Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, MA
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The agenda for the January LIS meeting is designed around three themes: Grading, Instruction, and Leadership within a Personalized Learning System. Based on feedback from our members, we decided to also offer learning experiences for and with educators that might attend to the differing levels of implementation that school teams are currently experiencing.
Meeting Materials:
- Draft Agenda
- Presentation Slides
Session 1 | 9:40 – 10:45 AM
Grading Presenters Kate Gardoqui, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Don Weafer, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Each of these three initial sessions is designed to set the stage and engage participants in a thoughtful dialogue about the shifts that schools experience as they move from a traditional to a personalized learning model. We will provide an overview of some of the the best practices, identify resources, and network with one another. This session will lead to opportunities for deeper dives through other workshops and our Schools in the Spotlight series. Session Materials
Instruction
Presenters
Katie Thompson, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership
Angela Hardy, Director of Coaching | Great Schools Partnership
Each of these three initial sessions is designed to set the stage and engage participants in a thoughtful dialogue about the shifts that schools experience as they move from a traditional to a personalized learning model. We will provide an overview of some of the the best practices, identify resources, and network with one another. This session will lead to opportunities for deeper dives through other workshops and our Schools in the Spotlight series.
Session Materials
Leadership Presenters Ted Hall, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Tony Burks, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Jean Haeger, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Each of these three initial sessions is designed to set the stage and engage participants in a thoughtful dialogue about the shifts that schools experience as they move from a traditional to a personalized learning model. We will provide an overview of some of the the best practices, identify resources, and network with one another. This session will lead to opportunities for deeper dives through other workshops and our Schools in the Spotlight series. Session Materials
Instruction Presenters Courtney Jacobs, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Jon Ingram, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership This extended learning session will offer participants time to think through the shift both in the classroom and across the system for students in the learning process. What are some clear indicators that students are building skills toward being self-directed and are actively engaged in learning? Participants will have time to learn, listen, reflect, and consider next steps in the journey that their school is taking to personalize learning. Session Materials Articles
Session 2 | 10:55 – 12:00 PM
Open Discussion Presenters Kate Gardoqui, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Ted Hall, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Consider joining a facilitated discussion with GSP coaches that will focus on grading practices, beliefs, and standards-based grading software decisions. The session will provide a forum for thinking through school-based decisions, current practices, and the role of reporting. The discussion will lead to the creation of an agreed upon set of questions that will guide the development of a follow-up webinar for League members. Session Materials
Instruction Presenters Andi Summers, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Dan Liebert, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership As schools design and implement a personalized learning system, it is critical that they maintain a focus on 21st century skills, such as collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Rather than focusing on an individualized curriculum, a personalized learning environment can foster the development of these transferable skills while also maintaining a proficiency-based system and building upon the interests and aspirations of students. GSP staff will facilitate a learning session where participants will focus on the elements of collaboration and critical thinking, self-assess their school’s status in these skills, and identify some resources and examples for further review. Session Materials
Catalina Foothills, AZ Deeper Learning school resources
New Tech Network Collaborative Work Group Contracts
Collaborative Routines – Tools for Classroom Teachers
Leadership Presenters Jean Haeger, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Michelle Milstein, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Many times, the greatest challenge that schools face as they engage in any school improvement cycle is time for educators to learn and refine their work based on feedback from students and colleagues. This session will provide participants an opportunity to learn about structures and strategies that some schools are using to ensure teachers have time to learn together. Session Materials
Instruction Presenters Katie Thompson, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Don Weafer, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Why is it critical that our students learn how to reflect on their learning and set goals for future success? This session will provide members opportunities to both understand the why and gain some familiarity with the how. Session Materials Articles: Assessment for Learning – Education Services Australia, Discussing Evidence of Learning – Sandra Herbst and Anne Davies, Creating a Culture of Student Reflection – edutopia.org, Student Reflective Practices – ascd.org, What is Reflection and Why Should We Teach It? – ascd.org’ Tools: Goal Setting Sheet – oregon.edu, Student Goal Setting Form – toolsforgreatteachers.org, Goal Setting Process – S. Brookhart, ascd.org, Exit Slip Templates for Student Reflection – readwritethink.org, Reflection Questions – edutopia.org
Leadership Presenters Craig Kesselheim, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Tony Burks, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Duke Albanese, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership What conditions need to be in place to ensure a cycle of continual school improvement? This session will provide members with an opportunity to consider how particular practices lend themselves to fostering a collegial learning environment and encouraging new ideas for the purpose of improved student learning outcomes. Session Materials
Session 3 | 1:15 – 1:50 PM
We are privileged to hear from students at the Cabot School in Vermont who will share their perspectives, experiences, and voices to our conversation and inspire our work.
Session 4 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Instruction The Synapse team from Twinfield Union School in Vermont will share their current approach to designing and implementing an inter-disciplinary learning environment. English, social studies, and science educators co-plan and teach with the intent of making learning more relevant, support 21st century skills, and offer greater opportunities for differentiation and choice. Session Materials
Grading LIS members who have implemented standards-based grading within their schools will be on our panel to share their journeys and answer questions from the audience.
Leadership A team from Nokomis Regional High in Maine will share their approach to shared leadership and will discuss the journey toward a collaborative environment that has resulted in increased student achievement, attainment, and attendance. Session Materials
Leadership Presenters Kate Theriault, Public Engagement Associate | Great Schools Partnership Join members of the Great Schools Partnership Community Engagement team to learn more about an opportunity for districts to participate in a regional initiative aimed at designing systematic ways for all stakeholders in your district to participate in the ongoing improvement of schools in meaningful and powerful ways. During this session, participants will learn more about the grant, the theory of action guiding the work, and how they can submit a letter of interest if they wish to pursue the opportunity Session Materials
Presenters Andi Summers, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership Ted Hall, Senior Associate | Great Schools Partnership In this workshop, participants will learn about the fundamental components of an effective proficiency-based teaching and learning system and access an array of resources that can inform and support their work around the refinement of policies, the development of practices, and the engagement community-stakeholders. Session Materials