The Development of CCSS-aligned curriculum impacted educators understanding of the CCSS ELA and Math. Support for the development of the CCSS-aligned curriculum from the Dana Center, and working with the SORICO collaborative districts, was a positive process which gave the writing team members extensive understanding of the expectations and details of the CCSS that they were able to share with district/building teachers. Representatives from each grade level participated in the Dana Center work and then the work was shared departmentally at the secondary level and at grade level meetings at the elementary level.
All buildings participated in the Data Use
PD. Teams from each building, which
including administrator, participated in the PD. These teams returned to buildings and shared
the process and information and used this for data teams. All elementary schools and the high school
participated in 2012-2013 and the middle school participated in 2013-2104.
All administrators, and department heads
(complimentary evaluators) participated in Educator Evaluation training and
feedback since it was offered. They continue to participate in the training
sessions.
Support for Beginning Teachers – The district
had a number of beginning teachers who participated in the induction coaching
experience during the 2012-2013 school year.
During 2013 the district received support from induction coaches
provided by the grant. The district also participated in the opportunity to
train District Induction Coaching training sending four (4) elementary
curriculum leaders (who are on full release) to the year -long training.
What we found surprising about our involvement in Race to the
Top...
Although not a total surprise, educator
evaluations has been extremely beneficial in expanding best practice. We have used the educator evaluation rubrics
in PD to support best practice.
Race to the Top impacted our district by...
The
CCSS curriculum alignment work has had an impact on the culture and practice in
the district. The work has generated
both stress and positive responses. However, the work has generated deep
conversations that have led to changes in practice which will have a positive
impact on classrooms and students. The
transition to the CCSS is being felt on all levels and requires some educators
to realign practices.
In the future, we plan to keep this going through...
We
will use a variety of strategies to continue the work of the RTT grant. Data Use PD practices will continue in RtI
and CPT, educator evaluation will continue as an ongoing occurrence during the
school year. Support for beginning teachers using the Induction Coach model
will occur as new educators are hired using our elementary curriculum leaders.
Questions?
Contact Alicia
Storey, Assistant
Superintendent for Westerly Public Schools at astorey@westerly.k12.ri.us or (401) 315-1517.