Return-Path: <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id g72Gf0X11000; Fri, 2 Aug 2002 12:41:00 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 2 Aug 2002 12:41:00 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <5DCA49BDD2B0D41186CE00508B6BEBD00B7253C1@wdcrobexc01.ed.gov> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Spacone, Ronna (Contractor)" <Ronna.Spacone@ed.gov> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:2207] EFF Field Dev Update (longish) from Peggy McGuire X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) Status: O Content-Length: 3362 Lines: 57 Hi everyone. Peggy McGuire here, checking in from the EFF Assessment Consortium. I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the extraordinary commitment and hard work of the EFF teacher/researchers and administrators, from 18 programs in five states (Maine, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington), who have been involved in EFF Field Development over the past year. While the Consortium staff folk were busy processing the task and performance data that field practitioners had provided during 2000-2001 in order to build draft Performance Continua for five of the Standards (Read with Understanding, Convey Ideas in Writing, Speak so Others can Understand, Listen Actively, Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate), our amazing researchers in 2001-2002 were continuing to develop well-constructed EFF performance tasks that were focused on their learners' needs and goals and embedded in quality, standards-based instruction. They implemented these tasks with learners and collected performance data around six EFF Standards (Use Math as well as 5 "new" Standards: Solve Problems and Make Decisions, Plan, Cooperate with Others, Resolve Conflict and Negotiate, and Take Responsibility for Learning). In addition, a small group of practitioners formed a study circle to consider possible revisions to the Use Technology standard by looking at the history of that standard's development, discussing recent research, proposing changes, and gathering performance data on tasks developed to address a revised Standard. Busy folks, I'd say! Thanks to their efforts the Consortium staff can continue development of draft Performance Continua for additional standards. To all of you, well done! I also want to send out a special note of recognition and thanks to some folks who have taken significant leadership in our field development efforts - the Field Assistants in each state. They are Janet Smith in Maine; Kathy Petrek and Sharon Katterheinrich in Ohio; Mary Foust in Oregon; Aaron Kohring in Tennessee; and Joani Allen in Washington. What a fine crew - and how honored I am to work with them! They are practitioners - teachers and administrators - who have learned and grown in this process and have in turn offered technical assistance, encouragement and support to other teachers and administrators participating in the field development. They did this through regular communication via phone and email, through site visits, and even through development of useful tools (this year they collaboratively wrote a step-by-step guide to developing well-constructed EFF Performance Tasks in response to teacher/researchers' requests for additional information). They attended to their own professional development, and shared concerns, questions and insights, by participating in biweekly conference calls and informational meetings. I think they characterize "capacity-building" at its best, and I thank them for the privilege of our shared work! Finally, I want to thank our State partners for your ongoing commitment to this work and support of these practitioners. We can't do it without you, and we trust that you are pleased with the fruits of your investment. And as for the future...EFF field development goes on! We'll be keeping you informed. For now, all the best! Peggy McGuire EFF Assessment Coordinator mcguirep555@aol.com
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