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Author: shooper

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025

TO:
Middle and High School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
REMINDER: Summative Testing Changes for 2024-25

With the change in the ELA core approved by the Utah State Board of Education in recent months, the state’s summative assessments will now reflect those changes. The changes to RISE and the Utah Aspire Plus are highlighted below:

Utah Aspire Plus:

  • The English subtest will no longer be administered. Only the Reading, Math and Science subtests will be administered.
  • USBE, under recommendation from the Assessment & Accountability Policy Advisory Committee, has opted to not go through the standard setting process over the summer as they had originally intended. Therefore, Utah Aspire Plus proficiency reporting will be available within 24 hours after students complete and submit the assessment. Proficiency reporting, composite scale scores, and predicted ACT scores will be available for Math, Reading and Science. There will be no ELA proficiency reporting.

Please see the attached Utah Aspire Plus updates document released by USBE for more information.

RISE:

  • The summative RISE ELA assessment and the summative RISE Writing assessment (5th and 8th grades only) have been revised according to the new ELA core. Scores for the summative RISE ELA and summative RISE Writing will not be available until fall 2025. Automatic scoring for both summative assessments will resume in the 2025-26 school year.
  • Scoring for RISE Math and Science will still be available after students complete and submit the assessment.
  • For RISE ELA and Math, students will see up to one cluster question (see Feb. 6th JAM). The RISE Math cluster questions will be field test items. The RISE ELA cluster questions will be actual questions that count towards students’ scores.
  • RISE blueprints, performance level descriptors, and writing rubrics may all be found on the RISE Portal under the Resources tile.

Please see the attached RISE updates document released by USBE for more information.

For questions about these changes, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025

TO:
Elementary School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
Elementary Summative Testing Changes for 2024-25

With the change in the ELA core approved by the Utah State Board of Education in recent months, the state’s summative assessments will now reflect those changes. The changes to RISE are highlighted below:

RISE:

  • The summative RISE ELA assessment and the summative RISE Writing assessment (5th and 8th grades only) have been revised according to the new ELA core. Scores for the summative RISE ELA and summative RISE Writing will not be available until fall 2025. Automatic scoring for both summative assessments will resume in the 2025-26 school year.
  • Scoring for RISE Math and Science will still be available after students complete and submit the assessment.
  • For RISE ELA and Math, students will see up to one cluster question (see Feb. 6th JAM). The RISE Math cluster questions will be field test items. The RISE ELA cluster questions will be actual questions that count towards students’ scores.
  • RISE blueprints, performance level descriptors, and writing rubrics may all be found on the RISE Portal under the Resources tile.

Please see the attached RISE updates document released by USBE for more information.

For questions about these changes, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, March 6, 2025

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
State Testing Reminders

The following are friendly reminders from the state’s testing ethics policy:

  • “Utah LEAs and Licensed Utah educators may use a student’s score from a statewide assessment to improve the student’s academic grade for or demonstrate the student’s competency within a relevant course.”
  • “Licensed Utah educators shall ensure that:
    • “Students are not penalized who have been exempted from a statewide assessment
    • “Students aren’t provided a nonacademic award for participating in or performing well on a statewide assessment
    • “Students are provided an alternate learning activity if they are exempted by a parent from a statewide assessment.”

The following additional guidance may help address specific questions that arise from the part of the state’s testing ethics policy quoted above:

  • Using a student’s score from a state assessment can only improve a student’s grade – not hurt it. However, points are awarded for those who meet goals or earn proficiency on the state assessment, students should either receive 100% of the points possible or be excused from the assignment.
  • Educators may not use a student’s score on a state assessment to determine an overall grade for the course. It can be used, in conjunction with other evidence, to help determine a student’s overall grade.
  • Educators may not assign participation points on students’ grades for taking a state assessment.
  • The alternate learning activity for students whose parents have opted them out of taking the state assessment can be an alternate assessment. That said, using a student’s score on the alternate assessment or activity on a student’s grade can only improve the student’s grade – not hurt it.
    • In addition, if the incentive is that a student who demonstrates proficiency on a state assessment means that they don’t have to take the class final exam, then students who have been opted out would also need two opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. For instance, if a student who was opted out demonstrated proficiency on the alternate assessment (administered while other students took the state assessment), then they wouldn’t have to take the class final exam.

Please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions.

Published on

DATE:  
March 6, 2025

TO: 
Principals
Administrative Assistants

FROM:  
Odette Desmarais, Administrator of Schools
Meredith Doleac, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

SUBJECT: 
Parking Lot Duty Guidelines for Elementary Schools 2024-25

Through the 2018-19 negotiations process, the Board allocated funds to pay each elementary teacher $400 for parking lot duty each year. The stipend will be paid out on April paychecks. The following are additional details and clarifications for the implementation of this payment.

  • Although parking lot duty requirements will vary from school to school, the payment is the same districtwide.
  • Administrators are encouraged to reduce parking lot duty for teachers as much as possible while maintaining necessary coverage.
  • All full-time K-6 licensed educators districtwide who are responsible for parking lot duty are eligible for the $400 stipend. Half-time educators are eligible for a $200 stipend.
  • All elementary school Special Education cluster teachers and preschool teachers are eligible for an $800 stipend.
  • Licensed educators (psychologists, BTS teachers, etc.) who have not previously been assigned parking lot duty may choose to participate and be paid a stipend but should not be required to do so.
  • Administrators and classified staff are not eligible for a stipend.
  • The stipend will be paid out on April paychecks.
  • Teachers are required to complete parking lot duty unless they coordinate with the principal to give their assignment and stipend to another willing teacher.
  • Teachers can take on as many parking lot duty assignments (and stipends) from other teachers as will fit in the calendar.
  • Teachers can only give up their parking lot duty assignment and stipend or accept an additional assignment and stipend in coordination with the principal.
  • Teachers can only give up or accept an entire assignment and an entire stipend.
  • Principals should adjust the parking lot duty schedule as necessary to allow as many teachers to take on as many extra assignments as needed.
  • Special Education cluster teachers and preschool teachers cannot give up their parking lot duty assignment.
  • Stipends for parking lot duty are included in retirement pay calculations.

A Google sheet will be shared with elementary administrative assistants and principals in March. Please complete the payroll sheet by April 2, 2025, so that teachers can be paid the stipend on their April 25th check. The elementary AOS administrative assistants will verify the payroll sheet and submit it to payroll. Please list each educator in your building and beside each name indicate the dollar amount ($0, $200, $400, or increments of $400, or $800) the teacher should be paid.

The budget code for Parking Lot Stipends is 10 E XXX 0050 1024 131

Please contact your Administrator of Schools with any questions.

Published on

DATE:
 February 19, 2025 

TO:
 All Principals 

FROM:
 Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator 

SUBJECT:
 Professional Development Opportunities for March, April, and May

See the attached memo for a listing of all the professional development opportunities for Special Education Licensed Staff for March, April, and May.  A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Special Education Licensed Staff Members.

Published on

TO:
All Licensed Educators

FROM:
Ami Shah, Jordan Native American Program

Jordan Native Program invites you to attend a PD on 'Exploring Native American History: Lessons Beyond Textbooks' by Darren Parry, on March 27th, from 4-5:30 PM, at JATC South.

Darren Parry is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for Utah Humanities and the PBS Utah. He attended the University of Utah and Weber State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 2024, he received an Honorary PhD in Education from Utah State University. Darren is the author of “The Bear River Massacre, A Shoshone History” and teaches in the Environmental Humanities department at the University of Utah. He lectures around the country on Native American issues surrounding history and Indigenous views related to sustainability.

Link to register

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Jared Covili, Consultant in Teaching & Learning

Administrators, please share this information with your teachers.

Many of your teachers are pursuing a STEM endorsement (see our EIP website for a full list of endorsements). USBE WILL REIMBURSE THEM FOR THEIR COLLEGE CLASSES! This is called the STEM Endorsement Incentive Program (EIP) and it has been funded again for the 2024-25 school year. See the attached flyer and link to our EIP website for more information.

Applications for reimbursement are now being accepted for teachers who completed STEM courses after June 1, 2024. The next round of reimbursement applications is due February 27, 2025, for teachers who completed STEM courses in Fall/Winter 2024.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the content consultant. We would love to talk to you!

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Jason Skidmore, Director of CTE

The CTE Work Based Learning team has been tasked with helping students discover and explore careers at an earlier age. In response, we have created nine 30-minute Career Exploration lessons that coincide with the CTE Career Spotlight posters located near each elementary school's lunch room.

Each lesson plan includes a slide deck with videos for class discussion and an activity that can be presented by school counselors, teachers, or aides during rotations. Lessons can be accessed at cte.jordandistrict.org under the Educators tab and will be updated each year with additional careers. Please reach out to jennifer.price2@jordandistirct.org if you need help with implementing these lessons or with career readiness activities at the elementary level, we are happy to help.

Published on

DATE:
February 20, 2025

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
McKinney Vento Aides

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Sharon Jensen, Consultant, Student Support Services

SUBJECT:
McKinney Vento Aides- Spring Training

McKinney Vento Spring Training will be held on Monday, March 3, from 10:00 am-11:30 am in the ASB Presentation Room, Entrance C.

Please remind your McKinney Vento aides about this required training. Assistant Principals, interns, & administrators are welcome but not required to attend. Please coordinate with your team on meeting attendance.

Published on

TO:
Building Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Scott Festin, Planning Consultant, Planning & Enrollment
Caleb Olson, Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

See the 2025-26 FTE Authorization and Enrollment Forecast by grade for all schools using the link.

 

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Odette Desmarais, Administrator of Schools
Meredith Doleac, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

Please find your school tab in this Google sheet and complete the Elementary Parent/Teacher Conference Reporting Form within two weeks of your conferences. If you have any questions, please contact Shannel Hooper.

Published on

DATE:
Thursday, December 19, 2024

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Assessment, Research and Accountability
Michelle Love-Day, Director of Language & Culture Services

SUBJECT:
WIDA ACCESS 2.0 Test Administration Training for Schools

School administrators are asked to pass this information on to anyone who will be proctoring or coordinating the WIDA Access testing in your school this year.

As part of a federal requirement and the state’s accountability system, districts are required to administer the WIDA Access 2.0 annually to all ML students who have earned a Language Proficiency Level (LPL) of less than 4.2 and a Speaking score of less than 3.5. The 2024-25 WIDA test administration window begins on January 7 and ends on March 7, 2025.

All school personnel who will assist with WIDA Access test administration are asked to attend a mandatory test administration training. Participants may choose to attend any one of six training sessions, including one online training. Training participants will need to bring a device. Please note that if schools choose to send a classroom teacher, principals will need to cover the cost of the substitute teacher. Test pool hours may also be used for this.

Those who are to be trained to administer the WIDA should register in Canvas Catalog so that we may create their accounts in the testing and training platforms prior to their selected training date. Please see the dates and times in the attached memo.

Please contact Ben Jameson or JoLynn Snelgrove in Assessment, Research & Accountability with questions about the WIDA Access test administration and training.

Published on

DATE:
November 21, 2024

TO:
Administrators of Locations with Employees Paid with Federal Dollars

FROM:
John Larsen, Business Administrator
Dan Ellis, Director of Accounting
Natalie Grange, Accounting Administrator

SUBJECT:
Federal Program Work Certification

Federal Regulations require the district to certify the payroll of any employee being paid with federal funds. Accounting identifies employees that meet this federal criteria and prepares certification forms by location. Principals and department heads please review the attached instruction memo and look for your payroll certification email the week of November 18, 2024. Certifications are due Friday, December 6, 2024.

Please review your certification ASAP and contact Natalie Grange if you have any questions or concerns. natalie.grange@jordandistrict.org, ext. 88312

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services

The safety of our students, teachers, and staff is our #1 priority.  These few slides will remind all of us to slow down, be aware of our surroundings, and how we can all do our part in making the district a safe place to work.

Please take a minute in one of your upcoming staff meetings to review this information with your staff.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Bonnie Brennan, Director of Insurance Services at 801-567-8285.

Published on

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Garett York, JAESP Committee Member

Join UEASP's Assistant/Aspiring Principal Conference coming up on December 5th from 8:30-3:00 at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan featuring Andrew Marotta and Hank Smith. You do not have to be a member of UAESP to attend. Register for the event at ueasp.org

.

 

Published on

DATE:
November 20, 2024

TO:
All Principals

FROM: Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator

SUBJECT:
Guidelines for Hiring Paraeducators Working in Special Education

Please see the attached document. The document will be emailed to all administrative assistants.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals
Elementary Assistant Principals

FROM:
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Schools
JAESP Committee Members

Each year, the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals (UAESP) gives the Jordan Association of Elementary School Principals (JAESP) the opportunity to celebrate elementary principals for the great work they are doing in their schools.

The categories are:
*Distinguished Principal of the Year
*Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year
*Rookie of the Year
*Innovator of the Year
*Community Leader of the Year
*Student Advocate Principal of the Year
*Instructional Leader of the Year
*Principal Mentor of the Year

If you feel that an elementary principal or assistant principal has done exceptional work, we invite you to nominate them for an award by clicking this link.

This survey closes on December 11, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

Published on

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation

You now have the ability to view bus video footage from your school's folder on either a PC or Mac computer. Please follow the attached instructions and remember to work with your building tech in order to complete this process effectively. Contact your school tech or Debbie McKinlay at 801-567-8841 with any questions you may have.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

Were you thinking about a mini grant option for your school but were not sure how to fit it into the schedule? We have some creative schools that are doing some fun, flexible things with scheduling their sessions. We would like to share their ideas with you.

Published on

TO:
Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Chris Richards-Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

The Jordan Teacher Leader Fellows is searching for sixteen educators from a variety of teaching experiences. During their 2-year cohort, Teacher Leader Fellows will earn an annual $1500 stipend while engaging in a variety of professional learning experiences focused on teacher leadership skills and educational advocacy. Encourage your teachers to apply today for this exciting new opportunity! See the flyer for more details.