Improvement Planning: Developing Goal-Achieving Strategies that are Monitored and Evaluated
Completing our series on school and district improvement planning, addresses the development of goal-achieving strategies and activities that are monitored and evaluated.
In determining what strategies and activities to implement, schools and district need to ensure that they are research-based, proven best practices. Consideration must also be given to what order they must occur to meet the school and district priority needs and improvement goals. It is also important to remember that each strategy or activity must have a direct impact on student learning including strategies such as ongoing professional development and implementation of instructional practices. The expected impact linked to the strategies and activities should identify how effective implementation will impact student learning and increase student achievement.
Peter Senge says that, “You can’t expect what you don’t inspect.” Monitoring and evaluation is key to the effective implementation of school and district improvement plans. Evidence should be available, for example, implementation and impact checks, formative and summative assessment data, interviews, observations, and student work to determine the impact on student learning. Monitoring and evaluation should also include opportunities for reflection and adjustments to strategies and activities as needed.
Bottom-line: the most well written school or district improvement plan is nothing more than ink on paper if it is not implemented as designed and monitored for effectiveness on improving student achievement.
If you have any questions about effective strategies for monitoring and evaluating improvement plans, please contact David Cook or Erin McGee or call 502-564-4201.
ISN Annual Meeting
The Annual Instructional Support Network Meeting is scheduled for November 29-30 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. The meeting focuses on building high quality instruction for all students. The meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. on November 29 for the ISN network including all professional development coordinators. A more detailed agenda will be provided soon.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Galt House listed under “KDE Instructional Support Network. To make reservations, contact the Galt House Hotel at (800) THE-GALT or (502) 589-5200 by October 29.
KTLC Looking for Presenters
The 2008 Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference (KTLC) will be held March 6-7, in Louisville at the International Convention Center. The theme, Student Learning for the 21st Century – Every Child, Every Day, will showcase excellence form schools and districts across the state focusing on:
· Assessment for Learning
· Closing the Achievement Gaps
· Successful School Culture
· Technology
The Kentucky Department of Education is seeking presenters for one-and-a-half hour sessions and workshops. Please visit the KTLC Web site for complete information on submitting an application. The deadline to submit an application is October 31.
KSTA Fall Conference
The Kentucky Science Teachers Association (KSTA) Fall Conference and Professional Development is November 1-3 in Lexington. Conference and registration information can be found on the KSTA Web site.
Quotable Quotes
“Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.”
B.F. Skinner