Supporting Schools in Need of Improvement Virginia’s System of Support Dr. Kathleen M. Smith, Director Office of School Improvement.

Supporting Schools in Supporting Schools in Need of ImprovementNeed of Improvement

Virginia’s System of SupportVirginia’s System of Support

Dr. Kathleen M. Smith, DirectorDr. Kathleen M. Smith, DirectorOffice of School ImprovementOffice of School Improvement

Why was the support needed?Why was the support needed?

• In 2007-2008, there was a concern that districts with In 2007-2008, there was a concern that districts with persistently low-performing schools in the process of persistently low-performing schools in the process of implementing reconstitution plans approved by the State implementing reconstitution plans approved by the State Board of Education would not be able to “self-correct.”Board of Education would not be able to “self-correct.”

• Recognition that more schools—and more districts—might Recognition that more schools—and more districts—might face the prospect of developing and implementing face the prospect of developing and implementing reconstitution plans.reconstitution plans.

• The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) needed to The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) needed to address these concerns within limitations of staff time and address these concerns within limitations of staff time and other resources.other resources.

How did it happen?How did it happen?

• The U.S. Department of Education repurposed the regional The U.S. Department of Education repurposed the regional comprehensive centers to build state capacity. The comprehensive centers to build state capacity. The Appalachian Regional Comprehensive Center was looking Appalachian Regional Comprehensive Center was looking for a way to help VDOE.for a way to help VDOE.

• The Center on Innovation and Improvement published the The Center on Innovation and Improvement published the Handbook (CII) onHandbook (CII) on Restructuring and Substantial School Restructuring and Substantial School Improvement Improvement and was looking for a place to test its and was looking for a place to test its efficacy.efficacy.

• The Virginia Foundation for Educational Leadership (VFEL) The Virginia Foundation for Educational Leadership (VFEL) wanted to expand its role in building leadership capacity.wanted to expand its role in building leadership capacity.

Elements of the First and Elements of the First and Second InitiativeSecond Initiative

• Use of the research-based CII’s Use of the research-based CII’s Handbook on Handbook on Restructuring and Substantial School Improvement Restructuring and Substantial School Improvement for development and implementation of the Web for development and implementation of the Web conference program and online virtual planning tool.conference program and online virtual planning tool.

• Emphasis on district support for school improvement. Emphasis on district support for school improvement. • Leadership support provided at the school-level both Leadership support provided at the school-level both

for the principal and lead teachers.for the principal and lead teachers.• Integration with VDOE coaching model, already in Integration with VDOE coaching model, already in

place, for schools and districts.place, for schools and districts.• Requirement for the district to lead monthly Requirement for the district to lead monthly

“alternative governance” meetings at the school.“alternative governance” meetings at the school.• Reports regarding district and school progress were Reports regarding district and school progress were

sent directly to the Virginia Board of Education’s sent directly to the Virginia Board of Education’s Committee on School and District Accountability.Committee on School and District Accountability.

How many schools?How many schools?

First year….. 19 districts, 30 schools, mostlyFirst year….. 19 districts, 30 schools, mostly chronically low-performing chronically low-performing

middle schools.middle schools.

Second year…. 36 schools, both middleSecond year…. 36 schools, both middle and elementary, all Title I eligible, and elementary, all Title I eligible,

most in school most in school improvement improvement

and/or low-performing.and/or low-performing.

Funding for the First and Funding for the First and Second InitiativeSecond Initiative

• State funding (approximately $500,000 each year) and State funding (approximately $500,000 each year) and federal funding (1003a set aside).federal funding (1003a set aside).

• One full-time and one part-time dedicated staff One full-time and one part-time dedicated staff persons.persons.

• Twelve coaches contracted with funding above.Twelve coaches contracted with funding above.

Research-Based District Indicator Research-Based District Indicator Discussed in a Web ConferenceDiscussed in a Web Conference

and Online Follow-Up and Online Follow-Up

• District and change processDistrict and change process

Indicator: The district operates with district-Indicator: The district operates with district-

level and school-level improvement teams.level and school-level improvement teams.

The districts had to have a district improvement

planning process to support their lowest performing

schools and the districts had to be involved in the

school’s improvement planning process through the

implementation of the monthly alternative

governance meetings. These processes had to be

documented on the district and school online tool.

Center on Innovation and Improvement’s Center on Innovation and Improvement’s Online ToolOnline Tool

Afforded the state educational agency (SEA) Afforded the state educational agency (SEA) with an opportunity to monitor the school with an opportunity to monitor the school

improvement planning process through the improvement planning process through the monthly alternative governance meetings monthly alternative governance meetings

“virtually.”“virtually.”

Polling QuestionPolling Question

Using the polling tool, indicate if your SEA:Using the polling tool, indicate if your SEA:

a. Can view the school improvement planning a. Can view the school improvement planning process ongoing throughout the year in all of the process ongoing throughout the year in all of the schools that the SEA is working with from the schools that the SEA is working with from the desktop.desktop.

b. Regularly reports the b. Regularly reports the progress of initiativesprogress of initiatives undertaken by low-performing schools to undertaken by low-performing schools to improve the results of student achievement, improve the results of student achievement, not not just the resultsjust the results, to the State Board of Education., to the State Board of Education.

c. All of the above.c. All of the above.

d. None of the above.d. None of the above.

Results for the First Two InitiativesResults for the First Two Initiatives

2007-20082007-2008 Of the 30 schools, 20 or 66% moved out of Of the 30 schools, 20 or 66% moved out of

restructuring sanctions by the state or No Child Left restructuring sanctions by the state or No Child Left Behind (NCLB).Behind (NCLB).

2008-20092008-2009

Of the 36 schools, preliminary data shows that 26 or Of the 36 schools, preliminary data shows that 26 or 72% moved out of state and/or NCLB sanctions 72% moved out of state and/or NCLB sanctions (including corrective action and restructuring).(including corrective action and restructuring).

Third Initiative Beginning in Third Initiative Beginning in 2009-20102009-2010

Funding--1003(g): $104,000 per schoolFunding--1003(g): $104,000 per school

Number of Schools: 41 districts (73 schools)Number of Schools: 41 districts (73 schools)

Sanction: Year 1 or Year 2 of SchoolSanction: Year 1 or Year 2 of School Improvement in 2008-2009 or in Improvement in 2008-2009 or in

holding in 2008-2009 holding in 2008-2009

1003g Conditions of Award1003g Conditions of Award

Key word is Key word is fidelityfidelity. Example:. Example:

From a principal –From a principal –

I received your e-mail yesterday regarding the required I received your e-mail yesterday regarding the required Breaking Ranks in the Middle (BRIM) training.  I was Breaking Ranks in the Middle (BRIM) training.  I was surprised to see there is a registration fee of $525 associated surprised to see there is a registration fee of $525 associated with this workshop. Unless I have somehow missed something with this workshop. Unless I have somehow missed something somewhere along the way, this is the first mention of this somewhere along the way, this is the first mention of this registration fee.  Yes, I am aware that we have received registration fee.  Yes, I am aware that we have received $104,000 but in creating a budget for those funds, I did not $104,000 but in creating a budget for those funds, I did not include this additional expense.  Also, starting the training on include this additional expense.  Also, starting the training on the second day at 7:30 a.m. makes it more difficult for those the second day at 7:30 a.m. makes it more difficult for those who plan to commute and thus save hotel and evening meal who plan to commute and thus save hotel and evening meal expenses. expenses.

SEA Response and Follow-Up Telephone SEA Response and Follow-Up Telephone Call with the PrincipalCall with the Principal

The conditions for grant award allow for fidelity of implementation. These The conditions for grant award allow for fidelity of implementation. These conditions were specific and stated the need for you to attend this conditions were specific and stated the need for you to attend this training.  We have also stated in a telephone conference, Web training.  We have also stated in a telephone conference, Web conference, and at the institute that if you did not wish to use 1003(g) conference, and at the institute that if you did not wish to use 1003(g) funds for the BRIM training, you could use 1003(a) as well as Title II funds for the BRIM training, you could use 1003(a) as well as Title II funds. funds.

We cannot make the time convenient for all, but we did our best to keep We cannot make the time convenient for all, but we did our best to keep you from having to attend 2 ½ days and have made sure this training you from having to attend 2 ½ days and have made sure this training will be only two days, thus the training will begin at 7:30 a.m.  will be only two days, thus the training will begin at 7:30 a.m. 

As I stated this summer in an e-mail to you and copied to your As I stated this summer in an e-mail to you and copied to your superintendent, it is not about the drive, but about the students in your superintendent, it is not about the drive, but about the students in your school who have not successfully passed the Standards of Learning school who have not successfully passed the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments.  (SOL) assessments. 

The need for these students, at least for me, is much greater than any The need for these students, at least for me, is much greater than any drive I would have had to make, and I have made many amendments to drive I would have had to make, and I have made many amendments to my schedule over the years for the sake of the children that I served.  I my schedule over the years for the sake of the children that I served.  I am sure that you have done so as well.  am sure that you have done so as well. 

I have placed a call to your superintendent to discuss this matter and I have placed a call to your superintendent to discuss this matter and other concerns that you may have regarding the conditions of grant other concerns that you may have regarding the conditions of grant awards totaling over $300,000 to your district.   If you have further awards totaling over $300,000 to your district.   If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me at (804) 334-6614.  We look questions, please feel free to contact me at (804) 334-6614.  We look forward to meeting you at the training.  Kathleenforward to meeting you at the training.  Kathleen

District RequirementsDistrict Requirements

District representative will develop a

district support teamdistrict support team to include district staff members from:

Title I

Instruction

Special Education

ESL and/or other relevant instructional area (if needed)

District RequirementsDistrict Requirements(continued)(continued)

District support team will:District support team will:

Attend seven district-level Web conferencesWeb conferences during

the year.

Develop and implement a district district planplan to support schools in

improvement using the CII tool.

District RequirementsDistrict Requirements(continued)(continued)

District team members will:District team members will:

Meet with the schools in improvement planning team at

least monthly.

Serve as the liaison between the central office and the schools in

improvement.

Note: A ratio of one district liaison per three schools is required.

School RequirementsSchool Requirements

Principal and coach will develop a school support teamschool support team to include assigned district team

member and school staff members from:

Title I

Instruction

Special Education

ESL and/or other relevant instructional area (if needed)

School RequirementsSchool Requirements(continued)

School support team will:School support team will:

Develop and implement a

school planschool plan to support schools in improvement using

the CII tool.

MeetMeet at least monthly with the district

representative and will maintain minutes of maintain minutes of

the meetingsthe meetings using the CII tool.

Submit quarterly quarterly reportsreports to the

VDOE.

Quarterly Reports Focus on Students Who Failed Quarterly Reports Focus on Students Who Failed the Standards of Learning Assessment in 2008-2009 the Standards of Learning Assessment in 2008-2009

or At Risk of Failing in 2009-2010or At Risk of Failing in 2009-2010

http://www.vassp.org/Mentor%20Coach%20Resources.htmhttp://www.vassp.org/Mentor%20Coach%20Resources.htm

School RequirementsSchool Requirements(continued)

Principal will:Principal will:

Attend seven school-level Web conferenceseb conferences

during the year.

_________________________________

Coach and other team members should attend if

possible.

Attend Breaking Ranks in Breaking Ranks in the Middlethe Middle/Elementary training offered by VFEL.

_________________________________

Grant funds can be used to pay for this training.

Training will be offered regionally.

School and DistrictSchool and DistrictTeacher TrainingTeacher Training

Coach and district contact will:

Attend a week-long institute and three additional meetings and will be trained by VFEL as teacher training leaders.

Be grouped by districts by VDOE (according to proximity and likeness of districts) to provide teacher trainings to principals and at least two teachers from each school in the group four times during the year.

Note: Teachers selected for training sessions must be good at what they do and capable of serving in a leadership capacity at the school.

Coach and District Contact Attend Four Teacher Leader Trainings:

One at the Coaches Institute and three others heldin November, January, and March

Coach and district contact join district groups pre-determined by VDOE

Teacher Training 1 Teacher Training 2 Teacher Training 3 Teacher Training 4

VDOE staff deployed to assist training

Polling QuestionPolling Question

Using the polling tool, indicate if your SEA:Using the polling tool, indicate if your SEA:

a.a. Uses coaches or distinguished educators to work Uses coaches or distinguished educators to work with schools.with schools.

b.b. Requires the district to attend ongoing training Requires the district to attend ongoing training regarding how to support schools in improvement regarding how to support schools in improvement and plan effectively for this purpose and requires and plan effectively for this purpose and requires the district to train lead teachers and principals.the district to train lead teachers and principals.

c.c. Requires district staff to participate in and/or lead Requires district staff to participate in and/or lead the school’s improvement team.the school’s improvement team.

d.d. Uses a quarterly monitoring tool that focuses on Uses a quarterly monitoring tool that focuses on the students who failed the assessmentsthe students who failed the assessments

e.e. At least 2 of the above activities.At least 2 of the above activities.f.f. Uses all of the above.Uses all of the above.

Demonstration of School Support Demonstration of School Support SystemSystem

Contact:Contact: Sam Redding Sam Redding [email protected]

Marilyn Murphy Marilyn Murphy [email protected]

Visit their Web site at Visit their Web site at www.centerii.org

OrOr

[email protected]

(804) 786-5819(804) 786-5819

The contents of this presentation were developed The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal should not assume endorsement by the federal government.government.