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How do you define continuous improvement? How do you frame it in your personal life versus your work life? How does it impact your day to day work within your school or division?
In our personal lives, we often scrutinize and seek to improve upon our personal appearance, health, habits, a certain skill we might possess, a process in which we engage, or even a certain level of knowledge and understanding of a topic by making considerable adaptations in support of becoming better versions of ourselves. Similarly, if we apply this continuous improvement paradigm to the work of educating students, we would aim to improve our practice and positively impact student and teacher growth. Continuous improvement must be embedded in the culture of an organization. Thus, the continuous improvement process must influence every policy, decision and process that shapes the work. A process rooted in continuous improvement further sets the foundation for quality control and a quality education for all students.
A meaningful and impactful continuous school improvement framework begins with a comprehensive needs assessment (CNA) that can help schools determine gaps in implementation and blindspots. Once the target areas for improvement are revealed by the CNA, targeted strategies can then be developed to ensure effective implementation of instruction and student growth.
The Office of School Quality (OSQ) has outlined information that will guide school and division-level teams engaging in the cyclical process of continuous improvement, thereby, providing opportunities to turn continuous improvement principles into practice. By taking a holistic approach, the framework prepares and leads schools and divisions toward accelerated achievement, system transformation, and sustainability. Click here for additional information on the Virginia Continuous School Improvement process.
Never stop improving!
Aurelia Ortiz
Director, Office of School Quality
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Promotion of Quality Leadership
Leaders across the Commonwealth work diligently to promote quality in their schools. Please take some time to recognize those leaders.
The OSQ is happy to announce the names of school leaders who were recognized for their role in Instructional Leadership. You can view the list of individuals on this document.
Based upon this month's theme of the Continuous Improvement Process, please nominate a principal who has embodied this work based upon the criteria below. Complete the nomination form by May 28, 2021, for consideration.
The leader commits to a quality continuous improvement process by using the following criteria:
- Develops, implements, and monitors the continuous school improvement process (CSIP) with fidelity and ensures the engagement of various stakeholders;
- Engages school-based teams in a rich school improvement planning process that integrates focused data review and analysis with research-based strategic planning;
- Supports school-based staff in the development of rigorous data review and analysis skills;
- Addresses all elements of federal, state, and local school improvement requirements in a single, integrated format;
- Ensures that the CSIP is streamlined, focused, appropriately targeted, and useful for managing and tracking improvement against measurable goals;
- Provides adequate funding for the successful implementation of school; and, improvement strategies that are appropriately aligned to the strategic goals and activities outlined in the CSIP.
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Support for High-Quality Educational Environments
Principals play a key role in leading school improvement efforts. Continuous school improvement offers a framework for planning, measuring, and evaluating school improvement efforts and relies on a cyclical process of inquiry, analysis, solution implementation, and evaluation to improve organizational outcomes. Improvement cycles allow schools to realize both short-term, incremental improvements, and gradual progress toward longer-term goals.
This research brief from Hanover Research reviews research and best practices for continuous improvement and provides strategies for engaging in Plan, Do, Study, Act continuous school improvement cycles, and engaging stakeholders in school improvement initiatives. School leaders can use this resource to further their practice in leading school improvement.
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Q-Tip
This month, Quick Takes is sharing Virginia’s Continuous School Improvement Process (VCSIP). The continuous improvement process and tools provide guidance to divisions and schools regarding:
- a process focused on the components of continuous improvement,
- a structure supporting the problem solving and planning process throughout the conduction of a CNA; and,
- a mechanism contributing to the identification and organization of strategies and resources leading to the development of a multi-year CSIP committed to increasing student achievement.
Also, this month’s Quick Takes feature is the Overview of Virginia’s Continuous Improvement Process. Take a Quick-look to reflect on your school’s current practices based on the principles and criteria to help improve the school’s continuous improvement efforts.
A technical assistance session will be held on June 3, 2021, to discuss the implementation of this tool. If you are interested in learning more, complete this registration form, TA-Continuous Improvement Process, by May 28, 2021. These trainings are interactive with the intention to engage in thought-provoking conversations.
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Collaboration Corner
SPOTLIGHT: Opportunities to Learn Via Collaboration
Content Teaching Academy: Supporting All Students in Science:
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce that the Office of STEM and Innovation and the Department of Special Education and Student Services in partnership with James Madison University will again sponsor a collaborative science-inclusion special education institute at the University’s Virtual Summer 2021 Content Teaching Academy. The program is designed for science and special educator school teams working together to enhance all student outcomes. All sessions will be conducted virtually from 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. on June 28-July 1, 2021.
Collaborative Science Sessions
If you are interested in participating in collaborative science sessions, please join the VDOE science team for its weekly coffee talks. The coffee talk sessions are designed for leaders in science. Past topics have included VDOE science updates, planning for science learning recovery, science resources, and perspectives for planning for middle school. For more information, contact Dr. Anne Petersen, Science Coordinator, at anne.petersen@doe.virginia.gov.
Best Practice in Inclusive Education Academy
As part of the James Madison Content Teaching Academy, the Office of Special Education Instructional Services will be offering the Best Practice for Inclusive Education Academy. This year’s Academy is designed to support the legislative requirement that each local school division complete the Virginia Inclusive School Self-assessment and Action Planning Tool to enhance inclusion practices for students with disabilities. The Academy will be held June 28-July 1, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon daily.
Co-Teaching in Secondary English Academy
The VDOE’s Office of Special Education Instructional Services, in collaboration with the Office of Humanities and Early Childhood, will sponsor an English Co-Teaching Academy. The Academy is designed for school teams of English and Special Education teachers working together to enhance all student outcomes, especially, students with disabilities. The Academy will be held virtually on June 28, 2021-July 1, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon daily.
Relevant Research and Best Practice Highlights
Resources for Instruction and Collaboration: English Learners with Suspected or Identified Disabilities (VDOE)
The following resources are meant to support you in celebrating Arab Heritage Month:
To learn more about NAAHM, visit the AAF website
Did you know…
Navigating Virginia Education in Uncertain Times provides recommendations and identifies resources and best practices related to equity, curricula(especially in literacy and mathematics) remediation and intervention strategies, assessments, data analysis, student and staff wellness, and technology to support instruction and learning.
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Reminders
- OMEGA Reimbursements: School Improvement Grant (SIG) Awards
Divisions are reminded that SIG reimbursements must be submitted to OMEGA at least once a month, as this allows the OSQ and the division to monitor the spend-down of the SIG funds.
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A Guide for Local Special Education Advisory Committees (SEACs) in Virginia, Virginia Department of Education, VDOE
This guide is designed for SEAC members, school board members, school division leaders, and the public in order to provide necessary information to assist local SEACs in performing their role.
Find the Guide for Local SEACs in Virginia
In late April, Hanover hosted a webinar in which Mr. Matt Reynolds (Douglas County School District - CO), Dr. Scott Blum (Educational Service Unit #3 - NE), and Dr. Marcy Levy Shankman (Cleveland Metropolitan School District - OH) discussed how districts can strengthen support in order to engage staff and increase retention. Please click here to view the recording.
- 2021 Education Equity Summer Institute: June 15-17, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m
The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the 2021 Virginia Education Equity Summer Institute presented in combination with a statewide conference on Teaching African American History, June 15-17, 2021. This virtual conference will bring together educators, school leaders, and education policymakers from across the state to raise discourse and action around culturally responsive and inclusive educator practices and leadership.
This year’s conference will convene over three days:
- June 15: Teaching Black History
- June 16: Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy
- June 17: Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Educator Practices
Please direct all inquiries pertaining to the 2021 Education Equity Summer Institute to the Office of Equity and Community Engagement at EdEquityVA@doe.virginia.gov.
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Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated. If you have a topic you would like to see in a future monthly edition of Quality Quick Takes, contact OSQ at OSQ@doe.virginia.gov.
This monthly communication is intended for school and division leadership throughout the Commonwealth.
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