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Quality Quick Takes - December 2022

The Office of School Quality is often asked about tools, frameworks, and practices to support the improvement of student achievement. One such method is the implementation of Instructional Rounds as a process to analyze and improve instruction. Like rounds in the medical field, this research-based framework has stakeholders collectively examine high quality instruction in and across classrooms and buildings. Through the use of a network of teachers and school and division leaders, classroom observations are conducted in a non-evaluative manner. The instructional rounds process assists in developing common understanding on what high-level  instruction should look like and steps to implement it. 

Our office is offering a series of webinars that examines the research, and best practices for implementing Instructional Rounds in schools. The series is designed for educational leaders around the Commonwealth to learn and grow from each other through the process of implementing this framework, no matter your expertise or entry point. Below is an outline of the sessions and the dates.  We have conducted two of the four sessions to date, and encourage others to join in our next two sessions in January and May.

In closing, the Office of School Quality would like to wish each of you a restful and peaceful holiday season.

Amy Margaret MacDougall, School Quality Specialist

Office of School Quality

Support for High-Quality Educational Environment

Collectively examining practices across classrooms and buildings will provide data to evaluate the effectiveness of current initiatives and assist in developing subsequent action items, known as the next level of work within the instructional rounds process. 

Based on findings from a comprehensive needs assessment and included within the comprehensive school improvement plan, a school/division develops a problem of practice as the basis for a network of teams to observe and collect data. Critical to this process is individuals constructing their own theory of action on how strategies will address the problem of practice. Guided by focus questions within the problem of practice, classroom observations are conducted. The network analyzes evidence from the observations  before discussing potential action items for the next level of work.

As a continuation of the series, the final three elements of the Instructional Rounds process: 2) conducting observations and collecting data, 3) discussing the data, and 4) brainstorming the next level of work will be the focus of session three of the Instructional Rounds series. 

The entire series with videos and resources is being developed for Canvas. Interested participants can register here for this course and the remaining live sessions on January 19, 2023 and May 4, 2023. 

Whether a division or school leader, this series will equip individuals with a process and tools to develop a high-quality educational environment. 

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 name of a school leader who was recognized for their work on Professional Learning in Leadership. You can view the list of individuals on this document. 

Based upon this month's theme on the importance of  Instructional Rounds focusing on the Instructional Core, Problem of Practice, and Theory of Action, please nominate a principal who has embodied this work as designated in the criteria below. Complete the nomination form by December 28, 2022, for consideration. The leader guides Instructional Rounds by:

• Understanding the importance of the instructional core within a school; 
• Leading a team to identify and stay focused  on a problem of practice;
• Leading a team to develop a theory of action;
• Using research to build their team’s knowledge of Instructional Rounds;
• Being deliberate regarding logistics to allow for successful implementation of Instructional Rounds.

Data Connections 

As schools begin to conduct instructional rounds, leadership needs to consider how to plan for the collection of observational data. Taylor-Powell and Steele (1996) provide information regarding the process of using direct observation as a means to document what is seen and heard in a specific setting.  This article provides important things to consider as you work through the process of conducting instructional rounds. 

Academic Review Reminder

Academic Reviews are required for schools with a Level Two academic achievement indicator in English, mathematics, and/or science and schools with any Level Three school quality indicator. Division and school leaders should plan to complete academic reviews by January 31, 2023. During the first week in January, the Office of School Quality (OSQ) will send OSQ contacts details on the submission of the academic review report(s) and revised comprehensive school improvement plan(s) (schools with any Level Three SQI) and/or the submission of the Superintendent’s Certification of the completion of academic reviews (schools with a Level Two academic achievement indicator in English, mathematics, and/or science). Please email Rebecca Hall, Standards of Accreditation Coordinator, at rebecca.hall@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.

Foundations of Continuous Improvement Canvas Course

The Canvas Course includes videos, resources, and quick checks on each Virginia Continuous School Improvement (VaCSIP) module. 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.

Upcoming Quick Takes Webinars

Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated. Also, 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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