News

• Revision of the Mathematics Framework The California Department of Education is recruiting individuals to participate as Focus Group Members for the Revision of the Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve.
  

• State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Issues Statement on NCLB Waiver
  
  
• State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces California's Five Teachers of the Year. Congratulations to Rebecca Mieliwocki and Tom Collett for being selected as one of California's five 2012 Teachers of the Year.
  
  
• State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Offers a Blueprint for Great Schools Report Puts Focus on Effective Teaching, Student Support, 21st Century Learning .

Announcing Web Tools for Online Education Programs and Schools

New Web resources were created in response to public interest in online schools and programs in California. The resources include:

1. California Directory of Online Schools and Programs. This resource provides a list of online schools and programs searchable by county. Each list includes grades served by online options, accreditation information and the curriculum and programs offered.
2. Glossary of Terms Related to Online Education. The Glossary explains the terminology of online education.
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to Online Education. The FAQs help answer some of the more common inquiries about online education.

All of these new resources can be accessed from the Online Education Index page.

Conferences and Events

• 2012 Educating for Careers Conference Pathway to Success (Outside Source), February 13-15, Sacramento, CA.

• California League of Schools Annual Conference (North) (Outside Source), February 24-26, Sacramento, CA.
  
  
  Access quick links to upcoming Conferences and Events.
  

TCSII Portal Change Logs

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Recommendation Six
Takes Center Stage

FEATURED RECOMMENDATION

• Recommendation 6—Transitions

The importance of easing transitions for young adolescents
Change is never easy, particularly when the change involves moving from a secure environment to an unfamiliar one. External changes, such as the move from elementary school to middle grades and from middle grades to high school, combined with the internal changes of adolescence can be overwhelming for students if not handled with care and preparation. Staff members at developmentally responsive middle schools understand the importance of easing the transition for young adolescents.

FEATURED ARTICLES

• Supporting Parents and Caregivers During Times of Transition
  
  When considering transition from elementary to middle and middle to high school, educators naturally focus most of their attention on their students and what they can do to support students entering these different environments. However, parents and caregivers have a multitude of questions about this time period that sometimes is unintentionally overlooked. Educators are in a unique position to support parents and caregivers as their students transition between grade spans.

• Middle Grades is a Time of Multiple Transitions
  
  Educators can unlock the mysteries of young adolescents by understanding how the brain’s transitional stages affect their behavior. Additionally, understanding the developmental research regarding middle grades students and then teaching to support their physical, mental, and emotional growth will contribute greatly towards keeping students engaged in school particularly as they prepare to transition from elementary grades and then on to high school. Find out the answer to, “What were they thinking?”
  
  FEATURED RESEARCH

• Strategies to Aid Student Transition from Middle to High School
  
  The transition from eighth grade to high school results in a higher drop-out rate and more students being retained in ninth grade—a retention rate higher than any other grade. However, when districts and schools develop and implement a sound transition program, the outcomes for ninth grade students are improved. A new policy brief provides strategies and resources on how to implement successful middle-to-high-school transition programs.

FEATURED
MIDDLE GRADES ORGANIZATION

• AVID—Preparing All Students for Success
  
  AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Since 1990, more than 65,300 AVID students have graduated from high school and planned to attend college. Of the 2009 AVID graduates, 92 percent planned to attend college; 60 percent to a four-year college and 32 percent to a two-year college.

FEATURED PRACTICES
IN THE SPOTLIGHT

• Stelle Middle School—Transitions as Part of Community Building
  
  At Alice C. Stelle Middle School, the practice of community building is systemic and includes a three-tiered process that begins before the students enroll and extends through their culmination into high school. The process includes transitions, character education, and student involvement on campus. A primary goal is the cultivation of a seamless transition from elementary and to high school and involves parents, students, and staff.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITY

• Transitions that Promote Success in the Middle Grades
  
  This new professional learning activity is designed to: (1) acquaint educators with TCSII’s Recommendation 6—Transitions; (2) help educators assess how their schools are currently implementing strategies that promote effective transitions for middle grades students; (3) showcase best practices about transitions currently being implemented in California middle grades schools; and (4) guide educators in adapting best practices to strengthen transitions from elementary school to the middle grades and to high school from the middle grade.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

• Essential Elements for Effective Middle Grades Transition Programs
  
  An article appearing in Focus on Middle School details a list of essential elements for effective middle grades transition programs and promotes a multi-faceted approach that supports the needs of young adolescents.