It's Full Steam Ahead for AASA's Center for Accountability Solutions - American Association of School Administrators - Brief Article

School Administrator, Sept, 2000

AASA is hard at work through its Center for Accountability Solutions (CAS) helping school leaders gather, use and report meaningful data on student, school and district performance. CAS is a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Education Research and Improvement (OERI). As it concludes its first year, GAS is working with 15 districts from across the country to implement technology-enhanced, data-driven decision making. One part of the effort is focused on refining and helping districts implement an electronic Quality School Portfolio developed at the University of California's Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing, an early player in standards-based reform. The portfolio will assist school system leaders in disaggregating school and student data to support improved student outcomes. AASA will be working with 15 additional districts during each of the remaining two years of the project.

WestEd, a federally funded policy and research organization in California, will evaluate the project. For more information on the Center, please contact Geannie Wells at 703-875-0721 or gwells@aasa.org. If your school district is interested in participating in year 2 of CAS activities, please contact Michael Parker at 703-875-0714 or via e-mail at mparker@aasa.org.

Leadership News Online

Twenty percent of new hires leave teaching within their first three years in the profession. Does your district have what it takes to keep teachers hired during the current boom? Read about how districts are doing just that in Leadership News Online at www.aasa.org.

Also click on Leadership News to read Today's Education Headlines (links to stories from national newspapers updated beginning at 7 a.m. weekdays).

AASA's Magical Benefit

As you make plans to attend The National Conference on Education in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 16-18 2001, don't forget that AASA members are eligible for free membership in Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom Club. Membership privileges include:

* Special Disney theme park vacation packages

* Reduced prices on select Disney theme park admission passports

* Up to a 20 percent savings on nightly accommodations at Disney resort hotels

* Discounts on vacation packages with the Disney Cruise Line

* Up to a 20 percent discount on accommodations at Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida and Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina

* 10 percent discounts on dining at selected theme park restaurants

* 10 percent discounts on selected purchases at The Disney Store and through the Disney catalog

* Up to a 30 percent discount on published counter rates at most National Car Rental locations

* 10 percent discount on new, basic AAA membership

* 50 percent discount on membership in Travel America

Thanks to AASA member John DiSanti of Hershey, Pa., for suggesting that AASA offer the Magic Kingdom Club membership as an association benefit. AASA is always looking to add new benefits and services for its members and suggestions are always welcome.

Executive Committee Deadline: Oct. 1

Attention all active AASA members! October 1 is the deadline for declaring candidacy for the AASA Executive Committee. Two new Executive Committee seats and the President-Elect office are open. To request a candidate's packet, simply send a letter of intent to AASA Executive Director Paul Houston. If you choose to run, you must notify your state affiliate and pay a $1,000 filing fee. Log on to AASA Online for a list of all AASA state associations.

Act Now?

LEADERSHIP FOR LEARNING AWARD DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15

Nominations are now being accepted for AASA's Leadership for Learning Award. This award, co-sponsored by the TIAA/CREF Enterprises, recognizes AASA members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership by creating a program that significantly improves student achievement. Awards are presented in three categories -- rural, suburban and urban.