Welcome, this site is designed to assist with the shift to Smarter Balanced (SB) in 2017. We will add resources regarding SB and steps taken to prepare ICSD teachers and students.
Steps and Professional Learning
Art Sathoff, Superintendent: Shared information regarding the Iowa Core and Smarter Balanced Assessments in a Forum on K-12 Education - Administrators & Educators Panel; invited the curriculum director, Cindy Slauson, and TLC coaches, Leigh Bellville and Lisa Msuya to collaborate and share new learning with the ICSD school board in September 2016; presented new learning at IASB in November 2016 (click here to access TLC blog entry by Kevin Schlomer)
Cindy Slauson, Curriculum Director: Attended SB training in Johnston and shared new knowledge and resources available with principals in the district; encouraged administrators to take information back to their buildings and share with teachers; presented to the ICSD school board in September 2016; presented new learning at IASB in November 2016; presented SB Overview to admin/coaches in December 2016
Leigh Bellville, Instructional Coach: Created and reviewed resources for the Smarter Balanced Digital Library 2013-2014; attended SNE Workshop for SB as a Master Reviewer in July 2014; collaborated with Smarter Balanced, Amplify, and Teaching Channel to design four Professional Learning Resource Content Modules for Educators included in the SB digital library in the fall 2014; attended Item Writing training with SB in January 2016; presented new learning to ICSD Administration/TLC in January 2016; shared new learning with Senator Julian Garrett in a local forum located at the Warren County Administration Building in February 2016; presented to the ICSD school board in September 2016; attended Smarter Balanced Overview, an AEA, IHE, District, and School Led Professional Learning in November 2016; presented new learning at IASB in November 2016; presented SB Overview to admin/coaches in December 2016; serving on the Iowa Department of Education Statewide Literacy Leadership Team (SLLT) to develop instructional resources and professional learning for educators to implement the standards; serving on the Iowa Department of Education Statewide Assessment Advisory to advise on implementation of a comprehensive balanced assessment system (CBAS) throughout the State of Iowa; collaborating currently with the writing team at Indianola Middle School to prepare students for performance assessments in 2017
Lisa Msuya, Instructional Coach:Created and reviewed resources for the Smarter Balanced Digital Library 2013-2014; attended Item Writing Training with SB in January 2016; presented new learning to ICSD Administration/TLC in January 2016; shared new learning with Senator Julian Garrett in a local forum located at the Warren County Administration Building in February 2016; presented to the ICSD school board in September 2016; presented new learning at IASB in November 2016; presented SB Overview to admin/coaches in December 2016; collaborating currently with the writing team at Indianola Middle School to prepare students for performance assessments in 2017