(And now, as if that weren’t exciting enough …) The Slide Show! Rev. 2.1

The Alaska SSOS Operations Manual  Explains the SSOS mission  Describes, summarizes, and guides the work of the SSOS  Affirms SSOS’ Alaskan authority ◦ Prompted by ESEA - Independent of ESEA  Resides on EED’s website, distributed to all districts  COLLECTS NO DUST: It’s right here in my (working) space!

 2008 – March: ad hoc administrative EED and ACC group writes first draft describing a state system of support for new commissioner  2008 – Late Spring: AK Legislature funds three SSOS positions  2009 – Winter-Summer: SSOS team fills, Manual guides SSOS efforts  2009 – Spring: SSOS revises manual, shares it with first Pacesetter Academy

 Guiding thought: Keep Manual short, lively, readable ◦ Diagrams ◦ Charts ◦ Tables ◦ Flow charts  12 pages, including cover & TOC ◦ (OK, yeah, small print)  Ponderous detail in the appendices ◦ Laws & Authorities ◦ Procedures ◦ Forms ◦ Glossary ◦ Pretty pix where possible  Chock full of SSOS information  52 pages

 The SSOS team does! (no single author)  Facilitator is selected for process  Remainder of team (4-5 persons) and ACC work on specific sections  Periodic collection of ideas and recommended changes  Final review, publish to the web & print  Manual informs SSOS work, SSOS team revises Manual – a synergistic relationship

Keeping the Manual vibrant …  Question about procedure? use the Manual  Question about the law? use the Manual  Question about SSOS? use … the Manual!  Question about the Manual? invite comments  Question the Manual fails to address? revise it (Dude! - the Manual, not the question)

Fundamentally: EED *is* the SSOS  Within EED bridging silos ◦ Deputy Commissioner- Assessment team ◦ Teaching & Learning Support Division ◦ Finance team- SSOS team  Outside EED into the districts and schools ◦ Instructional audit teams ◦ Mentors & Coaches: TA, content, administrator

… the Manual keeps SSOS moving through the storm  E.g., the department is undergoing unexpected leadership changes at present  People from several EED divisions and sections have shared in the evolution of the Manual  The Manual’s mission statement continues to guide SSOS in its effort to improve kids’ wealth of opportunities

The Manual’s Purpose & Mission page states: ◦ SSOS program goal is for all districts and schools to … exhibit gains in the growth of individual student achievement ◦ SSOS specializes in helping … schools:  Develop multi-tiered approach to curriculum delivery incorporating quality instruction and effective interventions for all students  Implement effective instructional strategies aligned to curriculum and addressing the needs of diverse learners

The SSOS Operations Manual:  Receives continual revision as a living/dynamic document  Explains SSOS work to all comers  Directs SSOS efforts through tough times  Provides bridges for department silos, links to districts  Links EED to classroom instruction via content coaches