The Virginia Model Mentor Coaching for School Improvement Charlottesville, Virginia July 27-31, 2009 Elements of a Successful School Improvement Team Meeting

School Improvement Team Meetings You must have ground rules!!!! Statements of values, beliefs, and guidelines Statements of values, beliefs, and guidelines Clear Clear Consistent Consistent Agreed to Agreed to Followed Followed

Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools Clear, shared focus/ objectives Clear, shared focus/ objectives High standards/ expectations for all High standards/ expectations for all Effective school leadership Effective school leadership High levels of collaboration and communication High levels of collaboration and communication Curriculum, instruction, and assessments aligned with state standards Curriculum, instruction, and assessments aligned with state standards Frequent monitoring of learning/teaching Frequent monitoring of learning/teaching Focused professional development Focused professional development Supportive learning environment Supportive learning environment High levels of family/ community involvement High levels of family/ community involvement WERA/OSPI Assessment Conference 2007 G. Sue Shannon, OSPI Senior Researcher

Ground Rules: How we treat each other Communicate Communicate Participate Participate Cooperate Cooperate Support Support Respect Respect Courtesy Courtesy “Seek first to understand and then be understood…” One of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People “Seek first to understand and then be understood…” One of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Ground Rules: How we define and standardize Team procedures Team procedures Use of time Use of time Assignments Assignments Logistics Logistics Preparation Preparation Minutes Minutes Discussions Discussions Creativity Creativity Reporting Reporting

Examples of Ground Rules Treat each other with respect Treat each other with respect Value constructive feedback Value constructive feedback Avoid being defensive Avoid being defensive Give constructive feedback Give constructive feedback Agree to disagree Agree to disagree Recognize and celebrate accomplishments Recognize and celebrate accomplishments Be honest Be honest Agree not to sabotage Agree not to sabotage Keep conversations confidential Keep conversations confidential

The Process Regular schedule for meetings Regular schedule for meetings Stick to a time table Stick to a time table Attendance is expected Attendance is expected Agenda written and distributed prior to meeting Agenda written and distributed prior to meeting Meetings start on time Meetings start on time Maintain an “action item list” that is reviewed and distributed with the minutes Maintain an “action item list” that is reviewed and distributed with the minutes Minutes should be done by one person who agrees to accept responsibility or rotated by the team members. Minutes should be done by one person who agrees to accept responsibility or rotated by the team members. Minutes distributed within 24 hours of meeting Minutes distributed within 24 hours of meeting Minutes should be edited for: Minutes should be edited for: Opinions Opinions Names Names Times and Dates Times and Dates Accuracy Accuracy

Communication One person talks at a time One person talks at a time Focus on facts Focus on facts No hidden agendas: Open and honest No hidden agendas: Open and honest De-personalize discussions De-personalize discussions No personal attacks No personal attacks Listen Listen Non-judgmental Non-judgmental Equal/ balanced participation Equal/ balanced participation Collaboration and Consensus Collaboration and Consensus Accept responsibility and accountability Accept responsibility and accountability Pose an issue = Pose a solution Pose an issue = Pose a solution

Teamwork Diversity is critical Diversity is critical Differing opinions: characteristic of great teams Differing opinions: characteristic of great teams Conflicts will occur! Conflicts will occur! Strong feelings/ emotions are OK! Strong feelings/ emotions are OK! Acknowledge conflict Acknowledge conflict Causes of the conflict Causes of the conflict

School Improvement Team Meeting Focus School Improvement School Improvement Instruction Instruction Data Data All items/issues related to instruction and data All items/issues related to instruction and data

“The Main Thing” Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!

Maintain the integrity of the process: School Improvement “Whatever it takes to help students succeed.”