 In South Dakota Indistar is called SD LEAP South Dakota Leading Effectively…Achieving Progress

Indistar is a web-based tool that guides improvement teams through a continuous cycle of:  Assessment  Planning  Implementation  Progress tracking of research-based indicators

 Traditional Way  Accountable for Rules and Regulations  Focus on Programs  Data =Student Outcomes  Culture of Compliance  Annual Paper Plan  Mail, Fax Paper Reports  Top-Down Initiative, with Oversight  The Indistar Way  Accountable for Effective Practice  Focus on Effective Practice  Data = Practice + Student  Culture of Candor and Support  Continuous Improvement Process  System-Generated, Electronic Reports  School Initiative, with Support

 Traditional Way  Analyze data  Identify areas of relative weaknesses  Set goals to remediate the shortcomings  Develop an annual plan to achieve the goals  The Indistar Way  Educators assess professional practices  Focuses on what adults do and how students perform  Must focus on both to see significant improvement

 Not just a planning process, but a learning process for those working closest with students  Professional development process as much as a planning process  Developed with candid discussions by the leadership team with ALL teachers engaged in implementing the process  Opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of effectives practices and consistent implementation

SD LEAP is a web-based framework to guide high-quality work by the school with built-in flexibility to encourage local innovation.

School teams assess their current position relative to each indicator in the following categories: School Leadership and Decision Making Curriculum Assessment and Instructional Planning Classroom Instruction

 Indicators provide the structure for building a continuous school improvement plan, while still allowing each school flexibility and creativity on how it implements the plan. Indicators point the way toward effective practices.

The Wise Ways ® tool within SD LEAP links each indicator to a brief summary of related research examples and resources.

SD LEAP provides practical web-based documentation for creating agendas, recording minutes, assigning responsibilities, setting timelines, coaching, and monitoring the degree of implementation.

SD LEAP allows schools to electronically submit required documents to satisfy federal and state requirements.

 A required number of ACTIVE indicators are assessed, planned and monitored so the plan is always continuous and on-going.  Schools select a new indicator when one is fully implemented and part of the school culture.  Teams create a living, working, focused document on what the school is “really” doing.  Fully implemented indicators are easily reviewed and revised.

 October 31 (flexible)  January 31  May 31

 Schools using SD LEAP within a state share ideas and support each other  DOE will provide Technical Assistant and support to schools  Coaches will guide the schools

To keep everything running smoothly, we also offer: Indicators in Action TM —videos that show the indicators being implemented in real schools with real teachers, Wise Ways®—research briefs to guide the team in making decisions on the indicators, and Technical assistance from the Center on Innovation & Improvement’s helpful client relations team. Technical support from CII Wise Ways Indicators in Action

 Contracted time for Coaches (Focus)  Time for school teams to work together  Compensation for teams, after work hours if applicable  Workshop Expenses  1003(a) funds available

1. Provide School Information (Edit School Information, Demographics, and Assessment) 2. Form a School Team (School Team) 3. Assess School Indicators (Assess) 4. Create a Plan for Improvement (Create) 5. Monitor the Plan (Monitor)

SD LEAP helps schools to focus on:  What does good performance and effective practices look like?  What is the path to achieve it?

…provides the “WHAT”, but leaves the “HOW” to those who know best.

 For More Information please contact: Shawna Poitra