Welcome to the 51st issue of the SIGnetwork Newsletter, published for SPDG projects and their partners to learn about upcoming events, the latest relevant research, TA resources and training, and, most importantly, SPDG impact. We're glad you're here!
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Your Moment of Delight
Does the deluge of AI news make you wish for a technology-free existence?
Perhaps nobody would agree with you more than Aunt Chippy, Jimmy Kimmel's long-suffering relative.
One of Kimmel's greatest Aunt Chippy pranks includes a driverless car and results in some colorful language .
News You Can Use
SPDG National Meeting
Thank you for making the SPDG National Meeting a success. You came ready to get to know your SIGnetwork colleagues and learn from them and others. And you also brought your sense of fun!
You can learn more strategies from keynote speaker Christopher Littlefield here. He will also headline our December Directors’ Webinar! Please send John Lind questions and topics for Christopher ahead of the webinar.
At the same December webinar, Kim St. Martin, Anna Harms, and Jessica Daily (MI SPDG) will share how data can help you determine that kind of TA your participants need. Think a tiered system of professional development!
Our Next Book Club!
A big thank you to Hadley Bachman of the Ohio SPDG for giving us the idea of forming a book club around the Liberating Structures book. Our first meeting will be Monday, November 30th at 3:00 ET. Contact John Lind to be added to the Book Club.
GrantWISE
Please note that the November GrantWISE Community of Practice meeting has moved from Wednesday, November 11 (Veterans Day), to Wednesday, November 18, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET.
Purpose and objectives:
- How to work with procurement
- Helpful resources for budgeting
- Assistance with APR-related budget explanations
- Other project management and process-oriented support, as needed
SPDG Success
Maine SPDG
80%
Eighty percent of participants reported increased use of student assessment data to assess and inform their use of evidence-based mathematics practices after taking part in Math4ME.
Colorado SPDG
67% → 78%
Schools participating in CO-MTSS met or exceeded their student outcome goals from 67% last year to 78% this year.
Improving Professional Learning
Delivering Mindful Feedback to Novice Teachers
Supporting new teachers requires more than simply identifying areas for improvement. Thoughtful feedback can help novice teachers reflect on their practice, build confidence, and continue developing their skills.
This Edutopia article explores approaches to providing feedback that is supportive, actionable, and focused on professional growth.
Family Engagement Done Well
Literacy and Families
National Center on Improving Literacy’s infographic and Improving Literacy Brief for Parents and Families are a good starting point for families.
The New Jersey SPDG has been heavily involved in creating New Jersey’s Literacy Framework, which provides in-depth guidance on effective, evidence-based literacy instruction and universal screening, has a connected Literacy Family Series. The series breaks down how reading develops into clear, easy-to-understand parts. It uses the same research-based ideas that teachers learn in their professional training
Spotlight on OSEP-funded TA
National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction (NCADEMI)
OSEP's accessibility technical assistance center, NCADEMI, offers several opportunities to help state and local education agencies strengthen the accessibility of educational materials.
Virtual Professional Learning Group
The virtual Professional Learning Group (PLG) is for SEA and LEA teams ready to implement the Quality Indicators for the Provision and Use of Accessible Materials in PreK–12 Systems. Teams receive one year of targeted technical assistance through monthly collaborative sessions with NCADEMI specialists and peer teams. This is followed by the option to join a Community of Practice for continued support. Enrollment is always open to new teams. Learn more about the PLG.
Access Point LIVE!
Access Point LIVE! (APL!) is an open forum for all audiences connected to PreK-12 digital accessibility in education. Individuals and teams are encouraged to join APL! to strengthen digital accessibility knowledge through a recorded 10-minute spotlight of a practical accessibility skill, followed by unrecorded time to address attendee questions and problems of practice. APL! typically occurs the fourth Wednesday of every month, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET. Register for APL!
National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO)
NCEO’s new Talking Points for SEA Policymakers assist State leaders in sharing information about students with disabilities and their participation in assessments.
For Your Ears
Sold a Story Is Back!
Season 2 of Sold a Story has begun, and the first three episodes are available.
This season is titled What Happened to Teaching. Without giving anything away, Jennifer anticipates that this season will be even more controversial than the last.
Idaho Parents Unlimited: MTSS 101
Idaho’s SPDG partner, Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) has a great new podcast for families. Check out this episode:
MTSS 101: What Is It, Why Does It Matter, and Where Do Families Fit?
Unlimited Parenting by Idaho Parents Unlimited; S4 · E8; Oct 21, 2026 (29:02)