Model Schools
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Bill Daggett's Web Site
Gold Seal Lessons
Successful Practices
Contents |
Quotes and such
Primary School
" High Expectations"-- Throughout all the sessions, the emphasis on high expectations struck me again and again. It made me question my personal expectations as well as the expectations our school has concerning good character, good behavior and student achievement. I think we begin the year with good intentions, then get bogged down in the "day to day" survival mode. I know I am not as consistent as I should be, and I 'm sure it's something we all need to work on.
"Guilford County"--lots of good ideas--Favorite quote, "If your not here for business you have no business being here (getting the right people on the bus)."
"Lexile Frameworks"--It appears to be a great program that is not so expensive. I would be interested in checking into this for reading.
"Morris Early Childhood" In this session, the principal of a Pre-K, K, and 1st school shared some of the ways that her district changed their focus to the long-term benefits of building a strong foundation, rich in language development in very young at-risk students. Their mission is simply "to engage all learners in quality education." Their school also has a slogan that all students know by the end of their first day "we come to learn" . The principal said that she is in the halls every day asking children why they came to school, and they respond with an excited "We came to learn!" They have made incredible gains that are showing on the benchmark tests years later. In Dr. Daggett's terms, they have created a culture for change.
A. B. Combs Elementary-- This is a school that has shown what you can do with a true team vision. The presenter gave vital information for their vision's building blocks to achieve greatness. These included: Rigor and Relevance, Essentials in Leadership, Covey's Habits, 7 Correlates of Effective Schools, and the Baldridge Frameworks. These are tangible items we can use as tools to help our district on our path from good to great.
An added benefit was the time spent with our fellow teachers and administrators in our school district. We shared experiences and formed strong friendships that will serve to make us more supportive of each other through.
Wolcott Elementary School-- This school's success was infectious. this school had weekly "Town Meetings." These are parent nights where students perform their academic writing, art, music, and reading successes. Technology was a key issue in presentations. I loved their motto, "Every child has a voice."
Intermediate School
Rigor, Relevance and Reading for High Performance Students by Peter Pappas-- This presenter gave specific Quadrant D Reading strategies that are appropriate for all students, not just high performing students. The emphasis was on putting students at the center of their own learning. I just came away wanting to try each of these strategies on a group of students. It was very empowering.
Lexile Framework for Reading by Otis Fulton-- I now have an understanding of Lexiles and the correlation they have to the real world. I also see the huge benefit in using Lexile levels from k-12 and beyond. It is more applicable for conversations with parents to center around where their child is presently, based on Lexile, and where we see the child needing to be than to discuss and isolated reading level.
Instruction vs Structure- We have to go for systemic change, not just surface stuff. As we move our instruction more into Quadrant D, the structure of our learning environments will begin to change. We have to help our students see beyond their 13 years of education into life ahead. We must prepare them for the world in which they will live, work and raise a family. One way could be by adopting the use of the Lexile Framework for Reading district wide. Greater continuity will be gained between all teachers, parents and students.
Several sessions made a lasting impression including the "Crisis in Math and Science", "Try This Tomorrow," and Daggett's Keynote and ending session. I came back with these 4 ideas to implement: 1) Eliminate nonessential curriculum; 2) Do more research to teach students how to find information; 3) Limit Curriculum to focus on the standards; and 4) Try the "No Cheat" test strategy.
Celebrating Children's Voices--This presentation was as the title indicates, it was ways to celebrate every child in some way. This school had a town meeting every Friday at 2:30. The entire school attended and anyone from the community could attend as well. At this town meeting students were celebrated. The entire meeting consisted of students sharing their work. Some shared poetry, songs, photo shop presentations, or power point. The students were able to use power point and photo shop. Students could be "hired" to teach teachers how to use power point and photo shop or to make a presentation for a teacher. A large part of their money went for technology.
My favorite sessions seem to have common themes: 1) Technology is a tool; 2) Let DATA drive instruction; 3) Make connections to the real world; and 4) It's all about the kids. Model School Action Steps we could start with: 1) Data, 2) Instruction vs. Structure, and 3) Relationships/Transition Years
From the very first the conference made such a tremendous impact. Bill Daggett's opening address to all of us was a call to action and at the same time a call to introspection. We must look inside ourselves with the information we now have so that we can better understand the change that is essential to our own personal survival and the survival of our nation. Our action is to be positive agents of change in our schools, communities and the world. At the same time we are to be agents of Hope. We don't want just any change we want a change that brings hope and bright promises for the future. That is who we teach. We teach FUTURE.
Three areas to target first: 1)Instruction-- we need to move our lessons toward Rigor and Relevance-- we need to dump 1/3 of our curriculum and follow the state standards; 2) Create Culture/Relationships--we need to find a way to celebrate all students. Students spend a large protion of their day at school. And yet, many do not feel a part of the school community; and 3) Transition Grades-- students transitioning to a new school building face many challenges, as a district we can ease this transition.
Middle School
"Struggling Readers" was a very good session. This presenter has a website which can be useful to us.
As a District I believe there are two areas we need to continue working toward 1) Creating the Culture--Getting everyone on board! (The three C's.. Consistency, Communication & Connections) 2)High Expectations-- Instill the belief that we as administrators and teachers are held to high expectations; and we hold our students to high expectations also. We need to stress this more from day one of the school year!
The two best sessions I attended were South Hills Middle School and Dansville, simply because they gave me specifics on things they were doing that were working for middle level adolescents.
Top three sessions: "Lexiles," "South Hills Middle School"
"Try this Tomorrow"
Focus for Reform:
- ) Create a culture that supports change;
- ) Data-based decision-making;
- ) Developing relationships with students, teachers, & community.
Some of the things that stood out to me at the conference: The importance of teaching reading in every class; The importance of getting students to take ownership of their education; and The value of taking students from the A quadrant to the D quadrant. The place where I think we need to start is School Culture---that includes behavior, academics and climate.
Dansville shared with us their exciting story of moving from a school district operating with a $70k+ deficit to a model school with a $53M capital improvement program. Their teachers commit each year to seven criteria they are willing to meet in their classrooms and district by signing a commitment contract. My favorite was "to teach with passion, commitment, and humor." No teacher deviates from the expectations -- there are methods they use to ensure this.
The administration and staff of Dansville MS believe that an office referral essentially means, "I can't deal with you." To empower teachers to handle what might otherwise be an office referral, Dansville put a few programs in place to address these kinds of situations such as ZAP (Zeros Are not Permitted), Counselor Watch, Late Lab, and Saturday School (students report to the bus garage to clean busses).
Another positive aspect of DMS is the offering of 8-week mini-courses to students. The rationale behind this program is that students are more likely to enter high school with a plan if they have more exposure to areas they might want to "major" in during their HS years. Examples of course offerings were Nutrition, Survivor, Beatles and Beyond, and Not Your Momma's Art History. I would love to see AMS work something similar to this into our curriculum.
Dr. Fields says the research indicates that a great 9th grade year equals a great 12th grade year which equals great preparation for life post-high school. There needs to be a huge emphasis on getting students to pass all of their 9th grade classes during their 9th grade year. Failing a course the first year of high school makes it especially difficult to catch up and decreases opportunities to become engaged in electives.
Action Plans Plan #3 - Develop Relationships I think developing relationships is one of the most important action plans and I believe it should be first on our list. Once we have developed teacher/teacher, teacher/student, teacher/parent. and school/community relationships, the other plans will be easier to achieve. We will become a support network and at the same time, we will be creating our school culture (Plan #1)
Plan #7 - System Wide Whatever we do, we need to do it together on a system wide level. By coming together and functioning as one, we can and will be a stronger school than we already are. I believe the rewards for our district will be greater in all aspects.
Workshop # 32 - South Hills Middle School In this session, the principal and assistants shared many ways they have improved student achievement for ALL students.
- They set high academic & high behavioral standards. Students are held accountable to the standards.
- They meet/work as grade level teams instead of departments.
- ALL students know the rules.
- They call parents with positive news & constantly praise their students with positive comments and rewards.
- The staff supports each other with positive reinforcements.
- Their behavior and academic standards are school-wide (not just the middle school)
High School
"The 9th Grade Year" covered by Dr. Fields was one of the most interesting/enlightening sessions. I felt challenged by many of the concepts he covered...I look forward to implementing as many of his suggestions as possible.
"Try This Tomorrow" gave me some much needed perspective and reminded me of why I became a teacher. He provided 12 practical suggestions to "try tomorrow." Some I really appreciated:
- try using effective laughter to get students' attention;
- dignify any inquiry; and
- Be in charge and unafraid.
Favorite Session--Reinventing 9th Grade--Dr Gary Fields. The 2 most important actions to address--
- Transition Year- Grade 8 to 9 and
- Rigor & Relevance.
One aspect of the conference that is an over-arching item, is that of teaching to "D." I think the most simple, practical and beneficial strategy should be for us to begin collaboration and instruction on what "D" looks like and represents. We have told them what it is, but, we have not, AND, most importantly taught teachers HOW to do it. This needs to be done K-12 and embraced by every certified person on staff. Let's start with in-service in August.
Of the seven action plans, I want to embrace transition years. For me and my building, that is 9th grade. This conference helped open my eyes and gave me tools to narrow my focus on our freshmen. I think I would have made a difference in these students had I been more focused on their success and knew how to do it.
I think the most important initial action is Create a School culture that Supports Change. The highest performing schools in America understand the need to change. We need to find the best way to communicate the Rigor/Relevance framework to all involved.
