2014-2015 Illinois SMART School Academy August 5 and 6, 2014 Session I - Day 1

Sponsored by

Presenters Anne Conzemius Carol Pulsfus Perry Soldwedel

Session I Overview Purpose: Develop a community of learners who understand and commit to their roles as learners, leaders and coaches of the SMART School Improvement Process. Concept: Focus Bridges: Day 1 Community Day 2 Growth

Session I Overview Essential Question: How do we, as a community of learners, focus on student growth? Outcomes Agenda Overview

Community Communities are built through the process of convening conversations where people’s thoughts are valued and they have the opportunity to present choices. The experience created is designed in such a way that relatedness, accountability, and commitment are always available, experienced and demonstrated. As a leader you create the conditions for the engagement. You have all that is required for this to happen in your organization. ~ excerpts from Community by Peter Block

Convene a Conversation What would make this Academy experience successful for you? Why are you here?

Characteristics of a Community

I’ve seen that there is no more powerful way to initiate significant change than to convene a conversation. When a community of people discovers that they share a concern, change begins. There is no power equal to a community discovering what it cares about. ~ Margaret Wheatley Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future, page 22

Kinesthetic Representation of a System

The Framework for Shared Responsibility

Five Key Questions It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end. Ursula K. LeGuin 1999 5. Where should we focus next? 4. What are we learning? 3. How will we get to where we want to be? 2. Where do we want to be? 1. Where are we now?

Collaborative Reading Divide your table team into three pairs and assign one of the following sections from The Power of SMART Goals to each pair. Framework for Shared Responsibility (pages 11- 13) Define SMART (pages 13-17) Five Key Questions (pages 35-38) Share the main points from each section with others at your table.

The Framework for Shared Responsibility SMART Goals Data Teamwork

Our School Self-Assessment Focus Reflection Collaboration Leadership Capacity

The Data – Logic Chain Logic Data Logic Data Logic Data Logic LEARNING and ACTION are embedded in the process. Data Logic

SMART School Improvement Process Step #5 Analyze and refocus Begin again! Step #4 Develop action plans Between Steps Implement plans Step #3 Select strategies Between Steps Explore professional learning options Step #2 Create school SMART goal Between Steps Investigate effective practices Step #1 Isolate need Between Steps Gather and analyze data

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end. ~ Ursula K. LeGuin, 1999

Five Key Questions Where are we know? Where do we want to be? How will we get to where we want to be? What are we learning? Where should we focus next?

Where should we focus next? How will we get to where we want to be? SMART School Improvement Process Where should we focus next? What are we learning? Step #5 Analyze and refocus Begin again! Step #4 Develop action plans Between Steps Implement plans Step #3 Select strategies Between Steps Explore professional learning options Where do we want to be? How will we get to where we want to be? Step #2 Create school SMART goal Between Steps Investigate effective practices Step #1 Isolate need Between Steps Gather and analyze data Where are we now?

School Improvement Planning Cycle

SMART School Improvement Process Step #5 Analyze and refocus Begin again! Step #4 Develop action plans Between Steps Implement plans Step #3 Select strategies Between Steps Explore professional learning options Step #2 Create school SMART goal Between Steps Investigate effective practices Step #1 Isolate need Between Steps Gather and analyze data

Data Trust Rules Create dialogue and understanding. Promote shared learning. Be open—acknowledge and respect various interpretations. Search for meaning even when the conclusions are not readily apparent. Handle with care…this is not for “gotcha.” Be patient with those who may find this difficult or threatening. Make the best of the data you have.

Practice Step #1 Isolate Need Purpose: Isolate perceptions of student learning needs Pages 113 and 116-119

Action Planning for Step #1 Key elements to consider: Review school mission, vision and values Establish/review data trust rules Gather and analyze individual perceptions Create a data plan

Journal Entries What did I learn today that affirmed my prior knowledge and skills? What did I learn today that furthered my prior knowledge and skills? What did I learn today that challenged my thinking and raised questions in my mind? What did I learn today that excited me most?

Appreciations and Feedback Share appreciations from the day. Individually complete your feedback form and leave at the center of your table. Tidy your table. Thank you for your time and energy today!

Building capacity for student-focused, goal-directed learning Thank you SMART People! smartlearningsystems.com Building capacity for student-focused, goal-directed learning