Activity

Description

Curriculum Alignment Initiative

Map the current taught curriculum in order to examine the degree to which it is aligned to state and national standards and is consistent across grade levels/courses and articulated between grade levels (eliminate gaps and redundancies). Establish in each content area core content and skills (what students should know and be able to do).

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Start: 10/1/2007
Finish: 6/28/2013

$120,000.00

Professional Development Activity Information

Number of Hours Per Session

Total Number of Sessions Per School Year

Estimated Number of Participants Per Year

3

5

150

Organization or Institution Name

Type of Provider

Provider's Department of Education Approval Status

BASD

School Entity

Approved

Knowledge and Skills

Research and Best Practices

Designed to Accomplish

The participant will be able to:

1. Identify the content and skills that are to be taught.

2. Analyze how content and skills develop over time (introduce, develop, reinforce).

3. Analyze the curriculum both horizontally and vertically to identify gaps and redundancies.

4. Identify grade level/course benchmarks.

5. Align content, skills, and assessments with standards and anchors.

6. Integrate reading, writing, mathematics, and technology across the curriculum.

7. Plan for effective instruction.

The professional development content will be based on what is considered "best practices" when creating a standards-aligned system utilizing the work of Heidi Hayes-Jacobs and ASCD curriculum development resources.

For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists:

· Enhances the educator's content knowledge in the area of the educator's certification or assignment.

· Increases the educator's teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students.

· Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making.

For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles:

·  Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania's academic standards.

·  Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making.

·  Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning.

Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity

Role

Grade Level

·   Classroom teachers

·   Principals / asst. principals

·  Middle (grades 6-8)

·  Elementary (grades 2-5

·  High school (grades 9-12)

·   

Follow-up Activities

Evaluation Methods

·   Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers

·   Peer-to-peer lesson discussions

·   Classroom observation focusing on factors such as planning and preparation, knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards, classroom environment, instructional delivery and professionalism.

·   Student PSSA data

·   Standardized student assessment data other than the PSSA

·   Classroom student assessment data

·   Review of participant lesson plans

·   Map Analysis (Curriculum Maps will be evaluated using a district developed rubric. Self evaluations and departmental analysis.)

Activity

Description

District Benchmarks and Core Assessments

Identify district benchmarks for each grade level and course and develop core assessments to measure student attainment of identified benchmarks.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Start: 1/2/2008
Finish: 6/29/2012

$30,000.00

Professional Development Activity Information

Number of Hours Per Session

Total Number of Sessions Per School Year

Estimated Number of Participants Per Year

3

5

150

Organization or Institution Name

Type of Provider

Provider's Department of Education Approval Status

BASD

School Entity

Approved

Knowledge and Skills

Research and Best Practices

Designed to Accomplish

The participant will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the use of effective assessment strategies in the classroom.

 2. Create effective core assessments that measure student attainment of district benchmarks.

3. Monitor student progress towards attainment and mastery of district benchmarks.

The content is based on what is considered "best practices" for developing benchmarks for student learning and for developing core assessments for measuring student progress toward achieving established benchmarks.

For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists:

· Enhances the educator's content knowledge in the area of the educator's certification or assignment.

· Increases the educator's teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students.

· Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making.

Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity

Role

Grade Level

·   Classroom teachers

·   Early childhood (preK-grade 3)

·   Middle (grades 6-8)

·   Elementary (grades 2-5

·   High school (grades 9-12)

Follow-up Activities

Evaluation Methods

·   Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers

·   Analysis of student work, with administrator and/or peers

·   Classroom observation focusing on factors such as planning and preparation, knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards, classroom environment, instructional delivery and professionalism.

·   Classroom student assessment data

·   Review of participant lesson plans

Activity

Description

Administrative Walk-Throughs

Implement administrative walk-throughs ("Learning Walks") to collect data on the taught curriculum, instructional and assessment practices, and instructional technology being utilized in classrooms.

1. Develop a district model for Learning Walks/Administrative Walk-Throughs that aligns with district and building goals.

2. Develop rubrics to be used to focus "Learning Walks" based on "Core Competencies" and disseminate to professional staff.

3. Provide training in the "Learning Walks" process for district administrators.

4. Implement "Learning Walks" by administration to collect data on the taught curriculum, instructional and assessment practices, and instructional technology being utilized in classrooms.

5. Develop and publish "Learning Walks" procedures to be implemented on a District-wide basis and a schedule for implementation.

6. Provide information sessions for professional staff on the district's Learning Walk model.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Start: 9/4/2007
Finish: 6/30/2009

$2,500.00

Professional Development Activity Information

Number of Hours Per Session

Total Number of Sessions Per School Year

Estimated Number of Participants Per Year

1

5

10

Organization or Institution Name

Type of Provider

Provider's Department of Education Approval Status

BASD

School Entity

Approved

Knowledge and Skills

Research and Best Practices

Designed to Accomplish

Participants will be able to:

1. Explain the difference between traditional classroom observations and walk-throughs.

2. Gather data about instructional practice and student learning when conducting a walk-through.

3. Initiate reflective conversations with teachers about teaching and learning by asking questions about what evidence is and is not observed during walk-throughs.

The NSDC tool will provide a model for walk-throughs that:

1. Reinforce a focus on instruction and learning as specified in the strategic plan. 2. Gathers data about instructional practices and student learning to supplement other data about school and student performance.

3. Stimulate collegial conversations about teaching and learning.

4. Learn from others in the district/school.

5. Deepen understandings and practice through continuous feedback.

For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles:

·   Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania's academic standards.

·   Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making.

·   Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning.

Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity

Role

·   Principals / asst. principals

·   Superintendent / asst. superintendents

Follow-up Activities

Evaluation Methods

·   Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers

·   Classroom observation focusing on factors such as planning and preparation, knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards, classroom environment, instructional delivery and professionalism.

·   Student PSSA data

·   Standardized student assessment data other than the PSSA

·   Classroom student assessment data

·   Participant survey

Activity

Description

Data Analysis Teams

Develop and implement a system/structure for the operation of district, building, team, department, and grade level data analysis teams.

Person Responsible

Timeline for Implementation

Resources

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Start: 9/4/2007
Finish: 6/30/2010

$4,500.00

Professional Development Activity Information

Number of Hours Per Session

Total Number of Sessions Per School Year

Estimated Number of Participants Per Year

1

5

150

Organization or Institution Name

Type of Provider

Provider's Department of Education Approval Status

BASD

School Entity

Approved

Knowledge and Skills

Research and Best Practices

Designed to Accomplish

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify evidence contained in data sets.

2. Analyze data for strengths, weaknesses, trends.

3. Set goals, develop, and implement action plans to address weaknesses identified during the data analysis.

4. Administer assessments with fidelity.

The data team protocol that will be used is based on Mike Schmoker's work (Getting Results).

For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists:

·   Increases the educator's teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students.

·   Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making.

For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles:

·   Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania's academic standards.

·   Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making.

·   Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning.

Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity

Role