Tips for Improvement Planning: Lessons Learned ISBE Innovation and Improvement

2 The Resource Manual Innovation and Improvement Division The Interactive Illinois Report Card (815) Resources

3 The Mega System: Handbook for Continuous School Improvement Sam Redding Handbook on Restructuring and Substantial School Improvement Herbert J. Walberg Exploring the Pathway to Rapid District Improvement Brett Lane Center on Innovation and Improvement

4 District Improvement Plans Submission Date 90 days following initial notification of status at IWAS

5 School Improvement Plan Submission date 135 days after the initial IWAS notification to district superintendent

6 Targeted Feedback

7 Tools for a Specific End Less Red Tape and More Learning Minimized hoop- jumping Focused planning on –key audience –overall good sense

8 Harsh Realities Perfect plans improved student achievement Plans are required by NCLB and state law Clear and critical need to focus on learning

9 Winning Winning Plans Measurable Implemented with fidelity Monitored Focused on what works

10 How? All plans submitted via the Interactive Illinois Report Card

11 The Interactive Illinois Report Card passwords: Sample login screen

12 District in District Involvement in School Planning Increasing assistance with planning as school does not make AYP

13 Lessons Learned from the Best Foster little doubt about implementation Build a strong relationship between data, strategies/activities, and monitoring Detail roles, responsibilities, expectations Plan critical changes in classroom practice

14 Plan implementation is the Huge Assumption- What do plan users have to know to implement the plan with fidelity and monitor progress?

15 Tip 1: Write for the Right Audience The primary audience for the plan is the userthose who will implement this plan.

16 Tip 2: Look Beyond AYP

17 Tip 3: Take Care to Consider the Factors Contributing to Achievement Whats contributing to your progress? Are these factors internal or external? Are you blaming the kids?

18 Coarse and fine grain internal factors Whats preventing students from learning? School culture doesnt foster shared responsibility for all kids learning Supplemental support is weak or not rigorous Failure to use the intended curriculum by all staff for all kids Teachers do not have adequate coaching or support to implement strategies Mile wide and inch deep curriculum Teachers arent clear about whats expected in classrooms Instruction doesnt span cognitive levels Insufficient teacher learning/team time School culture doesnt reflect rigor, relevance, relationship Kids dont have equitable access to the curriculum Kids arent in the least restrictive educational environment Teachers need ELL training

19 Doing What Works dww.ed.gov/ Indicators of Effective Practice

20 Tip 4: Be Specific and Thorough Is the plan specific enough? Is the action plan sufficient? Is it clear how you will track progress?

21 Tip 5: Focus and Coordinate Strategies and Activities

22 Objective: While the current achievement in math for students with disabilities subgroup is 66.5% meeting/exceeding for ISAT, this subgroup will make AYP of at least 85% in 2011 and 92.5% for 2012 or Safe Harbor. Strategies: 1 double block math instruction 2 coaching for math staff 3 student and staff review of student work 4 beef up test taking skills 5 progress monitoring to drive instruction

23 Tip 6: Focus on Student Learning

24 Sample Plans While no plan is perfect, planners can learn lots from models and we have lots of them to share. Time will tell how good…. Contact your ROE/ISC for samples.

25 For assistance Contact your ROE/ISC The Interactive Illinois Report Card (815) Carol Diedrichsen