https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j Planning for School Improvement en-us 2016-06-30 23:39:38 UTC 2016-08-12 17:55:23 UTC hello@padlet.com obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/115777596 1. Buy-in
- Stakeholder buy-in is extremely important to implementing school reform efforts. If those involved to not believe in their cause or are jaded, so to speak, about the process, then it becomes impossible to effectively create meaningful and lasting reform. 
2. Data Collection
-Though considering school culture is important (see above), data collection becomes the springboard for reform. If we are unable to quanitfy and track our efforts, we are unable to see progress and aggregate data in a meaningful way. Additionally, data collection shows us where are are and provides the framework for setting future goals. 
3. Collaboration
-No individual is able to implement reform on his or her own. Stakeholders in this process must be given time to parse out the overarching goals of reform and to collaboratively come up with a plan to implement the changes in an effective, data-driven manner that benefits all parties. ]]> 2016-06-30 23:42:08 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/115777596 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/116027115 In my opinion, the most important step in the construction of an improvement plan is "focusing;" this step requires participants to reflect upon data and environmental constraints and needs in order to narrow down the goals of the plan to those most important to the school itself.

]]> 2016-07-06 22:42:49 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/116027115 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/116429600 The relationship between these two pieces of the SIP is a symbiotic one. They must be implemented carefully, and in conjunction with one another: one cannot be effective without the other. Professional development should both precede and follow the use of new instructional strategies in the classroom. First, PD can introduce teachers to the strategy, explain its important, and demonstrate how it can be used. Once the strategy has been used in classrooms, teachers can further benefit from PD to reflect upon its success and collaborate to make improvements.]]> 2016-07-14 20:59:18 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/116429600 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/116495336 Other than state assessments, the collection of qualitative data through observations and self-reported reflection can be equally as important as "hard" data regarding academic achievement. Using qualitative data shows a more holistic commitment to achievement - it considers school improvement to be more than just increasing scores and recognizes the whole child as important. Additionally, qualitative data can address non-academic issues such as behavior management and school climate that also play a part in contributing to increased student achievement. ]]> 2016-07-16 15:25:10 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/116495336 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117147306 In my current role as a teacher, I think I would rather use a data carousel. I selected this option because it is more personal to my specific school rather than focusing district-wide. I like the idea of the entire staff working together to identify gaps and then collaborating to close them through instruction, which is a major outcome expected with data carousels.]]> 2016-07-28 16:57:26 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117147306 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117479185 One takeaway that I had from the Duke, et al text (chapter six) was that leadership cannot attempt to change school culture immediately. In fact, it takes years of slowly but pointedly putting systems into place that will shift the attitudes and other complex cultural values at work to a more positive place. This aligns with several other theories that suggest making too many unfocused changes at once during the improvement process will undermine the efforts altogether.]]> 2016-08-03 18:32:26 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117479185 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117858804 The most important thing I learned from creating a SIP for Jayhawkville was that school improvement requires systematic changes that cannot be accomplished in a short period of time; often, not even in a single school year. Setting goals and benchmarks helps to monitor implementation, and the plan should be adjusted long-term to fit any shifts that occur. I found this to be an essential aspect that assists in breaking down the enormity of the school improvement task into manageable pieces. The ideological framework of "I can't do everything at once" is necessary to members of the improvement team. ]]> 2016-08-10 04:38:05 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117858804 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117858829 2016-08-10 04:38:32 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/117858829 obertels https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/118146044 After participating in this course, I believe that one of the most important things I've learned about the school improvement process is that organization is key. Especially based on the Fernandez article from Module 7, it has become very clear that creating high-quality improvement plans is an essential first step. Without having specific, direct organization techniques in terms of steps to be taken, data to be analyzed, persons to be responsible for various pieces, etc. a SIP will fail, which is a huge waste of both time and valuable resources. ]]> 2016-08-12 17:48:54 UTC https://padlet.com/obertels/pmmivwpzn50j/wish/118146044