|
|
“I want to be in classrooms more this year.”
“We want our assistant principals to focus more on instruction.”
“We want to make data-informed decisions.”
These statements are among the many annual goals set by veteran principals and their instructional leader teams for themselves and their faculty to improve building instructional outcomes. If you are a new principal, those are tangible goals to embrace with purpose. However, the daily and weekly crises often avert our attention away from the mission as we serve as reactive managers rushing to extinguish the urgent fires of the day. To create sustainable models of school improvement, leadership teams engaging in the process must make it an iterative process with teams consistently revisiting the planning, implementation, assessment, and re-implementation cycle (or whichever variation of an improvement cycle is used). Instructional Leader teams must come together to determine ways to effectively manage crises while protecting the sanctity of instructional leader activities.
On a personal level, I would consistently remind my leadership teams, “what you don't address, you bless, and; you cannot expect what you don't inspect.” Teachers and students should see and feel the educational values and the focus of a leader’s heart. That is done through both words and actions and, ultimately, is what brings others in line with the overall mission. As your team is planning and implementing plans for success, remember to keep in mind that the school improvement process is a “process” that takes time, and small progress each day adds up to big, sustainable results.
As customary, the Office of School Quality (OSQ), and other departments within the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), stand ready to assist your team in any part of opening the school-year and navigating throughout the year as various needs arise. Do not hesitate to reach out with questions and visit our website at either of the following links: VDOE or Office of School Quality.
Stay encouraged and keep moving forward!
Aurelia Ortiz, Director
Office of School Quality
|
|
Support for High-Quality Educational Environments
Instructional Rounds are a structured process for schools and divisions to collect data and apply shared expertise to implement school improvement plans. In this process, networks of educators within a school, across schools in a division, or a division observe classroom instruction to identify the next level of work for school improvement related to a problem of practice. The next level of work reflects an area of discrepancy between the school’s desired functioning and the current state. Schools use a cycle of inquiry based on student data to identify a problem of practice that focuses on the instructional core, the interaction of students, teachers, and content that drives learning. Observation teams use focus questions aligned to the problem of practice to guide their observations and then share their observations within the instructional network during an observation debrief. The debrief identifies areas of effective instruction for celebration and areas for improvement that inform the next level of work.
This research brief from Hanover Research reviews available literature on the definition and components of Instructional Rounds. In addition, this supplement provides tools for applying this content.
Quest for Knowledge
How do you monitor the alignment of curriculum or instructional strategies? How might you evaluate the effectiveness of your action plan within the multi-year comprehensive school improvement plan? Instructional Rounds provide an effective method of building collective efficacy in aligning planning, observing, and debriefing around identified areas of need. .
In this upcoming technical assistance webinar, OSQ will outline the elements of Instructional Rounds, describe the needed structures to support it, and equip schools and divisions in developing the process. Participants will gain a better understanding of Instructional Rounds and resources for implementation.
To learn more on this topic, join OSQ on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. for an hour-long technical assistance (TA) session. To attend the 9:00 a.m. session, complete this registration form. To attend the 6:00 p.m., complete this registration form.
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 Team is happy to announce the names of school leaders who were recognized for their role in action planning. You can view the list of individuals on this document.
Based upon this month's theme of Instructional Rounds, please nominate a principal who has embodied this work as designated in the criteria below. Complete the nomination form by September 6, 2022, for consideration. The leader supports instructional rounds by:
- Setting up structures that support implementation for instructional rounds
- Taking observations and connecting the data to a problem of practice in the improvement plan
- Valuing classroom observations and evidence-based feedback
- Setting up a collaborative climate; and
- Facilitating conversations around feedback using data from observations
|
|
Data Connections
Collecting data for instructional rounds is a great place to begin your data collection process. However, it is important to make sure that data is a central part of how the school operates which means you need a plan. Schools and divisions should plan ahead for data collection, visualization, and analysis. This month we want to highlight the importance of building our team's data literacy and in turn building a data culture. With Accreditation being released soon it is very important that data is synthesized in a manner that is easy for all to understand. The process involves preparing data sets by way of collection and visualization. In turn, a leader needs to plan for the conversations around the data. How will you build everyone's data literacy to improve the data culture? Here are two resources that may be helpful as leaders begin this journey toward building school data culture: Great Schools Tips and WestEd Toolkit
Upcoming Events
The Office of School Quality is currently finalizing plans for a Collaborative Learning Cohort on Chronic Absenteeism. This will be a year-long series for principals and a member of their attendance team to engage in a three-part E-learning series facilitated by Attendance Works. Included in this series will be one in-person session and two follow-up webinars hosted by OSQ and the Office of Student Services (OSS). Registration information will be shared with division OSQ contacts as soon as possible.
In addition, OSQ is partnering with the VDOE English department to provide Literacy Leaders (K-5), a year-long initiative that will include two in-person and four virtual events for elementary school principals. As a result of this training series, principals will deepen their understanding of literacy comprehension, gain confidence in identifying evidence-based literacy practices, and increase their capacity to lead and collaborate with staff to improve literacy instruction throughout grades K-5. Registration information will be shared with division OSQ contacts as soon as possible.
|
|
OSQ Launches NEW Webpage
Visit the Office of School Quality's webpage to find news and announcements relating to the work of OSQ. The page provides information about the Virginia Continuous School Improvement Process (VaCSIP), Academic Reviews, Systems of Support, Quick Takes Archived Publications, and School Improvement Grants (SIG). Also, divisions can request technical assistance delivered by OSQ through this site on the Systems of Support Page.
OSQ Launches Foundations of Continuous Improvement Canvas Course
The Canvas Course includes videos, resources, and quick checks on each Virginia Continuous School Improvement (VaCSIP) module. In addition, in late August, Evidence-Based Interventions, Module IV, Academic Review Toolkit information, and resources will be included in the course. Division and school leaders can access the resources and training any time, anywhere. For access to the Canvas Course, please sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/osqcanvas.
|
|
Collaborative Learning Corner
Grant for Tuition Scholarships for Licensed High School Teachers to be Considered Faculty to Teach Dual Enrollment: School divisions may apply to VDOE for a grant for dual enrollment tuition scholarship awards. Individuals who are currently enrolled in relevant content/discipline area courses for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters who are eligible for dual enrollment tuition scholarships are eligible for consideration. Please submit grant requests for the Fall 2022 semester no later than September 9, 2022. See Superintendent's Memo 150-22 for all of the details.
Early Arts Learning Programs: Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts leverages the power of the performing arts to provide early childhood educators with high-quality professional development to create joyful, active learning experiences for young children. Programs are now available to Pre-K, K, and 1st-grade classrooms in school districts across Virginia. Complete the Virginia New Partner Interest Form by September 15, 2022, or contact education@wolftrap.org/at 703-255-1933.
2022 Career and Technical Education (CTE) High-Quality Work-Based Learning Guide: The VDOE collaborated with stakeholders to review and revise the CTE High-Quality Work-Based Learning Guide (HQWBL). Technical content revisions and new program content in certain areas were added to provide local school divisions with consistent messaging regarding high-quality work-based learning experiences. The Guide focuses on all 12 types of work-based learning (WBL) methods used in Virginia. In addition, it includes Virginia regulations and guidelines for the administration of HQWBL and provides training materials for WBL teacher-coordinators. See more from VDOE!
VDOE Fall 2022 Cohort Journey into Teaching Academy: A year-long professional development initiative for teachers completing their second year of teaching at the end of the 2021-2022 school year and entering their third year of teaching during the 2022-2023 school-year as a provisionally-licensed special education teacher. The Academy provides teacher support beyond mentorship to enhance the retention as well as the overall performance of provisionally-licensed special education teachers. Completed applications and recommendations are due to the VDOE by September 23, 2022. See Superintendent's Memo 163-22 for details.
Relevant Research and Best Practice Highlights
Best Practice Highlights: Shared below are links to research designed to provide school leaders with information regarding continuous improvement in the field of education and building a culture of continuous improvement.
Did you know?
School Quality Profiles: School Profiles were developed by the state Board of Education in response to the 2015 Virginia General Assembly. This directed the Board to redesign online reports for schools and school divisions to more effectively communicate to parents and the public about the status and achievements of Virginia's public schools. As a result, School Quality Profiles are available for all schools, school divisions, and the state. Check them out today from VDOE! We anticipate School Quality Profiles to be updated in late September. For more information, contact your division leadership.
|
|
Reminders
OSQ Upcoming Training
Conducting the Academic Review
Upcoming Virtual Training Options:
This full VIRTUAL training will equip participants with an understanding of the process, the tools, how to prepare for and conduct the Academic Review, and completion of the Academic Review Report.
In-Person Training Options
- August 2, 2022 - Richmond 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- August 3, 2022 - Roanoke 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- September 27, 2022 - Virginia Beach 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- September 28, 2022 - Richmond 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The in-person training will include activities and the opportunity to collaborate. Register for the training using this link.
School Improvement Grant (SIG) Applications
Divisions are reminded that SIG reimbursements must be submitted to OMEGA at least once a month. Submitting reimbursements regularly allows OSQ and the division to monitor the spend-down of the SIG funds. In addition, all requests for reimbursement should be entered into OMEGA no later than September 1, 2022, to ensure adequate time for processing the funds.
Upcoming Quick Takes Topics
-
August 2022 - Instructional Rounds
-
September 2022 - School Quality Profile
|
|
|
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.
Don't ever miss a Quick Takes, sign up to join our mailing list.
|
|
|
|
|
