

Curriculum Committee• ..................2

2012 Annual Conference• Power Up: New Perspectives ......3

Supervision Committee• ............... 4

Curriculum Leadership Academy• .... 5

Scholarship Recipients• ................ 6

V O T E President-Elect Information with Ballot (postage prepaid) .....7-9

2012 Annual Conference• Power Up: New PerspectivesInfo & Registration Form ....... 10-11

Book Review• ............................. 12

Website / Social Networking• ...... 13

Emerging Leader at L2L• ........ 14-15

New Members• ........................... 16

Dr. Mary Wolf

“This Newsletter is not an official publication of ASCD and its publication does not

necessarily reflect the views of ASCD.”(continued on page 2)

AAs President-Elect for the past year andPASCD member for 19 years, I am exciteed to

President’s MessagePresident’s Message

2

OFFICERS

PresidentDr. Mary Wolf, Clarion-Limestone SD

Past PresidentDr. Gary Robinson, Hollidaysburg Area SD

TreasurerDr. Diane Eicher, Dallastown SD (Ret)

Executive DirectorDr. Richard Nilsen

REGIONAL PRESIDENTS

Delaware Valley Dr. Colleen Lelli, Cabrini College

EasternDr. Bonnie Troxell, Berks IU 14

MidwesternDr. David McCommons, Fox Chapel Area SD

Northeastern Dr. Kurt Eisele, Wilkes University

North CentralMr. Brian Griffith, Penns Valley Area Area SD

Northwestern Dr. Susan Curtin, Edinboro University

South CentralMr. Brian Keagy, Hollidaysburg Area SD

Southwestern Dr. Beth Hutson, Albert Gallatin Area SD

SouthernMs. Cheryl Rudawski, Capital Area IU

WesternMs. Cathleen Cubelic, Midwestern IU 4

Through my transition to the Presidency, Jim Warnock, previous Executive Di-rector, and Dr. Richard Nilsen, current Executive Director, have been instrumen-tal in making the shift between executive directors as seamless as possible. Jim was our anchor as well as a strong support system for the organization, and has given Rich the time and tools necessary to move forward. I look for-ward to working with Dr. Nilsen to advance the organization as we move for-ward with the same vision in mind.

I would finally like to acknowledge the work of our Past-President, Dr. Gary Robinson. I plan to continue leading the way with the changes that are planned for the organization. Gary is and will continue to be instrumental with develop-ing a collaborative relationship with PAC-TE; the PA Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators.

In closing, I encourage all members to consider attending the best educational event of the year: the PASCD 62nd Annual Conference in Hershey, PA! It will be held November 18-20, and will feature numerous small group sessions, exhibitors, and a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers: Dr. Judy Willis, Dr. Jon Landis, and Dr. Chris Moersch. Those who enroll in “The LoTi Guy’s” program with Dr. Moersch will be eligible to receive 30 Act 45 hours. The Conference Committee and Conference co-chairs, Karen Ruddle and Jean Dyszel, have done a tremendous job coordinating this year’s conference and ensuring the most valuable educational experience for you. I am looking forward to seeing you in Hershey, PA on November 18th! Dr. Mary Wolf PASCD President

The State Board adopted Common Core Standards in July 2010. Since then, the PA Common Core Standards (PACC) in English Language Arts and Math-ematics have been developed. The PACC standards will directly or indirectly impact all grade levels as well as all content areas. A particularly important note is that the English Language Arts standards at the secondary level are named the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies and Science/Technical Subjects, emphasizing the relevance of these standards in all content areas. These new standards can be found on PDE’s SAS portal. Eligible content and emphasis documents can also be found on this site. To view or download this information, go to www.pdesas.org ; click on Standards; click on Common Core; and the documents will be listed below.The transition to the PA Common Core will also impact the eligible content for PSSA testing. A power point explaining the highlights of the assess-ment transition to PA Common Core and to Keystone Exams can be found on the SAS portal under Assessments; then Keystone Exams or at this link: http://static.pdesas.org/Content/Documents/2012_Assessment_Transition_PowerPoint_v2.pdf

The State Boaard adopted Common Core Standards in July 2010. Since then,the PA Common Core Standards (PPACC) in English Language Arts and Math-

Curriculum CommitteeCurriculum Committee

Through my traansition to the Presideency, Jim Warnock, previous Executive Di-rector and Dr RRichard Nilsen currennt Executive Director have been instrumen-

President’s Message President’s Message (conrtinued from page 1)

33

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

MembershipDr. Ann Way, Tunkhannock Area SD

PublicationsDr. Judy Zaenglein, Penn State HarrisburgDr. Denise Meister, Penn State Harrisburg

ScholarshipDr. Mary Desmone, Erie, PA

Strategic PlanningMs. Elaine Sautner, Selinsgrove Area SD

Student ChaptersMs. Janeen Peretin, Baldwin-Whitehall SDMs. Denise Sedlacek, Baldwin-Whitehall SD

SupervisionDr. Robert Williams, Williamsport Area SD

TechnologyDr. Jeff Taylor, North Hills SD

ConferenceMs. Karen Ruddle, Capital Area IU

Curriculum & InstructionDr. Cindy Mierzejewski, Berks IU 14

Mr. Michael Smith, Newport Elementary

Equity & AccessDr. Deborah Cox, Pittsburgh Public Schools

InfluenceDr. Dean Maynard, Northwest Tri-County IU 5

HistorianDr. Dixie Winters, Penn State York (Ret)

Outstanding Young EducatorChristine Myers, Brockway Area SD

ASCD Constituent Partnerships DirectorKevin Scott, ASCD

Register now for PASCD’s 2012 conference, Power Up: New Perspectives.

We have a great line-up of speakers including Dr. Jon Landis from Apple Technologies who will address the challenges we face in education and share ways to maximize the possibilities of a connected world. Join Jon as he explores our mobility rich environment, how it works, and what roles educa-tional leaders can play in our schools to maximize achievement.

Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist from Santa Barbara, CA, with teacher education training and years of classroom experience, will explore how the brain processes information for memory and conceptual knowledge. Judy will share practical ways to integrate research from neuroscience and cognitive psychology to build the skillsets critical for 21st century success.

Dr. Chris Moersch, founder of the internationally-recognized LoTi (Levels of Teaching Integration) framework,will show us how to turn up the H.E.A.T. and use the LoTi tools to promote higher levels of student engagement, higher order thinking. You won’t want to miss this high-energy session!

Several statewide leaders will be sharing the latest information on topicsincluding:

• Pennsylvania’s Multiple Measures Teacher Evaluation

• PA’s Assessment Transition Plan

• Common Core Standards Implementation

• Standards Aligned System

Join us for breakout sessions highlighting best practices in schools.Talkto teachers and administrators from across Pennsylvania as they share their practices to the new state initiatives.

You won’t want to miss the educational exhibit hall for the opportunity to see the latest products from companies across the country. We will also be of-fering several poster sessions by educators across the state who will share innovative ideas and the resources you need to implement these practices in your school!

If you can’t join us live, consider attending virtually. You and your colleagues can access the keynote presenters and several of the small group presenters from the comfort of your home or office. PASCD will also provide an in-depth conference kit that will include thought-provoking discussion questions to use to further the conversation at your site after the presentation ends. Con-sider this low cost means of accessing the conference for your district. If you are a principal, superintendent, teacher, assistant superintendent, curriculumdirector, supervisor, technology director, coach, or university professor there’s something for you at PASCD.

To register for the conference go to:http://www.pascd.org/annualconference.cfmor see page 11 of the Update

Karen Ruddle and Jean Dyszel, 2012 PASCD Conference Chairpersons

Register now for PASCD’s 2012 conferencce, Power Up: New PPerspectives.

2012 PASCD Annual Conference

Power Up Power Up

4

The PASCD Supervision Committee had a dynamic two-day meeting held at Penn State University, August 9 and 10. Our new PASCD executive director, Richard Nilsen, was with us during the first day of the meet-ing. He informed the group of current status of PASCD, where he envisioned the committee in the mission of the organization, and current needs to be addressed.

The committee began their work with the revision for districts to apply for the PASCD Exemplary Super-vision and Evaluation Award or commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Award. I believe we now have a dynamic and stream-lined process for districts to make application for this award. A large amount of information will be provided by the district at the initial application that will be reviewed by the entire com-mittee. If the process moves forward, teachers and administrators in the applying district will complete a survey using a Survey Monkey tool that was developed by Paul Healey. The survey is a self-assessment and awareness of the six eligible criteria for the award. If the information from the survey indicates that a district is eligible for the award, a site visit will be scheduled with a team from the supervision committee to do the on-site interviews and final evaluation. We are pleased to announce that there is a school district who is being considered for the 2012 award that has met the criteria to date in the process. We also have another district who has made a recent application and will be given the process steps once approved by the PASCD executive board at the September meeting. This was a long and involved revision process and I want to thank the following members of the team who helped with this process: Paul Healey, Pat Lowery, Sharon Fasenmyer, Deb Weaver, Cathleen Cubelic, Joe Clapper, Linda Hoover, and Jim Nolan.

The committee also discussed the renewed PDE approval for the PASCD Supervision Academy. The category V piece, embedded work and culminating project, requires significant reflective work that must be submitted by the participants to be scored using a proficiency rubric. It was decided that those who will be teaching the three days of the academies will divide the work and score it once received. Also the academy will be scheduled through the executive director with me contacting those who will teach the sessions. We do not have a lead contact person at this point for the academy, therefore Richard and I will be dividing the work. There is already one IU that has asked for the academy and I believe through presentations made at the conference and at the upcoming PDE SAS conference in December, there will be a great deal of interest in scheduling the academy. We are going to advertise the academy not only to intermediate units but also districts as they become involved in the new Measuring Teacher Effectiveness Model. We believe the academy can effectively provide instruction for administrators who will be evalu-ated on how well they effectively use formative evaluation and supervision with their teachers.

We made a decision to put the Evaluation Academy reapplication for PDE approval on hold until we de-termine what the need may be for instruction in the PDE Measuring Teacher and Principal Effectiveness models. The committee will look at this over the coming year and make a decision next summer if we can effectively manage and deliver this academy as well as delivering the Supervision Academy.

Finally, the PASCD supervision committee team members are joining with members of PAC-TE and PDE, and an administrator and teacher who has model pilot experience in a forum that will close the opening Sunday event of the conference on November 18. The members of the team will speak on different as-pects and viewpoints of the impact of the PDE Measuring Teacher Effectiveness Model. The conference will begin with an address by Amy Morton concerning the PDE Pilot implementation of the model, followed by a choice of four breakout sessions conducted by members of the PDE team that has developed the model and then the forum. YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS TO MISS THIS DYNAMIC EVENT! Spread the word to teachers, administrators, supervisors, higher education professors, and others about this dynamic event. Go on-line now to our new DYNAMIC website (thank you Taylor) and register for the conference!

The PASCDD Supervision Coommittee had a dynamic two-day meetinng held at Penn State University, August 9 and 10. OOur new PASCD executive directorr, Richard Nilsen, was with us during the first day of the meet-

The Supervision Committee Moves ForwardThe Supervision Committee Moves Forward

The PASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy has been one of the highest regarded Act 45 pro-fessional development opportunities in the state for the past several years. Based on feedback from PASCD members, we realized that there was a need to offer an online version of the curricu-lum leadership academy. Therefore, beginning in the spring of 2013 PASCD will offer an online, engaging and interactive version of the curriculum leadership academy.

“One of the greatest characteristics of our organization is our ability to continually evolve based on our member’s feedback. The Online Curriculum Leadership Academy is an excellent example of PASCD’s commitment to providing high quality, yet flexible, professional development oppor-tunities,” Dr. Richard Nilsen, PASCD Executive Director, said. Using Blackboard, the internation-ally accepted leader in online course management solutions, the online curriculum leadership academy will provide participants with an asynchronous learning environment using discussion forums, blogs, wikis, voiceboards and other interactive tools to promote collaboration.

As a PDE approved Act 45 online professional development course, the online curriculum leader-ship academy will provide participants with 28 Act 45 hours. Online learning activities will include engaging video clips and lesson presentations, professional readings, online collaborations and project-based learning. Under the leadership of Dr. Jeffrey M. Taylor, PASCD Technology Com-mittee Chair, and following research-based best practices in online learning, a team of PASCD members are in the process of creating the new course. “The online curriculum leadership acad-emy will provide participants with an anytime, anywhere, any-pace professional development op-portunity filled with the most recent happenings in curriculum leadership,” said Dr. Taylor. PASCD President, Dr. Mary Wolf, agrees and added “PASCD is proud to be able to offer this opportunity and we will continue to work toward providing 21st century professional development opportuni-ties for our membership. We, as a community of learners, will continue to endeavor to provide the highest quality of services and products for our members.”

Upon the completion of our internal quality review process, registration for the online curriculum leadership academy will be announced via our website and PASCD e~Links this winter with a tentative start date for the spring of 2013.

The PASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy has beenn one of the highest regarded AAct 45 pro-fessional development opportunitiess in the state for thee past several yeears. Based onn feedback

PASCD Curriculum Leadership AcademyPASCD Curriculum Leadership Academyis Going Online!is Going Online!

5

remember to visit our websitewww.pascd.org

6

Emily Whipple is the recipient of a $2,000PASCD Scholarship. Ms. Whipple is a senior at ThielCollege. She is majoring in Secondary English Educa-tion. She has a Grade Point Average of 4.0. She is President of Sigma Tau Delta.

Nikki Allen is the recipient of the $3,000 Mary Ravita Memorial Scholarship. Nikki is a senior at Lock Haven University. She is majoring in Elemen-tary Education. She has a Grade Point Average of 3.947. She is Team Captain for Relay for Life.

To learn more about these three outstanding students please plan to attend the PASCD Annual Conference dinner on Sunday, Nov.18th at the Hershey Lodge.You will have an opportunity to meet the winners and hear their brief personal reasons these scholarships are important to them. It is a highlight of each annual conference. Thank you for your on-going support.

Mary E. Breznitsky is the recipient of a $2,000 PASCD Scholarship. Ms. Breznitsky is asenior at Bloomsburg University. She is majoring in Secondary Math Education. She has a Grade PointAverage of 3.58. She is the Secretary of the Math Club.

PASCD Scholarship Recipients NamedPASCD Scholarship Recipients NamedWe are pleased to announce the winners of the

2012-2013 PASCD Scholarships:

MARY E. BREZNITSKY

EMILY WHIPPLE

NIKKI ALLEN

7

Please review the candidate information on the following two pages and

V O T E for President-Elect!

Postage is PRE-PAID ... mark your ballot and drop it in the mail.Deadline is November 9. Please be part of our election process.

Dear PASCD Members,The PASCD Nominating Committee is pleased to invite you to participate in PASCD’s bi-annual election of a President-elect. The successful candidate will serve as President-elect from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. He or she will then serve a two year term as president beginning on July 1, 2014. On the next page, you will fi nd details about two excellent candidates on the ballot. Lori J. Stollar, Program Specialist for Curriculum and Professional Development at Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12, has served on the Execu-tive Board as Conference Co-Chairperson and Membership Co-Chairperson. Also, she has been involved on the Conference Committee since 2005, as well as serving ASCD in several capacities. Dr. Robert Williams, Elementary Principal in Williamsport Area School District, is in the second year serving on the Executive Board as Chairperson of the Supervision Committee. Each candidate has prepared a brief, biographical sketch about their work, educa-tion and involvement in the organization. Also, they have provided a vision statement about the future of PASCD.

Please use the attached pre-paid post card to register your vote. The card must be received in our offi ce by November 9, 2012, to be counted. The elec-tion result will be announced at our annual business meeting on Tuesday, November 20th at our Annual Conference in Hershey. . Sincerely,

Dr. Gary D. Robinson Past-President and Chair of The Nominating Committee

Dear PASCD Members,The PASCD Nominating Committee is pleased to invite you to participate inPASCD’s bi-annual electio f P

IMPORTANT ELECTION INFORMATIONIMPORTANT ELECTION INFORMATION

8

Dr. Robert L. Williams

CURRENT POSITION/EMPLOYER: Elementary Principal, Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary School, Williamsport Area School District

EDUCATION: B.A. Milligan College, M.M.Ed. Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Pennsylvania State University, Certifications held include elementary principal, secondary principal, superintendent from Pennsylvania State University

PASCD/ASCD PARTICIPATION: Member of PASCD for 14 years, became a member of the supervision committee in 2009, active role in developing the supervision academy, instructor in the supervision academy in academies across the state, redeveloped day three of the academy to lead administrators toward developing a differentiated supervision model to promote teacher professional growth, led the Williamsport Area School District to be the recipient of the PASCD Exemplary Supervision and Evaluation Award (Blue Ribbon Award) in 2009 (5th district to receive the award since the inception of it) appointed chair of the supervision committee in 2011 by the PASCD president and executive board, joined the PASCD executive board in 2011, presenter at PASCD conferences (2008, 2009, 2011), led the reauthorization through four revisions of the supervision academy by PDE for the PIL program renewal, requested to meet with the Deputy of Elementary and Secondary Education and her staff in April 2012 on behalf of PASCD to have the state consider a differentiated supervision model and will be the presenter of this initiative at the PDE at the SAS Academy in December 2012, will serve as an advisor to PDE on behalf of PASCD on the Teacher and Principal Effectiveness Evaluation Models, worked with the 2012 conference committee to bring a first time panel combined with members of PASCD, PAC-TE, and PDE to discuss the PDE Teacher Effectiveness Model for Teacher Evaluation

LEADERSHIP/VISION STATEMENTI believe more strongly now than ever in the past that PASCD must be a leading voice and organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to promote a teacher evaluation model that includes dynamic differentiated supervision in order to promote the differentiated professional growth of the teacher. The teacher is the most dynamic resource in educating the child. We need to support this on every front and we are a unique and strong organization that can accomplish the mission. We have members who are teachers, administrators, curriculum directors, supervisors, and higher education professionals. Each and every one of us can reach out and help those who educate the children by providing supports such as professional development, dialogue boards, resources on current trends and issues in education and most important personal support. Each of us needs a mentor to whom we can turn to get sound advice and be a dynamic listener. We need to reach out to new promising teachers and give them the support through members of our organization that we once or wished we had when we began our professional careers. We need to reach into the administrative realms and encourage administrators to grow teachers through reflective and formative evaluation that leads to effective supervision. WE CAN AS A PREMIERE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE ALL OF THE ABOVE! As an executive board, we need to reach out to the local regions to provide help in providing professional development and professional learning communities that bring educators from all walks together to discuss critical issues facing education. There would be sessions where ideas and processes can be shared that facilitate learning in all of our schools. I believe we have a wealth of tremendous resources that can be tapped and used to support educators in a dynamic way in all of the various regions of our state. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

b L WWilli

CANDIDATECANDIDATEPROFILESPROFILES

CURRENT POSITION/EMPLOYER: Program Specialist for Curriculum and Professional Development, Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12

EDUCATION: B.S.Ed., Shippensburg University; M.Ed. Pennsylvania State University; Doctoral Candidate,Widener University

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair, Dover Area High School; 2004 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Semi-Finalist

PASCD/ASCD PARTICIPATION: ASCD member, 15 years; PASCD and Southern Region PASCD member, 15 years; 2011 ASCD Conference Scholar; PASCD President’s Award, 2011; Emerging Leader Coach; ASCD Professional Interest Community facilitator, 2009-present; PASCD Executive Board, Membership Co-Chair, 2006-2008; SRPASCD Executive Board, Teacher Leader, 2001-2003& Strategic Planning, Chair, 2003-2008; PASCD Conference Committee, 2005 - present; PASCD Annual Conference Co-Chair, 2008; ASCD Annual Conference presentations, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012; PASCD Annual Conference presentations, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010; Leader to Leader Participant, 2010, 2011, 2012. Authored, “The Power of Classroom Walkthroughs”, in Pennsylvania Educational Leadership, 2007; Co-authored, “Differentiated Instruction as a Self-Directed Growth Option: One Teacher’s Journey,” in Pennsylvania Educational Leadership, 2003; also published in ASCD Express, and PASCD Update.

LEADERSHIP/VISION STATEMENT

Revolutionizing the way we teach and learn…ASCD has committed to revitalizing and refocusing their best work to ensure the success of each learner. At PASCD, we too, must revolutionize the way we teach and learn.

We must build upon the expertise and knowledge of our membership while embracing the ever-changing educational reality. We must provide timely, relevant professional development and resources for 21st century teaching and learning.

We must offer opportunity for professional growth and networking by infusing social media to enhance communication.

We must position PASCD to influence state policy regarding curriculum and supervision.

We must assume an active role in the transformation of our profession.

If elected to serve as the President of PASCD, I commit to revitalizing and refocusing the organization to effectively meet the demands of today’s educational landscape.

Lori J. Stollar, M.Ed.

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Lori J. Stollar, M.Ed.

20122012 ELECTION ELECTION

PRESIDENT - ELECTPRESIDENT - ELECT

10

Pennsylvania’s Education Initiatives – Amy C. Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary, PDE

Breakout Sessions by PDE Representatives: • Principal Effectiveness – David W. Volkman • State Assessment & Implications for Students with IEPs – Lynda A. Lupp • Keystone Exams – Dr. Rich Maraschiello • Common Core – Dr. Jean M. Dyszel

First General Session: Mobility & Education – Dr. Jon C. Landis, Development Executive, Apple Inc.

Second General Session: Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning – Dr. Judy Willis Educator Effectiveness – Dr. Carolyn C. Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary for Elem. and Sec. Education, PDE

Third General Session: Moving to High Achieving: Turning Up the H.E.A.T. to Get Significant Results – Dr. Christopher Moersch, Executive Director, LoTi Connection

PASCD 62nd Annual Conference

November 18-20, 2012Hershey Lodge and Convention Center

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Power Up:Power Up: New Perspectives New Perspectives

Hershey Lodge & Convention Center conference rate: $135.00/night, plus tax (currently 6% PA State occupancy tax and 5% local tax); same rate for single or double room. Reservation deadline: October 12, 2012 (reservations cannot be guaranteed after this date). Any requests for special room arrangement should be noted when making the reservation. All reservations will be taken on a space-available basis until the block of rooms reserved by PASCD has been fi lled. Reservation requests received after the block has been fi lled or less than 30 days before the arrival date will be accepted on a space available basis only. Check-in: After 4:00 p.m.; check-out: By 11:00 a.m.. All rooms for the conference are smoke-free. Please reconfi rm your date of departure as there is a $50 fee for early departures.

Online Room Reservatio• n: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/PASCD2012. You must use this link to receive the conference rate.Phone-In Room Reservation• : Call 1-800-HERSHEY (437-7439); use Reservation Code 774983 (indicates reservation is part of the PASCD room block, in order to receive the conference rate); and provide guest name, type of room, check-in and check-out dates.

TUES

MON

SUNDAY

HERSHEY LODGE & CONVENTION CENTER LODGING INFORMATION

Name:Name as it should appear on name-tag:School District/Institution:Mailing Address:

Telephone (Daytime): Email: Occupational Title: If enclosing a check, make it payable to PASCD Conference. If check is not enclosed, please provide a P.O. # for billing the district: District PO #: Are you a PASCD member? Yes No Is this your first PASCD Conference? Yes NoPlease check the box that best indicates your status:

Employed Retired – Apply 50% discount to registration fee(s) below. Full-time Student

Registration Options Registrations must either be mailed or completed online by November 9, 2012.

After that date, participants must wait to register on-site at the conference at the daily rates.

Pre-Service Teacher Symposium (separate registration fee): PASCD StudentChapter Member

NON- Member

1. Pre-Service Teacher Symposium for Students (Sunday, November 18, 2012, 11:30 a.m.–5:45 p.m.) PASCD Student Chapter Members qualify for reduced rate. $10 $20

Conference options – check the option you are selecting:2. Full Conference – 1:00 p.m. on Sunday through 11:15 a.m.

on Tuesday. Includes all programs (General Sessions by Keynote Speakers on Sun./Mon./Tues.; Breakout Sessions on Sun.; & Small Group Sessions on Mon.) and all meals (Sun. dinner, Mon. breakfast & lunch, Mon. Night President’s Party, & Tues. breakfast). Also includes archived access for six months to sessions streamed virtually.

$299 – In addition to the Full Conference, this option also includes membership in PASCD. $234 – You may select this option if you are a PASCD Member. Please note that it does NOT include membership in PASCD – if you are a PASCD member who wants to register AND renew your PASCD Membership at the same time, select the $299 option above. $50 – Select this option if you are a full-time student. NOTE: This option does NOT include meals. Also, if you want to attend the Pre-Service Teacher Symposium on Sun., Nov. 18, you must select and pay for Option #1 above, in addition to this option.

3. Daily Rate – includes all programs for the day (General Sessions by Keynote Speakers, Breakout Sessions, & Small Group Sessions, as applicable) and meals for the day.

Check the desired day(s) and appropriate rate(s) below:Sunday: $105 (PASCD Members) $125 (NON-Members)Monday: $105 (PASCD Members) $125 (NON-Members) Tuesday: $105 (PASCD Members) $125 (NON-Members)

4. Daily Rate for Full-time Students – includes all programs for the day (General Sessions by Keynote Speakers, Breakout Sessions, & Small Group Sessions, as applicable) but no meals.

Check the desired day(s) and appropriate rate(s) below: Sunday: $10 (PASCD Student Chapter Members) $20 (NON-Members)Monday: $10 (PASCD Student Chapter Members) $20 (NON-Members) Tuesday: $10 (PASCD Student Chapter Members) $20 (NON-Members)

5. Virtual Conference – includes General Sessions by Keynote Speakers on Mon. & Tues. and selected Small Group Sessions on Tues. (two per time slot).

$89 - also includes discussion questions and archived access for six months to sessions streamed virtually.

$154 – In addition to the Virtual Conference, this option also includes membership in PASCD.

LoTi Administrator Institute (being held in conjunction with the PASCD Conference; separate registration/fee):6. Approved for 30 Act 45/PIL hours, this program for administrators focuses on improving student achievement using 21st Century Leadership and data-driven decision-making. The Institute includes strategies for (1) conducting classroom walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.; (2) designing professional development opportunities that target greater rigor and relevance, LoTi, and research best-practices; and (3) creating a campus Next Steps Action Plan. A mandatory “live” (face-to-face) session will be held at the Hershey Lodge on Monday, November 19, 2012, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., led by "The LoTi Guy" himself, Dr. Christopher Moersch. (Note: This session is for LoTi Administrator Institute participants only and is not part of the PASCD Conference.) Participants will complete the remaining LoTi Administrator Institute activities online between Nov. 19, 2012, and Jan. 15, 2013, including a required online session scheduled for Wed,, Nov., 28, 2012, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Check this box to register for the LoTi Administrator Institute: Cost: $120No discounts apply to this training.

NOTE: Registration for this LoTi Administrator Institute does NOT include registration for the PASCD Conference itself. If you want to attend PASCD Conference sessions/activities, you must select and pay for one of the Conference options above, in addition to selecting this option.

IMPORTANT! This registration does NOT include lodging! You are responsible for making your own room arrangements! For Hershey Lodge information, see the back of this form.

2012 PASCD CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORMFollow the Conference Registration link at www.pascd.org to register online or complete this form and mail it to PASCD (c/o Dr. Richard D. Nilsen, 101 Foxfire Lane, Lewisberry, PA 17339) by 11/9/2012. After that date, participants must wait to register on-site at the conference at the daily rates.

11

Creating the Opportunity to Learn is a candid conversation about closing the academic achievement gap. Boykin and Noguera take a critical look at the research behind the achievement gap and they suggest strategies to help ensure the success of all children.

Boykin and Noguera begin in Part I by discussing the components of the achievement gap including the historical, sociopolitical, societal contexts involved. The next section, Part II, examines the research that supports practices that should be happening in our nation’s schools. The last section, Part III, “examines practical applications on a broader scale.” Policy direction is outlined to ensure effective and successful implementation of programs, approaches and practices.

Part I considers the dimensions of the gap. Understanding race and its influence on academic achieve-ment and understanding the relationships among race, culture and teacher are considered. As Boykin and Noguera explain, “race, class, and linguistic and cultural differences between students and teachers certainly do not cause the achievement gap; however, they do contribute to its persistence and often com-plicate efforts to reduce or eliminate disparities in student learning outcomes.”

Part II examines what the research states about approaches for closing the achievement gap. More specifi-cally, Boykin and Noguera analyze the research on student engagement in the classroom and the learning process. They identify three guiding functions: self-efficacy, self-regulated learning and beliefs about ability which have shown to positively correlate with math and literacy achievement for Black and Latino students. The next three chapters in Part II, introduce the notion of asset-focused factors. Asset-focused factors “deal with the contextual conditions in which teaching, learning, engagement and guiding functions are manifested.” These are key strategies which promote student engagement and guiding functions and lead to gap closing academic outcomes.

Part III, entitled, Applying What We Know, provide details on the policies needed at the local, state, and federal levels to “bring effective practices to scale at a wider level and make sustainable reform possible. Boykin and Noguera recognize to make progress in closing the achievement gap, failed strategies must be abandoned and proven successful research needs to be used to aid failing schools.

In conclusion, this book thoroughly examines sustainable reform in public education in closing the achieve-ment gap. I highly recommend this book to any educator who believes creating the opportunity to learn can be accomplished through true reform in public education. Reform in public education is needed and can be achieved through using proven successful research and with the understanding of the relation-ships among race, culture and achievement. Boykin and Noguera said it best, “No matter how difficult and elusive it may be, the goal of closing the achievement gap remains one that we must pursue if schools are to remain viable as public institutions.”

Book ReviewBook ReviewCreating the Opportunity to Learn:Moving from Research to Practice to Close the Achievement Gap by: A. Wade Boykin and Pedro Noguera

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by Dr. Colleen Lelli

PASCD Launches New WebsitePASCD Launches New Websiteand Professional Social Networking Solutionand Professional Social Networking Solution

Midwestern Region NewsMidwestern Region News

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On August 9th, 2012, PASCD began the launch of a new website and professional social networking solu-tion for its membership. The new site will host many new capabilities that our members will find useful in staying connected with both PASCD and each other.

“Our new website will afford PASCD members an opportunity to be a part of a dynamic social networking experience that creates connections with others and fuels personal and professional growth,” Dr. Richard Nilsen, PASCD Executive Director, said. Through the use of both public and private content, an interactive directory, member profiles, walls, blogs, wikis, forums, groups, committees, photo albums and more, the new site will allow visitors to be a part of various groups and enter a professional, private online community of educators.

In addition to new social networking opportunities, the new site will allow members to register for PASCD events such as the annual conference and PASCD Academies. As more members and school districts are using credit cards for purchases, once fully implemented (spring 2013,) the new site will accept credit card payments for yearly membership fees and event registrations.

“The new site will allow visitors quick and easy access to the content that they are most interested inseeing,” Dr. Jeffrey M. Taylor, PASCD webmaster said. Dr. Taylor expects new and exciting features to be in-troduced each month until all of the features are implemented, tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2013. Explaining the implementation timeline, Dr. Mary Wolf, PASCD President, said “We want to take a slow and steady approach to introducing the new features to our members. If we tried to implement everything all at one time, it would be overwhelming and disenfranchising for our members ~ which would be counterpro-ductive to our goal of having everyone use the new site’s full capabilities.”

This April, the Midwestern Region of PASCD, teamed with the MIU IV to present a legislative update by Dr. Win Cleland, Policy Specialist for PASCD. Dr. Cleland discussed the issues facing teachers, administra-tors, and students in Pennsylvania today. Topics included:the Governor’s proposed budget; the new “Edu-cation Block Grant” and how it might further exacerbate funding inequities between rich and poor schools; teacher and administrator evaluation; the school and school district report card proposal; plus other important topics.

In addition to the to knowledge gleaned from Dr. Cleland, the Midwestern Region was able to enroll several new members through their participation in the legislative update. We are always looking to expand our membership. If you have a colleague, friend, or mentee who would like to join, membership information is available at pacsd.org.

THANK YOU, to Dr. Mary Wolf, former President of the Midwestern Region of PASCD. Her leadership over the past several years istruly appreciated. We wish her the best of luck as the Executive Board President for PASCD. We are confident that with her proven leadership, she will continue to build on the foundation set by Past President Gary Robinson, D. Ed. and take PASCD to even greater heights.

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Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”“That depends a good deal on where you want to go,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where--” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

- Alice in Wonderland

As I faced my first class of eleventh grade history students at the age of 21, the only thing I was certain of, as cliché as it may sound, was that I wanted to make a difference. By nine years in, I still loved my profession and working with teenagers; I looked forward to driving in each day, detailing lesson plans, and conversing with my students about life and history, grading papers at night, and starting the whole process over again the next day. Ok, scratch the grading papers at night; I disliked that part.

I did have one nagging thought, though; one worry: “If I keep going in down this path, will I have the same level of enthusiasm, of dedication, in my twenty-fifth year?” I desperately wanted to say, “YES!” But de-spite witnessing some veteran colleagues reinvigorated for a new school year, I also saw many respected colleagues begin to pull back, check out, or give in. I became aware that some events may have begun to slowly and unwittingly tear small holes in my professional core – dejection over an acrimonious strike, disappointment over teacher decisions that were not professional or in line with the best interests of the children in our care, mournfulness over tragedies that took young lives away too soon, and the constant endeavor to maintain a balance between time with my own two beautiful boys and time spent on the young people entering my classroom each day… they all deserved my best. I couldn’t say that, on the path I was taking, the best of ME would be there five, ten, or twenty more years down the line.

I had to determine where I wanted to go and create my own path to take me there. To be-gin my journey, I volunteered for every professional development opportunity offered in my dis-trict. After a very busy but invigorating year, THREE paths formed that would define my next four years: Whole Child, instructional technology, and curriculum. All three paths involved leaving my classroom.

I had not anticipated the speed with which these new opportunities would become available. The deci-sion weighed heavily on me; I was not mentally prepared to “leave my classroom”. I realized, though, that I needed to take the risk and attempt something outside of what I perceived to be my comfort zone. The risk has proven to be a favorable one for me professionally and personally.

These past four years, I have served as an instructional coach at Pottsgrove School District – devising ways to meaningfully integrate technology into lessons, assisting in the horizontal and vertical alignment of secondary curricula, supporting data teams as they construct common formative assessments and authentic performance tasks, analyzing the data with the data teams to select appropriate research-based strategies in an effort to provide the highest quality instruction. All of these roles, I realize, are helping to meet the learning needs of students, which turns out to be perfectly in line with my original hope to make a difference.

With guidance from Social Emotional Learning consultant Thom Stecher (who I have since had the great opportunity to work with on a variety of projects), several colleagues and I created a leadership program/class in our high school that promoted social emotional learning. I quickly discovered that what I had thought were three discrete paths COULD really be fused into one – meaningfully weaving technology through a standards-based, social emotional learning curriculum to foster healthy relationships and resil-iency skills, ultimately enhancing students’ academic achievement.

Emerging Leader at L2LEmerging Leader at L2Lby Krista Rundell

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During this period of “professional enlightenment”, I began using social media to follow as many innova-tive, inspiring educators and organizations as I could find. At the top of that list, of course, was ASCD. In the spring of 2012, ASCD put out an open call for proposals to present at the national conference in San Francisco. I felt that maybe the leadership program we had developed at our high school might be some-thing others would want to hear about and it certainly aligned with the ASCD Whole Child initiative. While I had presented at local and state conferences in the past, I never dreamed that I would have an opportunity to present on the national level. I completed a proposal and pressed the “submit” button before I could change my mind.

I nearly fell out of my seat when our acceptance email arrived eight weeks later; we were headed to San Francisco! Our presentation experience was nothing short of exhilarating. However, I found the true beauty of the conference was in being surrounded by committed educators from around the world, sharing best practices, and learning from one another.

THIS was a community in which I wanted to become more involved; this was a path for me! Earlier this year, with the sponsorship of my assistant superintendent and Thom Stecher, I pressed the “submit” button again - this time applying for ASCD’s Emerging Leaders program. Again, what I thought was impossible became reality when I was selected by ASCD as one of 26 educators for the two-year Emerging Leaders program.

The program began with the ASCD Leader2Leader (L2L) conference in Virginia. My first session was an introduction to the program and to my fellow Emerging Leaders. I was in absolute awe of the talent, the dedication, and the knowledge that surrounded me; we were superintendents, instructional coaches, classroom teachers, college professors, principals from the US, Canada and Asia - all with the desire to be agents of change during a very demanding time in education. The room was overflowing with tangible opportunities for collaborations and true synergy. My four days in Virginia lit my path.

We learned the history and mission of ASCD. ASCD is committed to doing what is best for young people by “Revolutionizing the way we teach and learn” and believes that “every learner has a right to an education that opens the doors to a productive future.” Though hard to believe, ASCD is not a fictional “Wonderland” – it is a very real, very active international organization that exists for the primary purpose of blazing a trail defined by children’s best interests.

The focus at the L2L conference then moved to the tenets of the ASCD Whole Child initiative. The five be-liefs, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, direct that all students should be: Healthy, Safe, Engaged, Supported, and Challenged. As Dr. Gene Carter, ASCD Executive Director, best put it, “Every child has the right to presume that he or she will be guaranteed this environment.” Research conducted by the Collab-orative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) demonstrates that when children are in this type of environment, academic achievement increases. If we are to truly meet the needs of the children before us, we must be more mindful in our support of the Whole Child.

As the L2L conference continued, Emerging Leaders were connected with the leaders of our state level ASCD affiliates. I was excited to learn more about our state organization and the amazing, motivated champions of the critical ASCD mission we have right here in Pennsylvania. We need to let more of our educator friends know of the mission of ASCD and PASCD to develop and expand our professional learn-ing communities. We need to encourage our colleagues to become involved. It is not just “one more thing” to do; it is what can connect, invigorate and inspire us as professionals—something we must do for our students and ourselves.

One important goal of the L2L conference was to put words into action; before we left the conference, emerging and exiting ASCD leaders devised individual action plans. There is a place for everyone in ASCD; it is time we take action. What components of ASCD appeal to YOU? Where does your passion lie? Legislative Advocacy? Whole Child? Social Media? Professional Development? Curriculum and Instruc-tion? What does involvement in one of these areas look like for YOU? A great friend and colleague recently told me, “Tether yourself to something that gives you continuous guidance.” ASCD can be that post to which you tether your educational path.

What will be YOUR path? How will YOU join the revolution?

101 Foxfire LaneLewisberry, PA 17339

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Donora, PAPermit No. 154

JULY AUGUSTMARY ANN ALLTON, NAZARETH ACAD, CYNTHIA KRUSE, DOWNINGTOWNLOUANN BURNITSKIE, PHILADELPHIAPARTHENIA MOORE, PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOLBRAD HART, WILSON SD, LINDA MCMILLAN, KUTZTOWN UNIVKAREN BROCK, BRADFORDWOODSMELISSA MCMULLEN, ALTOONAMARY GARRETT, LEBANON MID SCHMICHAEL HABECKER, SOUTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLTODD MCCLIMANS, CLEARVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHERYL SOLOSKI, ARMSTRONG SD, ROBERT SCHAEFER, CENTRAL CATHOLIC HS NICOLE LANE, MEDICAL ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL ELIZA VAGNI, NEIU 19GLENN GAYE, WINDBER AREA SD AMY KERN, CENTRAL ELEM. SCH., HAMPTON TWP. SDSAMUEL BURNATTI, BLACKLICK SDJOAN CUSANO, RADNOR TWP. SD BRYAN BECHDEL, PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA SDDEBORAH BERNER, PITTSBURGHJEFF DEJULIA, SHARON CITY SDMIKE FITZGERALD, SHARON CITY SDMAUREEN MARSTELLER, OAKLAND CATHOLICJUDY MAXWELL, SOMERSET AREA SDKIM MCDERMOTT, CENTRAL CAMBRIA SDRONNI MILLER, ROSE TREE MEDIA SDGREGORY TAYLOR, ABERDEEN, MDWHITNEY WESLEY, EDINBORO UNIVERSITY

EVELYN LEBRON, ANTONIA PANTOJA CHARTER SCHMARY MCNULTY, ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOLKIMBERLY KIM,PHILADELPHIAMELISSA PATSCHKE, UPPER PROVIDENCE ELEMJEFFERY FULLER, FREEDOM AREA SDNANCI HOSICK, HERMITAGE SDHEATHER VARGAS, RIDGWAY MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL PATRICIA LOWERY, RETIRED, JEFFREY BAKER, PHILIPSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOLMICHAEL MORGAN, NORTHERN POTTER CHILDRENS SCHOOLLORINDA KRAUSE, SELINSGROVE AREA HSMAUREEN GAFFNEY, DRUMSNANCY EDKINS, LAKE-LEHMAN SDDOUG, ALLEN, TIDIOUTE CHARTER SD MICHAELTRUDNOWSKI, ERIEANNNOONEN, CRAWFORD CENTRAL SDPAUL SWOPE, FORBES ROAD ELM SCH RICHARD FAIDLEY, DERRY TOWNSHIP SD JOSH, DOLL, DALLASTOWN AREA SDCHRISTISAN EHRHART, YORKKOLLENE STAUFFER, YORKMARIA HOOVER, WICKERSHAM ELEMENTARY WILLIAM QIIGLEY, SUSQUENITA MID SCHPATRICIA WOODS, SUSQUENITA MIDDLE SCHOOLJGINNY HUNT, CLAIRTON CITY SDADRIENNE FLORO, QUAKER VALLEY SD, JACKIE REMOVCIK, WESTMORELAND IU 7CYNTHIA SHAFFER, WESTMORELAND IU 7DEBRA HENSLEY, ALLEGHENY INTERMEDIATE UNITANNE STEPHENS, FOX CHAPEL AREA SDAMY BURCH, ELROY ELEM SCH

MICHAEL HABTODD MMCCLICHERYYL SOLOROBERRT SCHNICOLEE LANEELIZA VVAGNI,GLENN GAYEAMY KEERN, CSAMUEEL BURJOAN CCUSANBRYAN BECHDEBORRAH BEJEFF DEEJULIAMIKE FITZGERMAUREEEN MAJUDY MMAXWEKIM MCCDERMRONNI MILLEGREGOORY TAY

PASCDPASCDwelcomeswelcomesourournewnewmembers!members!