ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” ESL Program Retreat Marconi Conference Center, Marin February 27-28, 2009 “Moving Forward Together”

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Professional Development Mission and Vision Focus on learning Increasing interdependence Foundation: Essential learning outcomes identified for common ground for teachers to collaborate effectively around student learning Transparency around what students must know and be able to do at each level

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Commitment to Continuous Improvement Teams engaged in ongoing cycles of continuous improvement Appreciation of collective synergy, imagination, spirit, inspiration Commitment to constantly expand our competence to achieve desired learning for students

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Collaboration Embedded structural and collaborative culture with a focus on learning Working primarily as “grade level” teams to analyze and impact practice in order to improve individual and collective results for students

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Collaboration Shared responsibility for student learning through regular teamwork – learning, investigation, development, experimentation, looking critically at results and adjusting instruction accordingly Working together toward common purpose High degree of autonomy of teacher teams around the same courses/students taught

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Collective Inquiry Reflective dialogue and inquiry into effective practices and curriculum Collective problem solving; Results = student learning Results not satisfactory? Regroup, analyze, plan different approach. Common formative assessments

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Collective Inquiry Critical Friends: challenge and question our practices in respectful, spirited, supportive ways Lesson study Question, search, analyze, develop, test and evaluate new skills, strategies, awareness, attitudes and beliefs that promote learning

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Supportive and Shared Leadership Learning at all levels Shared responsibility, shared accountability, shared leadership Supporting teacher leadership Trust, respect, openness Authorship

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Supportive Conditions Program planning Consistency of curricula, materials Resources – primarily time and money - to collaborate Reduced isolation, increased capacity, caring and productive environment, program improvement

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Supportive Conditions Students get additional support for learning through systematic interventions Teachers get targeted support for implementing practices

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Results Orientation Effectiveness is based on student results; results show whether students have learned essential curriculum Results of common formative assessments are shared among team members Ongoing common formative assessments are used in consistent ways to facilitate improved learning

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Jacques’ Perceptions – Where can we improve? Increasing focus on student learning as the starting point and the goal Increasing inquiry skills – disciplined inquiry Increasing facilitation and collaboration skills Relaxing with the practice of ongoing, long- term collaboration and not settling for workshops or sharing

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Jacques’ Perceptions – Where can we improve? Using time more effectively and efficiently Assessing for learning Making assessment a manageable, meaningful, integrated, shared part of our work Addressing fewer challenges at a time and making sure they are the most important ones

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” The Heart of the Matter Exactly what is it that we want all students to learn? What exactly is the essential knowledge? What exactly are the essential skills? How will we know when each student has acquired the essential knowledge and skills? How to assess and how to measure competence or mastery? What responses occur in our program when students do not learn?

ESL Program Retreat Marconi 2009 “Moving Forward Together” Closing Questions What questions do you have? What resonates with you? What challenges you?