2. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systematic Approach to Working Together ~ Achieving More 2007-2012 William G. Andrekopoulos Superintendent of Schools Delivered to Hot Topics 2009

3. Working Together ~ Achieving More Challenges of 21 st Century Teaching Greater need for education in society and economy Higher standards for learning More diverse students with greater educational needs Greater expectations of schools for ensuring success

4. Working Together ~ Achieving More A Changing Economy Makes Education more Important

5. Working Together ~ Achieving More Expectations for Learning are Changing The new context means new expectations These include: Ability to communicate Adaptability to change Ability to work in teams Preparedness to solve problems Ability to analyze and conceptualize Ability to reflect on and improve performance Ability to manage oneself Ability to create, innovate and criticize Ability to engage in learning new things at all times Ability to cross specialist borders

6. Working Together ~ Achieving More U.S. High School Outcomes 75-80% graduate from high school compared to 95% or more in other high- achieving nations. 60% of graduates go on to college 40-50% of college entrants finish About 25% of the age cohort gets a college degree Yet 70% of jobs involve “knowledge work” requiring specialized higher education

7. Working Together ~ Achieving More What are High-Achieving Nations Doing? A lean curriculum focused on deep understanding and higher order skills Benchmark assessments to gauge progress; classroom- based assessments as part of the system Massive investments in initial teacher education and school- level teacher support Smaller schools with continuous relationships Equitable spending, with extra investments in high-need schools and students

8. Working Together ~ Achieving More Schools Designed in 1910 Adopted the Factory Model The Prussian age-grading system was adopted: Students change teachers each year. The “platoon system” was invented: Students change teachers and rooms every period. Teaching was specialized: Subjects and students were organized for batch procession. Each teacher was placed as an individual worker on the assembly line: Teachers did not share students or plan together.

9. Working Together ~ Achieving More Why Think About Redesign? Every organization is perfectly structured to get the results that it gets.

10. Working Together ~ Achieving More Developing a New System In order to understand the changes going on in our system, it is important to understand the old system, and what you need from the new system.

11. Working Together ~ Achieving More MPS History History Random acts of improvement Individual practitioners Reforms of the month club Adult-centered instruction Employment agency Unclear expectations No brand identity (system of schools) Limited program evaluation No exemplars for great work Performance evaluations not tied to outcomes No data Few conversations on achievement Few decisions around achievement

12. Working Together ~ Achieving More What Matters for Student Achievement? Well prepared teachers Time for in-depth learning for students and teachers Collective goals Curriculum and assessment focused on performance skills and abilities Data analysis of student progress Research-based strategies Consistency over time

13. Working Together ~ Achieving More Core Beliefs Children come first The classroom is the most important place in the district Leadership and accountability are keys to our success Central Services supports student achievement Families are valuable partners Community partnerships add value

14. Working Together ~ Achieving More Theory of Change Strategic Plan – Developed 2007 Consistency of purpose in content and practice Student-centered instruction Emphasis on recruitment, retention, evaluation and professional development Communicate clear expectations and goals Establish an MPS brand Implement metrics and benchmarks to monitor progress Evaluation and feedback

15. Working Together ~ Achieving More Transition Strategy MPS Site-based, Decentralized Management Outcome-focused, Strategic Management MPS Focus: Sustain enrollment base Increase classroom resources Focus: Achieve district wide goals that are aligned with core beliefs

16. Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Classroom School District The Classroom is the most important place in the district School School Improvement Plan School leader as instructional leader Highly functioning learning teams Data analysis Instructional walk-throughs Shared best practices PBIS Classroom Consistent curriculum in all content areas Ongoing use of assessment data to improve instruction Research-based best strategies Highly qualified effective teachers District SOS teams District-wide professional development around Working Together Achieving More Data warehouse Data retreats

17. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan What are the keys to this systemic approach? Highly Qualified Teachers Community Partnerships Leadership

18. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Highly Qualified Teachers Teacher Quality Recruitment Hiring Induction Professional Development Evaluation Support / Mentoring

19. Working Together ~ Achieving More Professional Development Aligned Curriculum Data Analysis Extended Learning Time Differentiated Instruction High Yield Instructional Strategies All are surrounded by technology

20. Working Together ~ Achieving More Community Partnerships Helen Bader Foundation Center for Neighborhood Enterprise City Year District Advisory Council Focus on Results Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Greater Milwaukee Committee Education Committee Institute for Research and Reform in Education (IRRE) Joyce Foundation Milwaukee Partnership Academy (MPA) Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) National Education Association (NEA) National Science Foundation (NSF) New Leaders for New Schools New Teacher Center, Santa Cruz, CA New Teacher Project Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Stanford University Teach for America Technical Assistance and Leadership Center (TALC) U.S. Department of Education – Safe Schools/Healthy Students U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Safe Schools/Healthy Students U.S. Department of Justice – Safe Schools/Healthy Students U.S. Department of Labor – Futures First Wisconsin Center for Education Reform (WCER) Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan

21. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Leadership Teacher Leader/Administrator Recruiting Evaluating Mentoring/Coaching Professional Development

22. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Hold the organization accountable District Schools

23. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Hold the organization accountable District Level Satisfaction surveys Performance evaluations Functional plans Program evaluations Strategic Plan Metrics School Level SOS clusters Principal and teacher evaluation systems School improvement plans School climate data

24. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Theory of change must focus on these challenges for 2009-10 Beliefs 1.All children can learn Still a barrier for us / Blame game Response to Intervention – Academic and Behavior (PBIS) 2.Value employees – What we do well together is important Work in teams, not individuals Support each other Recognize success and celebrate it Support our employees 3.Effective use of resources As resources continue to decline, we have to find ways to do more with less

25. Working Together ~ Achieving More Systemic Approach to the Strategic Plan Our system of public education – our curricula, teaching methods, and the tests we require students to take – were created in a different century for the needs of another era. They are hopelessly outdated. Tony Wagner The Global Achievement Gap The sense of urgency to move forward with our plan has never been greater. William G. Andrekopoulos Superintendent of Schools