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Three years ago, the LYS Team began working with the dedicated staff of Fairdale High
School. The purpose, to help teachers and instructional leaders work just a little bit different in order to increase
student opportunity. Since then
the student performance trajectory for this large, diverse, Title I school has
been, quite simply... unprecedented. But don’t take the word of the proud principal, enthusiastic staff, or me. Instead, take a look
at what the Kentucky Department of Education wrote.
FINDINGS
OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REVIEW TEAM
POWERFUL PRACTICE
The implementation and monitoring of the “Fundamental
5” initiative, which is a process for designing, delivering, and reflecting on
the instructional process, is truly exemplary and has helped move the school
forward in the quest to be a model school of teaching and learning.
EVIDENCE AND RATIONALE
The student performance data, staff survey
data, stakeholder interviews, and the school leadership presentation to the KDOE
Internal Review Team strongly indicate that the “Fundamental 5” initiative has
changed the culture of the school into one of continuous improvement for all.
Classroom observations reveal that all classrooms implement the first
fundamental, “Frame the Lesson,” by posting the day’s learning target and
closing task on a small white board in the classroom.
The observations and interviews with teachers reveal
an intentional focus on “Working in the Power Zone” whereby teachers are in
close proximity to their students increasing feedback and monitoring for
understanding.
Most observed lessons included teachers
arranging students in small groups and having the students engage in “Purposeful
Talk” which allows students to derive personal meaning from the content and
foster collaboration among students.
Teachers also “Recognized and Reinforced”
increased student performance which improved student behavior and increased
student motivation.
The “Fundamental 5” initiative has also caused
all content areas to now engage in “Critical Writing” to help formatively
assess mastery of the content. While not all content area teachers are
comfortable with the writing piece as of yet, the PLC (professional learning
community) structure that has been implemented to discuss student data has
taken on a whole new level of importance.
The data derived from PowerWalks walkthroughs
is analyzed and addressed through the PLC process to improve teaching and
increase student achievement. The PLC structure at the school has been
recognized as a model school for PLC work.
The turnover rate of teachers at the school has
been minor compared to some PLA (persistently low-achieving) schools.
Interviews with teachers indicate the biggest reason they want to stay is the
administration’s commitment to helping them improve as teachers and the feeling
of community with the school building as a whole.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
- Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
- Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool)
- Upcoming Presentations: ASCD Annual Conference; TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NAESP National Conference
- Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation and like Lead Your School on Facebook
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