Personalizing Instruction for Diverse Learners A Practitioner's Perspective Dr. Robert Smith Retired Superintendent of Schools Milford Delaware

Roadblocks to Personalization Curriculum and Assessment Toolbox

1996 Milford SD Roadblocks Lowest revenues per student in Delaware Lowest student performance in math/reading Increasing student poverty and diversity High student to staff ratio, overcrowded classrooms Lacked right types of curriculum, assessments and technologies to support differentiation of instruction Staff lacked knowledge, skills and training

The Milford Story

Developing A System Approach for Excellence - MSD Empowered Enlightened Engaged Equipped Monitored, reviewed revised Focus on continuous improvement Utilization of Technology Personalizing Learning Continuous Improvement Ongoing Review of Data Data-based Decision Making System Focused Organizational Identity Focus on Student Outcomes Focus on Improvement Master Educators Vision Management Framework Baldrige Quality Initiative Competent, Effective, and Collaborative Workforce Effective Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Personalized Learning

Assessment Data to Inform Personalizing Learning Short-cycle assessment data Actionable data – Frequent formative performance data – Relevant to addressing learning differences – Easily accessible and usable – Efficient and Cost Effective – Problem solving with the data – Goal setting with the data – Progress monitoring with the data – Evaluate and formulate next steps PlanDoStudyAct

Student Growth and Performance Data to Inform Differentiated Instruction STAR Reading and Math, 3-5 times per year – Measuring Growth and Performance – Placement in Appropriate Levels of Curriculum Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math, Weekly – Personalized Skill Practice and Development Standards Master, 3-4 times per year – Identify specific learning gaps or weaknesses to regroup and remediate Delaware State Assessments, Yearly

Emerging Tools and Technologies STAR Enterprise (Math, Reading, Early Literacy) – More robust and slightly longer than the original STAR assessments (< 20 minutes) – Skills focused and more precise in identifying student learning needs. – Ability to screen and help group students for personalized, focused instruction – Ability to identify skill and standards mastery and next steps for all types of learners

Tools for Differentiating: Short-Cycle Formative and Benchmark Assessments

How can I best target instruction? Instructional Grouping

Tools for Differentiating: Short-Cycle Formative and Benchmark Assessments

Where can I find instructional resources for the skills I need to teach? Learning Progressions

Tools for Differentiating: Short-Cycle Formative and Benchmark Assessments INSTRUCTIONAL RECORD Student Aug 29 Set growth goal with Mrs. Smith Nov 1 Reviewed progress - AST begins April 2 Began new math pilot curriculum

Tools for Differentiating: Short-Cycle Formative and Benchmark Assessments

Personalized Learning Personalized practice is important to personalizing/differentiating learning. – AR Reading program that promoted and monitored reading based on ability and need. – AR Math program that assigned and monitored math practice based on ability and need. – Math Facts in a Flash – 80/20 Computer managed programs for assessment, assignment, tracking, and feedback

First Year Impact on Student Performance READING WRITING MATH

Personalized Learning Student ownership and use of their data was essential to maximizing its effect size. – Students maintained data folders important for personal academic/behavioral goal setting and shared monitoring of progress. – Ongoing differentiation of instruction to help students meet their goals utilizing short cycle formative and benchmark assessment data. – Ongoing data conversations between students, teachers, and parents.

Student Data Notebooks - Goals

Student Data Notebooks – Formative Data

Student Data Notebooks – Summative Data

Concluding Remarks Personalized learning requires a systems approach to overcome roadblocks and to provide the tools, time, and training necessary for success. Student ownership of their data, personal goal setting, and self monitoring are all critical for personalized learning to succeed. There are powerful new assessment tools and technologies to help both teachers and students make personalizing learning doable, effective, and efficient.

Thank You