Instructional Initiatives Take Time

As a progressive district, we continually read the research related to instructional practices.  We utilize great care in not "jumping on the bandwagon" every time some new initiative receives some press.  Before making any decisions, we look at the research, attend meetings, and we discuss the ideas with the state department and others who may have experience.  Once we are comfortable with the merit behind the initiative, we begin to discuss the topic through our building level learning teams.  These learning teams meet for just this purpose - to have professional level discussions on how new research may or may not impact the learning of our students.

Once we have decided to pursue an initiative for further study, the learning teams of teachers and administrators try to find time to have the necessary conversations relative to our school district.  Find that time is difficult.  Currently, we have days scheduled in the school calendar which we can utilize, but they are scattered throughout the year, sometimes months apart.  This makes it quite difficult to continue the conversation and make any significant progress on the initiative.

Some of the learning initiatives that we have been discussing or are working to implement include:

Reading Curriculum & Interventions - We know that the most critical time for developing strong readers is in the primary grades of K-2.  During this school year, we are reviewing core reading curriculums and making advancements in the evaluation and interventions offered to elementary students.  One major initiative is evaluating students using handheld devices resulting in immediate feedback and activities specific to the learner.  There is much to do in this area and we are utilizing the majority of our time in the elementary this year on this initiative.  Analyzing the reading program is a part of this year's discussion in all buildings.

Technology - The use of technology in the classroom not only serves as a tremendous learning tool, but help to prepare our students for this technology-based world.  In order for our teachers to be comfortable utilizing new technologies with effectiveness, they need to have the time to discuss integration methods and receive training on its implementation.

Data - The only sure way that we can determine if the strategies we are using in the classroom are actually having an impact on student achievement is to look at and analyze the data.  This is a time-consuming process and yet, those discussions must take place.  Making adjustments to the curriculum "on the fly" is important in order to have the most effective and immediate impact on student learning.

9^th Grade Transitional Strategies - The 9^th grade year is typically a difficult one for students.  There are many new experiences for high school students and research shows that this is the year that we "lose" or "save" many of those students that may struggle with school. Keeping a closer eye on their academic progress, ensuring their readiness for college level work, providing time to advise them on their life career plans, and developing specific and goal orienting learning plans for these students are just a few of the effective strategies used across the country.

Advisor/Advisee Program - One of the most powerful pieces of feedback from students is that they feel they were or could have been more successful if they would have had someone that "kept track of them" - someone they could talk to and ask questions of on a regular basis.  While our guidance program does a wonderful job, in order to have that personal connection with 450 students is a task that can only be accomplished if all teachers become involved.  Through an advisor/advisee program, a teacher would be assigned a small group of students to monitor their grades, discuss career plans, ensure that they have personal goals, and making sure that they get the proper assistance that they may need.

Personal Learning Plans - Our goal is to prepare all of our students to be college or work-ready.  They may not all decide to attend a post-secondary institution, but we want them to possess the skills necessary to be successful in that environment if they should decide to return to college at a later time, as well.  Personal learning plans would give us the opportunity and tools to have these discussions with parent involvement.  Goal setting, career information, coursework planning and strategies on how to put everything together that best serves the student from the middle school into post-secondary life would empower the students to be as prepared as they can be for their futures.

School Improvement Goals and Strategies - All progressive and successful organizations have goals and a plan as to how to achieve those benchmarks.  We are in a constant state of review of our district and building-level school improvement goals and strategies.  It needs to be a "living" document that is able to best respond to changes in achievement and the needs of students.  In order to formulate these plans and specific strategies on how to achieve our goals, we need the time to create, modify, implement and evaluate our entire plan.

This is not an inclusive list of initiatives or strategies that we are considering or trying to implement, but hopefully it helps to clarify in more detail why time is so critical to making a difference in the learning and achievement of our students.  Some would argue that we have breaks during the year or the entire summer months to conduct these type of activities, but the reality is that our teachers are busy teaching during the year and we only have a set number of days in their employment contracts under which to get the work completed.  Adding a single day to the contract of our staff would have a dramatic impact on our budget … conservatively $25,000 per day. 

Our hope is that through discussions with parents, community members, other school officials, teachers, and administrators, we can find the time necessary to address many of these initiatives in a timely manner.  Schools are slow to change and adapt largely because of the time element.  With additional opportunities to discuss, plan and implement strategies to improve student achievement, we can make that progress in a shorter period of time.  We want to do what is best for students and our goal within this committee is to find additional time in the school year without causing hardships for our parents or students.  We will keep you informed as the discussions continue.

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