Welcome to the inaugural issue of EdNews, UCLA SMP’s monthly e-newsletter!

If you received this newsletter in error, had it forwarded to you by a colleague, or otherwise would like your subscription modified, see the bottom of this page.

As we approach the end of the traditional school year, prepare for switching tracks, and wrap up the annual standardized testing cycle, our thoughts often drift toward the issue of DATA: test scores, report cards, API benchmarks, shifting demographics, programs and grants coming to an end, collecting research to fund new projects, etc.  We are always looking for that one piece of data, that missing link, which will help us to improve our teaching practice and help our students to succeed.

In the spirit of collecting data, each issue of EdNews will include a segment in which we ask for your input and experiences which, in concert with those of your colleagues, might help you to approach your work in a new way. We will share some of your responses in the next issue of EdNews, as well as include some on our web site.  We call this segment...

For this month’s topic:

“Please share with us your experiences and accomplishments regarding how your school site has used data over the past year, whether it be in the classroom, with your faculty, or otherwise.  How have techniques or processes — from any trainings you’ve attended or professional literature that you’ve read — helped you to improve your own practice in measurable ways?”

Please click here to add your responses to this month's combined brainpower.  We will include some of your responses in next month’s EdNews.

“USA Today has come out with a new survey — apparently, three out of
four people make up 75% of the population.”  — David Letterman

• 
  An online resource of interest to educators comes from McREL, a nationally recognized, private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving education for all through applied research, product development, and service.  Their staff of highly respected educators and researchers focuses on providing the highest quality, field-tested, research-based products and services available in preK-16 education today.  This research report, entitled "Balanced Leadership: What 30 Years of Research Tells us About the Effect of Leadership on Student Achievement," identifies 21 key leadership responsibilities that are significantly correlated with higher student achievement.
  
  To download a PDF version of this article, visit http://www.mcrel.org/topics/product Detail.asp?topics ID=7
  &productID=144
  
  
• While we're talking about data, don't miss our UCLA SMP Summer Institute: “Using School Data for More Than Test Scores,” July 26-28, 2004 — Please see our web site for more information or to register.

• “Celebrating Your Accomplishments”
  
• The Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) Cycle
  
• Ask SMP / Ask Your Colleagues : In future editions, we will share our responses to some of your questions (and, sometimes, use those questions as the basis for future Combined Brainpower topics).  If you have any questions regarding your teaching practice or other issues at the school site, please click here to Ask SMP.  We will include your questions and our answers in future editions.

UCLA SMP EdNews is published monthly.  If this newsletter was forwarded to you, and you would like to subscribe for yourself, please click here to contact the EdNews Administrator with either “HTML” (if you prefer to receive HTML emails -- that look like web pages) or “NO HTML” (if you prefer to receive plain text emails) in the subject line. Likewise, if you are already subscribed, but merely wish to change your HTML or plain text preference, please follow the above protocol.  You may also contact the Administrator if you would like to unsubscribe from EdNews, with “REMOVE FROM LIST” in the subject line. Any email requests to the EdNews Administrator not pertaining to subscription issues will be ignored.

If you have questions or comments regarding the content of our newsletter, please direct them to the EdNews Editors.

A nonprofit school reform initiative of the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies and The Anderson School, the UCLA School Management Program (UCLA SMP) is devoted to the sustainable transformation of public schools into learner-centered organizations where all students can achieve at high levels.

UCLA SMP works with educators, administrators, and community members to create well-managed schools, to enhance teacher effectiveness, and to improve student achievement through professional development leading to personal transformation and community building.

Since the program was launched in 1992, UCLA SMP has worked with over 700 schools in districts throughout California.

UCLA School Management Program
1201 Hershey Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7168
310.825.2488
http://www.smp.gseis.ucla.edu