Western Arkansas Education Renewal Zone

1. Western Arkansas Education Renewal Zone Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, September 22, 2011

2. Introductions The new ERZ staff

3. JenniferJenningsDavis Director, Western ERZ • MA Ed—Higher Education Administration • University of Nebraska—Lincoln • BA—English Language Arts Education University of Nebraska—Kearney • Public school teacher for 9 years • Folger Shakespeare Library’s Teaching Shakespeare Institute, Fellow • The National Writing Project, Teacher Consultant • Stanford University’s Teacher Tribute Award • John Rotert Teacher of the Year Award • Six-time recipient of the Influential Educator Award, Arkansas Governor’s School • Delta Kappa Gamma, Education Sorority • Sigma Tau Delta, English Honor Society

4. Marshal Hurst Asst. Director, Western ERZ • MA –Educational Leadership • Southern Nazarene University • BA—Mathematics • East Central University • Doctoral Candidate • Oral Roberts University • Public school teacher for 9 years • Subject areas taught: • Algebra I • Geometry • AP Computer Science • Computer Programming

5. Laura Witherington Director of School Partnerships

6. The mission of the ERZ initiative is to collaborate with Pre-K-16 educators, students, families, and their supporting communities in order to combine efforts to improve achievement and learning experiences for all students. ERZ Mission

7. Each ERZ partner school has a comprehensive professional development program aligned to the growth needs of staff and learning goals of students. ERZ Goal 1

8. Students in ERZ partner schools have access to a rigorous, intentionally aligned P-16 curriculum that reflects their needs and the needs of the community. ERZ Goal 2

9. All teachers (pre-service, beginning, and career) and students in every ERZ school have an appropriate mentoring program. ERZ Goal 3

10. ERZ partner schools have a system in place to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. The university has a system for sharing its faculty with partner schools in core subject areas or by using electronic delivery when needed. ERZ Goal 4

11. Each ERZ partner school has a parent and community involvement program which implements ongoing, sustainable programs that promote academic and social interactions among family, community, and schools. ERZ Goal 5

12. The ERZ will promote meaningful collaboration among the university partners, COOPs, partner schools, and community in a manner that carries forth the ERZ mission and goals. The ERZ promotes networking among partners to increase leadership capacity. ERZ Goal 6

13. Partnership What are the qualities of a solid partnership?

14. Qualities of a solid partnership • Cooperation • Sense of collegiality and kinship • Shared responsibility • Coming together for the greater good • Members exchange ideas • Togetherness and unity

15. UAFS Engagement opportunities For k-12 students • American Democracy Project • Athletes in the Classroom • BEST Robotics • Cub Camp—Incoming Freshman • Drennen Scott House • Global Ambassadors • International Festival • Visiting Professors • Writing Competition for Jr. High and Sr. High Writers

16. American Democracy Project • National, non-partisan program with 220 chapters on American Colleges and Universities • Mission to prepare the next generation of global citizens to be active and involved with their communities • Recently past topics • Importance of preserving community history • Freedom of speech • The power of the vote

17. ATHLETES IN THE CLASSROOM • Promoting higher education options to area school children through athletics • UAFS athletes have participated in Rise and Shine programs • Reading programs—buddy reading time • Available to speak on healthy lifestyles—staying in school and staying chemical free

18. Best robotics • Free to schools • Three ERZ partner schools participating in 2011 • Mission: to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and math through participation in a sports-like, science- and engineering-based robotics competition. • Open invitation to Oct. 22 competition in Stubblefield Arena

19. Cub camp • Main goal: to teach incoming freshmen about campus life and have them start the year excited, eager to learn and with many lasting friendships • Four-day, on-campus experience—lodging, meals, and many entertainment opportunities provided • Nominal fee

20. Drennenscott house • Fieldtrips to the site • Focus topics: • Arkansas History • Civil War • Western Arkansas/Indian Territory • WW I • WWII • Archeology • Possible internships for high school students • PD for history teachers • Free or nominal fees for public schools

21. Global ambassadors • Guest speakers for classroom visits • International students from China, Bolivia, Brazil, Estonia, Kenya, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey • UAFS study abroad students have visited Costa Rica, England, Italy, Mexico, Trinidad Tobago, and Uganda • Free to public schools

22. International Festival • Saturday, April 14, 2012 on the campus green • Features 24+ countries displaying traditional dress, artifacts, and food • Variety of international entertainment on stage throughout the festival • Nominal entrance fee and cost for food tickets

23. Visiting Professors • Speakers Bureau list of offered topics • Personalized lectures and talks also available to meet needs of ERZ partners and communities • Free to schools and communities

24. Writing competition for Jr. High and Senior high writers • Applause student literary magazine sponsors competition • In the 2010 competition, students from ERZ partner schools Alma and Fort Smith placed • Due date for competition is October 12, 2011 • Award Ceremony will be held on UAFS campus November 14, 2011

25. Recruitment and retention A 2-Pronged approach

26. “By 2020, three-fourths of the jobs available in Arkansas will require advanced skills in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.” ~~Governor Beebe’s Weekly Column Aug 19, 2011

27. Recruitment and retention Campus Efforts High School Efforts Guest speaker at interested high school clubs: Future teachers organizations Math clubs Science clubs Ecology clubs Possible visits to junior and senior math and science classes • Address specific university classes • Focus on students with STEM interest • Asking consideration of STEM education • Guest Speaker at various campus clubs

28. Common Core State Standards • Open Discussion • What have our partners already done? • What are our partners planning on doing? • In what ways can the ERZ assist in this roll-out?

29. Announcements/Comments • Open to the floor

30. Adjournment