Activity Guide

Materials

Data does not end the conversation. It begins the conversation. The readings and webinar in this activity demonstrate how local school data identifies high- and low-yield student mastery, as well as how focusing instructional practices on data-identified needs does improve student outcomes. They also reveal how implementing a teacher evaluation process where teachers and principals collaborate to use effective feedback to focus instructional practices also improves student learning.

Resources

Faculty Group Discussion

Reading I

  • Distribute copies of Reading I or provide the link. Allow time for participants to read closely and highlight important passages that support and encourage academic improvement.
  • Group faculty into discussion groups of eight to ten. Begin the conversation with the discussion prompts.

Reading II with webinar video:

  • Preview the webinar and select sections for viewing by staff. Set up excerpts at a viewing station for the staff meeting. Ask staff to note important information. Reference the complete webinar as a resource for staff that want to know more.
  • Distribute copies of Reading II or provide the link. Allow time for participants to read closely and highlight important passages that support instructional change through effective teacher feedback.
  • Group faculty into discussion groups of eight to ten. Begin the conversation with the discussion prompts.

Extend and Apply

The synergy of the informative readings, group discussions, and effective strategies for successfully changing instructional practices will result in improved student outcomes. Lead a collaborative discussion of what this means at your school.

Question Prompts

  • What are the implications of the readings and webinar information on the instructional practices and student outcomes at your school?
  • Since collaboration is key, what processes can be put in place at your school to ensure necessary conversations happen?
  • Review the instructional practices that changed in the article and define “good teaching” at your school.
  • Have each staff subgroup identify a design team representative. The team should schedule a meeting time.
  • The design team should review the additional strategies and actions from the discussions and identify those that could be implemented at your school to plan a new initiative or improve an existing one.
  • The design team should review the effective process steps for program implementation. Use the Discussion Guide Planning Templates to determine the next steps needed for implementing a successful initiative.
  • Process steps should:
  • Target local school data to find areas of non-mastery.
  • Identify instructional practices that need change.
  • Provide opportunities for collaborative goal setting.
  • Review the teacher evaluation process and establish opportunities forcollaborative targeted feedback.
  • Adjust all decisions based on student outcomes.
  • Monitor the process through the teacher evaluation process.
  • What support or professional development will be needed to ensure staff input and successful implementation of these strategies?
  • As a group, complete the plan for action.
  • The design team members should prepare for frequent administrative and faculty updates as they work.