Building a Building a Small Learning CommunitySmall Learning Community

November 2007November 2007

Facilitated byFacilitated by

Theron CosgraveTheron Cosgrave

Patti SmithPatti Smith

AGENDAAGENDA Welcome & IntroductionsWelcome & Introductions Context – why we’re hereContext – why we’re here SLC’s & Career AcademiesSLC’s & Career Academies Adult TeamingAdult Teaming LunchLunch Team Design TimeTeam Design Time Reflections & Wrap-UpReflections & Wrap-Up

CROSSING THE LINECROSSING THE LINE

Step across the line if you…

THE SHIFTTHE SHIFT

Traditional Model Factory economy Serves a few

students well Inputs consistent,

output variable Efficiency the

driver

New Model Information

economy Serve all

students well Outputs

consistent, = inputs variable

Quality the driver

MEETING THE MEETING THE CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Best practices from around the nation call for:

Rigor Relevance Relationships

SCHOOL-WIDE SLC DESIGNSCHOOL-WIDE SLC DESIGN

9th House

10-12 Academy:Business/IET/NR

10/12 Academy:Arts &

Communications

10-12 Academy:Health/HELPSS

9th House

WHY SLCs?WHY SLCs?Research Shows: Higher achievement Reduction of the negative effects of poverty on achievement Increased student affiliation with their school community Greater safety and order Much less truancy and many fewer dropouts Similar college entrance exam scores, acceptance rates, GPAs, and

completion Higher levels of extracurricular participation in traditional small schools Higher levels of parent & community involvement; greater satisfaction More positive teacher attitudes and satisfaction Comparable core curricula Lower costs per student graduated

WHAT IS AN SLC?WHAT IS AN SLC?

SmallSmall = usually between 60-200 students and 2-5 teachers, feels small, pure cohort, does not exceed 400 students

LearningLearning = learning is the clear focus and purpose

CommunityCommunity = face-to-face group, shared values, common norms and practices, supportive web of relationships

CAREER ACADEMIESCAREER ACADEMIES

1. SLC within a larger high school

2. Curriculum that combines a career focus with meeting college entrance requirements

3. Partnerships with employers, community, and higher education

WHAT IS A CAREER ACADEMY?WHAT IS A CAREER ACADEMY?

CASN’s Career Academy CASN’s Career Academy

““National Standards of Practice”National Standards of Practice”

Review the document with Review the document with teamteam Select 2 areas of strengthSelect 2 areas of strength Select 2 areas of weaknessSelect 2 areas of weakness Record votes on front flipchartRecord votes on front flipchart

ADULT TEAMINGADULT TEAMING

Reflect on a positive teaming Reflect on a positive teaming experience…experience…

How did the team work together?How did the team work together?

What role did success or What role did success or accomplishments play in the accomplishments play in the development of the team?development of the team?

What roles did different members play?What roles did different members play?

TUCKMAN’S STAGES OF TUCKMAN’S STAGES OF TEAM DEVELOPMENTTEAM DEVELOPMENT

1. Forming1. Forming

2. Storming2. Storming

3. Norming3. Norming

4. Performing4. Performing

Team Performancemodel

TOWER BUILDING EXERCISETOWER BUILDING EXERCISE

MATERIALSMATERIALS: Spaghetti, gumdrops

DIRECTIONSDIRECTIONS: Use only materials above, each team must build the tallest free-standing structure possible

CONSTRAINTSCONSTRAINTS:5 minutes to plan, can’t touch materials10 minutes to build

SEVEN NORMS OF SEVEN NORMS OF COLLABORATIONCOLLABORATION

Complete the individual and Complete the individual and team assessment tools in team assessment tools in your packetyour packet

Compare your results to Compare your results to those of your teamthose of your team

The Four Compass DirectionsThe Four Compass Directions

NORTH: Action-oriented, likes variety, “do it now”, enjoys challenges, perseveres, likes to lead

SOUTH: Team player, relationship-based, value-driven, trusting, supportive of others, “let’s work together”, values what is “fair”.

EAST: Visionary, big picture thinker, focused on future, enjoys problem-solving, likes to explore

WEST: Practical, dependable, task-oriented, uses data analysis, logical, introspective, objective

The Four Compass Directions The Four Compass Directions and TEAM PRODUCTIVITYand TEAM PRODUCTIVITY

DISCUSS BRIEFLY WITH TEAM:What are the implications of the different leadership styles on team meetings and team productivity?

SOUTH = Begin team meeting with review of norms and team check-in, include discussion of students (with boundaries)

EAST = Spend some time each week “thinking big” about where the team/program can go

WEST = Review data on student performance, discuss logistics for a short time each week

NORTH = Make sure team meetings end with assignment of action items

The Four Compass Directions The Four Compass Directions and TEAM PRODUCTIVITYand TEAM PRODUCTIVITY

DESIGN PRINCIPLESDESIGN PRINCIPLES

What are they? How can they help?What are they? How can they help?

Three key principles:Three key principles: PersonalizationPersonalization RigorRigor RelevanceRelevance

What are the IMPLICATIONS of these What are the IMPLICATIONS of these principles?principles?

DESIGN PRINCIPLESDESIGN PRINCIPLES

PersonalizationPersonalization::

Create settings where teachers and students can know Create settings where teachers and students can know each other well.each other well.

Academic Rigor and RelevancyAcademic Rigor and Relevancy::

Provide all students with challenging curriculum that is Provide all students with challenging curriculum that is meaningful and prepares them for their life beyond high meaningful and prepares them for their life beyond high school.school.

Professional Learning CommunityProfessional Learning Community::

Build a supportive and inclusive professional team focused Build a supportive and inclusive professional team focused on improving teaching and learning. on improving teaching and learning.

PROGRAM OUTCOMESPROGRAM OUTCOMES

Our essential outcomes are…Our essential outcomes are…

Our essential content & concepts are…Our essential content & concepts are…

Our essential skills are…Our essential skills are…

Three questions your team should be able to answer:Three questions your team should be able to answer:

1.1. What do we expect all students to know and be able to do?What do we expect all students to know and be able to do?

2.2. How will we know they have mastered these concepts & How will we know they have mastered these concepts & skills?skills?

3.3. What will we do to support students who haven’t yet met What will we do to support students who haven’t yet met these outcomes?these outcomes?

INTEGRATED PROJECT INTEGRATED PROJECT DESIGNDESIGN

EnglishEnglish

SciencSciencee

ElectivElectivee

INTEGRATED PROJECT INTEGRATED PROJECT DESIGNDESIGN

EnglishEnglish

SciencSciencee

ElectivElectivee

DEGREES OF CURRICULARDEGREES OF CURRICULARALIGNMENTALIGNMENT

TRADITIONAL

PARALLEL

INTEGRATED

INTERRELATED

TEAM REPORTSTEAM REPORTS

Each team will share the following with Each team will share the following with another team:another team:

3-4 concrete steps you’ll take 3-4 concrete steps you’ll take between now and March to forward between now and March to forward your career academy implementationyour career academy implementation

Talking points for meeting w/ Talking points for meeting w/ principalprincipal