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2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Page 2
Education Progress
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
ASU continues to evolve from old to new
ALAMOSA—At Adams State University, everything old is new again. When the late Billy Adams was governor of Colorado, he realized his dream of having a “normal school,” where teachers — good teachers — could be trained. Since his namesake school was founded in the 1920s, that goal has been realized and expanded upon until the simple institution founded to improve general education has become a mecca for students pursuing a number of different majors and careers. A major point of progress has been the conversion and renovation of Richardson Hall, the campus administration building. Staff began occupying their offices in the south and central wings last November, and renovation of the south wing is underway. One major benefit of the project was reclamation of 11,000 square feet in the building’s third floor, which had previously been unusable. In addition to more space, the building will have improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical infrastructure and fixtures, plumbing and fixtures, windows and doors, improved insulation, all new internet cable and technology, a metal roof with times designed to mimic the historic clay tile placed there when the structure was built. Also noticeable is repainting of the tower and dome, cleaning of the brick surface and other cosmetic improvements. Also old and yet new, the former Evans Elementary School has become the East Campus and houses still more classrooms in the growing institution. Housed there is the department of Human Performance and Physical Education. Money for all this hasn’t come out of student pockets, and grants have been coming in from Title V to improve student access, supporting ASU’s status as one of the top Hispanic serving institutions in Colorado, as well as funds for the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) offerings, in which students from area high schools get their academic feet wet and accrue college credit in the process. Add to all this state-of-the-art athletic facilities, solar applications on many existing buildings, a renovated and highly modern education and social studies building, new homes for broadcast and communications departments and on-campus activities that have continued for decade, yet are brand-new, with the new faces of an increasing Adams State University’s Richardson Hall enrollment.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Education Progress
Page 3
TSJC expansion project moves forward
ALAMOSA—Students who attended the former Central Elementary School are hard put to recognize the old brick building, now that it’s home to the Valley Campus of Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC). Recently the college received $1.5 million from the State of Colorado to build a 6,700-square-foot addition to the Main Street campus of Trinidad State in Alamosa. The project will cover two floors and include new classrooms near the corner of Fourth Street and Bell Avenue. TSJC is also seeking state approval and funding to build a new campus on the west side of Alamosa, including about 29,000 square feet of new classroom space on about 15 acres of donated land near First Street and Craft Drive south of Highway 160. Local business owners LeRoy and Rosalie Martinez and Butch and Izora Southway donated the acreage to the Trinidad State Educational Foundation, making it possible for construction of a new campus This proposal is designed as Phase 1 of a new campus. Construction of Phase 1 would take place over a two-year period. Trinidad State will also soon ask the state of Colorado for nearly $13 million to start construction of the new campus. Under the proposal another $1.4 million would be raised through donations. Should this project receive funding from the state, some career and technical education programs which require large indoor spaces would be moved over from the cramped Main Street campus. These would include welding, machining, diesel mechanics, agriculture, aquaculture and construction technology. Also planned is a space for emerging technologies, which might include biomass, and biofuels technologies. In addition a greenhouse structure is planned. Alcon was recently awarded the bid for expansion at the current building, which includes two laboratory equipped classrooms. “It’s not that we have no science facilities at this point,” TSJC President Dr. Carmen Simone said. “This would just expand and allow us to offer multiple courses at the same time and become a little more efficient and effective at how we’re doing those courses. The classroom space is necessary, because we are very cramped on the Valley campus right now.” The new chemistry classrooms will be
Courtesy photo
Trinidad State staffers Robert Martinez, Bonnie Ortega, Josh Jones, Jack Wiley and President Dr. Carmen Simone take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Alamosa Campus at 1011 Main St. during December of 2014. Two new classrooms and two new labs should be completed by Alcon Construction by March. The $1.7 million project is being paid for by the state of Colorado. plumbed for natural gas, allowing experiments that require flames, as well as compressed air and fume hoods. “Right now we have a biology lab space but we really don’t have a chemistry lab space and we’re just starting to offer courses in the chemistry area, which is pretty exciting,” Simone said. The new wing will include two classrooms on the first floor along with bathrooms. The second floor will house two laboratory-equipped classrooms and a laboratory preparation space. Those rooms will be equipped with lab-grade workstations complete with fume hoods. Eventually Trinidad State plans to move all
its facilities and campus administration to the new site. That would require additional construction totaling 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. Currently TSJC operates out of two buildings at 1011 Main Street, with just over 56,000 square feet, plus five off-site locations. “To be able to completely build out a new campus the way we are envisioning is going to take many, many years,” Dr. Simone said. “So we are going to be operating with a split campus for quite a period of time. Right now we’re being thoughtful about which programs can stand alone at that new site and not have to depend quite as heavily on our current campus. The heavy trades are the ones we’ve chosen first
and that have the most critical facilities issues.” Established in 1925, Trinidad State Junior College was the first community college in Colorado. With campuses in Trinidad and Alamosa, TSJC offers affordable and accessible education to students in southern Colorado and beyond. Trinidad State offers unique academic programs in fields such as aquaculture, cosmetology, welding and massage therapy. In addition, there are two line technician programs as well as nursing, art, theatre and machining in addition to traditional Arts and Sciences classes and a guaranteed transfer program through a partnership with four-year colleges and universities in Colorado.
Educators divided on academic standards S TAFF R EPORT
San Luis VALLEY — A Colorado Education Association (CEA) survey conducted late last year found teachers across the state are split on the effectiveness of academic standards, but agree too much time is spent on testing. CEA surveyed 2,681 certified members from 115 different Colorado school districts between November 25 and December 8, 2014, and the results have UniServ Director Dennis Carlson concerned about what is happening in the classroom. “Our teachers are telling us there is too much lost instruction time,” said Carlson to the San Luis Valley Superintendents Advisory Committee (SAC) Tuesday morning. “They are spending up to 16 hours a week, nearly two full school days, working on testing... We are trying to educate the legislators and the public about what is happening with testing.” The survey asked teachers their opinions on the Common Core State Standards and the effectiveness of specific assessments. The answers to the latter revealed Colorado educators found the CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) science and social studies assessment to be “the least beneficial,” while district program tests like Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate rated the highest. Thirty-three percent of teachers said they would eliminate the test entirely, 29 percent said they would reduce the frequency of the CMAS assessments, 12 percent said they would reduce the length of the test
and only one percent said they would not change the test. CMAS is the testing scheme replacing the TCAP Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP), and is the state’s new English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies assessments. Last spring, CMAS science exams became a requirement for all fifth and eighth graders, and social study exams for fourth and seventh graders. In the fall of 2014, the exams became mandatory for high school seniors. In addition to pinpointing that teachers are struggling to find appropriate time for instruction, the survey revealed teachers are also frustrated with a “lack of adequate curriculum to meet current standards” and “persistent challenges with the technology required for testing online.” Six out of ten teachers across the state, according to the survey, believe their “current curricula do not reflect the assessments’ standards.” Over the past few years, Valley districts have worked together to create a common curriculum to meet and exceed state standards, and provide a more universal learning environment for students in all school districts. Almost 70 percent of those the CEA surveyed said they felt their school “definitely” or “probably” does not have the appropriate technology to conduct assessments online. Teachers also reported “frequent problems with computer resources, Internet
access and accommodating students with special needs.” In the Valley’s rural districts, Carlson said access to test taking technology is a serious concern. As part of a balanced assessment system, state assessments provide valuable information to students, families, schools, districts, the state and taxpayers, according to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). A balanced assessment system is one that contains formative assessments, interim assessments and summative assessments. The state assessments are summative assessments, according to CDE. While formative, interim, and classroom-based summative assessments inform classroom instruction on a regular basis, state summa-
tive assessments are designed to be point in time snapshots of what students know and can do in core content areas. The assessment results, according to CDE, are used by: parents/families to gauge student progress over time; teachers to inform and improve classroom practice and student placement; and by schools/ districts to inform program, school, and district improvement. The results are also the backbone of the state’s accountability system. They are used to populate the annual school and district performance frameworks, which result in accreditation ratings for each school and district. The results can also used for teacher evaluation purposes as one of the multiple measures required under S.B. 10-0191.
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Education Progress
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
New school on schedule for fall opening BY LYNDSIE FERRELL
CREEDE— The new school project in Creede is well underway and is on schedule to be complete for the beginning of school this fall. The project began last September as students from the Creede School gathered under the warm fall sunshine to break ground for their new school. Excitement emanated all around as city, county and school officials kicked off the much-anticipated project. School Board President John Howard spoke to the crowd saying, “As I have said from the beginning of this project, we don’t need a new school; we need a new building to put our great school in. We already have a great school.” During recent meetings of the school board, Desi Navarro from Consilium Partners has reported progress on the internal structure of the school. The outside has come a long way from the beginning stages, but has reached a point where no further progress will made until winter weather subsides. Inside the school, crews continue their work on air systems, technological installation, plumbing and electrical work. Recently the school board has become part of the SLV Water Conservatory District, which will enable the school to have irrigation water. Once the application is approved through the courts, the issue of outside water systems will be resolved. The school board has agreed to become annexed into the municipality of Creede in order to receive city water and utilities. By going this direction the school will be able to save expenses on utilities and water. The construction of water and utility lines was complete before the ground froze. Plans for the new school included 21st Century technology, which will make the building a self-sustaining structure. All
Photos by Lyndsie Ferrell
Children gathered around the site of their new school last fall to help break ground. The new school has come a long way from last fall when the project began. Construction is on schedule and the new school should be ready to go for the 2015-16 school year.
systems inside the school will adjust and run according to the needs of those inside. Air filtering systems, water faucets and even lights are designed to minimize use unless otherwise needed. The school will throw Creede into the future and the students and staff of the school are eager to move in. The school board is working closely with Consilium Partners to utilize every possible avenue of finances available to fill the school with all necessary equipment. The board is also planning to reuse everything they can
from the old school to save on expenses. In addition, the board will begin selling parts of the old property to help pad the negative financial situation that the new school has put them in. A piece of property owned by the school known as “the white house” will be put on the market as soon as possible. The board is also trying to get a quiet title on the main property so they can sell it and use the money for operating costs. Once the title is filed the school is looking at three to four months before they can put the property on the market.
The process has been an issue of debate among the town for some time due to emotional ties some residents have toward the old school. The board is attempting every possible avenue to ensure the old school property can continue to benefit the community in some way. It has also recently come to light that a portion of the property will need to be used as a city park once the land is no longer used for school purposes. This poses a new challenge for all involved. More information on this matter will be reported as it comes available.
‘Virtual Academy’ offers learning options BY TERESA L. BENNS
CENTER — Center’s “Virtual Academy” (CVA) online school has continued over the past three years to incorporate changes and improvements to its program in order to better serve students and parents choosing to home school. Former Del Norte Principal Chris Vance is now heading the program to accommodate those choosing not to attend regular classes. Recent improvements to the online experience, he said in a recent phone interview, include the introduction of a “robust” new software program that is entirely user-friendly and webbased, allowing greater interaction with studies for students and parents alike. The software features “a parent portal where parents can see what and how their kids learn,” to better monitor their progress and improve communication with the school. The new software shows how students progress, when they log in and what problems they may be having. If problems cannot be addressed and the online classes adjusted to suit the student, they “are asked to come to the campus more often.” The academy works alongside Center’s Academic Recovery Center (ARC) headed by Joy Werner to offer additional assistance for online students. These often include teen mothers, those who hold down jobs, were expelled or for health or other reasons cannot attend school. The ARC provides another option for those who wish to continue their education, but find the online program is “not their cup of tea.” Students who want a faster track also can participate in GED classes at the ARC. The Virtual Academy helps students “who don’t learn in traditional ways,” to continue their education, Vance explained, adding that, “kids need flexibility at times.” The program also is designed for students who wish to take advanced classes or classes not available at the school. “We will tailor individual plans to each student’s needs,” Vance commented. The academy will employ “adaptive testing” to discover, then
bridge student learning gaps by using intervention techniques, to help level the playing field for home learners. This way, Vance said, he can help students “balance out strengths and weaknesses” and utilize a wealth of technical tools to enhance learning opportunities. Online instruction also will be used in conjunction with blogs to help students connect with the community. According to Vance, most students spend about four to six hours a day, five days a week completing their online coursework, with variations according to their schedules. If in school they would be spending about six to seven hours a day in class, plus any homework requirements. The only difference with online is that “they do not have lectures and audio, so must read more,” he noted. Vance says that field trips are available for CVA learners and he intends to work closely with each student on a daily basis to get to know them personally, Vance also says he will contact families on a regular basis. All students have full access to high school sports and music programs, as well as any other extracurricular Photo by Teresa L. Benns activities. Online Virtual Academy students receive their diplomas during the 2014 graduaCenter Schools is working on providing tion ceremony at Center Schools. laptops and Internet access for CVA students who do not currently have access to the web. “We’re limiting classes to 12-20 students to allow for one-on-one,” Superintendent George Welsh said. He indicated that if demand increases, the enrollment could be expanded in the future. “This is a great opportunity for me to reach out to Center students and offer them a 21st century learning environment using current technology,” Vance said. Welsh described Vance as a definite asset to the staff and is pleased with the continuing development of the program. Vance advised those wishing to enroll for CVA classes to contact him at 719-937-3415, or by e-mail at cvance@center.k12.co.us “There are a lot of kids out there who have to do things differently,” he concluded. “I’m glad we can reach them.”
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Education Progress
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Del Norte Schools make technology advances
BY JOHN MCEVOY
DEL NORTE—According to Del Norte School Superintendent Nathan Smith, the school district has an ongoing one-to-one program for grades three through 12. “Every kid in our school, grade three through 12, has either their own individual iPad or laptop portable device,” said Smith. “That is the platform we want to have, and it will take money every year to replace them.” Smith said they try to give new freshmen a new laptop at the beginning of the year and they try to bring in new iPads for the third graders. “Also in our kindergarten, one and two classes, we have classrooms sets of about 10 iPads that the students share,” said Smith. “The kids can use them in the classrooms and the teachers can send them home if they need to for homework assignments.” Smith said the idea is for the kids to not only be able to use them in class, but to make them available for home use and help them to do extra work by downloading apps to work on math problems or to build their skills in other areas. “We just want to provide the opportunity for them to explore on their own, as well as have access in the classroom,” said Smith. Smith said his daughter is a sophomore and she uses her device almost every night doing homework. “She is making valuable use of it. When I go around to other schools in the district, those kids now know it is a tool to have charged and ready to go and how to take proper care of them,” said Smith. The state of Colorado has gone to an online testing system, which the school utilizes in their curriculum. Within a couple of years, most all classes around the state and country will be tested this way. “That is one of the reasons we wanted to go with the keyboard too,” said Smith. “When the students are doing a test, we want them to type their answers and not want them to just be using a touch screen.”
Photos by John McEvoy
Technology guru Ken Groff can program and synchronize up to 15 computers at a time in his office. Smith said they have been utilizing the testing programs of the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) for 10 years. “These tests are based on whether you answer the question correctly, and then the student gets a more difficult question and also an incorrect answer will be vice versa,” said Smith. “Those results are reported back to us
This room is one of three filled with computer stations used for testing or for when a teacher wants to make a presentation where the students all need to be online. Sometimes students come and use this room if they don’t have their personal computer charged.
Choose A, B, or C— or help your school with all three
MONTE VISTA—The Sunflower Bank’s ABC program is returning for the 15th year. Schools benefit when their students submit report cards, when Sunflower Bank customers use their debit cards and when new customers sign up. Founded in 1892, family-owned Sunflower Bank is dedicated to building communities by “Bringing out the best in the lives we touch…” and, “Creating Possibility.” The ABC program works as follows: A: Get paid for As.* Students, bring your current report card to Sunflower Bank and you could get paid for your A’s! On April 1, every branch draws five lucky winners that get paid $10 for every A (up to $100), and we make a matching contribution to your participating school.
your school-registered debit card between Jan. 1 and March 31. Every time you say “credit” for a transaction, you’ll earn five cents for your school. Register your Sunflower Bank debit
card using the form at the right. C: Cash for you and your school.* You’ll earn $50 for you and $50 for your school when you open a new personal checking account. *School must be a participant in ABC Program to receive payment. Offer valid 1/1/15 – 3/31/15 and may be canceled without notice. Offer applies to only new personal checking household. Minimum $100 to open. Bonus deposited into account at time of account opening. Customer will receive a 1099-INT when bonus value (cash and/or merchandise) exceeds $10. Not valid with any other offer. No purchase necessary to enter report card B. Bucks for debit card swipes.* drawing. Available for students in grade K-12. Earn big bucks for your school by using $100 maximum per report card.
in real time, so we know immediately the level the students are on at any given time.” This immediate feedback is also beneficial to the students. “Another thing we have done for the high school students is purchase the all digital version of the science program,” said Smith. “The classes come with a CD rather than a book and the students access the curriculum through their computer.” Leaping into the 21st Century requires a tech savvy leadership. With that idea in mind, the Del Norte School District hired Ken Groff. “Technology Guru” is the sign posted above the door to a large office in the north end of the high school where Groff spends much of his time programming and syncing up to 15 computers at a time. Groff also repairs any of them that might get damaged or infected with the untold amount of viruses that are out in the cyber world. “An iPad or Android tablet does not have enough processing power to do what needs to be done in the classroom,” said Groff. “We went with a Dell pad that we bought refurbished to be able to stay within our budget and provide as many grades as possible with a capable and reliable computer.” Groff said starting with the current school session, they added an online school capability.
“There were some students that were jumping to other districts, because their family or living situation, was not conducive to a traditional school environment,” said Groff. “We decided to go to an online school program to accommodate the students who needed this kind of educational option.” The students come in for about an hour a day to have interaction with the online school principal, Trish Velasquez. She makes sure they are keeping up with their work that is done mostly at home, rather than in the classroom. “They use a lot of the same curriculum online that we use here in the classrooms,” said Groff. “We were able to get back many of the students that had gone to other districts to obtain the online educational opportunities that we did not have before.” Groff said offering the online school is one of the biggest changes they have done this year. “All the students have access to classes online and this can help them with any scheduling conflicts,” said Groff. “If they need to take a certain class to continue onto the next grade level, that aspect can be very helpful.” “This computer system we picked kind of covers all the bases for us,” said Smith. “We will get a better idea over time for where we need to go as technology changes, but this is working well for now.”
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Education Progress
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Campaign led to school board recall
BY T ERESA L. BENNS
CENTER — The current school board recall election, set to be decided by mailin ballot March 17, began early last year following the appointment of one school board member, and the election of another member, both in the same political camp. Former postmaster and Center municipal judge James Sanchez was appointed to the school board first, followed by the election of former Center Schools superintendent Phillip Varoz as a board member. Both men soon commenced a letter-writing campaign to community members, alleging that the schools were not properly utilizing funds for students, that the current staff is not working toward true academic excellence and challenging Center Schools Superintendent George Welsh as an effective leader for the school. The campaign came on the heels of the Center Town Board recall and a regular election that failed to return to office former Center mayor and Center Schools’ teacher Susan Banning, but retained technology director Julio Paez as a trustee. Current Mayor Herman Sisneros led a campaign for mayor based on claims Banning cost him his job. Banning and other elected officials denied the claims. Those backing Sisneros and others long involved in Center politics served on the committee to recall Banning, trustees Paez, Moe Jones and John Faron.
Varoz and Sanchez objections Varoz and Sanchez fought the rehiring of Superintendent Welsh, claiming he was overpaid. In 2014 Welsh was named Superintendent of the Year by the Colorado Department of Education. He also has received several other awards, as did the Center Schools for their academic performance achievements. The Center School Board also was honored last year as School Board of the Year. But the main objection Sanchez and Varoz raised was featured in a report by Channel 7 Denver investigative reporter, John Ferrugia, bringing the controversy over Center Schools’ expulsion policy to the Front Range. Last spring, Varoz and James Sanchez demanded a police investigation of the school’s expulsion cubicles and the school’s policy concerning its alternative to expulsion program. They notified Center Police and the District Attorney’s office prior to informing fellow school board members or superintendent George Welsh. Varoz and Sanchez decried the school’s policy confining students in the program to four-feet by six-feet cubicles with (unlocked) doors and only part-time supervision. Center Police investigated on behalf of the District Attorney, but found no issues with the program, so did not refer the matter to Saguache County Social Services. The same night Varoz and Sanchez complained to the board this spring, Welsh
Courtesy Photo
Center Consolidated Schools Superintendent George Welsh accepts the Demont Award at the Colorado Association of School Boards Convention in 2010, naming him Outstanding Rural Superintendent of the Year. Welsh was named Colorado Superintendent of the Year in 2014. suggested changes to the program. Doors on the cubicles were removed. Students now receive counseling services, get exercise twice a day and eat lunch with others. A full-time professional also was hired to oversee students. Recall petitions filed The controversy escalated in September when Varoz and Sanchez requested Welsh’s resignation. The request raised an outcry from Center administration, staff, parents and students who rallied to Welsh’s defense. Reporter Ferrugia was on hand to film the rallies held to support Welsh and conduct interviews for the expulsion policy story. The two-part series aired in October. In late September, the Committee for Truth and Transparency filed a recall petition with Saguache County Clerk and Recorder Carla Gomez to recall Varoz and Sanchez. In October, the Committee for Educational Excellence filed their recall petition for Richard Barela and Yuridia Cendejas. After Gomez excluded 76 signatures that
James Sanchez and Phillip Varoz
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could not be verified, Truth and Transparency Committee members collected a total of 438 signatures to recall Varoz and 423 signatures for Sanchez’s recall. A total of 232 signatures for Varoz and 163 signatures for Sanchez were needed to proceed with the recall election. Varoz’s and Sanchez’s Committee for Educational Excellence, consisting of James Sanchez, Melissa Sanchez and Audrey (Theresa) Chavez, was able to gather only a total of 144 signatures out of the 281 needed to recall Barela. Eight signees withdrew and Gomez rejected 147 signatures as not valid per state statutes. The petition to recall school board member Yuridia Cendejas was approved by an eight-signature margin, 117 accepted out of a required number of 109. Gomez rejected 132 signatures on the Cendejas petition as invalid and eight signees withdrew their names. The petition was declared insufficient for a brief time then 80 additional signatures were added to recall Cendejas. After a round of petition remedies, Barela’s petition remains insufficient but Sanchez, Varoz and Cendejas will appear Yuridia Cendejas on the ballot for recall. Ballots for the recall election will be mailed out to voters within polling centers will open in each of the the Center School District beginning Feb. three counties, Saguache, Alamosa and Rio 23, which is also the date voter service and Grande clerk and recorder’s offices.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Education Progress
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Adams State takes steps MV Rotary offering Dick Boyce to address academic fraud Memorial Book Scholarship
ALAMOSA— On Jan. 15 Adams State University President David Svaldi announced the university is freezing new enrollments in its print-based correspondence courses, pending external review of the student verification process. The measure was taken in response to a Chronicle of Higher Education report of fraudulent activities by an individual who admitted he completed assignments and exams and bribed test proctors on behalf of studentathletes. He said he helped college athletes meet NCAA eligibility by attaining transfer credit from Adams State and other institutions over the last 14 years. “Although we have revised distance education policies in recent years to prevent cheating, this additional review will help us further assure academic integrity,” Svaldi said. “We will implement state-of-the-art recommendations that preserve and guarantee academic integrity and will discontinue any delivery method or course that is weak in that regard.” The university is discontinuing its Math 155 course, mentioned in the Chronicle article by officials at Mt. San Antonio College and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was offered only online as part of a two-course sequence geared to elementary school teachers.
Students currently enrolled in correspondence courses will be permitted to complete them, and the courses will continue to be available to students enrolled through the Colorado Department of Corrections. “We have confirmed with NCAA officials that no Adams State coaches or athletes, past or present, were involved in these illegal activities,” Svaldi said. He said the university plans to work with its accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission, and to engage external evaluators to review its policies and processes. Adams State’s Extended Studies program provides distance education online, via correspondence, and through face-to-face courses presented off campus. During the 2013-14 academic year, the program logged approximately 7,800 distance education enrollments. “Distance education is very valuable to students in isolated, rural areas, to those who lack internet access and to adult students working to further their education while juggling work and family responsibilities,” Svaldi added. “The vast majority of these students are honest and conscientious. Unfortunately, they will suffer from the actions of a small subset that has exploited these services to commit academic fraud.”
New Colorado State Board of Education members sworn in
COLORADO—The Colorado State Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 7-8. Highlights from the meeting include:
existing law as adopted by the Governor and the General Assembly as well as federal law and all state board rules and policies. If and when any of those things change, the department will make changes to implementation. The performance-based portion captures critical-thinking, reasoning and application skills through “extended tasks.” In English language arts/literacy, students read passages from real texts – fiction and non-fiction, and sometimes watch video or listen to audio. Then they write, using what they’ve learned from the passages and multi-media sources to support their arguments. In mathematics, students solve multi-step problems that require reasoning and address real world situations. This requires students to use mathematical reasoning, make sense of quantities and their relationships to solve real-world problems, and show their understanding. These skills are critically important for students in college and in the workplace. This portion of the test is given early because it takes more time to review and score. The second portion of the test, given later in the spring, doesn’t require as long to score.
Board swearing in A swearing in ceremony was held yesterday for newly elected members Steve Durham and Val Flores and returning board members Jane Goff and Marcia Neal. Durham represents the 5th Congressional District and Flores represents the 1st Congressional District. Goff, who represents the 7th Congressional District was elected to fill a vacancy in March 2008 and then elected to a six-year term in November of that year and won this bid for a six-year term. Neal was elected to the board for the 3rd congressional district in 2009 and won this bid for a six-year term. Durham is a lobbyist and former state legislator who replaces Paul Lundeen, who was elected to the state House of Representatives. Durham will complete Lundeen’s term, which runs through January 2017. Flores was elected to a six-year term. She earned a master’s degree in education, reading and early childhood and a doctorate in Outstanding educators curriculum and instruction, ESL, bilingual, The board recognized Sara Shackett, a high multicultural education from the University of Houston. Her experience includes working as school social studies teacher at Lakewood a classroom teacher and university professor. High School (Jeffco Public Schools), who was awarded the National Council for the Social Studies Outstanding Secondary Teacher of Board officers One of the first orders of business for the the Year. The annual National Council for new board was to elect officers. Marcia Neal the Social Studies Outstanding Teacher of the was elected chairman and Angelika Schroeder Year Awards recognizes exceptional classroom (2nd Congressional District) was elected vice- social studies teachers for grades K-6, 5-8, and 7-12 who teach social studies in elementary, chairman. The remaining members of the Colorado middle, or high school settings. Teachers must State Board of Education are Pam Mazanec demonstrate exceptional abilities in developing (4th Congressional District), and Debora or using instructional materials creatively and Scheffel (6th Congressional District). Jane effectively, foster a spirit of inquiry and the Goff and Steve Durham were appointed board development of social studies skills and foster the development of democratic beliefs and legislative liaisons. values needed for civic participation. The board recognized the first-ever IndividAssessments The Colorado State Board of Education ual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP Awards). today passed a motion on a 4-3 vote to direct The awards honor those who best demonstrate the commissioner to grant waivers to school a meaningful ICAP process within a school or districts that request not to administer the district. Educators nominated administrators, performance-based portion of the upcoming school counselors and teachers. The award Colorado Measures of Academic Success tests winners are Falcon School District 49 for culture change; Jeffco Public Schools for ICAP in English language arts and math. The Department of Education is consulting leadership; Mesa County Valley District 51 with the Attorney General’s Office to determine for an exemplary ICAP team, and Crestone the legality of the directive. If the motion is Charter School, in the Moffat Consolidated found to be legal, the department will take ac- School District 2, for innovation. For more, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/postsecondary/ tion based on the board’s motion. The department will continue to implement icapawards.
MONTE VISTA—The Monte Vista Rotary Club is proud to announce that it will once again offer the Dick Boyce Memorial Book Scholarship to a qualifying high school senior from either the Monte Vista or Sargent High School. It is also open to a Monte Vista Rotary member’s child who is a graduating senior attending a high school elsewhere in the San Luis Valley. One scholarship is awarded annually. The application deadline is March 31. This scholarship is designed to pay book fees for a 2015 graduating high school senior who will be attending either Adams State University (ASU) or Trinidad Jr. College on a full-time basis. More specifically, it will pay book fees for up to and including the sum of $500 per
year for a total of four consecutive years. It is eligible for Adams State University for four consecutive years or Trinidad Jr. College for two years and then Adams State University for the subsequent two years if the student transfers to ASU from Trinidad Jr. College. Dick Boyce was a very active Rotarian from the Sargent area who believed in his local community and the education of its youth. For more detailed information, contact either the Monte Vista or Sargent High School counselors or contact Monte Vista Rotary members Karla Shriver (8505808), Lola Brimhall (852-5070), David Young (589-3619), Linda Weyers (8523322) or any other Monte Vista Rotarian.
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Page 8
Education Progress
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Valley native offered internship with SAMHSA
ROCKVILLE, Md. — Colorado State University Health and Exercise Science senior Joseph Espinoza’s journey brought him from a small town in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, to Colorado State University, and now to Rockville, Md. Espinoza has accepted a prestigious offer for an internship position with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration office (SAMHSA) in Rockville, Md., just outside the Washington D.C. area. Espinoza faced a great deal of competition with students from across the country who also applied for these positions. Hailing from Romeo, a small town of 375 inhabitants located in the San Luis Valley, Espinoza came to CSU in 2011 as part of the Key Explore Community: a residential learning community which offers guidance to students by helping them explore their options at CSU. After gaining a holistic look at health care, he decided his focus at CSU would be on health promotion. Espinoza is still humbled by the opportunity that has been presented to him. When asked what he did to stand out among other candidates, he attributed his success to extracurricular activities that have expanded his experience. “I’ve attended leadership retreats while at CSU, and take advantage of any opportunities I can. Getting involved with professional organizations, such as the Academic Advancement Center, has been very helpful,” he said. The Academic Advancement Center is a student support services program that helps low-income, first-generation college students, foster youth, and students with disabilities stay in college until they earn their baccalaureate degrees. Having early exposure to leadership is also a factor in his success, Espinoza said. “Being a part of the Beta Gamma Nu fraternity has gotten me involved in community organizations and helped me to development management and leadership skills.” Working
has also been vital in helping Espinoza set himself apart in the candidate pool. “I’ve had a job every year since I’ve been at CSU, I also had the opportunity to fulfill HES practicum requirements” Espinoza said. “A big reason I applied for the SAMHSA internship was because I was gaining experience from the CSU Health Network practicum. Where I had the opportunity to work in mental health, which is a step to working with substance abuse prevention.” According to Espinoza, the 15-week internship will give him insights into progressive work being done in his chosen field. It will also give him a first-person perspective on the government’s role in dealing with behavioral health disorders, an aspect that Espinoza has not dealt with much up to this point in his education. He is also enthusiastic to be learning from his supervisor, who currently serves as the special assistant to the director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. The SAMHSA Internship Program works to help students recognize the value of ensuring that all individuals live a productive life within a community. The interns gain their experience in the program through practical application in through projects, special assignments, or research that support federal, state, and community-based programs, policies, and best practices in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and mental illness. While working 40-hours a week, students will not only draw from the knowledge they have learned in their formal education, but gain experience through applied projects and realworld interactions. Joseph is the son of Randi Espinoza of Romeo and Manuel Espinoza of Romeo. His siblings are Elydia (Johnny) Bailon of Alamosa; Mario Espinoza, a student at Mesa State in Grand Junction; and Elyssa Espinoza, Romeo, a student at Centauri High School.
Educators go to Mexico STAFF REPORT
SAN LUIS VALLEY—Two Valley representatives are headed to Jalisco, Mexico next month as a part of the Binational Migrant Education Initiative (BMEI). The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) selected Center Consolidated School District Superintendent George Welsh and Enid Selpulveda Rodriguez, a Monte Vista School District educator, to travel south this spring to have the opportunity to learn from both students and teachers in Mexico. The goal of the teacher exchange program is to have U.S. administrators and teachers partner with colleagues from Mexico to exchange pedagogy, teaching ideas and lessons and cultural experiences so teachers understand educational systems from both countries. Last year, Alamosa Elementary teacher Laura Malouff was selected for the program, which was held in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Migrant Education Program (MEP) will take care of all travel arrangements. In 1976, a group from California initiated efforts to work with Mexico on issues related to the education of students who migrate between California and Mexico. Other border states became involved, giving birth to BMEI. The initiative was started and supported by individual states that had a migrant student population that migrates regularly between Mexico and the United States. In an effort to promote educational continuity, participants in the BMEI began to meet annually for the purpose of improving the education of those students. In August of 1990, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by officials within the departments of education in the United States and Mexico as a way to deepen and strengthen their working relationship with one another to enhance their efforts to improve primary, secondary and postsecondary education in both countries. The MOU emphasizes cooperation at the federal level and encourages joint activities at the state, local and institutional levels. Annex V to the MOU that was signed in June 1998 re-established the department’s commitment to promote cooperation and coordination between the two countries. This Annex prompted the Office of Migrant Education to encourage more state migrant programs to participate in the Binational activities, and to help support the already established state Binational efforts with
1308 coordination monies. As of Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Valley’s MEP enrollment number is 302 students, which is up 39 students from last January, but down 72 from the 2012-2013 school year, and includes districts from outside of the Valley, according to MEP documents. The Center Consolidated School District is serving the majority of migrant students, 99, while the Alamosa School District is serving 57. Other Valley districts with a migrant student population include Del Norte School District, 2; the Monte Vista School District, 29; the North Conejos School District, 2; the Sanford School District, 3; the Sangre de Cristo School District, 15; the Sierra Grande School District, 5; and the South Conejos School District, 2. “As the number of Mexican nationals maintaining households in both Mexico and the United States continues to increase, creative efforts are being sought to promote continuity of education for the children and to foster cultural understanding,” states the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). “Educational transfer documents are being utilized, schools and communities are hosting cultural appreciation days, and the formation of collaborative partnerships among diverse groups is on the rise.” While national efforts to articulate academic standards among states continue, similar efforts to enhance continuity of education for students moving between nations are increasing as well, according to CDE. One effective way of minimizing educational disruption for students attending schools in more than one country is through teacher exchange programs. Rather than merely addressing the educational needs of one child through telephone consultation or sending textbooks and assignments, teacher exchange programs enhance overall understanding of educational practices, requirements, and expectations among participating nations’ educators and policymakers. MYLI Next month MEP is partnering with Adams State University to organize the Migrant Youth Leadership Institute (MYLI). The on campus event is scheduled for Feb.6-7, and it will include migrant students from other regions. The agenda includes dynamic speakers, as well as STEM activities for students to fully engage students.
Joseph Espinoza