Turning Around Low Performing Schools: Getting Started

1. Turning Around Low Performing Schools: Getting Started Dr. Joy Eichelberger, Turnaround Specialist and RtII Consultant, PA Schools April 14, 2011

2. Getting Started: Double Your Fun!

3. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Align The Action Planning Approach PA’s Standards Aligned System (SAS) PA’s RtII Framework

4. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning • Signal Urgency • Superintendent’s Vision and Challenge • Disseminate and Communicate SIG Goals • We have the grant, now what? • Develop SIG Action Plan • Establish and Convene SIG Steering Committee • Confirm Reality: Status of current • Identify Critical Actions/Interventions • Establish Action Planning

5. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Bi-level Approach to Change and Intervention District Level Building / Classroom TLCs (formative assessment) Effective Teaching/Instruction Collaborative Planning and Data Analysis Teaming SAS/RtII Effective Teaching/Instruction Monitoring student Learning • Administrative PLC • Implementation Research • Systems change • Instruction • Learning Walks and Instructional Rounds

6. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning • SIG Goals and Year I Priorities • Systems Alignment (SAS • Instruction • Building Teacher and Leadership Capacity • Establish PLCs and TLCs • Building Infrastructures • Administrative Cabinet (District and Building) • Schedules • Data Teaming • Teacher Collaboration and Planning Periods

7. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Reading and Mathematics Goals • Conduct needs assessment to determine teacher knowledge of PA curriculum standards • Ensure district courses and curriculum alignment with PA standards, Common Core Standards, and /or Keystone Assessments • Ensure rigorous core curriculum for all students • Establish a system of tiered interventions for students (RtII)

8. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Reading and Mathematics Goals • Develop a comprehensive system of assessment • Align assessment to their intended purpose • Implement formative assessment strategies • Use data to inform instructional decisions • Provide professional development for all staff in the following areas: • Knowledge and use of PA Standards Aligned System • Effective classroom practices and instructional strategies • Implementation of appropriate interventions

9. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Special Education • Develop standards based IEPs using IEP tracker • Provide professional development for all Special Education teachers in the following areas: • functional behavior assessment • transition planning • compliance requirements • Evaluate the effectiveness of resources and assistive technology available for IEP students

10. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Special Education • Review secondary special education caseloads and range of services • Ensure all special education teachers are highly qualified • Delineate roles and responsibilities of all special education personnel • Review all out-of-district placements to determine if less restrictive settings are feasible

11. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Leadership and Infrastructure • Determine administrative knowledge and skill in transformational leadership • Develop administrative professional development program • Adjust schedules to ensure the availability of an intervention period for all grade levels • Develop a system to identify students for appropriate interventions

12. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning Leadership and Infrastructure • Establish a grant committee and grant selection and development process • Implement a school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention Program • Establish data dialogue sessions and appropriate training • Develop a curriculum review and textbook selection cycle • Explore teacher and administrative incentive program models

13. School Improvement Action Plan:Reading

14. "All organizations [and systems] are designed, intentionally or unwittingly, to achieve precisely the results they get." R. Spencer Darling, Business Expert Systems Change Strategy

15. Adopt a change strategy and Plan for Change • Patterson et.al. Influencer:The Power of Influence • Heath, Chip and Heath, Dan. Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard • Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M. & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature. Systems Change Strategy

16. Clarify desired results • Identify a handful of high-leverage behaviors that lead to rapid and profound change • Use personal and vicarious experience to change thoughts and actions • Marshall multiple sources of influence to make change inevitable Resource 4 Key Principles of Successful Influence Systems Change Strategy

17. Six Sources of Influences: The Model 2008. Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Influencer: the Power of Change.

18. Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M. & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network (FMHI Publication #231). Download all or part of the monograph at: http://nirn.fmhi.usf.edu/resources/publications/Monograph/index.cfm Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature Systems Change Strategy

19. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning 2 – 4 Years Stages of Implementation • Exploration • Installation • Initial Implementation • Full Implementation • Innovation • Sustainability Fixsen, Naoom, Blase, Friedman, & Wallace, 2005

20. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning • SWITCH – The Elephant and the Rider • Direct the Rider • Motivate the elephant (emotions, values) • Shape the Path • Provide tools and environments • Administrative and teacher plcs • Communication and accountability systems

21. Blueprint for SIG Action Planning • Create Urgency and Set direction • Specific goals and target areas (active student engagement, data analysis teaming, abolish tracking) • Identify targets Interventions for Behavior Change –what we want teachers and administrators to “do” • random reporters, provide feedback. white boards, peer talk • Curriculum alignment • Data teaming tool

22. Getting Started: Double Your Fun!