EB News/Calendar: CCRPI, AKS in

mathematics, IE2 contract amendment, FY14 budget, writing gains, wellness screening deadline, summer schedule, contracts, GACE, recertification, and calendar (pgs. 1–6)

EB Bulletin Board: Items on the side include math terminology, IE2 details, Sports Hall of Fame, GOC registration extension, summer travel, and Spotlight reminder (pgs. 2–6)

VOLUME 33, NUMBER 5 APRIL 2013

(continued)

Ga.’s CCRPI accountability index set for final federal review in May Next month, the state Department of Education will submit the latest iteration of the state’s new

accountability measure to federal education officials for review and possible revision. Called the Col-lege and Career Performance IndexW, the CCRPI is part of the state’s waiver from some provisions of federal education reform. In February 2012, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) approved

Georgia’s waiver requestW. Since then, the state has been working to establish benchmarks for achievement and flesh out the various indicators, performance rubrics, and conse-quences and rewards tied to the new index.

Once approved, the CCRPI will measure progress on accountability indicators rather than using a single test score from one test administration to determine Adequate Yearly

Progress (AYP). Indicators vary by grade and school level and align with measures of col-lege- and career-readiness. Proficiency in reading and math continues to be a focus. The CCRPI

will assess how well students are prepared for college and careers and ensures that schools will be focused on improving achievement among all students. The waiver still requires schools to raise the bar for performance for all students and will hold schools accountable for the academic growth and achievement gains of all students.

How will performance and gains be assessed? As the CCRPI currently is designed, a numerical index score on a 100-point scale will be used to assess each Georgia school, and school scores will be aggre-gated for a district score. Scores will be based on the following:• Achievement accounts for 70% of the points, with near-equal consideration of factors that indicate

Content Mastery, Readiness, and Graduation Rate/Predictor. • Progress accounts for 15% of the points in the index, focusing on the Student Growth Percentile.• Achievement Gap Closure is the last section, making up 15% of possible points in the index.

In addition, schools may earn a maximum of 10 “Challenge Points.” These points are based on two components— academic gains for targeted subgroups (Economically Disadvantaged Students, English Learners, and Students with Disabilities) and progress on “Exceeding the Bar” Indicators.

Based on the U.S. DOE’s review, changes may be instituted to the current structure of the CCRPI. Watch for more details as state and federal officials finalize details of Georgia’s accountability system. Accord-ing to the GaDOE, initial CCRPI data for the 2011–12 school year is expected to be made public on May 7.

Math AKS build skills, conceptual understanding, problem-solvingThe Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS)W have been fully adopted as Gwinnett’s

Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS)W in mathematics and language arts. Read on for an overview of the mathematics standards. See the March issue if you missed the language arts overviewW.

Just as the Common Core English Language Arts/Literacy Standards help prepare students to be a liter-ate person in the 21st century, ready for postsecondary study, work, and the world, so do the Common Core standardsW in mathemat-ics ensure that young people have the problem-solving skills and “fluency” in math to be mathematically conversant in a global marketplace, prepared for college and career.

W This symbol is used throughout Education

Briefs to show that more information is available on

the GCPS website or through a link from the GCPS site (for instance,

the Georgia Department of Education website).

Components of the Common Core Mathematics StandardsThe two components of the Common Core Mathematics StandardsW are:

• Standards for Mathematical PracticeW— Embedded in instruction across grade levels, this purpose-ful integration of practice builds the mathematical skills needed to foster reasoning and understand-ing at a deep level. These practices include making sense of problems and persevering in solving them, reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, constructing arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others (in mathematical problem-solving), modeling with mathematics, being precise, using ap-propriate tools (rulers, formulas, etc.) strategically, looking for and using structure to solve problems, and looking for and expressing regularity in repeated reasoning.

• Mathematics Standards— These performance standards outline the specific skills and knowledge that students need to be successful at each grade level, building grade to grade, organized into domains:– Grades K–5 build a strong foundation in numbers and operations: Counting and Cardinality,

Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Number and Operations (Base Ten and Fractions), Measure-ment and Data, and Geometry.

– Grades 6–8 build on number sense to explore more advanced mathematical concepts in opera-tions and application: Ratios and Proportional Relationships, The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability.

– Grades 9–12 explore more complex content, model mathemat-ics, and apply learning to relevant and real-world scenarios: Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability.

On Instructional Shifts in Mathematics…The Common Core for math calls for three key instructional shifts:

• Focus: The Common Core narrows the field on critical concepts to give the time for true mastery as students work to develop the depth of knowledge needed to be successful;

• Coherence: The standards build connections between concepts throughout the course of study and between grade levels.

• Rigor: The Common Core maintains a balance between procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. (See below for more on this balance.) Students have more opportunities for modeling and real-word applications to better prepare them to apply their mathematical thinking outside of the classroom. Digital learning tools are becoming more pervasive in our schools for math instruction, and students are working to become fluent in the language of mathematicsW.

On the Mathematics ‘Balance’…Gwinnett’s Common Core-aligned AKS Mathematics Standards

develop a balance of procedural fluency—the “how”— and conceptual understanding of math concepts— the “why”— through problem-solving — the “what”. (See the sidebar at left for another perspective on the math balance.)

A focus on procedural fluency ensures that students will be better able to focus on the application of those skills to problem-solving rather than needing to concentrate on the math skills used to solve the problem. For instance, skill drills on multiplication tables equip students to quickly move through the steps of solving a complex algebraic problem later. A thorough grounding in proofs and theorems opens the way for mastering geometry. This strong background prepares a student to move from the concrete concepts that can be demonstrated with manipulatives to the more abstract concepts of ad-vanced mathematics.

2 Education Briefs

Common Core (continued)

(continued)

Mathematics Curriculum Terminology

Procedural Fluency Skill in executing procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently,

and appropriately.

Conceptual Understanding An integrated, functional

understanding of mathematical concepts, operations, and

relations.

Coherence Progression of content across

grade levels and courses allowing students to build

new understanding and make connections extending

from their previous learning.

Application and Modeling The ability to apply mathematics

and analyze resulting data in real-world scenarios.

Domains: Overarching ideas that connect

topics across grades.

Looking at the Mathematics ‘Balance’

Another Way… LeBron James of the Miami Heat dribbles the basketball

without thinking. Kevin Durant lofts a shot for the

OKC Thunder without a thought for his form. The Hawks’ Al Horford drives

to the basket without considering the skills

involved. Years of repetitive practice in key skills means these elite players can focus on strategy, called plays, and problem-solving on the court, not the mechanics of running, shooting, and dribbling. A problem-solving ballplayer without the basic skills is ineffective, just like the

player who has the skills but can’t apply them in the game.

That skills-to-application balance is as important

in math as it is in the gym. With this balance

in the mathematics classroom, our students know the drill and have studied the Xs and Os

with their “coach.” When the ball’s in

their court, they’ll have their head in the game to “find the shot” and

solve the problem, and the mathematical

“muscle memory” to make the score.

3 Education Briefs

Around GCPS

Conceptual understanding requires comprehension of mathematical concepts and operations and how they relate. The student with conceptual understanding can answer the “why” in solving a prob-lem, and can apply mathematical ideas to new situations.

GCPS’ ongoing commitment to excellence hinges on developing our students as engaged learners, reaching their full learning potential as critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and effective com-municators. Clearly, the math classroom will give students experiences to encourage their growth as curious, analytical, imaginative, and adaptable learners.

Board requests amendment to district’s IE2 agreement with stateNew schools and a changing state assessment program at the high school level prompted Gwinnett

County Public Schools (GCPS) to request an amendmentW to the district’s IE2 agreement with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). The Gwinnett County School Board approved the amendment request at its regularly scheduled April meeting.

In January of 2009, the Gwinnett School Board received approval from the State Board of Education (BOE) for the district’s IE2 Partnership Contract with the GaDOE. Gwinnett’s IE2 Partnership Con-tract, which includes a strategic plan for the district and plans for all schools, provides the local schools and the school district with flexibility from 13 laws and accompanying State BOE rules. This flexibility is coupled with accountability measures which were identified for each school that call for schools to meet annual performance targets for the five years of the contract.

Since the contract was approved four years ago, several factors have changed that affected the con-tract. GCPS has opened a number of schools that were not included in the 2009 contract. In addition, changes in the state graduation rule called for End of Course Tests (EOCT) to replace the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) as a requirement for graduation for Georgia seniors.

The amendment to the initial contract will be submitted to the State Board of Education for ap-proval. The amendment provides achievement targets for 17 new schoolsW that have opened since the fall of 2009 and ensures the contracts for the high schoolsW are relevant, based on changes to the state graduation rule and the transition to EOCTs. It should be noted that these measures go beyond the ac-countability requirements for any Georgia school that does not have an IE2 contract.

IE2 consequences kick in at the end of the fifth year. If a school has not met its school-specific ac-countability goals at the end of the fifth year (or met goals three of the five years), then the consequence would be conversion to charter school status with monitored, limited flexibility.

Common Core (continued)

Gwinnett IE2 Amendment DetailsW

Affected Schools Proposed ChangesGCPS Elementary and Middle Schools •No changes in contracts for schools open

before fall of 2009.

•Proposed contracts for schools opening since the fall of 2009 include targets and school plans using same criteria as used for existing schools.

•No changes in criteria, but extends current contract to new schools opened 2009 and after.

•Continues to use the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) as the accountability measure.

•Continues to call for increasing percentages of students achieving in the “Exceeds Standards” range in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics and percentage of students meeting or exceeding CRCT standards in science.

GCPS High Schools •Amendment will change the metric for

existing high schools.

•Amendment will establish targets for high schools that have opened since 2009.

•Proposes a change from the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) to the state’s End of Course Tests (EOCT) in designated courses in core academic areas as the accountability measure.

•Continues to call for increasing percentages of students scoring in the higher performance levels. However, the test for measuring achievement has changed from GHSGT to select EOCTs. As proposed, it calls for increasing percentages of students exceeding standards on the EOCTs for American Literature and Composition and Mathematics II and increasing percentages of students meeting or exceeding standards on the Biology EOCT.

On the GCPS website, find the proposed plans for the 17

schoolsW that have opened since 2009—

Anderson-Livsey ES, Archer HS, Bay Creek

MS, Burnette ES, Couch MS, Ferguson ES, Grace Snell MS, Jenkins ES, Lanier HS, Moore MS,

Mountain View HS, North Gwinnett MS, Roberts ES, Starling ES, Twin Rivers MS, White Oak ES, and

Woodward Mill ES— as well as the revisions

to the 15 existing high school contracts. (Note

that targets are not available yet for Moore

MS as it does not have enough data to

establish a baseline at this point.)

4 Education Briefs

School Board adopts tentative FY14 budget, final adoption in MayFollowing two budget-related work sessions, the Gwinnett County Board of Education adopted the

tentative FY14 budgetW at a meeting on April 16. The $1.762 billion budget is about $12.8 million less than the current budget, a drop of .7%. Often referred to as GCPS’ “investment plan,” the budget will accommodate a growing student population, expected to be more than 166,000 students in 2013–14. A series of public hearings is scheduled in MayW before the final adoption is expected May 16.

CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks addressed the budget, sharing highlights during Area Board Meet-ings in each of the five Board districts. Find budget documentsW for review online.

GCPS shows gains in already strong 8th grade writing resultsGwinnett’s comprehensive writing curriculum continues to prepare our students for the writing

they will do throughout their school and college years and into the workplace. Evidence of that is found in the district’s continued strong showing on the Georgia Grade 8 Writing AssessmentW, which is used as a Gateway test for promotion in Gwinnett. More than 12,600 GCPS students took the test in January of 2013. Over-all, the district’s average passing rate remains high, increasing to 94% compared to 93% in 2012. Of particular interest is the success of Gwinnett students in scoring at the highest performance level, with 15% of Gwinnett students scoring in the “Exceeds Standards” performance level compared to 6% statewide. Most student sub-groups maintained or increased passing rates by 1 to 3 percentage points.

Gwinnett middle schools ranked among the top 30 schools in the state, based on a number of measures.

• Based on the percentage of students achieving in the highest performance level: Osborne MS, #1; Twin Rivers MS, #9; McConnell MS, #10; North Gwinnett MS, #14 (tie); Couch MS, #16; Pinckneyville MS and Trickum MS, #17 (tie); Berkmar MS, #20; Jones MS, #21 (tie); Crews MS, #23; Creekland MS, #24

• Based on average scale score: Osborne MS, #2; Twin Rivers MS, #6; North Gwinnett MS, #9; Couch MS, #10; McConnell MS, #13; Crews MS, #17; Trickum MS, #19; Pinckneyville MS, #23; Creekland MS, #27; Berkmar MS, #29

• Based on the overall passing rate: North Gwinnett MS, #7; Osborne MS, #15; Bay Creek MS, Couch MS, and Crews MS, #17 (tie); Twin Rivers MS, #22 (tie); Five Forks MS, #26; Trickum MS, #27 (tie); Gwinnett Online Campus MS, #30 (tie)

Staff with GCPS health coverage near wellness screening deadlineEmployees and covered spouses enrolled in a Wellness PlanW for 2013 must complete required

Wellness Promise requirements no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 31. Employees and covered spouses who were enrolled in a Wellness Plan in 2012 and re-elected a Wellness Plan for 2013 are required to complete the online health assessment and online educational module. Members and covered spouses who are new enrollees in a Wellness Plan for 2013 are required to complete the biometric screenings in addition to the online health assessment and online educational module. Wellness promise require-ments do not apply to dependent children. The State Health Benefit PlanW also has announced that members of all Wellness and Standard plan options (HMO, HRA, and HDHP) and covered spouses are each eligible to earn an Incentive Fund contribution of $240 for 2014 by completing the 2013 Well-ness requirements. UnitedHealthcare membersW may check their wellness status online at www.myuhc.comW. Cigna membersW may go online at www.mycigna.com/shbpW to check their status.

HR & Benefits Briefs

Online Campus extends 2013–14 registrationGwinnett Online Campus (GOC), Gwinnett’s full-time online learning option, has reopened registrationW for the 2013–14 school year through May 3. GOC is accepting reg-istration for students who will be in grades 4–12 next year as the school adds grades 4 and 5 for 2013–14. Learn more online.

Percentage of GCPS Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards on the Georgia Grade 8 Writing AssessmentW

2010 2011 2012 2013

Asian 94% 95% 95% 95%

Black 88% 92% 91% 92%

Hispanic 83% 87% 90% 91%

Native American 93% 98% 92% 93%

Multi-Ethnic 92% 95% 96% 95%

White 95% 96% 96% 97%

Students with Disabilities 62% 69% 70% 73%

Students Learning English 57% 66% 72% 65%

All Students 91% 93% 93% 94%

Gwinnett County Sports Hall of

FameWIt’s not too late to

grab $12 tickets and chances for prizes for

the 2013 induction ceremony, set for

May 4 at a Gwinnett Braves baseball game.

Get details on this GCPS FoundationW fundraiser online.

Summer schedule compresses work week to 4 days at schools Starting Monday, June 10, local schools will participate in a four-day work week during parts of June

and July. The four-day week affects all local school staff who work during the summer, and all programs at the local school, including summer school classes, enrichment camps, and other activities. School locations will be closed on the following Fridays: June 14, 21, and 28, and July 5, 12, and 19. (All GCPS locations will be closed Thursday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday.) The energy-saving sched-ule saves money as thermostats are set warmer for the three-day weekends, and lights are switched off. Affected employees work a modified schedule or use vacation time and work a shorter week under the schedule. Normal working schedules will resume on Monday, July 22.

Important HR update for teachers• 2013–14 teacher and AP contracts to be released May 1: The district will issue teacher and as-

sistant principal employment contracts for the 2013–14 school year on May 1. Contracts will be elec-tronically distributed to local school principals for all returning staff who have been recommended to receive a contract. Employees accepting their contracts must electronically sign and submit their contract within 10 days of receipt. Please note that June 1 is the deadline for release from a signed 2013–14 contract. Again this year, employment contracts for all eligible employees will be delivered through the go.gwinnett portal.W This user-friendly process saves time, paper, and processing. As electronic contracts are made available, employees have the ability to receive, review, sign, and return their employment contract online. As an added convenience, employees may access and print their signed contract from the portal at any time.

• GACE changes: Beginning Oct. 1, 2013, Educational Testing Service (ETS)W will be the new admin-istrator for most tests in the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) testing programW. (Educational Leadership and three certification upgrades won’t be offered by ETS until spring 2014.) Because scores from tests offered by different test providers are not comparable, test-takers must pass all parts of an assessment with the same test provider for that assessment to count toward certification. A number of testing dates will be offered through the current test provider before the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)W transitions to ETS-administered tests. Remaining dates include May 4, June 15, July 13, and Aug. 17.

• PLUs for recertification: On a temporary basis— from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2015 — Profes-sional Learning Units (PLUs) will not be required by the GaPSC to renew a Georgia Educator’s Certifi-cate or Paraprofessional Educator Certificate W. However, 10 approved PLUs or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be required to renew a certificate expiring on June 30, 2016, or thereafter. Once an educator recertifies during the years of the PLU suspension, the requirement is immediately back in ef-fect for the educator and the educator must begin earning PLUs/CEUs to recertify in 2016 and beyond. (Note: Renewal PLUs must be earned during the five-year period preceding the date of the renewal application.) PLUs and CEUs must be earned through GCPS or another accredited college or provider accepted by the PSC. Contact the GCPS Certification Department at 678-301-6060 with questions.

May calendar ushers in end of school year with celebrationsIs it possible that it’s almost May? Here’s what’s on tap for these final weeks of the 2012–13 school year… We celebrate the contributions of a number of employee groups during these last weeks of school.

Many thanks to the administrative professionals who keep things running in our schools and of-fices. Administrative Professionals WeekW was celebrated the week of April 22. That same week we salute folks who volunteer their time to support schools during Public School Volunteer WeekW. As an organization focused on teaching and learning, we truly appreciate the educators who make that happen during Teacher Appreciation Week. On National Teacher DayW (May 7), tweet with the hashtag thankateacher# to honor an educator who made a difference for you or your kids. Kudos that

5 Education Briefs (continued)

Summer Travel in 2014

Belle Italia… Tour Venice, Florence,

Assisi, and Rome, with optional excursions

available to Sienna and Pompeii. Dates are June

3-11, 2014, with a cost of $3,650.

The tour price is per person and includes

round trip airfare from Atlanta, land transportation in a comfortable motor

coach, stays in hotels with private bathrooms,

a European breakfast and dinner daily, guided

sightseeing tours and city walks, visits to select attractions, and the services of a full-time tour director.

Also included are airport fees, taxes, airline fuel

surcharges, and the adult supplement. A

private room would be an additional charge.

Different payment plans are available and, by signing up now, the price is locked in and

not subject to change.

Anyone interested should contact Linda Waters by e-mail at

Lindawaters200@aol.com or phone 770-205-9442.

EB Calendar

6 Education Briefs

Education Briefs is produced by the Department of Communication and

Media Relations.education_briefs@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

It is the policy of Gwinnett County Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of

race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or

disability in any employment practice, educational program,

or any other program, activity, or service.

Gwinnett County Public Schools

437 Old. Peachtree Road, NWSuwanee, GA 30024-2978

678-301-6000www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us

2013 GWINNETT COUNTYBOARD OF EDUCATIONCarole C. Boyce, chairman;

Daniel D. Seckinger, vice chairman; Dr. Robert McClure,

Dr. Mary Kay Murphy; and Louise Radloff

CEO/SUPERINTENDENTJ. Alvin Wilbanks

The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to

pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior

for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and

world-class standards.

Calendar (continued)same week to school nutrition workersW who serve healthy and nutri-tious meals, with a book-inspired celebration on May 3 for School Lunch Super Hero DayW. May 8 celebrates the dedication of school nursesW, leading the way in “Advocacy, Access, Achievement” for student health. Our thanks to school resource officers during National School Police Week, starting May 12, for their work to ensure safe and secure schools. And kudos to our custodians that same week for all they do to keep our schools clean and orderly places to learn and work. District and local school leaders have our thanks during National Educational Bosses Week, starting May 19.

A few month-long celebrations also give us an opportunity to thank staff for their support of stu-dents and staff. The focus is on staying active during National Physical Fitness and Sports

Month, with National Physical Education and Sports WeekW set for May 1–7. We thank our PE and health teachers and coaches for all they do to help our students stay fitW (and we promise to get fit ourselvesW). Kudos to the district’s speech language pathol-ogists during Better Hearing and Speech MonthW for “Helping People Communicate.”

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and National Sight-Saving Month are among month-long May celebrations. Other May observances to celebrate… Law DayW

is May 1 with the theme of “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All.” Be Kind to Animals WeekW begins May 5, with voting for America’s Hero Dog of the YearW starting May 7.

Food Allergy Awareness WeekW starts May 12. “Cover to Cover, Coast to Coast”… National Children’s Book WeekW starts May 13. Hugs to our Moms on May 12. “Strong and Resilient: Prepared To Meet Any Challenge”… Armed Forces DayW is May 18. Memorial Day is May 27, and all GCPS locations are closed for the day.

As Georgia’s Green Ribbon DistrictW and recent winner of a national sustainability award, GCPS promotes environmental stewardship year-round with our partners, Gwinnett Clean and BeautifulW and Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage CenterW. So, we can’t let April’s green celebrations go by without a mention. We put a face on climate changeW on April 22 for Earth DayW, and we celebrated National Arbor DayW on April 26.

While you have your calendar out… GCPS-specific datesW in May• Summer school registrationW continues through June 3.• Rising kindergartners get to visit their new schools for Kindergarten RegistrationW on May 2.• The School BoardW next meets May 16 at 7 p.m. at the Instructional Support Center (ISC).• Graduation ceremoniesW are set for May 20 through May 25.• A number of employee groups work their last day of the 2012–13 school yearW in May.

– May 17 is the last day for 174- and 175–day staff.– May 22 is the last day of school and the last day for 180-, 181-, and 185-day staff.– May 23 is the last day for 193-day staff.– May 24 is the last day for 190-day staff, with May 23–24 as required post-planning/staff development days.– May 31 closes the year for 200-day staff. – For 210-, 220-, and 230-day staff, the school year ends in June.

• Memorial Day on May 27 is a holiday.• New retirees gather for a luncheon May 28.

Check your employee calendar booklet for meetings and other dates of note.

Important testing dates… On the GCPS testing calendarW… Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) are almost be-

hind us. Advanced Placement (AP) students take exams during a May 6–17 window, while students in designated courses take End of Course Tests (EOCTs) during a May 6–22 window. Final exams for HS students are set for May 20–22. Upcoming college admissions tests: June 8 for the ACTW, and May 4 and June 1 for the SATW.

Something to celebrate?

Share your good news with your colleagues in Spotlight. If you

have earned a state or national award, earned

a degree, made a presentation, or had

work published, send the information to the Spotlight mailbox via

Lotus Notes, or to the Communication

and Media Relations Department through the

courier.

Watch for an end-of-the-year roundup

of honors in the next Spotlight W,

coming in early May. New submissions will be held for a back-to-

school issue in the fall.