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Language Arts/Literacy Instructional Practices Summary 

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Language Arts/Literacy Instructional Practices Summary 

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A Site Dedicated to Parents & Educators An educational resource with a vast selection of material for inside the classroom or for parents who homeschool […]

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Standards Plus - Supplemental Curriculum

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READY-TO-TEACH K-8 SUPPLEMENTAL CURRICULUM, INTERVENTION LESSONS & TEST PREP PROGRAMS

Evidence-Based · Educator Created · Print and Digital

WE'RE A NONPROFIT GROUP OF EDUCATORS DEDICATED TO INCREASING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY MEETING EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS. WE ARE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SUPPORTING TEACHERS BY PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WRITTEN BY EDUCATORS, DESIGNED FOR TEACHERS, DEDICATED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

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Home - Standards Plus - Supplemental Curriculum

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Award Winning - Evidence-Based - Teacher-Directed - K-8 ELA & Math - Supplemental Curriculum - Intervention Materials.

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Learning for Justice is a community education program of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) that centers civic and political action education for everyone.

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We are Understood.
We are the lifelong guide for those who learn and think differently. In the past year, we've helped more than 20 million people discover their potentials, take control of their lives, and stay on positive paths.

We support the 1 in 5 Americans who learn and think differently.

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We believe difference is our greatest strength.

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When we shape the world for difference, we all thrive.

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Discover what's possible when you're understood.

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We just launched our "Be the Reason" stigma campaign. Learn more here.

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Are you wondering why your child is struggling?

We're here to help if you're feeling overwhelmed. Take N.O.T.E. (Notice. Observe. Talk. Engage.) is a simple step-by-step tool that can help you figure out if the struggles you're seeing might be signs of a learning and thinking difference.

"I have a hard time focusing, mostly in school. When I do my homework, I kind of feel stressed out because it feels like so much even though it's not too much."

Emperor Kaioyus, Grade 4

Copyright © Understood for All, Inc.

Understood is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization (tax identification number 83-2365235). Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Understood does not provide medical or other professional advice. The health and medical related resources on this website are provided solely for informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or for medical or professional advice.

Use of this website is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 2014-2023 Understood For All Inc.

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Understood - For Learning and Thinking Differences

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Understood.org is the resource that helps the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences anticipate the challenges, barriers, or opportunities in life and confidently reach their potential.

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CAST is a multifaceted organization with a singular ambition: Bust the barriers to learning that millions of people experience every day. We do this by helping educators and organizations apply insights from the learning sciences and leading-edge practices to educational design and implementation.

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UDL-Con: International

This year, for the first time, CAST's Annual Symposium and the UDL-IRN Summit are joining forces to create the world's largest International UDL Convention.

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PreK-12: Instructor-Led Course

In this introductory online course for preK-12 educators, participants learn the research basis for UDL, practical applications of UDL to lesson design, and helpful technology tools that support flexible, inclusive instruction.

Monday, September 11 - Monday, December 11, 2023

PreK-12: Instructor-Led Course

In this introductory online course for preK-12 educators, participants learn the research basis for UDL, practical applications of UDL to lesson design, and helpful technology tools that support flexible, inclusive instruction.

Monday, February 5 - Monday, May 13, 2024

Postsecondary: Instructor-Led Course

Designed exclusively for higher education, this course includes strategies to remove barriers to learning for postsecondary students.

Monday, February 5 - Friday, March 29, 2024

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Find out more about CAST. We're busting barriers to learning, until learning has no limits®.

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George Lucas Educational Foundation

The benefits of movement in the classroom aren't limited to younger students. Pairing new words and concepts with gestures or dance moves locks in understanding-and active brain breaks prime students to learn even more.

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A free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education.

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Panorama Education | Supporting Student Success

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Panorama Education helps educators act on data to improve student outcomes in social-emotional learning, school climate, family engagement, MTSS & more.

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Give your team all the insights and guidance they need to collaboratively achieve best practices so that your students, staff, and schools succeed.

request a demo today access the tier 3 behavior guide

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MTSS Program - MTSS Platform - RTI Program - RTI and MTSS Software

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Branching Minds partners with school districts to streamline and improve their MTSS/RTI program through our MTSS platform, which saves teachers time & effort

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We help teachers work smarter. Resources to help you plan faster, tame your classroom, assess more accurately, and maximize student learning

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ThoughtCo.com is the World's Largest Education Resource

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From chemistry to computer programming, arts to World War II, ThoughtCo.com provides guides, tips, and resources to help you understand more about the world around us.

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I am the creator behind One Giggle At A Time, and I am passionate about providing students with positive experiences that will help them grow socially and

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A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners

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I Can Statements are family-friendly guides that can be used to help your family and ensure your students are on track for their grade level. All learning objectives for English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies are provided, written in family-friendly language. I Can Statements help make grade-level learning targets clear for families and they address the standards students of the same grade level learn in all public schools.

Multi-Grade Level Lists

The skills noted in the multi-grade level lists for science and social studies can be learned and applied to the content areas for their respective grade level groupings. These lists should be used in conjunction with the content standards. These skills can be assigned to the lessons in your personalized curriculum to demonstrate the following intellectual, reasoning, reflection, and research skills.

K-8th Grade: Science & Engineering Practices-Crosscutting Concepts

K-8th Grade: Historical & Social Studies Analysis Skills

I Can Checklists

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I Can Statements - Cabrillo Point Academy

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Useful Writing And Editing Checklists For Elementary Schoolers - Studentreasures Blog

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We have put together this blog full of helpful worksheet with writing and editing checklists for elementary schoolers. Dive in!

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Set up your classroom, without IT

You can quickly and easily set up your classroom in Quill by inputting student names or providing students with a unique code. If you use Google Classroom or Clever, you can automatically set up your classroom with one click.

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Quill.org | Interactive Writing and Grammar

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Quill provides free writing and grammar activities for middle and high school students.

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The Classroom Nook is a website that serves upper elementary teachers through podcast episodes, teaching resources, teaching strategies, and tips. We specialize in providing teachers with instructional resources that blend tried and true teaching methods with modern classroom technology.

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When it comes to student assessment and evaluation, there are a lot of methods to consider. In some cases, testing is the best way to assess a student's knowledge, and the answers are either right or wrong. But often, assessing a student's performance is much less clear-cut. In these situations, a scoring rubric is often the way to go, especially if you're using standards-based grading. Here's what you need to know about this useful tool, along with lots of rubric examples to get you started.

What is a scoring rubric?

In the United States, a rubric is a guide that lays out the performance expectations for an assignment. It helps students understand what's required of them, and guides teachers through the evaluation process. (Note that in other countries, the term "rubric" may instead refer to the set of instructions at the beginning of an exam. To avoid confusion, some people use the term "scoring rubric" instead.)

A rubric generally has three parts:

Performance criteria: These are the various aspects on which the assignment will be evaluated. They should align with the desired learning outcomes for the assignment.

Rating scale: This could be a number system (often 1 to 4) or words like "exceeds expectations, meets expectations, below expectations," etc.

Indicators: These describe the qualities needed to earn a specific rating for each of the performance criteria. The level of detail may vary depending on the assignment and the purpose of the rubric itself.

Rubrics take more time to develop up front, but they help ensure more consistent assessment, especially when the skills being assessed are more subjective. A well-developed rubric can actually save teachers a lot of time when it comes to grading. What's more, sharing your scoring rubric with students in advance often helps improve performance. This way, students have a clear picture of what's expected of them and what they need to do to achieve a specific grade or performance rating.
Learn more about why and how to use a rubric here.
Types of Rubric

There are three basic rubric categories, each with its own purpose.

Holistic Rubric

Source: Cambrian College

This type of rubric combines all the scoring criteria in a single scale. They're quick to create and use, but they have drawbacks. If a student's work spans different levels, it can be difficult to decide which score to assign. They also make it harder to provide feedback on specific aspects.

Traditional letter grades are a type of holistic rubric. So are the popular "hamburger rubric" and " cupcake rubric" examples. Learn more about holistic rubrics here.

Analytic Rubric

Source: University of Nebraska

Analytic rubrics are much more complex and generally take a great deal more time up front to design. They include specific details of the expected learning outcomes, and descriptions of what criteria are required to meet various performance ratings in each. Each rating is assigned a point value, and the total number of points earned determines the overall grade for the assignment.

Though they're more time-intensive to create, analytic rubrics actually save time while grading. Teachers can simply circle or highlight any relevant phrases in each rating, and add a comment or two if needed. They also help ensure consistency in grading, and make it much easier for students to understand what's expected of them.
Learn more about analytic rubrics here.
Developmental Rubric

Source: Deb's Data Digest

A developmental rubric is a type of analytic rubric, but it's used to assess progress along the way rather than determining a final score on an assignment. The details in these rubrics help students understand their achievements, as well as highlight the specific skills they still need to improve.

Developmental rubrics are essentially a subset of analytic rubrics. They leave off the point values, though, and focus instead on giving feedback using the criteria and indicators of performance.
Learn how to use developmental rubrics here.
Ready to create your own rubrics? Find general tips on designing rubrics here. Then, check out these examples across all grades and subjects to inspire you.

Elementary School Rubric Examples

These elementary school rubric examples come from real teachers who use them with their students. Adapt them to fit your needs and grade level.

Reading Fluency Rubric

You can use this one as an analytic rubric by counting up points to earn a final score, or just to provide developmental feedback. There's a second rubric page available specifically to assess prosody (reading with expression).

Learn more: Teacher Thrive

Reading Comprehension Rubric

The nice thing about this rubric is that you can use it at any grade level, for any text. If you like this style, you can get a reading fluency rubric here too.

Learn more: Pawprints Resource Center

Written Response Rubric

Rubrics aren't just for huge projects. They can also help kids work on very specific skills, like this one for improving written responses on assessments.

Learn more: Dianna Radcliffe: Teaching Upper Elementary and More

Interactive Notebook Rubric

If you use interactive notebooks as a learning tool, this rubric can help kids stay on track and meet your expectations.

Learn more: Classroom Nook

Project Rubric

Use this simple rubric as it is, or tweak it to include more specific indicators for the project you have in mind.

Learn more: Tales of a Title One Teacher

Behavior Rubric

Developmental rubrics are perfect for assessing behavior and helping students identify opportunities for improvement. Send these home regularly to keep parents in the loop.

Learn more: Teachers.net Gazette

Middle School Rubric Examples

In middle school, use rubrics to offer detailed feedback on projects, presentations, and more. Be sure to share them with students in advance, and encourage them to use them as they work so they'll know if they're meeting expectations.

Argumentative Writing Rubric

Argumentative writing is a part of language arts, social studies, science, and more. That makes this rubric especially useful.

Learn more: Dr. Caitlyn Tucker

Role-Play Rubric

Role-plays can be really useful when teaching social and critical thinking skills, but it's hard to assess them. Try a rubric like this one to evaluate and provide useful feedback.

Learn more: A Question of Influence

Art Project Rubric

Art is one of those subjects where grading can feel very subjective. Bring some objectivity to the process with a rubric like this.

Source: Art Ed Guru

Diorama Project Rubric

You can use diorama projects in almost any subject, and they're a great chance to encourage creativity. Simplify the grading process and help kids know how to make their projects shine with this scoring rubric.

Learn more: Historyourstory.com

Oral Presentation Rubric

Rubrics are terrific for grading presentations, since you can include a variety of skills and other criteria. Consider letting students use a rubric like this to offer peer feedback too.

Learn more: Bright Hub Education

High School Rubric Examples

In high school, it's important to include your grading rubrics when you give assignments like presentations, research projects, or essays. Kids who go on to college will definitely encounter rubrics, so helping them become familiar with them now will help in the future.

Presentation Rubric

Analyze a student's presentation both for content and communication skills with a rubric like this one. If needed, create a separate one for content knowledge with even more criteria and indicators.

Learn more: Michael A. Pena Jr.

Debate Rubric

Debate is a valuable learning tool that encourages critical thinking and oral communication skills. This rubric can help you assess those skills objectively.

Learn more: Education World

Project-Based Learning Rubric

Implementing project-based learning can be time-intensive, but the payoffs are worth it. Try this rubric to make student expectations clear and end-of-project assessment easier.

Learn more: Free Technology for Teachers

100-Point Essay Rubric

Need an easy way to convert a scoring rubric to a letter grade? This example for essay writing earns students a final score out of 100 points.

Learn more: Learn for Your Life

Drama Performance Rubric

If you're unsure how to grade a student's participation and performance in drama class, consider this example. It offers lots of objective criteria and indicators to evaluate.

Learn more: Chase March

How do you use rubrics in your classroom? Come share your thoughts and exchange ideas in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

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15 Helpful Scoring Rubric Examples for All Grades and Subjects

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Scoring rubrics help establish expectations and ensure assessment consistency. Use these rubric examples to help you design your own.

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We share evidence and practitioner-based learning strategies that empower you to improve preK-12 education.

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A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners

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How can we help?

I want help with behaviors , learning , and everyday skills

We are Understood.
We are the lifelong guide for those who learn and think differently. In the past year, we've helped more than 20 million people discover their potentials, take control of their lives, and stay on positive paths.

We support the 1 in 5 Americans who learn and think differently.

Learn more

We believe difference is our greatest strength.

Learn more

When we shape the world for difference, we all thrive.

Learn more

Discover what's possible when you're understood.

We'll email you our most helpful stories and resources.

We just launched our "Be the Reason" stigma campaign. Learn more here.

Helpful guidance from Understood

Essential resource spotlight

Are you wondering why your child is struggling?

We're here to help if you're feeling overwhelmed. Take N.O.T.E. (Notice. Observe. Talk. Engage.) is a simple step-by-step tool that can help you figure out if the struggles you're seeing might be signs of a learning and thinking difference.

"I have a hard time focusing, mostly in school. When I do my homework, I kind of feel stressed out because it feels like so much even though it's not too much."

Emperor Kaioyus, Grade 4

Copyright © Understood for All, Inc.

Understood is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization (tax identification number 83-2365235). Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Understood does not provide medical or other professional advice. The health and medical related resources on this website are provided solely for informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or for medical or professional advice.

Use of this website is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 2014-2023 Understood For All Inc.

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Understood - For Learning and Thinking Differences

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Understood.org is the resource that helps the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences anticipate the challenges, barriers, or opportunities in life and confidently reach their potential.

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ClassDojo helps teachers, parents, and students build amazing classroom communities.

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Flexible Seating: Tools like wobble stools or standing desks can help students with sensory needs.

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Task Analysis: Break down complex tasks into smaller steps to support students with cognitive challenges.

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Recorded webinar on the Universal Design for Learning from the California Department of Education on April 24, 2020.

This video is 33 minutes and 35 seconds in length.

Additional Information

Last Reviewed: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

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Universal Design for Learning, April 24, 2020

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Recorded webinar on the Universal Design for Learning from the California Department of Education on April 24, 2020. This video is 33 minutes and 35 seconds in length. Last Reviewed: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

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RTI², PBIS, and MTSS

MTSS, Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtI²), and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are often spoken of synonymously, and for those new to MTSS, it can be difficult to determine what people mean when these terms are used interchangeably. It is important to keep in mind, though, that MTSS is a framework for aligning resources and initiatives; it is a method of organization. As such, MTSS encompasses both RtI² and PBIS, and systematically addresses support for all students.

Since MTSS is a framework that brings together both RtI² and PBIS and aligns their supports to serve the whole child, it also relies on data gathering through universal screening, data-driven decision making, and problem solving teams, and focuses on content standards. MTSS aligns the entire system of initiatives, supports, and resources, and implements continuous improvement processes throughout the system.

In particular, MTSS assists LEAs in:

Promoting LEA participation in the focus to align the entire system of initiatives, supports, and resources

Relying on a problem-solving systems process and method to identify problems, develop interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in a multi-tiered system of service delivery

Transforming the way LEAs provide support and setting higher expectations for all students through intentional integration of instruction and intervention services and supports so that systemic changes are sustainable and based on standards-aligned classroom instruction

Endorsing Universal Design for Learning instructional strategies so that all students have opportunities for learning through differentiated content (i.e., teachers reacting responsively to a learner's needs), processes, and products

Challenging all school staff to change the way in which they have traditionally worked both in and out of the classroom

Supporting high-quality standards and research-based, culturally and linguistically relevant instruction with the belief that every student can learn and excel, including students of poverty, those who are gifted and high achievers, students with disabilities, English learners, and students from all ethnicities evident in the school and LEA cultures

Implementing a collaborative approach to analyze student data and work together in the intervention process

RtI² is an approach that focuses on individual students who are struggling academically and pulls together resources from the LEA, school, and community to promote students' success before they fall behind. It is systematic and data-driven with tiered levels of intervention to benefit every student.

PBIS is an approach that focuses on the emotional and behavioral learning of students, which leads to an increase in engagement and a decrease in problematic behavior over time. It assists the LEA in adopting and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions that improve social and emotional behavior outcomes for all students.
So, while RtI² focuses on academics and PBIS focuses on social and emotional learning, MTSS encompasses them all. It acts as a way of organizing supports within an LEA so that both the academic side and the social-emotional-learning side are aligned to serve the whole child.
Statewide Initiative

The focus of the Scaling Up MTSS Statewide (SUMS) Initiative is to develop resources for MTSS within an LEA that align the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports in an LEA in order to serve the whole child. It involves family and community engagement, administrative leadership, integrated education frameworks, and inclusive policy and practice.

Background

In 2015, Assembly Bill 104, Chapter 13, Statutes of 2015, appropriated $10,000,000 for developing, aligning, and improving systems of academic and behavioral supports (ISABS). The CDE conducted a competitive grant process and awarded the funds to the OCDE for their SUMS proposal, which included the Butte County Office of Education (Butte COE) as a rural partner. In 2016, an additional $20,000,000, appropriated by Senate Bill 828, Chapter 29, Statutes 2016, augmented the original grant award. The Budget Act of 2018 authorized an additional $15,000,000, appropriated by AB 1808, Chapter 32, Statues of 2018 and SB 840, Chapter 29, Statutes of 2018. This phase of the grant focuses on improving school climate statewide.

The purpose of the full $95,000,000 awarded to date is to encourage LEAs to establish and align schoolwide, data-driven systems of academic and behavioral supports to more effectively meet the needs of California's diverse learners in the most inclusive environment. The SUMS initiative enables the OCDE and its partners to develop and disseminate statewide resources and technical assistance for this purpose. Finally, the Budget Act of 2021 appropriated an additional $50,000,000 to the SUMS initiative. The legislation required the OCDE to award $30,000,000 of these funds as subgrants to LEAs. The legislation also required the CDE to conduct a process to select a partner entity to work with the OCDE and the Butte COE to support high quality professional learning for educators.

Additional information about the application process for each phase of the grant funding is available below:

OCDE MTSS SUMS Funding

For the first two funding phases of the SUMS grant, the OCDE subcontracted with the Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT) Technical Assistance Center at the University of Kansas and the Butte COE to partner with the SUMS effort. The Butte COE shares SUMS professional learning resources through an online platform, and engages rural areas of the state to support their unique needs. SWIFT is a technical assistance center that builds school capacity to support all students both academically and behaviorally. The SWIFT staff supports the SUMS grant by providing technical assistance and professional learning opportunities to participating LEAs.

During the first two funding phases, the OCDE provided subgrants to LEAs to engage them in a process to assess their strengths, coordinate supports to their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP) and align their MTSS efforts with the eight state priorities. The OCDE distributed the grant funding into three separate cohorts with up to $6,000,000 awarded in each round of applications.

For the third funding phase, the OCDE and the Butte COE partnered with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for the Transformation of Schools to expand the state's MTSS framework. Through this collaborative effort, they developed evidence-based tools and training for educators and school systems. Their work expands restorative justice, bullying prevention and positive behavior interventions and minimize the use of emergency interventions. Their joint effort also established a pilot program to help LEAs to promote positive school climates by improving student-teacher relationships, increasing student engagement, and promoting alternative discipline practices.

The Budget Act of 2021 appropriated $50,000,000 to the OCDE for the SUMS project. The OCDE will award $30,000,000 as subgrants to LEAs. Additionally, $12,500,000 was awarded to the CDE will also selected Placer County Office of Education as the partner entity to expand the state's capacity to support LEAs' implementation of social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and culturally relevant, affirming, and sustaining practices. To learn more about the SUMS Partner Entity Request for Applications, visit the CDE's SUMS Partner Entity Request for Application web page.

Visit the OCDE's MTSS SUMS web page for more information about SUMS.

OCDE MTSS Phase Three Subgrants: Request for Applications

The CDE, in partnership with the OCDE and the Butte COE, is pleased to announce that the Phase Three California MTSS grant opportunity is now open. This grant will provide an opportunity for school sites, LEAs, and county offices of education to build capacity toward full implementation of the California MTSS framework to improve outcomes for all learners. This grant is open to public schools and LEAs, public charter schools or county offices of education and county run schools in California.

Review the criteria for the application on the attached flyer and on the OCDE Phase Three web page . For questions, please email the OCDE Leadership team at camtss@ocde.us.

Application Deadline: October 15, 2022

Preliminary Award Announcement: November 15, 2022

Appeal Deadline: November 18, 2022

Final Award Announcement: December 1, 2022

Grant Period: March 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026

ISABS/SUMS Legislative Reports

ISABS Grant Annual Reports are required pursuant to AB 104 (Chapter 13, Statutes of 2015) and amended by SB 828 (Chapter 29, Statutes of 2016), beginning in the 2015-16 fiscal year and continuing until all grants funds are expended. Included in these reports are: an overview of the ISABS grant reporting requirements; a summary of the ISABS annual reports; and a copy of the annual reports, in their original form as submitted to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction by the OCDE. The ISABS Grant Annual Reports provide details regarding how the OCDE used the grant funds. The OCDE's fiscal reporting for each year includes an expenditure narrative, a budget narrative, and a budget detail report. The ISABS Annual Reports also include a description of how OCDE met the legislative requirements of the grant. These reports are available through the following links:

Frequently Asked Questions for the SUMS Grant and Other Resources

Frequently Asked Questions
This CDE document provides answers to questions regarding the 2015-16 Request for Applications.

For additional information on the SUMS grant, contact Julia Agostinelli by phone at 916-322-9503 or by e-mail at jagostinelli@cde.ca.gov. The OCDE also has a Questions and Inquiries web page .

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A framework that aligns Response to Instruction and Intervention with the California State standards and the systems necessary to ensure academic, behavior, and social success.

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Kids Handwriting - Before and After Handwriting Without Tears®

Below are handwriting samples of students' printing, cursive, and writing numbers before and after tutoring sessions with OC Handwriting using the Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum. These students increased their self-confidence in their writing. See the improvements. Be impressed.

Printing sample from a Pre-K student, age 5

Printing sample from a Kindergarten student, age 5

Printing sample from a Kindergarten student, age 6
Printing sample from a 1st grade student, age 6 Printing sample from a 1st grade student, age 7 Printing sample from a 1st grade student, age 7 Printing and Cursive sample from a 2nd grade student, age 8 Print sample from a 3rd grade student, age 9 Printing and Cursive sample from a 3rd grade student, age 9
Cursive sample from a 3rd grade student, age 9
Printing & cursive samples from 5th grade students, age 11
Cursive samples from a 7th grade student, age 12
Printing samples from a 9th grade student, age 15

Contact us now at (714) 875-2474 or use our contact form to inquire about having your child's handwriting evaluated. Your child will receive a free educational toy that promotes the fine motor and small muscle development of the hand.

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handwriting uppercase letters and numbers

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Kids Handwriting Before and After | Handwriting Without Tears®

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Handwriting sample before and after of a Kindergarten student using the Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum.

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Browse Grammar Games. Award winning educational materials designed to help kids succeed. Start for free now!

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I'm constantly on the lookout for fun handwriting activities for my 6 year old. I don't like to pressure him to practice writing but I do think it's important that he work on his skills. He sees an occupational therapist to help him with fine motor skills, so I want to reinforce that at home. My son has a strong-willed personality and there is no point in trying to force him to do something he doesn't want to do. This calls for sneaky tactics, because if anything smacks of handwriting "practice", my 6 year old balks. He does not like anything he considers "work." ( I know, aren't you jealous?)

My oldest and youngest could no be more opposite. My older son was eagerly writing at age 4. Remember this categorization activity he made up himself? He used to write the state names for fun! Well, the tables are turned on me now!

Whether or not you have a child that also hates handwriting practice I hope the following ideas are helpful for you. I've gathered some suggestions from his occupational therapist and teachers, as well as some other fun ideas from around the web ( many of them also from OTs).

If you have any handwriting activities for kids that have worked for you, by all means share them in the comments! I can use all the assistance I can get.
Activities his occupational therapist and teacher have suggested:

Write "bathroom words". Seriously. I am not above letting my son write the word "fart" 10 times, if it means he is writing.

When he wants me to remember something, I ask him to write me a note so I don't forget.

I leave him secret messages that he has to decode.

I encourage him to do activities that relate to his interests. For example, he can make his own Pokemon cards.

According to his teacher, drawing is also good (if he is willing; remember, he "hates art"). The main purpose being to get him to pick up a writing implement. I had great success making a giant comic strip with him.

Other fun handwriting activities we've done: Ideas from Occupational Therapists around the web: So tell me, how do your kids fare at handwriting? Do you have any fun handwriting activities to suggest? READ NEXT!

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18 Fun Handwriting Activities for Kids (Even the Reluctant Ones)

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I'm constantly on the lookout for fun handwriting activities for my 6 year old. I don't like to pressure him to practice writing but I do think it's important that he work on his skills. He sees an occupational therapist to help him with fine motor skills, so I want to reinforce that at home.