Ensuring Exemplary Instruction for the

Students Behind the Data

Linking Informal Observation to Performance Measures

Objectives• Participants will

– Establish a collaborative learning community of leaders working together to support achievement of Goals 1 and 2 within HCPSS.

– Develop a data collection tool that can be used during an informal observation and that relates to an identified performance measure.

Topics for Table Workgroups

• Academic Rigor– Elementary School– Middle School– High School

• Full Implementation of New Middle School Reading Essential Curriculum

• Differentiation of Instruction• Full Implementation of the Integrated

Approach to Student Achievement

Topics for Table Workgroups

• Effective Integration of Reading into Content Instruction

• Effectively Using Technology to Enhance Instruction

• Active Learning and Student Engagement

• Culturally Responsive and Responsible Instruction

Logistics• Put a dot by the topic that is of interest

to you.

• Take a 15 minute break.

• When you return from the break, sit at a table labeled with your topic of interest.

HCPSS Mission and GoalsThe mission of the Howard County Public School System is to ensure excellence in teaching and learning so that each student will participate responsibly in a diverse and changing world.– Goal 1: Each child, regardless of race, ethnicity,

gender, disability, or socioeconomic status, will meet the rigorous performance standards that have been established.

– Goal 2: Each school will provide a safe and nurturing school environment that values our diversity and commonality.

Putting the Pieces Together• Systemwide (Cross

Functional) Strategies– Leadership Development– Continuous Improvement– Communication– Cultural Proficiency

• Division of Instruction Strategies– Exemplary Instruction– College and Career

Readiness

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Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Standards– School-based

Administrators– Central Office Leaders

Professional Development– Coaching– Purposeful Observation– Leadership I and II

Evaluation Processes– Goal Setting with

Performance Measures– Mid Year Conference– EOY Conference and Final

Evaluation

Leadership Standards

ProfessionalDevelopment

EvaluationProcesses

HCPSS Standards• School-based administrators…

– promote the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school climate and instructional program conducive to student learning and professional development.

• Central office administrators…– promote the success of all students and staff by

creating and sustaining a culture of professional growth and high expectations that supports the school system’s strategic plan.

MSDE Instructional Leadership Framework

Instructional leaders improve instructional practices through the

purposeful observation and evaluation of teachers.

Linking Our Work to Performance Measures

Thinking Through an Example from the Past

Begin with the End in Mind• Goal 1: Each child, regardless of race,

ethnicity, gender, disability or socio-economic status, will meet the rigorous performance standards that have been established.

• BTE Objective: A minimum of 95% of the students in all student groups pass the ______ High School Assessment on first administration.

Key QuestionWhat strategies, if well implemented, will enable us to achieve the outcomes we seek?

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Leadership Goal• Goal: To facilitate enhanced student

achievement by ensuring effective implementation of the HCPSS essential curriculum.– Performance Indicator/Measure of Success: By the

end of SY 2005-06, 100% of the teachers at Exemplary High School will effectively implement the HCPSS Essential Curriculum for _____________.

– Performance Indicator/Measure of Success: By the end of SY 2005-06, 95% of students in all student groups will pass the _________ HSA on first administration.

How Will I Know?• Lesson Plans• Formal and Informal Lesson Observations• Student Work• Quizzes/Local Assessments• Student Projects/Assignments• Entrance and Exit Tickets• Anecdotal Records• Comments from Parents, Teachers, Students

How Will I Know?• Comments from School Administrators

• Emails to Conference

• Requests for Resources

Refining Informal Observations

Using Purposeful Observation to Gather Evidence for a Performance

Measure

Questions to Consider– What are the student learning behaviors I

expect to see ?– What are the teacher behaviors I expect to

see?– When will I observe? For how long?– How will I track progress over time?

Informal Lesson Observations

• Students discussed an objective from the Essential Curriculum.

• Students used language found in the Essential Curriculum, as well as other subject specific language.

Student Learning Behaviors• Students connected

what they did in class to the world around them.

• Students were actively engaged in appropriate instructional activities.

Informal Lesson Observations

• The teacher’s lesson plans included objectives from the Essential Curriculum.

• The teacher communicated valid objectives to students at the beginning of the class.

Teacher Behaviors• The teacher engaged

students in instructional activities highlighted in the eGuide.

• The teacher differentiated instruction based on student interests, readiness, or student learning profile.

Think Cause and Effect• What is the connection between teacher

behaviors and student learning behaviors?

Are We Making Progress?

Implementation of Curriculum

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Discussed Objective Used Vocabulary Made Connection to RealLife

Engaged Actively inInstruction

Student Learning Behaviors

% of Classrooms Observed

SeptemberOctoberNovember

What Are My Next Steps?Implementation of Curriculum

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Used Objective fromEssentials

Communicated Objective Used Activity fromeGuide

Differentiated Instruction

Teaching Behaviors

% of Teachers Observed

September

October

November

Now It’s Your Turn• Working with colleagues at your table

– What are the student learning behaviors you expect to see ?

– What are the teacher behaviors you expect to see?

– When will you observe? For how long?– How will you track progress over time?

Systemic Expectations• Know your students who receive

FARMs.

• Know what interventions and supports are in place to ensure their success.

• Have a process for continuously monitoring their progress.

• Develop a relationship with families.

Sharing Your Products

Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and

discipline.

~Jim Collins

Focus and Perseverance

You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage…to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger “yes” burning inside.

-Stephen R. Covey

When we really focus on something, we make progress.

The Bottom Line: