May 4, 2016

• Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 
• Grants for Teachers
• News You Can Use
• Did You Know?

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we’ve created a PowerPoint presentation on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that Educator Advocates can use to educate multiple audiences—including fellow teachers, school and district leaders, and parents—about the new law. The customizable presentation covers ESSA basics as well as next-step suggestions for various groups. It’s crucial for educators to become familiar and involved with ESSA implementation, and we thank you for all you do in the classroom for students and as advocates for the profession.

^ Return to top.

Grants for Teachers 

ASCD is partnering with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to provide Teacher Impact Grants directly to teachers who have innovative ideas for strengthening professional learning and improving student outcomes. The grants, which will range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are financially supported by The Helmsley Charitable Trust and the Carnegie Corporation, grew out of the Teach to Lead Initiative. The application process will open on Monday, May 16. Learn more.

^ Return to top.

News You Can Use 

• President Obama celebrated Jahana Hayes, 2016 National Teacher of the Year, and her fellow state teachers of the year during a White House ceremony yesterday. The White House and ED also announced a series of efforts, both new and ongoing, to support educators.
• ED has released its consensus language for ESSA assessment regulations, which cover everything from the use of computer adaptive tests to assessing students with disabilities and English language learners. Next up—the regulations will soon be posted in the Federal Register for public comment.
• The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has announced that K–12 schools can apply for the Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal—a new tool to help educators manage student data privacy and security. CoSN developed the TLE Seal with input from school system leaders and partners, including ASCD.
• House Education Chair John Kline (R-MN) and the committee’s ranking Democrat, Bobby Scott (VA), have asked Congress’s appropriations leaders to fully fund the well-rounded activities in ESSA’s Title IV at $1.6 billion. A broad-based coalition of national and state education and social service agencies—including ASCD—are also arguing for Congress to support these programs.

^ Return to top.

Did You Know? 

This week, ASCD is hosting each of the 2016 State Teachers of the Year—including the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, Jahana Hayes—at its Alexandria headquarters for a Teacher Leadership Day. And ASCD is extending the appreciation and cheer to all teachers by sharing free professional development materials and providing opportunities for teachers to win additional valuable resources by engaging on social media. Learn more.

^ Return to top.

• Join Educator Advocates to receive Capitol Connection in your e-mail inbox every week.
• Access the full Capitol Connection archive.