The Bev Gladder Mentorship Award was created to recognize educators who have demonstrated a commitment to mentorship by providing support to new and aspiring administrators.  Now is the time to nominate that special colleague!

To be eligible, nominees must be current COSA members.  For information on the nominating process, click here .  Nomination letters must arrive at the COSA office no later than Friday, April 30.

The winner of the 2010 Bev Gladder Award will be honored at the Annual COSA Conference in Seaside, June 23-25. 

For questions or more information, please contact COSA staff member, Nancy Moen.

The 36th Annual COSA Professional Development Conference at Seaside, set for June 23-25, will focus some of Oregon’s most successful evidence-based practices.  This means that in addition to an outstanding roster of keynote presenters – including Chip Heath (best-selling co-author of Made to Stick and Switch), Oregon-favorite Bob Eaker (PLCs and data), and Education Trust senior advisor Paul Ruiz – Oregon school leaders will be on center stage in Seaside.  Register today.

School or districts that have programs which show evidence of closing the achievement gap, increasing graduation rates, improving school climate, or improving student performance in a particular curricular area or with a particular sub-group, are encouraged to respond to a one-page, online Main Conference (June 24-25) RFP. 

Schools or districts that have programs which have had success in using evidence-based practices for identification or intervention, in increasing student behavioral health, or in planning for transition and graduation, are encouraged to respond to a one-page, online Special Education Pre-Conference (June 23) RFP. 

The RFP response deadline is March 24.

Three compelling pre-conference opportunities are offered on Wednesday, June 23:

• “Communication is a Contact Sport” and “Made to Stick Strategies” with official “Made to Stick” Trainer Kelly Decker
• “Doing What It Takes to Improve Writing Throughout Your School and District” with Janel Keating
• Special Education Pre-Conference featuring Andrea Hungerford and Suzy Harris

Space is limited for the pre-conferences on communication and writing, so be sure to register right away.

The National Distinguished Principal Award (NDP) recognizes elementary principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate in their school.  Each year, a winner is selected to represent Oregon for the national award.  Last year’s winner was Pam Zaklan, from the Medford School District.  It is now time to select this year’s winner.

As one of four states selected for Scaling-Up Technical Assistance, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) will be collaborating with Oregon’s school districts and ESDs in implementing the initiatives of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), Response to Intervention (RTI), and Effective Behavioral and Instructional Support Systems (EBISS). The K-12 Literacy Framework is the newest addition to this project.