RETENTION: Implementing Successful SIG/SPDG Projects

1. RETENTION: Implementing Successful SIG/SPDG Projects Cyndi Boezio, Ph.D. Colorado Department of Education SIG Regional Meeting—Albuquerque October 29, 2007

2. Discussion Questions • Management: How do you manage a particular initiative? • Content Implementation: How do you implement from initial pilot sites to scaling-up? • Evaluation: How are you going to evaluate impact? • Sustainability: How do you sustain it?

3. Retention Efforts in Colorado • Grow-Your-Own Projects • Full tuition and support for paraeducators • Tuition stipends to district staff to become SLPs • Incentive Programs • Incentive programs for vision and hearing providers • Incentive programs at facilities (residential, day treatment…) • Rural Mentor Project

4. A Colorado SIG Project Funded by OSEP

5. The MENTOR Project • Training for mentors—5 days • Mentor stipend—$500 or $250 • Expert consultant for mentor support • Substitute reimbursement—classroom observations and meetings with protégé • Training for protégés—2 days

6. #1. Managing a Project Identification of Sites • Retention Rate Data: Pilot in 3 highest need regions (3 of 8 regions) • Marketing: Personal Face-to-Face Invite, Use Project Data & Personal Testimonies

7. Managing a Project Staffing/Resource Allocations • Recommendation for trainer/consultant • Change when necessary: Relationships v. Skills • Relationship Building & Buy-In • Superintendents • Principals

8. #2. Implementation:Pilots • Start Small: Learn from Mistakes • Planning • Rural issues (mentor/protégé match, face-to-face meetings…) • Number of protégés • Relationship v. Skills • SPED directors working w/principals • Involve Parents • PEAK Parent Center (PTI)

9. Scaling-Up • Must be Dramatically Easier • Selling to superintendents and principals (time, cost, and achievement)

10. Scaling-Up & Systemic Factors • Build the Infrastructure First! • Coaching: Teacher leaders in 3 regions • Trainers: Trainers trained to use the standard curriculum* • Evaluation: Use data for decision making • Think Regionally!

11. #3. Evaluation • Continuous Feedback Loop • Mentors said teach more skills • Protégés said liked networking • Directors said standards-based IEPs

12. Evaluation of Impact: Retention Projects • Increased Retention Rates • Comparison with None Project Novice Teachers • 1 BOCES had 100% retention w/the project and less than 50% w/out

14. Evaluation of Impact:Participants’ Views • Value of Project • Protégés • 71% improved teaching skills • 86% impacted their professional growth • Mentors • 100% positive professional experience • Special Education Directors • “re-energized my veteran teachers” • “all parties raved about the MENTOR Project”

15. #4. Sustainability • Implementation with Fidelity • Coverage—Implement all components • Dosage—Ensure amount of time & intensity • Need Coaching • 3 regional teacher leaders

16. Sustainability • Systems in Place • Coaching • Training • Evaluation Loop • Material Development • Standard curriculum • Mentor modules • Support from Leadership

17. Contact Colorado • Cyndi Boezio, SIG Director • 303-866-6853 (call first) • Adena Miller, Mentor Coordinator • 303-866-6698 • Miller_a@cde.state.co.us

18. Discussion Questions • Management: How do you manage a particular initiative? • Content Implementation: How do you implement from initial pilot sites to scaling-up? • Evaluation: How are you going to evaluate impact? • Sustainability: How do you sustain it?