Prairie South School Division Conversations

Many are asking why we are setting goals based on student data. Change is doing things differently....without knowing if learning has improved. Improvement is using results/evidence of student learning to do things differently. The main goal is to track student learning to help us decide which practices are effective or not.

All schools in PSSD have been asked to align with 2 goals: Math AFL Problem Solving & Writing Benchmarks. Essentially, the goal is set at the Division level & aligned throughout all schools and classrooms. Teachers have been asked to purposefully teach:
- the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing and the Writing Process (posted on website) and to
- post & teach the problem solving process & posters(given to each principal)and have students use these strategies on 3 problems/week.

We want students to know & use the Write Traits, Writing Process & Problem Solving strategies --- so they know them inside out & backwards......with the intention the improve student learning.

I want to put a small research piece together to use as a basis for the changes we are presently experiencing in schools. I have the Fullan info and plan to use Marzano's explanation of second order change. I'd appreciate any sources and/or direction re: creating a relevant piece that helps us understand the portrait we are trying to create.

Assessment Conference in Saskatoon, October 19,2007

My thoughts in caps.

Showed the video by EDS on building planes in the air

Another video highlighting famous people who had some weakness or disadvantage

Engaging the Heart and the Mind

We have the tools and resources but need to hone in on what's important.

Create a sense of urgency   SOME DON'T BUY THIS

The road to precision....enemy is ambiguity. We did an exercise where we looked at a writing sample and ranked it on a rubric...lots of differences of opinion...the need to have discussion around what's important is critical. Providing time to have important conversations on learning.

Create a culture of learning...focus on meaningful collaboration to get us to where we need to go

It won't happen by chance...people are too busy...leadership must:

• provide time
• build capacity
• provide data
• model and monitor
• recognize and celebrate

Powerful Learning Networks

REALITY IS THAT MUCH OF THE TALK IS ABOUT BUILDING LEARNING NETWORKS IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS....WHY?  WHY LIMIT IT. IT'S WAY EASIER AND MORE POWERFUL IF PEOPLE THINK OF NETWORKS BEYOND GEOGRAPHICAL AND FACE TO FACE RESTRICTIONS.

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Andy Hargreaves speaking at the Assessment Conference in Saskatoon, October 18,2007


Notes from his keynote...While this isn't synthesized, it should give you an idea of his talk
(My thoughts are in caps)


Old Testament....Assessment of learning

• If you think literacy alone will fix education think again.....streets of London so unsafe because kids are uncoothe, lack culture and are unfit
• focusing on short gains only turns schools into mini Enrons.
• Child welfare rankings shows Canada #11 in the world US #20 of 21. Canada ranks #2 in Education but lower in other areas in safety and well being and behaviour and risks.
  

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP DEVELOP WELL ROUNDED CITIZENS?

New Testament...Assessment For learning

• Consider: increase innovation, personalized learning, assessment for learning, distributed learning
• Personalized learning involves networks and connected learning to their life goals and contributions to society (ROUGHLY PARAPHRASED)
• Teachers leave the profession because they don't have the opportunity to be involved in leadership early on....Distributed Leadership

Third Testament: Responsibility not Accountability

• Discussing Finland
  
• Nokia employees change departments every 15 months...not loyal to a dept but to the company
• Nokia provides 40% of Finland GDP
• They believe...Bad News must spread quickly
• Finland is seeking to be the creative edge of knowledge building....all students there get this.
• Music is a key component of education. They understand the connection of the past to the future

SEE KEN ROBINSON'S TALK ON CREATIVITY!

#1 sought after profession.......Teachers!  1 in 10 get into Teacher Education
If you get the best,smartest, kid loving people into educations, you've got half the battle won.

PLC's should not be figuring out someone else's curriculum but developing it together.

i CAN HEAR THE WHEEL'S TURNING NOW....

Finnish teachers not concerned with data....they recognize when somethings wrong and immediately respond in a calm, quiet way...

Trust, cooperation and responsibility.  Gov'ts trust teachers and teachers trust gov't , they don't feel accountability they feel responsibility

Leadership in Finland:

• all leaders must continue to teach...every principal teachers at least 2 times per week

The long and the short of it
The secret is making sure that short term goals keeps you focused.

SOUNDS FAIRLY OBVIOUS BUT LOOK AT THE REPORT

A culture where schools help schools and the strong help the weak. The process is transparent not just the results.


HARGREAVES HAS SOME VERY COMPELLING IDEAS THAT I DARE SAY ALL OR MOST TEACHERS WOULD AGREE.  DOES REQUIRE A SHIFT. PART OF THE SHIFT WERE CURRENTLY IN BUT ALSO HONORING TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS, BUILDING TRUST, RESPONSIBILITY AND COOPERATION. 

I'D WELCOME ANY COMMENTS.

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It was a short trip between whining & learning. Thanks to the many bloggers who took time to escort me on my learning journey. I experienced first hand, the power of connection. Here are your teachings.

Blog Bonus -- great for
connections/networks
communication
improving teaching & learning
reflection
personalized professional learning
facing challenges
feedback
improving practice
expanding thinking & boundaries
& accountability

Perhaps most importantly -- blogs help us construct and tell our own education story!