Learning Teaching & Family Support Spring Retreat May 27, 2010

Agenda Welcome and Overview Purpose Strategies that Work Iceberg Break Unpacking our Beliefs Lunch Leadership Impact Connecting with the Agency Closing

Norms Work together as a community Be fully present Listen with the intent to learn All ideas are valued and welcome Welcome contributions of every member Operate in a collegial and friendly atmosphere

Purpose of the day Bringing leadership expertise together Challenging our thinking Making research based decisions Clarifying our work around closing the gap Connecting our work to PSESD

The achievement gap is “the difference in academic performance between different ethnic groups.”  “The difference between a child’s potential and his/her actual achievement.”  “The acceptance of mediocrity in expectations, values, and people.”  “The unacceptable difference in achievement … and academic resources.” -US Dept. of Education

The achievement gap is “ the difference in academic achievement in African American, American Indian, Hispanic and Pacific Islander students and their white and Asian peers and the difference in academic achievement between students whose families are of low-income, and their peers from middle and upper income families.” -WSSDA

Closing the achievement gap is a very complex issue School facilities School funding Quality of teachers Quality of instruction School safety Early childhood opportunities Out of school time activities Family engagement Student health and nutrition Quality/safety of community

Closing the achievement gap is a very complex issue Social emotional School Discipline Maternal education Leadership expertise Culture Expectations Access Early learning and K-12 connection Curriculum and materials District systems Parent/child involvement Cultural and linguistic responsiveness Early identification Assessment to inform instruction Relationship building with kids and families Differentiation

Addressing The Achievement Gap Executive Summary Read summary to yourself and underline key points Small group discussion: Socratic Seminar protocol 1. What are the main ideas from the summary?  Share author’s key points by first referring to the page number  Continue sharing until main ideas have been shared 2. What are the implications?  Refer to page number and explain why you have selected a statement  Explain what implications the statement has on addressing the achievement gap

Addressing The Achievement Gap Executive Summary Which area impacts your thinking the most and why? Under which category does the majority of your work fit?

Looking for Evidence

Video Debrief What strategies are in place? What strategies are missing?

Closing the Achievement Gap In my work, what areas can I influence and how? What do I want to learn more about?

Addressing The Achievement Gap Executive Summary How do our beliefs and attitudes help us close the gap? Fishbowl activity to unpack our beliefs.

Fish Bowl A group of four is seated in a fishbowl for all to see and hear Explore questions that matter Collective thinking makes the difference Join the fishbowl by tapping one person on the shoulder and trading places All are encouraged to join and add expertise

Three important questions  Why do we always talk about academics when we are talking about the achievement gap?  What about all the other needs that are more important than academics?  What role does racism have in closing the achievement gap?

Connecting our work with the Agency How could our work today connect to the work we are doing in PSLA? How could our work today connect with our cohort work? How do we make sure to connect with the people with whom we work?

Next Steps What was most valuable about today? What would have been more beneficial today Where to we go from here?