Moving Forward!

Let’s C.H.A.T. (Children, High Expectations, Academic Achievement, Teacher Growth) Missouri School Boards’ Association Annual Conference September 26, 2014

Introductions Dr. Grayling Tobias – Superintendent, Hazelwood School District Mr. Karlton Thornton, Master CBM* – Secretary, Hazelwood Board of Education

Learning Targets We will be able to: –define “chatting” with stakeholders –explain the purpose for conducting “chats” –analyze the connection between all levels

The Hazelwood School District 32 schools –3 high schools –6 middle schools –20 elementary schools –3 early childhood centers Approximately 2400 employees 18,183 students 1441 teachers –65.1% with advanced degrees

The Hazelwood School District 23.9% Caucasian population 75.1% Minority population –71.9 % African American –2.1% Hispanic –1.1% Asian 57.8% Students eligible for free/reduced lunch 2.8% Dropout rate 92.8% Graduate and attend higher education

Compelling Conversations

Let’s C.H.A.T. THEY ARE… Monitored frequently In-time staff development Based on authentic evidence Student-centered measures Predictive of state outcomes THEY ARE NOT… End of year Final/one shot only Terminal diagnoses Surprising outcomes A “gotcha” One size fits all Optional

Why C.H.A.T.? Schools can’t keep starting over every school year! Discussions, with fidelity, results in learning that is measurable LEARNING, for students and teachers, is what CHANGES student achievement

Embracing Accountability Conversations (“chats”) are trusted Focus is student-centered Capable of guiding instructional decisions Based on researched principles Intentional about students’ progress and learning

Let’s C.H.A.T. Instruction Professional Development Frequent Progress Monitoring Student Achievement

Purpose Helps all take ownership of student growth Increases accountability Increases expectations of student learning Monitors what is working and not working Provides structured time for reflection on student learning and the effects of instruction on student learning Strengthens relationships

Levels of Accountability

Let’s C.H.A.T. with Students Goal setting opportunities Ongoing feedback for students –I know where I am. –I know where I want to be. –I know how I want to get there. Students create visual for progress monitoring Focused on classroom and district assessments

Examples of Questions Teacher with Students Let’s look at your graph; what did you score on your last math test? Where are you right now in math? Where do you want to be with learning your multiplication facts? How are you going to learn your 9’s? Let’s set a goal to help you master your 9’s.

Let’s C.H.A.T. with Teachers Connection to progress monitoring Focuses on progress of each student in reading and math –Diagnostic Reading Assessment –Scholastic Reading Inventory –AIMSweb –eValuate –Missouri Assessment Program/End of Course Exam –USA Test Prep Monitoring tool Instructional strategies Professional Growth Plan

Elementary School Monitoring Tool

Examples of Questions Principal with Teacher What does the data indicate in regards to the progress of your students as a classroom and/or as individuals? –What evidence do you have to illustrate this progress? –What patterns or trends are evident in the data? What instructional practices were most effective for you? Least effective? What is your plan to address the needs of our Tier 1 students and challenge them academically? What should I look for as indicators of this when I visit your classroom? Review your current professional growth goal and share progress towards meeting your goal.

Let’s C.H.A.T. with Principals Topics: –Level of delivery of instruction by teachers –Students one or more years below grade level –Patterns, trends and/or building structures hindering academic progress –Instructional interventions and effectiveness –Proof to support what is discussed –Leadership strategies to move staff forward

Examples of Questions Assistant Superintendent with Principal What is your process for identifying and providing support for students who struggle? Are there students that are not on track to make a minimum of a year’s growth? What are you doing specifically to ensure that students on grade level and above are also making a minimum of a year’s growth?

Let’s C.H.A.T. with Asst. Superintendent Topics –Instructional focus of school –Academic results/trends –Structures in place for principal and/or staff –Research-based strategies and practices in place –Monitoring process

Examples of Questions Superintendent with Assistant Superintendent Are students learning? How do you know? What is the evidence? What is going to make the difference this month at this school? What are the interim benchmarks? What structures do you have in place for principals who need more support? What specific research-based strategies or practices are responsible for the improvement?

Connections with Achievement

Lessons Learned Begin slow; better to do it right than fast Share questions prior to meeting Use questions that build upon previous “chats” What gets monitored gets done It’s not an easy challenge, but a worthwhile one It’s about moving teachers forward, who then move our kids above and beyond

Results

2013 District Highlights Four schools earned between 70% – 79% of the points Ten schools earned between 80% – 89% of the points Seven schools earned between 90% – 98.6% of the points *** Three schools earned 100% of the points *** District: 82.9%

Review of Learning Targets Define “chatting” with stakeholders Explain the purpose for conducting “chats” Analyze the connection between all levels

Questions

Ms. Desiree D. Whitlock, Master CBM*, President Dr. Brenda C. Youngblood Ph.D., Advanced CBM*, Vice President Mr. Karlton Thornton, Master CBM*, Secretary Mr. Mark Behlmann, Master CBM*, Treasurer Mrs. Ann Gibbons, Master CBM*, Director Mrs. Cheryl Latham, Advanced CBM*, Director Mr. Chuck Woods, Master CBM*, Director

Let’s C.H.A.T. (Children, High Expectations, Academic Achievement, Teacher Growth) Missouri School Boards’ Association Annual Conference September 26, 2014

Moving Forward!