A Systematic Approach to Improving Instruction & Learning. Di Leonardo Sr. Director of Curriculum & Instruction Fresno County Office of Education

Why Did You Become a Teacher?

Literacy blocks Direct Instruction Differentiated instruction Culturally responsive teaching Walkthroughs Parent involvement P.T.A. meetings Accountability committee Bus schedules Lyme disease prevention Curriculum mapping Afterschool Data committees Gifted & Talented Halloween Party Fall Festival Special education IEPs RtI DDDM PLCs Reading First Phonics Whole Language Phonics Balanced Literacy Pep assembly Spelling Bee Morning announcements School Improvement Plans FTEs Bilingual Ed Dual Immersion ESL TGIF! Staff development Performance reviews Math New Math New, New Math Success for All Open Court Everyday Math Saxon Math Constructivist Teaching Induction Mentoring Coaching State tests District tests Value added Growth models Formative assessment Career prep College for all Student learning Character education NCLB AP Multi-age classrooms Ability grouping De-tracking Sex ed Technology Integration Positive Behavior Support Lunch programs Multicultural education Courageous conversations Interactive whiteboards Portfolio Assessment Block scheduling Safe & drug-free schools Abstinence only

Culture of Continuous Learning Do we believe our students can learn? Do we believe OUR skill set is dynamic and I/We can get better? Do we believe in the direct correlation of OUR skills and student learning?

What are the current Instructional Commitments at your schools site?

What has the greatest impact on student learning? a)Teacher Appraisal b)Professional Development c)Collaborative Cultures

“ The top performing school systems recognize that the only way to improve outcomes is to improve instruction through coaching classroom practices, moving teacher training to the classroom, developing stronger school leaders and enabling teachers to learn from each other” McKinsey and Company

It takes a Team

An improvement effort without a strategy is a recipe for random actions and on- going frustration.

The new role of the principal is “Learning Leader” – one who models learning, and shapes the conditions for all to learn on a continuous basis. Michael Fullan

Choosing our Focus Select ONE classroom level practice you believe will move your school forward and improve student achievement. Be prepared to provide a rationale as to why this practice should be selected. Instructional Goals

Choosing our Focus Marzano – Classroom Instruction that works. Identifying Similarities and differences Summarizing and note taking Reinforcing effort and providing recognition Homework and Practice Representing knowledge Learning Groups Setting objectives and providing feedback Generating and testing hypotheses Cues, questions and Advanced Organizers Hattie – Visible Learning Micro-teaching (.88) Metacognitive Strategies (.74) Reciprocal Teaching (.74) Vocabulary Instruction (.67) Cooperative Learning (.57) Instructional Goals

CCSS Foundations Depth of Knowledge and Six C’s

Professional Learning Name it Study It, Research It Look for Models and Model it yourselves Calibrate range of definitions and application Define Teacher actions and Student Actions Professional Learning

Agree upon a system of implementation Timeline Resources Feedback Professional Learning

Getting Better Together Planning Informal check-ins Practicing Coaching – Academic Coaches/Leaders Peer Coaching Observation with Reflection and Feedback Coaching

Impact on Student Learning What did our students actually do??? What did our students actually produce??? Were the results expected? Evidence or rigorous learning? Based on STUDENT learning evidence, what is our next steps??? Evidence of Implementation

Professional Learning – Next Steps

Barriers Choosing a practice we are already good at Choosing a practice that has little impact on learning Poor Implementation: Compliance vs. Learning Lack of Commitment Lack of Monitoring

Leadership Matters The degree to which the principals participates as a leaders had the largest effect size on a school moving forward.

For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong H. L. Mencken

Always Learning