https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t Reflections on school reform en-us 2017-01-16 22:54:43 UTC 2017-03-04 13:20:08 UTC hello@padlet.com courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/147425507 Three Most Important Factors in School Reform
1) Teacher buy-in:  In order for school reforms to be effective, even in order for interventions to be implented, teachers must believe that the reform measures will both help students achieve and are do-able.  Even when teachers have doubts, those doubts must be heard and mitigated.
2) It is important not to overwhelm teachers, students, or citizens with more change than they can handle.  To me, an incremental approach seems more palatable and likely to be accomplished than a whole-system reform.  As a rule, humans are resistant to change, so the smaller and slower the change, the less likely it is to be met with resistance.
3) Data-collection is essential to effective reform, but data comes in a variety of packages, not merely standardized testing. One of the best means of collecting data on both instructional practices and student engagement is through classroom observation. An excellent means of collecting achievement data is through local assessment--namely the pre-and post test written and administered by the classroom teacher.]]> 2017-01-16 22:56:31 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/147425507 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/148267971 I believe the single most important step in developing a school improvement plan is focusing the goal(s), because without focus it would be difficult to affect change and nearly impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of any interventions that were enacted.]]> 2017-01-20 02:34:46 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/148267971 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/151833311 Describe the relationship between professional development and the instructional strategies that are used for student learning.
When teachers receive professional development, the training CAN directly impact student achievement.  However, the PD must be relevant to teachers' daily classroom experiences, and teachers must be willing to employ their training in the classroom.  One key factor often missing from PD is TIME for teachers to reflect on their training and current practice and then MORE TIME to incorporate their new learning into their curriculum.  I believe most teachers want what is best for students, but often PD is not made relevant for teachers and/or teachers aren't allowed time to plan how to use their training.  In this way, teachers are similar to our students.  We need to see how training is relevant to what we're doing, and we need time to process, reflect, plan, try, reflect, and revamp.]]> 2017-02-06 14:49:50 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/151833311 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/151833379 Describe the type of data, other than state assessment results, that you think will be important in the development of a school improvement plan.

I think local assessment data can be highly valuable in a school improvement plan.  When the curriculum in place is adhered to by all teachers, as described in the Datnow & Park article, then local assessments might reveal information about instructional quality or practice.  Administered in the above described environment, local assessments can also act as formative assessments, allowing teachers to adjust the curriculum in-process so that students can better achieve ALL yearly goals and not just MOST of them.
Another piece of data I think plays a valuable role is the qualitative data that can be collected from teacher-student satisfaction surveys. I think the perceptions of those working in the classrooms each day provide quality information about the culture of the school. With this information, the improvement plan can encompass cultural shifts such that learning, achievement, and improving would be the norm.]]> 2017-02-06 14:50:00 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/151833379 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/153599930 Would you prefer to use a data carousel or a data dashboard? Why?
I think both can be useful.  I love the collaborative aspects of the carousel and the team effort toward making improvement.  However, I would love to have a data dashboard to look at periodically throughout the school year. In fact, I am curious if I could create one of my own for my individual classroom.  I think it is similar to, and would provide a visual representation of, the information I try to  learn about my students each year anyway.

]]> 2017-02-14 00:43:48 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/153599930 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/157776880 Describe one idea that you think is important from the chapter that you read for the jigsaw discussions.
 I read the chapter on meeting the needs of "at-risk" students, and I was struck by many ideas throughout the chapter.  However, the one that spoke to me most was the importance of community involvement in improving these students' achievement and success. It has always baffled me that my students whose parents I most need to talk to do not show up for parent-teacher conferences. Rather, the parents of the highest-achieving students come to check in. It leads me to believe that parental involvement is key to student success. I also know, from my time at my current high school, that involving community members who are willing to mentor students is key for helping some students envision life goals beyond the scope of their present circumstances. I love the idea of community projects and involving all stakeholders in the community in the education of the next generation of leaders, workers, and citizens.]]> 2017-03-04 13:01:25 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/157776880 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/157777281 Which statement (yours or one from a classmate) in the L portion of the K-W-L activity do you think is the most important? Copy and paste it onto your Padlet sticker. Then briefly describe why you chose this statement.
It seems that almost any type of observational data can be effective and reliable when handled correctly.  One key to obtaining reliable observation data is to set a clear purpose for the observation and develop a data collection tool, such as a template or checklist, prior to observation cycles. All of the info collected on the GO was important, but this stood out to me since I was concerned with the validity of observational data. I think it can be highly useful, but it is subject to bias, moreso than other forms of data. I do agree that creating a tool and collecting observations longitudinally could help equalize the tendency for observational data to be subjective. This has been employed in my current school for classroom walk-through observations, and it seems to be effective. ]]> 2017-03-04 13:10:08 UTC https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/157777281 courtenay2r https://padlet.com/courtenay2r/j0qbffrwow5t/wish/157777565
Summarize the most important point that you learned about the school improvement process.

The idea that stood out most to me, the one I will keep in mind whenever I am part of a SIP team, is to evaluate the school's capacity for change prior to designing or implementing any plan. I have had the experience of teaching in a school where we were asked to change many things all at once. It was overwhelming and exhausting! Many teachers resisted and complained, and those who tried to go along and implement the changes shouldered a heavier load as a consequence. I remember feeling like I was always playing catch-up, and I was certain during that time that my students were not receiving my best. Although I am the type of person who likes to fix everything all at once and move on, I now understand the importance of moving incrementally, moving toward the goal at a pace just beyond my comfort zone (not miles beyond it!)

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