Education Renewal Zone Advisory Board Meeting October 23, 2012

During today’s meeting, we will: -Review the mission and goals of the Education Renewal Zone -Brainstorm ways the ERZ can partner with schools -Learn about programs and activities the ERZ is planning & opportunities for schools to get involved -Establish the role of the Advisory Board and determine dates for future meetings

“The most effective groups have members that understand the group belongs to the members, not the leader.” - Robert Garmston

Advisory Board Meetings Be present (mentally and physically) Be respectful with words and actions Give yourself permission to enjoy the learning Practice polite technology

Background and history Established by the state legislature in 2003 Currently 5 other ERZs in Arkansas: Arkansas State University Henderson State University Southern Arkansas University UA Fort Smith UA Monticello

Background and history Northwest ERZ funded on July 1, 2012 Yearly competitive grant Formerly had ERZs at UA

What is an ERZ? A multiyear Pre-K through 16 initiative funded by the state of Arkansas to help improve public school performance and student academic achievement Collaborative effort between Arkansas Department of Education, institutions of higher education, regional education service cooperatives, and other technical assistance provider entities, schools, and participating communities.

ERZ Concepts Collaboration Community and parent involvement Distance learning Faculty sharing Mentoring Professional development Recruitment and retention Teacher preparation programs

Mission The University of Arkansas, the Northwest Arkansas Education Services Cooperative, as well as the partner schools, their students, their parents, and their communities work together to provide and implement customized strategies, effective tools, and authentic partnerships to improve overall public school performance and student academic achievement.

Northwest ERZ Current School District Partners: Elkins Public Schools Fayetteville Public Schools Gentry Public Schools Lincoln Public Schools Springdale Public Schools Additional school partners considered as requests arise.

What is an Advisory Board? Comprised of principals and district administrators from partner schools, University partners, and community partners Provides guidance on overall direction of the ERZ and offers feedback on specific initiatives

What is an Advisory Board? Offers forum for stakeholders to communicate opinions, share expertise, and coordinate services Advocates for ERZ locally and state-wide Meets quarterly

ERZ Goals Goal #1: Ensure that each partner school has a comprehensive professional development program What is a comprehensive professional development program? Are teachers’ professional growth plans individually tailored?

ERZ Goals Goal #2: Assist partners in developing a P-16 curriculum that is rigorous, intentionally aligned, and reflects the needs of stakeholders Have schools aligned curriculum with Common Core State Standards? What types of assistance would benefit schools as they implement Common Core?

ERZ Goals Goal #3: Develop mentoring programs for students, pre-service teachers, new teachers, and experienced teachers Do new and experienced teachers have adequate mentoring opportunities? What types of student mentoring programs are needed? Are current mentoring programs for pre- service teachers adequate?

ERZ Goals Goal #4: Assist schools with strategies to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers What are the needs of schools in recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers? What are cost-effective ways to retain teachers? How can the University partner with schools to help in this area?

ERZ Goals Goal #5: Develop and implement strategies to encourage parental and community involvement How can the ERZ assist schools in increasing meaningful parent and community involvement?

ERZ Goals Goal #6: Encourage collaboration between the University of Arkansas, partner schools, NWA Education Services co-op, and community organizations What opportunities exist that foster collaboration among the partners listed? How can additional collaboration be facilitated by the ERZ?

Small Group Discussions Facilitator Ensure participation of all group members; keep group on task Time Keeper Remind group of time remaining at regular intervals Recorder Write down key points on chart paper Reporter Synthesize and report key points

ERZ Goals Goal #1: Ensure that each partner school has a comprehensive professional development program What is a comprehensive professional development program? Are teachers’ professional growth plans individually tailored?

ERZ Goals Goal #2: Assist partners in developing a P-16 curriculum that is rigorous, intentionally aligned, and reflects the needs of stakeholders Have schools aligned curriculum with Common Core State Standards? What types of assistance would benefit schools as they implement Common Core?

ERZ Goals Goal #3: Develop mentoring programs for students, pre-service teachers, new teachers, and experienced teachers Do new and experienced teachers have adequate mentoring opportunities? What types of student mentoring programs are needed? Are current mentoring programs for pre- service teachers adequate?

ERZ Goals Goal #4: Assist schools with strategies to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers What are the needs of schools in recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers? What are cost-effective ways to retain teachers? How can the University partner with schools to help in this area?

ERZ Goals Goal #5: Develop and implement strategies to encourage parental and community involvement How can the ERZ assist schools in increasing meaningful parent and community involvement?

ERZ Goals Goal #6: Encourage collaboration between the University of Arkansas, partner schools, NWA Education Services co-op, and community organizations What opportunities exist that foster collaboration among the partners listed? How can additional collaboration be facilitated by the ERZ?

Current ERZ Activities Adopt-A-Classroom (Goals 3, 6) NWA P-16 Task Force (Goal 2, 6) First meeting on November 13 th Pre-service teacher tutoring (Goals 3, 4, 6) Education Renewal Zone: College of Education and Health Professions Education Renewal Zone: College of Education and Health Professions

Possible Future ERZ Activities Ideas from this and future Advisory Board meetings Middle level training/conference (Goal 1) Recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers (Goal 4) What works? Teacher Value Plan

Next ERZ Advisory Board Meeting Date and location Future proposed meeting dates: December 12, 14, or 18 February 11, 12, or 26 April 9, 19, or 26 Topics to cover

Thank you for coming!