In response to frequent requests for information about its teacher-prep candidates, the Alternate Route to Certification Program has launched a new Student Profile Data Base. The data base, which can be accessed at http://www.ctohe.org/arcprofiles/default.shtml, allows visitors to view information that ARC students have authorized to be shared with districts. The information includes candidates’ content area, name and personal e-mail address, college/university degrees, counties in which they are interested in pursuing jobs and additional information about their interests. School administrators are welcome to contact students directly if they are looking for Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP) candidates, Long Term Substitute (LTS) teachers or new staff members. The information in the profiles will be updated periodically. Please share this information with those in your district who are responsible for hiring.

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The CSDE and CAS have developed a coaching model that will support newly appointed special education administrators. Coaches with special education expertise will work with administrators and the district. Projected benefits include increased ability to manage special education requirements and improved staff satisfaction and family communication. Districts are invited to apply for a grant that will provide them with coaching services at no cost. The deadline for submission of applications is December 15, 2016.

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Jumpstart 2017 with an intensive leadership training day! Learn new skills, challenge old ideas and prepare to rise to a new level of leadership in your school, home and community! Come to the Middle Level Leadership Conference 2017 at Trinity College on January 11, 2017. The theme of this year’s conference is “Imagination & Action Will Change the World.”

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Elementary and middle school teachers are invited to CAS on December 8th for a morning workshop with Anne Kubitsky, CEO and founder of the Look For The Good Project. Anne’s research-backed program is built upon the core belief that gratitude is the keystone to building positive relationships. Anne will reveal how gratitude practices can support character education initiatives and instructional pedagogy and positively impact student behavior and classroom climate.

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Want to make a difference in teaching and learning? Come to one of two upcoming workshops and learn in real time how to use the block interim assessments to evaluate students' skills, make changes to instruction and provide whole class discussion of the assessments. These no-cost workshops are short in duration but long in impact! Please make time to join your colleagues at CAS.

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Following five sold-out sessions this fall, the College Board’s Alan Bernstein will return to CAS on December 13th to present an additional SAT and PSAT/NMSQT workshop. Alan will walk participants through the entire online scoring portal, review data reports and test item types, and discuss how assessments are linked to classroom instruction. There are a few seats still open. Register now!

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Chronic absenteeism is down across the state, according to data released by the State Department of Education last week. The number of chronically absent students in Connecticut dropped to 9.6% in 2015-16, down from 10.6% the year before and down from a high of 11.5% in 2012-13. The decline in the state’s chronic absenteeism rate means that over 10,000 more students are attending school on a daily basis than four years ago.

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The Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut – in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood – is offering a leadership development program for educators and administrators seeking to make a difference in Pre-K through 3rd grade. Designed for elementary and Pre-K school principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, school superintendents, early learning and child-care center directors, as well as other administrators, this one-year, part-time program will help participants develop robust early childhood education action plans for their community. Modules focus on curriculum and instruction; assessment practices with young children; evaluation of teachers and programs; and leading for equity, excellence and early success. Register online by March 31, 2017.

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Central CT State University (CCSU) is hosting its second annual Diversity and Inclusion conference on November 17th from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. There will be presentations from a variety of speakers from CCSU and the business community, with breakout sessions and forums for networking. The keynote speaker, Richard Spada, Sr., Global Manager of Diversity & Inclusion at Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG, will discuss strategies for creating a truly diverse and inclusive workplace in today’s competitive marketplace.

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