Components of the BSSD Instructional Model Shared Vision Leadership Standards Based Design Continuous Improvement

Components of the BSSD Instructional Model Shared Vision Leadership Standards Based Design Continuous Improvement Mission of the Bering Strait School District: To educate our children to become self-sufficient and responsible citizens through quality programs that express high expectations for all in a safe and supportive learning environment which respects our children's heritage.

Components of the BSSD Instructional Model Shared Vision Leadership Standards Based Design Continuous Improvement What are the qualities of an Effective leader? Who are our leaders???

Why learn math???  We are not competing with other nations (our scores are lower)  Beyond test scores:

Why learn math cont.  Student’s completing higher level math courses in HS were more likely to earn a BA/BS in college  >1/2 workers earning more than $40,000/yr had completed 2 or more credits at the Algebra 2 level or higher  Research has found that 1 extra course in algebra or geometry is associated with 6.3% higher earnings

More reasons  Math helps students develop effective problem-solving skills and thought processes  Math skills enhance pattern recognition skills in all content areas  Math opens up career paths, empowers consumers, makes data meaningful

And Real-life:  financial independence  Budgeting  Interest rates  Gambling/bingo  recognizing the validity of ‘deals’ and avoidance of fraud/scams  Evaluating purchases, financing options and shipping methods  Understanding data in relationship to hunting regulations, employment opportunities, governmental policy decisions

The teacher/leader role  Reasons for poor student performance are complex …. May include:  external factors schools cannot change  Student motivation  Instruction

Instruction  Content knowledge of teacher  Instructional skills … to change/impact these, effective professional development will be required … effective PD =  Sustained duration  Sustained frequency  Focus on content knowledge  Focus on pedagogy (an understanding of how students learn math and science)  Active learning (talk, think, try out and hone new practices)  Collaborative participation

Cohen and Hill (2000)  ”…. Altering the core elements of teaching requires extended opportunities for the teacher to learn, generous support from peers and mentors, and opportunities to practice, reflect, critique, and practice again”

Components of the Quality Schools Model Shared Vision Leadership Standards Based Design Continuous Improvement Standards Multiple Assessments Instruction Meaningful Reporting

The Instructional Big Picture! Effective Instruction Multiple Assessments Meaningful Reporting Standards

Components of the BSSD Instructional Model Shared Vision Leadership Standards Based Design Continuous Improvement And this is why we are here - right?????

Components of the BSSD Instructional Model Shared Vision Leadership Standards Based Design Continuous Improvement And this is why we are here - right????? Key: we are doing MANY things right: Students are learning at a faster rate (progress through levels) Test scores are rising Graduation rates are rising Drop out rates are dropping Attendance rates are rising

Goal: Make Best Practices Common Practice!!!!