1. Preparing to Use This Power Point with Staff: Materials/Resources: Print power point if needed Print slide 10 for questions Use: This is a PowerPoint called Are We a Learning Organization? This can be watched as a movie with no voiceover or can be downloaded as a PowerPoint. The information can be used to support the work and trainings by emphasizing the necessity of establishing a culture of inquiry in the districts Time Needed: ½ hour

3. According to Peter Senge (1990) learning organizations are: …organizations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together.

4. BECOMING A LEARNING ORGANIZATION “ The biggest effect on student earning occurs when the teachers become learners of their own teaching, and when students become their own teachers … THE SAME IS TRUE FOR TEAMS AND LEADERS.” McNulty and Besser, 2011

5. “LEARNING IS THE WORK of the teams and the district, or put another way, Data Teams at each level of the system create the structures whereby organizational learning is the engine of sustainability.” Supovitz (2006), p.160, as cited in McNulty & Besser (2011)

6. FOCUS LEARNING ON INSTRUCTION Cornerstone of improvement : “ The purpose of leadership is the improvement of instructional practice and performance, regardless of role.” Elmore, 2006 McNulty and Besser, 2011

7. FOCUS LEARNING ON INSTRUCTION If there is to be improvement in student performance, the focus must be on teachers learning and using more powerful teaching practices. McNulty and Besser, 2011

8. NON-NEGOTIABLES FOR AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING ORGANIZATION  Intensive training and support in the process  Multiple opportunities for practice  Coaching in the process and opportunities for observation McNulty (2010)

9. HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE A LEARNING ORGANIZATION? Learning Organizations are able to answer questions such as these…

10. DISCUSS –How do we know if we are making measurable progress? –What evidence do we have? –Do we know why we are making progress? –How do we know? –Which specific strategies, actions or programs are not working? –Do we know why? –Do we know what to do to change this? –Can all people within our organization contribute to the answers to these questions?