RTT work helped unify faculty around best practices and facilitating district initiatives.
The work of developing CCSS-aligned
curriculum has been long and difficult, but at the same time, valuable
job-embedded professional development.
Working as part of cohorts underlines the importance of a common curriculum
and collaboration among teachers, schools and districts. At the same time,
however, the goal of a largely common curriculum has not been
achieved in the state. While it is
important, the development and re-development of curricula every several years
is not, and will not be the game-changer for education; rather the key is
changing instructional practice.
The professional development on Data Use (this
district began its participation in the Summer of 2013) has particularly
positively impacted the work of the educators at Ponaganset Middle School. As a result of this PD, they have honed their
RtI processes, seen improved student outcomes, and deepened their use of data
to drive instruction for all students.
(Both the High School and Middle School – teachers and administrators –
participated in this PD.)
The district has been implementing the
educator evaluation system and used the related data to direct its professional
development decisions. While the system
is far from perfect, the focus on educator quality, including and especially
instructional practice, is one that should not be compromised or lessened in
any way.
What we found surprising about our involvement in Race to the
Top...
The degree to which our middle school
embraced the Data Use PD, is implementing the skills and knowledge in
instruction, and is planning for increasing and deepening implementation in the
future.
Race to the Top impacted our district by...
The work has helped to unify all our faculty and
staff around best practice, affirming the district vision and beliefs and
advancing/facilitating district initiatives.
In the future, we plan to keep this going through...
The district will continue its work with
curriculum, data use and ensuring high quality educators. PD during the summer of 2014 and into the
school year will focus on these; data use and reviews will continue (at the
individual student, classroom, school and district levels) and become more
refined and increase in potential impact; and we will continue our focus on
educator quality through evaluation, professional development, and increased
collaboration at every level.
Questions?
Contact Elizabeth
Sinwell,
Assistant Superintendent for Foster-Glocester Regional Schools at bsinwell@fg.k12.ri.us or (401) 710-7500.