1. MS SOARS March 17, 2015 1

2. What is MS SOARS? 2

3. MS SOARS “ When used right technology becomes an accelerator of momentum, not a creator of it.” -Jim Collins 3

4. Indicators of Effective Practice Indicators provide the structure for building a continuous school improvement plan, while still allowing each school flexibility and creativity on how it implements the plan. Indicators point the way toward effective practices. Indicators are: Guideposts for effective practice Written in plain language Aligned with research (Wise Ways) Drivers of planning and improvement 4

5. Indicators of Effective Practice There are indicators for all levels of school staff. Indicators are meant to be worked on in teams. On the indicators for teachers, the first two words are “All teachers.” “All” means “all”. 5

6. Indicators of Effective Practice School leadership team meets regularly to manage it’s school improvement process. School aligns professional development programs with teacher evaluation results. All teachers meet in teams with clear expectations and time for instructional planning. 6

7. Mississippi 7

8. Got Indicators? Mississippi definitely has indicators 93 Rapid Improvement Indicators 48 Transformation/Turnaround Indicators 8

9. Effective Practice vs Compliance 9

10. Assessing School Needs 10

11. Individualized Indicators 11

12. Individualized Indicators One size does not fit all 12

13. District Engagement Schools can not build capacity alone District Coaches Quality of Work Checklist and Review Focus Groups District Indicators 13

14. District Key Indicators 14 IA09The superintendent and other central office staff are accountable for school improvement and student learning outcomes. IB01The district operates with district-level and school-level improvement teams. IC01The school reports and documents its progress monthly to the superintendent, and the superintendent reports the school’s progress to the school board. IC02The district designates a central office contact person for the school, and that person maintains close communication with the school and an interest in its progress. IC03District and school decision makers meet at least twice a month to discuss the school’s progress.

15. Streamlining Efforts Dropout Prevention Plans Schoolwide Plans Title III Improvement Plans 15

16. Dr. Jamilliah Longino jlongino@mde.k12.ms.us Linda Reeves lreeves@mde.k12.ms.us Aisha McGee amcgee@mde.mde.k12.ms.us Chris Norwood crnorwood@mde.k12.ms.us jlongino@mde.k12.ms.us lreeves@mde.k12.ms.us amcgee@mde.mde.k12.ms.us crnorwood@mde.k12.ms.us jlongino@mde.k12.ms.us lreeves@mde.k12.ms.us amcgee@mde.mde.k12.ms.us crnorwood@mde.k12.ms.us 16 Office of School Improvement Office of Federal Programs Farrah Nicholson fnicholson@mde.k12.ms.us Betina White bwhite@mde.k12.ms.us