(And now, as if that werent exciting enough ) The Slide Show! Rev. 2.1 The Alaska SSOS Operations Manual Explains the SSOS mission Describes, summarizes, and guides the work of the SSOS Affirms SSOS Alaskan authority Prompted by ESEA - Independent of ESEA Resides on EEDs website, distributed to all districts COLLECTS NO DUST: Its right here in my (working) space! 2008 March: ad hoc administrative EED and ACC group writes first draft describing a state system of support for new commissioner 2008 Late Spring: AK Legislature funds three SSOS positions 2009 Winter-Summer: SSOS team fills, Manual guides SSOS efforts 2009 Spring: SSOS revises manual, shares it with first Pacesetter Academy Guiding thought: Keep Manual short, lively, readable Diagrams Charts Tables Flow charts 12 pages, including cover & TOC (OK, yeah, small print) Ponderous detail in the appendices Laws & Authorities Procedures Forms Glossary Pretty pix where possible Chock full of SSOS information 52 pages The SSOS team does! (no single author) Facilitator is selected for process Remainder of team (4-5 persons) and ACC work on specific sections Periodic collection of ideas and recommended changes Final review, publish to the web & print Manual informs SSOS work, SSOS team revises Manual a synergistic relationship Keeping the Manual vibrant Question about procedure? use the Manual Question about the law? use the Manual Question about SSOS? use the Manual! Question about the Manual? invite comments Question the Manual fails to address? revise it (Dude! - the Manual, not the question) Fundamentally: EED *is* the SSOS Within EED bridging silos Deputy Commissioner- Assessment team Teaching & Learning Support Division Finance team- SSOS team Outside EED into the districts and schools Instructional audit teams Mentors & Coaches: TA, content, administrator the Manual keeps SSOS moving through the storm E.g., the department is undergoing unexpected leadership changes at present People from several EED divisions and sections have shared in the evolution of the Manual The Manuals mission statement continues to guide SSOS in its effort to improve kids wealth of opportunities The Manuals Purpose & Mission page states: SSOS program goal is for all districts and schools to exhibit gains in the growth of individual student achievement SSOS specializes in helping schools: Develop multi-tiered approach to curriculum delivery incorporating quality instruction and effective interventions for all students Implement effective instructional strategies aligned to curriculum and addressing the needs of diverse learners The SSOS Operations Manual: Receives continual revision as a living/dynamic document Explains SSOS work to all comers Directs SSOS efforts through tough times Provides bridges for department silos, links to districts Links EED to classroom instruction via content coaches