9/15/11

Calendar Talk

Let’s Chat… What is the fundamental purpose of our school? If visitors came to your school for the very first time, what behaviors would they observe that would indicate the central purpose of Bessemer City Central? A reporter is interviewing you for a story for the local newspaper. How would you respond if the reporter asked the question, “Exactly what is a professional learning community?” Reflect on how others in the school might respond to this question? Would the answers be fairly consistent?

Gallery Walk A Focus on Learning A Collaborative culture with a Focus on Learning for All Collective Inquiry Into the Best Practice and Current Reality Action Orientation: Learning by Doing A Commitment to Continuous Improvement Results Oriented

Mission Statement Dr. Hall and I want to… Our PLC wants… Improve student learning at Bessemer City Central Support teachers, parents, & students Improve communication throughout the school & community Increase consistency among grade level teachers ?

Norms What to consider Time Listening Confidentiality Decision Making Participation Expectations

Cultural Shifts In Professional Learning Communities

A Shift in Fundamental Purpose From To Focus on teaching Emphasis on what was taught Coverage of content Focus on learning Fixation on what students learned Showing proficiency

A Shift in Use of Assessments From To Infrequent summative assessments Assessments to determine which students failed to learn by the deadline Individual teacher assessments Focus on average scores Frequent common assessments Assessments to identify students who need additional time and support Assessments developed jointly by collaborative teams To monitoring EACH student’s proficiency in every essential skill

A Shift in the Response When Students Don’t Learn From To Remediation Invitational support outside of the school day One opportunity to demonstrate learning Intervention Directed support occurring during the school day Multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning

A Shift in Work of Teachers From To Individual teacher attempting to discover ways to improve results Privatization of practice From an assumption that these are “my kids, those are your kids” Decisions made on the basis of individual preferences Collaborative teams of teachers helping each other improve To open sharing of practice To an assumption that these are “our kids” Decisions made collectively by building shared knowledge of best practice

A Shift in Focus From To External focus on issues outside of the school Goals related to completion of project and activities On inputs An internal focus on steps that staff can take to improve the school To SMART goals demanding evidence of student learning A focus on results

A Shift in School Culture From To Language of complaint Independence Language of commitment Interdependence

A Shift in Professional Development From To External training (workshops and courses) Assessing impact on the basis of teacher satisfaction Job-embedded learning Assessing impact on the basis of evidence of improved student learning

Data Analysis Bessemer City Central Reading Math Science Attendance What else should we be tracking?

SMART Goals Specific Measurable Attainable Results oriented Time bound (when will the goal be achieved)

Wrap-Up Virtual Data Room Website Successes What are you needs? Aerofs.com : AeroFS lets you sync all the data on your devices. No limits. No caps.

References Buchanan, Melissa. Instructional Facilitator Meeting, September 6, Gastonia, NC. Dufour, R., Dufour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. Learning by doing Solution Tree press. Bloomington, IN.