Assessment training built capacity to develop a Comprehensive Assessment System
CCSS Aligned Curriculum: We will continue the work of the Intensive Math and Science curriculum teams (Year 1 and 2 - formal PD). The teams continued to meet over the course of the 2013-2014 school year to review and revise the implemented curriculum. It is our expectation that these teams will meet during the 2014-2015 school year. Furthermore, these teams have and will continue developing model lessons and assessments.
Educator Evaluation and Feedback: All of the
district's evaluators have participated in the Summer Academy. Beginning last year, the district established
an evaluation system time line for administrators to follow. All administrators are meeting this
expectation. The district has also established a District Evaluation
Committee. The committee has been
engaged in meaningful conversations (SLOs, appeal policies, and implementation)
that will enhance the overall implementation of the evaluation system.
Through System of Support 3, Bristol Warren
and several other East Bay districts plus Pawtucket has contracted with
Solution Tree. The purpose of the Assessment Literacy training is to build
capacity in the development and implementation of a comprehensive assessment
system as well as the necessary training in the use of data to inform and
change instructional practices. By
increasing teachers’ capacity in this area, districts are able to develop and
implement more meaningful Student Learning Objectives.
What we found surprising about our involvement in Race to the Top...
CCSS Aligned Curriculum: Through the intensive professional
development with the Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin, the
district has amended its view on curriculum development. All too often, curriculum development was based
on available and affordable resources.
As a result of this professional development series, the district is
more concentrated on building a strong foundation based on standards not
resources. What we found surprising about our involvement in Race to the Top...
Educator Effectiveness and Feedback: Educators
involved in the Assessment Literacy Professional Development have a new found
understanding of the importance of setting and communicating Learning
Targets. Through the lens of setting
Learning Targets, the Assessment Literacy PD covered the following: exemplars
for calibration of student work; descriptive feedback; protocols to build assessments;
protocols to analyze assessments; student and self-reflection (teach students
to self-assess, keep track of learning and set goals AND engage students in
self-reflection and what they know); 4 Cs: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical
Thinking, and Communication (21st Century Skills)
Race to the Top impacted our district by...
CCSS Aligned Curriculum: There has been a tremendous positive impact
on knowledge and understanding of the CCSS for those teachers who participated
in the Intensive Curriculum development. In sharing the work, the district has
fortified its Professional Learning Community as evidenced by the increased
collaboration and communication around a shared mission and vision.
Educator Effectiveness and Feedback: The Assessment
Literacy as well as the Educator Effectiveness Professional Development supports
the district’s commitment to professional learning communities. Through these two initiatives, we can readily
identify (1) What do we want all students to know and be able to do? (2) How
will know when each student has acquired the identified knowledge and skill?
(3) How will we respond when students experience initial difficulty so we can
improve upon current levels of learning? (4) How will we respond when students
have already met proficiency?
In the future, we plan to keep this going through...
CCSS Aligned Curriculum: We will continue the work of the curriculum writing teams and will expand this to add a more members to the cohort.
Educator Evaluation and Feedback: All
administrators will attend evaluation training during the summer of 2014. In addition, the District Evaluation
Committee will continue to meet and will disseminate guidance documents. Our administrative team will continue to
practice calibration in the 2014-2015 school year as well.
The district in partnership with several other East Bay districts is currently negotiating a contract for Year 2 and 3 of Assessment Literacy. Years 2 and 3 will focus on action research and scaling up the model.
Questions?
Contact Mario
Andrade, Assistant
Superintendent for Bristol-Warren Regional Schools at andradema@bw.k12.ri.us or (401) 253-4000 x. 5123.