Well, believe it or not, this chapter also relates to how we are conducting our educational changes within our building. Since we are a larger school, we use the "large-scale" tactics such as Team member/leader. We have formed small learning communities that are split up into Freshmen Academies and Theme Based Schools. This approach uses team leaders and members to tackle specific tasks that are usually agreed upon by the leaders. There is a consensus among team members also, so that all have buy in.
Along with that, we are also trying hard to Identify the client through the use of data provided by two procedures or policies. Positive Behavior Support and Standards Based Grading. This has been a difficult process that we are learning from because we still need to collect all the data and do something with it. This will happen during the first year, so we make it understood to all that the process is not overnight, it will take time.
Of course, training is the key to maintaining this revolution for our building. I use the word revolution because that has been one of major concepts that I have taught recently and I believe that it applies. The training is supposed to change the mindsets of all involved from within without it being a top down decision making process. Difficult is putting it subtle.
3 comments:
Clifton,
It seems at times that changing our way of doing things presents a challenge no matter how we try to ease into the situation, especially when introducing new ideas, concepts or technology. It seems especially challenging when the outcome is so long-term, but having regular check-ins and updates helps that process. Great examples!
I work at a pretty small high school so we don't really have anything like your small learning communities. I always thought it would be interesting to see how that worked. Is this something that your school district went into right from the start or started out with one or two small communities and then expanded when they found it seemed to work? I can see a big change like that being very challenging but rewarding if it all works out.
Spencer,
Our communities are based on a model. We did a pilot for the freshman and then did it for all freshman. The rest of the school formed theme based schools the same year that we formed academies for all. We had visited schools in Chicago and Muskegon to see learning communities in action.
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