Fowlerville Community Schools: Implementing the Formative Assessment Process 2009 MERA Conference

Timeline –6 FHS Teachers participated in a pilot group through the MDE called High Schools of Purpose –Began training entire FHS staff on Formative Assessment strategies and grading practices. –20 FHS teachers attended a Ken O’Connor workshop on grading for learning and continued to meet as a book study group throughout the year. –FJHS FAP Team participated in the first training group provided by the MDE utilizing the coaching model PLC –FHS and FJHS sent 3 full teams (21 teachers + 3 teacher coaches) to be trained in FAP in the second year cohort. –MSU and MDE will be utilizing a graduate student researcher to conduct research on several school districts in Michigan including Fowlerville. –Whole-Staff professional development in FAP is taking place for ALL teachers within FHS & FJHS

Our Struggles FAP requires a significant paradigm shift for many teachers. Implementation cannot occur from a top-down approach - must be a “grassroots” effort. Training is very complex and must be comprehensive –Teaching strategies –Classroom management –Grading practices Who provides this training? Training cannot occur too fast.

Our Success FHS & FJHS building culture is significantly shifting from the critical mass of trained staff Teachers utilizing FAP in their classrooms have seen an average reduction in failures of 14%, and a 8% increase of students attaining mastery on district assessments. Teachers are excited about their instructional practices The MDE/Measured Progress Model has produced several teacher-leaders to help train/lead initiatives FAP is being implemented at the classroom level providing a strong correlation to trainings/PD

What Happens Next? Continued Support for FAP Teams –District sponsored PD –Title II funds through school improvement plan Full-Scale Building Policy Changes by –Grading reporting policies –Formative assessment strategies for all staff –Common assessments beyond semester examinations Future MDE/Measured Progress Training Move FAP Down to the K-5 Level Continue to inform/educate the community