Empowering a Learning Community Transforming Our Adult Education World NMUSD Adult School Professional Growth Plan Goals: Empower a professional learning community to improve ALL learning (staff and students alike) Deepen our understanding of how to use technology to enhance instruction and improve learning for all. Martha Rankin November, 2007

Why are We a PLC? Look at our May, 2007 NMUSD Professional Development Survey results to understand how and why we choose to be a

2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Question Of the following professional development best practices, which one would you like emphasized most at your site?

2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Results Professional Development Best Practices Response Percent Response Total 1.Using student data to plan professional development 1.Use of time to improve instructional practices 1.Leadership 1.Content and pedagogy 1.Inquiry and reflection 1.Collaboration 1.Accountability 1.Adult learning 1.Broad-based support for teacher learning 1.Planning

Professional Development Best Practices Response Percent Response Total 1.Using student data to plan professional development3.1%1 1.Use of time to improve instructional practices28.1%9 1.Leadership3.1%1 1.Content and pedagogy0%0 1.Inquiry and reflection0%0 1.Collaboration28.1%9 1.Accountability0%0 1.Adult learning37.5%12 1.Broad-based support for teacher learning0%0 1.Planning0% NMUSD Staff Development Survey Results

What one suggestion do you have that will help improve teacher learning? 2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Question

More staff development and technology training More in-services on technology in the classroom Share lessons & Websites on specific skill strategies More training in specific areas Hands-on instruction Short strategic workshops or online courses 2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Results

Attend to the individual needs of our students as well as the entire group I need new strategies to teach the content standards. The classroom visits sparked a lot of discussion about what everyone was doing in their classes. Collaboration, observation of other teachers’ strategies, just dialogue 2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Results

We do this, but others would benefit by time together to bounce ideas and reflect among peers: e.g., at lunch, especially after class. More collaboration time between all adult education teachers to exchange ideas, teaching strategies, assessment models, and classroom management Provide more opportunities to collaborate Peer coaching Share experiences 2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Results

Better communication between staff as a whole group Meetings with AM & PM staff together More staff development by levels More time to meet with other faculty more staff meetings where we could address a topic collectively I feel this can improve our teaching. Create professional learning communities 2007 NMUSD Staff Development Survey Results

Professional Growth Plan NMUSD Adult School Based on our survey results, our plan has two foci: 1.Empower a professional learning community to improve ALL learning (staff & student learning alike). 2.Deepen our understanding of how to use technology to enhance instruction and improve learning for all.

Professional Growth Plan Components  electronic learning community Adult Education Matters WeblogAdult Education Matters Weblog  peer coaching  small group trainings (differentiated and needs-based)  PLC program teams  PLC site teams  PLC level teams  PLC shared-goal teams

Words of Vision Education is not the filling of a pail, but a lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats

Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. Paulo Freire Words of Vision

Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. Paulo Freire Words of Vision

Education becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. Paulo Freire Words of Vision

Reframing a Professional Learning Community 5 Simple Steps for Transforming Our World Newport-Mesa Adult School Professional Growth Plan

Goals of a Learning Community  Ensuring all students learn  Creating a culture of collaboration  Focusing on results  Taken from

Attributes of a PLC  Supportive and Shared Leadership (Prestine, 1993)  Collective Creativity (Sergiovanni, 1994)  Shared Values and Vision (Isaacson& Bambur, 1992)  Supportive Conditions (Boyd, 1992; Louis & Kruse, 1995)  Shared Personal Practice (Louse & Kruse, 1995)

Outcomes for Staff  reduction of isolation of teachers  increased commitment and vigor  Shared responsibility  Creation of new knowledge about teaching and learning  Hord, 1997

 Increased understanding of roles played in helping all students learn  Greater satisfaction, higher morale, lower absenteeism  More likely to undergo fundamental change  Hord, 1997 Outcomes for Staff

 decreased dropout rate and "skipping"  lower absenteeism  increased learning  greater academic gains  smaller achievement gaps Hord, 1997 Outcomes for Students

Step 1: Collaboration  Create team norms  Sample team norms Begin and end the meeting on time Assume positive intentions Engage in active listening Be courageous

Step 1: Collaboration  Establish protocols for team work Formalized agendas  Focus on results  Focus on learning Detailed minutes Collective commitment to action

Step 2: Common Curriculum  Define essential knowledge and skills state and district standards assessments required of students  Identify prerequisite knowledge and skills  Agree on pacing guides  Agree on and apply criteria for judging work  Teach students criteria for judging their work

Step 3: Common Assessments  Develop common assessments  Analyze common assessment data  Collectively build upon strengths & address weaknesses to ensure all students learn

Step 4: Instructional Practices  Reflect upon and refine instructional practices to meet student learning needs  Establish best practices  Collectively commit to using best practices  Commit to establishing & using Collaboration Common curriculum Common assessments

Step 5: We step forward… “…sharing to impart, impact, improve and empower.” Martha Rankin “…lighting a fire… William Butler Yeats “…participating in the transformation of our world.” Paulo Freire