The Speedway High School Model “Home of the World Famous Sparkplugs” Professional Learning Community
Mar 19, 2016
The Speedway High School Model“Home of the World Famous
Sparkplugs”
Professional Learning Community
Perspective“Focus on the process,
not the results”
3 Key Questions…1.What’s the Challenge?2.How do we
strategically plan for it?3.How do we know we’re
winning?
What’s the Challenge?Current51% Free/Reduced Lunch15% Special Education13% English Language Learners35% MinorityPrior to PLCToo many failures each grading periodLow ECA test scoresPoor AP test performance“The road to getting there is the most important
part. Once you arrive, the journey is over.”—John Wooden
Challenge: Too easy to focus on RESULTS!
NCLBPL 221RISE!!!!!!School grades (A-F)ECAGraduation RatesAP scores (College Readiness)
New Style of Leadership
History LessonSpeedway Four Star School 1999-2002Changing demographicsIncreased Free/Reduced populationContinued to teach & test the same way
we’d always done it.“Who Moved My Cheese?” Spencer
Johnson
Momentum builds…Finishing my first year as Principal (2007-
2008)Two veteran teachers had been reading Rick
DuFour’s books. Grass roots movement!NCA visitation suggested a more
comprehensive, planned PD system to address our weaknesses and increase student achievement.
Two teachers worked to put together a proposal which we submitted to Superintendent.
Once challenge is identified…now we strategically plan for it.K.I.S.S.1.Increase student achievement.2.Increase collaboration among faculty.Priorities1.Reducing failures2.Increasing ECA test scores3.Increasing AP scores4.Focusing on Classroom instruction5.Connecting our mobile student population to
community
What has come from our PLC? Racing to Excellence Intramural program (kickball, dodgeball, basketball,
cornhole) ENL planning sessions School wide writing assignments Cross curricular projects (Indy 500) Performance Tasks (Common Core Standards) Tutoring by students and adults Leadership from faculty FNO Intervention checklists Grade level teams PD “experts” Department planning Focus on AP/Dual Credit curriculum After school Department study tables
Process
More Process…Last year (2011-2012)Electronic FNOsIntervention TeamData collection/interpretation
“Cervantes said the journey’s better than the end. Practices, to me, were the journey.”—
Wooden
How do we know we’re winning?Measure 2007-
20082008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
Eng 10 ECA
-- -- 70% 70% 73%
Alg 1 ECA
-- 31% 54% 75% 85%
Grad Rate
86.3% 96.6% 100% 96.3% ---
AP(% senior passing 1)
7% 7% 4% 22% 23%
DOE Grade
D (Watch)
D (Watch)
D (Watch)
D (Watch)
A (Exempla
ry)
ECA data = 1st time test takers @ SHS
Recent DOE Letter Grade= !
More measurable data:1. Failures 10% + for several years Last 8 semesters: 3.55%-4.90%2. High Yield Instructional Strategies 4 minute walkthroughs Documented increase in use during instruction. Documented use during teacher observations.
“I don’t like emphasis on trophies. The real reward is in the effort, the journey, the hard
fight. Trophies are a by product of success.”—John Wooden
Beyond winning…Teachers love to spend time with one
another.Teachers crave more ideas/knowing about
how to get students to achieve more.Teachers love to learn more about their
craft.Teachers love hearing from their peers.Teachers care about their students.
Evaluation and Evolution…Survey teachers at conclusion of each
semester (RISE)Build time around faculty needsALWAYS filter through vision, mission and
school improvement goals.
“Perfection is impossible but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is
what counts.”—John Wooden
Recent Feedback (Nov. 2011)1. Do you feel you’ve grown in: Instructional techniques 66% yes Data Analysis 89% yes Collaboration 81% yes Planning and preparation 56% yes2. As a result of PLC, do you feel like you are
more likely to intervene with failing students? 85% yes
3. As a result of PLC, do you feel Speedway HS is a better Academic Institution? 96% yes
Remember…
Focus on the PROCESS, not the
RESULTS!
Questions?Tim McRobertsSpeedway High [email protected]