The
Newsletter of West 40The
Newsletter of West 40
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Preliminary ISBE recommendations in each of the eight priority areas include: Professional StandardsIllinois should adopt professional standards that align with nationally developed standards for teachers. These would become the foundation for preparation, licensure and continuing education of Illinois teachers. Teacher Preparation Programs Would move from course-based to an emphasis on moving students toward standards. AssessmentThe State Test of Basic Skills will become a diagnostic assessment at the start of teacher training, with assessments measuring attainment of standards to be developed for the completion of teacher training. State Licensure SystemA 3-tiered system would indude a preliminary 2 year license, a Standard License (5 years) granted upon the completion of a teacher induction program, and an Advanced Certificate (7 years) for advanced study. The |
Standard License and the Advanced Certificate would be renewable based on the completion of professional development Continuing Professional DevelopmentContinued growth and learning would be essential and required for the renewal of the Standard License and Advanced Certificate. New Teacher Induction ProgramA school-based two or three-year program of mentoring and support for new teachers would be implemented. School CulturesA renewal is needed to provide environments in which teacher learning is valued as highly as student learning. RecruitmentThe avenues of teacher recruitment and licensure would open in order to attract highly qualified and diverse groups of young people, mid-career professionals, early retirees and others to teaching. |
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The MECC Software Program has returned. Because MECC has become part of a larger software company, the program is bigger and better than ever! This new, expanded organization, called The Learning Company (TLC), includes software from Softkey, Comptons, and the Learning Company. The TLC/ MECC Software Program offers many new software titles and will continue to provide Illinois educators with a great variety of instructional software at excellent prices. Software is available for Macintosh, MS DOS, Windows, and Apple II computers. Popular programs from SoftKey and the Learning Company include the Reader Rabbit and Math Rabbit series, and the Super Solvers series, which includes Gizmos and Gadgets. ArtRageous and Body Works are two more of the many popular programs now available through the program. The TLC/MECC Software Program also offers substantial savings on Building Site Licenses (BSL) for schools. |
Normally, a school would need to purchase at least 10 copies of a single title to realize the savings that West 40 is offering schools on the purchase of just one copy. Many BSLs are available with cross-platform or multi-format solutions which will allow a school to copy and network the title throughout the building on any type of equipment. Schools can also create their own packages of 10, 20, or even 50 different BSL titles by purchasing Curriculum Value packages. These packages allow schools to best meet their individual curriculum needs and achieve even greater savings. Lifetime copying rights for all of the MECC Apple II titles are now available at a very low one-time cost to schools that use Apple II software. A copy disk is supplied which can be used on all MECC Apple II products currently owned, as well as on future Apple II software purchases. The new MECC/TLC program is just getting underway. For a list of products, prices, and an order form, please contact Linda Rogers at West 40: 708/447-6070. |
West 40 Talent Search CalendarThe West 40 Talent Searches are in progress! Make sure your district participates.
Event Date - Deadline Writing Festival Awards - April 26, 1997 Science Olympiad - May 10, 1997 Pre-Registration Deadline - April 2, 1997 |
School Citizen of the Year Awards Coming March 19Students from West 40's region will soon be honored at the second annual "School Citizen of the Year" Awards, which will be held at Riverside/Broolfie/d High School on March 19. Schools were asked to select their Citizens of the Year in January. Each school citizen will receive a certificate, a medal and a copy of the "School Citizen of the Year" honor roll. Parents, teachers and administrators are also invited to attend the awards. Entertainment and refreshments are planned. Students will be recognized for their achievements as good school citizens and ro/e models. A// students in grades two through twelve in West 40's region were eligible. The Citizen of the Year Awards are one way West 40 is recognizing the positive accomplishments of today's youth. |