Author Carlotta Penn to Present to BCHF Schools
BCHF is pleased to announce Carlotta Penn, Ph.D., children's literature author and publisher, will join us via Zoom on January 24 for our Winter English Learner Update session.

Dr. Penn is the director of community partnerships for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement at The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology. She started out her educational career teaching English language courses to adult immigrants, refugees, and international students. Her research interests are in Black women in education, literacy and language instruction, and teacher education. Dr. Penn holds a master's degree in comparative studies and a doctorate in multicultural and equity studies in education. She is the founder of Daydreamer's Press and the author of two children's books, Dream a Rainbow and The Turtle with an Afro.

For the session on January 24, Dr. Penn will discuss the importance and use of multicultural literature with children and youth. The session will run from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. and all BCHF school personnel are invited to register. Register Now

Special Education Profiles and Ratings Released
On December 16, 2021, ODE released the 2021-2022 Special Education Profiles for all districts and community schools. The Special Education Profile displays the district's performance on key indicators established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and informs the district of any required activities based on these indicators. Districts must complete all required activities to demonstrate compliance with IDEA.

The 2021-2022 Special Education Profiles are being released in two phases:

The first release (December 16, 2021) contains all indicators that may have required actions including student outcome, compliance, disproportionality, and survey indicators.

The second release (targeted for May 2022) will add informational student outcome indicators that do not have required actions.

ODE emailed notifications to superintendents, special education contacts, and community school sponsors. Profiles are available through the Department's OH | ID Portal. When logged in, select My Apps, then select Special Education Profiles & Ratings.

If you have questions regarding the Special Education Profile, contact the Department's Office for Exceptional Children or reach out directly to your sponsor representative.

Ohio Summit on Dyslexia
International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Central Ohio is hosting the virtual Ohio Summit on Dyslexia on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. The theme for this year's conference is "The Road to Structured Literacy - How will your school navigate the shift?"

Sessions include topics on the science of reading, universal dyslexia screening, early intervention, and teacher training. The summit will serve to inform and energize people about the issue of dyslexia, support the development and work of parents and educational professionals, and foster and advocate for strategies for serving all of Ohio's children - especially those with dyslexia.

Early registration costs $40 for IDA members and $50 for non-members. Registration after February 25 will cost $65 for IDA members and $75 for non-members. Register Now

Recognition for Teachers and Boards
January 1-31, 2022: Nominate Teachers for TORCH Recognition ODE is accepting nominations for the Teachers of Ohio Representing Character and Heart (TORCH) recognition starting January 1, 2022. The TORCH recognition program honors five teachers from across the state each year who model strong personal character and concern for their students, colleagues, and communities. Nominations close January 31, 2022.

The 2021 Ohio Teacher of the Year and Ohio Teacher of the Year finalists will evaluate and select this year's TORCH honorees by late February. TORCH Nomination Form

January is School Board Recognition Month Each year, the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) creates a School Board Recognition Month toolkit with ways to honor school board members. Use these ideas or come up with your own way to celebrate your hard-working school board members and educate the public about the important role that a school board plays in our communities and schools.

Submit news and photos of your school's recognition activities by February 9 to be included in the Journal magazine and on OSBA's website. Submit Your Board Recognition Story

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT UPDATE
The BCHF's Professional Learning Opportunities Catalog has been refreshed for 2022. We invite you to browse the catalog to see all of the additional sessions that have been added. Please also share with teachers and staff at your school. To see more information about a session, or to register, click on any of the titles listed below.

Student Behavior: What Is Happening Here?
by Carol S. Young, Ph.D., Department Lead, Accountability & School Improvement, BCHF    Download the PDF

COMPLIANCE UPDATE
Transportation Coordinators Continuing Education

Transportation coordinators are required to complete four hours of continuing education each school year. The Department of Transportation and ODE post continuing education offerings on the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) website.

Transportation coordinators may also find transportation topics for training through Safe Schools or other platforms. Please note that this requirement is generally not offered as a "one and done" course. Therefore, transportation coordinators must complete multiple courses to reach the required four hours of continuing education. Reach out to your sponsor representative with any questions.