EDUCATOR STANDARDS BOARD
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
FEBRUARY 7, 2005

The fourth edition of the monthly on-line newsletter was distributed on January 20, 2005 in accordance with the communications plan. The distribution list was expanded to include groups represented on the State Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Non-Public Schools. A draft version of the minutes from the December ESB meeting went up on the web site on January 21, and a draft of the February agenda was placed on the site on January 27.

On January 20, Bill Shriver and Kathleen Costello represented the ESB at the meeting of the original stakeholder groups convened to elicit input on how the groups could support the ESB in the feedback gathering process. ESB staff and Kathleen Costello facilitated the meeting which produced a number of possible avenues of communication. The group will meet again on February 24^th to further define roles and responsibilities.

On January 11-12, Jim Uphoff and Lee Miller attended the OTELAC meetings. Positive comments were made about Vickie Wilson’s (OTELAC Committee II) interaction with the Higher Education Committee in January, and it was suggested that Murray Grace (OTELAC Committee I) have the same kind of discussion with the ESB committee that will be taking over the duties of that committee. Several issues have come before OTELAC that will need to be addressed by the ESB early on in the transition process and OTELAC has begun the process of directing some requests for consideration toward the ESB.

Interest in the work of the ESB is increasing. During the time since the January ESB meeting, Lee Miller met on January 12^th with the Committee of Practitioners, on January 27^th with the Assembly of Chiefs, and on February 3^rd with the State Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Nonpublic Schools. The Ohio Association for Gifted Children has contacted the Office of Educator Standards to possibly address the board in March.

The Teacher Standards writing team and the Professional Development writing team meet on February 8-9. The Principal Standards writing team meets on February 16-17. This meeting promises to be very productive, and all ESB members, especially administrator members, are highly encouraged to try to attend at least a part of this meeting.

Lee Miller, Director