Birdville School District Professional Development Proposal

District InformationUrban – Suburban853 High School Students15% Minority Population2% ESL Population56% Free or Reduced Lunch13 to 1 Student to Teacher Ratio

PSSA Data

Reading

PSSA Data

Math

PSSA Data

Science

Student DataPBS Committee Report

Absentee Growth Rate > 1% per month Senior Class Middle States Report“School curriculum does not meet interests and is not engaging.” (2011 AFG Report)

Teacher PD DataDistrict – Wide Survey

Only 32% Provided Feedback

Absentee Rate20% on Professional Development Days

Middle States ReportLack of follow-through / sustainmentLimited departmental collaboration / training

WHY ?Low – Depth (Coburn and Russel 2008)

Organizing Curriculum Electronic Database for Lesson PlansBenchmark AssessmentsAnecdotal Discussions

SYSTEMS – FOCUSED !

What’s Needed High – Depth

Nature of student’s thinkingHow students learn contentFocus on pedagogyProfessional Accountable Talk

Efficacy of Professional Development (What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards)

Six Key Elements: (Guskey and Yoon 2009)

1. Workshops / Summer Institutes Research-based instructional practices Active learning focused on classroom

2. PD lead by outside experts3. Sufficient time (30 + hours)4. Follow-up (push-in) assistance5. Careful adaptation of varied practices 6. Teacher content knowledge

Proposed Course of Action (Guskey and Yoon 2009)

Step 1

Critically Assess and Evaluate Current Program PSSA Flatline PBS Data District-Wide Teacher Survey PD Absentee Rate Middle States Report

Proposed Course of Action (Guskey and Yoon 2009)

Step 2

Demand Better Evidence of New Strategies / Programs Project Lead the Way “Best Practice STEM Curriculum” (National Academy of Science)

Parallels Key Principles of ADMPS 2404 Professional Learning Program Two Week Off-Site Workshop Ongoing Learning Through Virtual Academy (Certification) School District Administrative Delegate School Counselor Training

Proposed Course of Action (Guskey and Yoon 2009)

Step 3

Pilot the Program in a Controlled Fashion 20% of Senior Class (40 students)

Two Sections of Math, Science, History and English One Content Area Teacher / Discipline Common Plan Time for STEM Academy 80 Hours PLTW On-Site Coaching Bi-Monthly Follow-up Meetings Math + Science = Success Liaison AIU

Proposed Course of Action (Guskey and Yoon 2009)

Step 4

Monitor and Study Effectiveness Benchmark Assessments PBS Attendance Data Professional Development Survey Professional Development Attendance Shared Leadership / Empowerment