1. Many Hands Make Light Work! Alabama State Department of Education Indistar Summit ~ March 17, 2015

2. Introductions Dr. Karen Anderson – SIG Administrator – NEW to SEA – 29 years in education Lisa McEwen – SIG Instructional Coach – 6 years with SIG – 33 years in education

3. SIG Schools in Alabama Cohort I Cohort II

4. Background Cohort I – Began with another evaluation program; AlaStar implemented later – Change was difficult to embrace Cohort II – AlaStar implemented immediately – Compliance mindset vs. turnaround mindset

5. AlaStar Indicator Categories A – Organizational Structures B – Leadership C – Personnel and Professional Development D – Curriculum and Instruction E – Support Systems/Strategies

6. AlaStar Indicator Examples A10 – School continuously evaluates the effectiveness of its increased learning time. B01 – Principal promotes a culture of shared accountability for meeting school improvement performance objectives. C08 – LEA provides induction programs for new teacher and administrators.

7. AlaStar Indicator Examples D04 – All teachers adjust instruction based on students’ master of instructional objectives. E05 – LEA and school includes parents in decision-making roles relative to school improvement efforts. E09 – School has implemented a systemic approach to improve school climate and discipline.

8. SIG Schools – Cohort I (12 Schools) School Type – 3 High Schools – 7 Middle Schools – 1 Elementary School – 1 Specialized School Location – 5 Urban (Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa) – 7 Rural 1/12 Schools selected the Turnaround Model 11/12 Schools selected the Transformation Model Asbury High School

9. Cohort I Results All schools in Sustainability 2 Schools removed from state “Failing Schools” list 1 School closed Mixed results – Graduation rates – Academic scores Bellingrath Middle School

10. SIG Schools – Cohort II (11 Schools) School Type – 5 High Schools – 2 Middle Schools – 3 Elementary Schools – 1 K-8 School Location – 7 Urban (Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa) – 4 Rural 2/11 selected Turnaround Model 9/11 selected Transformation Model Hayes K-8

11. School Spotlight Brantley Elementary Dallas County, Rural area Transformation Model Demographics – Grades Pre-K – 6 – 207 Students – 93% Free/Reduced Lunch – 63% Black, 35% White, 2% Other

12. Use of AlaStar Honest, transparent conversations Indicators used as road map for school improvement Abandon compliance mindset and focus on students Quality reports (Leading, Lagging, Interventions, Transformation Implementation Indicators)

13. School Spotlight Westlawn Middle School Huntsville, Urban area Turnaround Model Demographics – Grades 6-8 – 534 Students (100 EL Students) – 49% Black, 29% Hispanic, 16% White, 6% Other – 100% Free/Reduced Lunch

14. Leadership Team Meeting Schedule to Discuss AlaStar Indicators Westlawn Middle School

15. Use of AlaStar Process Manager updates agendas and keeps meeting minutes in AlaStar (minutes written as meeting proceeds) Ownership of indicators – principal, assistant principal, process manager, TOSA, other leadership team members report on progress Quality reports (Leading, Lagging, Interventions, Transformation Implementation Indicators)

16. Lessons Learned LEA – consolidate wherever possible – See the big picture… – Combine ACIP, AlaStar, Title I plans Address culture first Attack mindset – compliance vs. turnaround – High poverty areas = lack of resources can lead to compliance – Help refocus on turnaround efforts

17. Lessons Learned Cultivate ongoing relationships and support for district staff – Schools cannot sustain improvement efforts without district support – District personnel may need support as well Develop resources to support your schools – Rural vs. urban – Communicate often Frame school improvement around Turnaround Principles Remember that change takes time

18. Thank you! Dr. Karen Anderson kanderson1@alsde.edu Lisa McEwen lmcewen@alsde.edu