Empowering Students Through the Continuous Improvement Classroom System

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Empowering Students Through the Continuous
Improvement Classroom System
Ann BuckleyEarly Childhood Paul
HayesCounselor Becky MartinContinuous
Improvement Facilitator Janette Stecker5th
grade Steph StulkenKindergarten

• NQEC - St. Louis, Missouri
• November 13, 2007

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Quick Facts

• 2,805 employees
• 17,840 students
• 21 Minority enrollment
• 38 Free/Reduced
• 33 attendance sites
• 23 elementary
• 6 middle school
• 4 high schools
• 179 million budget
• 35 formal school/business partnerships
• Iowas second largest school district

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• Essential Outcomes
• Definition of the components of a Continuous
  Improvement classroom
• Understanding of how the components empower
  students

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• Deciding to enter into a quality process in
  education is not because good things are not
  happening but because of a desire to have good
  things happen regularly, consistently, and
  predictable at every level of the school system.
  Random acts of excellence have little effect on
  the desired strategic results.
• Margaret Byrnes

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Strategic Plan
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School Plan on Page
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Goal Alignment
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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Quality Levels
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What is Quality?
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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Ground Rules
Standards for behavior

• Student ownership responsibility
• Reduce behavior problems
• Build a climate of trust and comfort

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Ground Rules Process

• Question to ask
• How will we treat each other?
• Climate
• Comfort
• Cooperation

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Silent Brainstorming
Affinity Diagram
Nominal Group Technique
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Ground RulesEmpower Students

• Student created
• All students have a voice
• Ownership
• Students self-monitor

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Mission StatementDefining the Purpose

• Defines who we are
• Focuses students, parents and teacher on the
  learning goals
• Aligns district, school, class and students

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Process and Tools for Creating a Mission
Statement

• Silently brainstorm
• Who are we?
• Why are we here?
• What do we stand for?
• How will we know we are there?

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Mission Statements Empower Students

• Student created
• Common focus
• Create an environment of acceptance
• Communicate what is important

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Class Student Goals Set the Target

• Focus on learning achievement
• SMART Goals are
• Aligned to the SIP Curricular standards
• Based on data
• Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
  Results-Oriented Time Bound

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Goal Process

• Determine areas in greatest need of improvement?
• Examine
• Standards and benchmarks
• SIP
• Individual student data
• Student specific

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Goals Empower Students

• Common focus
• Target for achievement
• Communicate what is important
• Build community engagement

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Classroom Data Center Representation of
classroom processes

• Displays district, building, and classroom
  alignment
• Demonstrates progress toward goals
• Used by students to manage their learning

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Classroom Data Center
Math Computation During the 2006-2007 school
year, the percentage of students scoring in the
high and intermediate math total proficiency
levels will increase by 5 as measured by the
district math assessments and ITBS.
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Student Data Folder
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Data Centers Empower Students

• Graphical representation of class goal
  achievement
• Foster a sense of accomplishment and motivation
• Build community by celebrating learning for all

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Data Folder Evidence of student achievement

• Aligned with class/curricular goals
• Student focus
• 1) What is my goal?
• 2) What is my action plan?
• 3) When will I monitor my progress?
• 4) What tool will I use?

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Data Folders - Tools

• Histograms
• Radar Charts
• Check Sheets
• Run Charts
• Bar Graphs
• Lotus Diagram

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http//quality.cr.k12.ia.us/
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Data Folders Empower Students

• Graphical representation of individual goal
  achievement
• Build responsibility for own learning
• Foster a sense of accomplishment motivation
• Create self-efficacy

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Student-Led ConferencesReporting of Progress

• Students-
• lead the discussion
• using data folder
• Teacher acts as facilitator

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Student Led Conferences Process and Tools
Orientation (hallway table) Read your conference letter Share the conference plan with your parent(s) (1-2 minutes) Data Folder Share class mission statement and ground rules Share your performance graph (4-5 minutes) Goals Share your goals for the next term. Is what you have been doing working well? What changes can we make so that I can continue to improve? (2-4 minutes)
Future Look Review goals with your teacher Teacher will share upcoming units and projects for the next term (4-6 minutes) Hands-on activity (example) Teach your parents how to play Multiplication Top-It Using a battery, bulb, and red wire, have your family light the bulb (3-5 minutes)
Report Card Teacher will ask if there are questions about the report card or Behavior Expectations Rubric Discuss progress (4-6 minutes) Introduction Introduce your parent(s) to your teacher when she is free to meet with you (1-2 minutes) Portfolio samples Share the three samples of your work that you plan to add to your portfolio Why did you choose these samples? Do they support your goals? (2-3 minutes)
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Student-led Conferences Empower Students

• Ownership/responsibility for their learning
• Reflection on progress over time
• Pride in accomplishments
• Celebrate Success

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Class MeetingsCommunication forum

• Led facilitated by students
• Focus on problem solving
• Feedback tools
• Discuss progress toward goals

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CLASS MEETINGS
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Class Meetings Process and Tools
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Class Meetings Empower Students

• Involve students in a problem-solving process
• Students have a voice
• Create an environment of acceptance
• Focus on achievement, resolution of issues
  CELEBRATIONS!!!!

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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PDSAProcess for Improvement

• PLAN
• A change based on current practice
• DO
• Carry it out on a small scale
• STUDY
• The results
• ACT
• On what you find

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• Pre Planning Identification of Need
• 1. Develop/Review Student Learning Expectations
• 2. Examine alignment of learning expectations
  with assessments
• 3. Review assessment data
• 4. Identify areas of need based on assessment

• Plan
• 1. Describe the current process for addressing
  the identified area of need (flow chart)
• 2. Review data to determine baseline performance
  in the specific area identified
• (Run Chart/Pareto Diagram)
• 3. Identify potential root causes contributing
  to the identified area of need
• (Cause Effect Diagram, 5 Whys,
  Relations Diagram)
• 4. Study research-based best practice/improvement
  theory addressing areas of need

• DO
• 1. Plan for implementation of improvement theory
  (Force Field Analysis, Action Plan)
• 2. Implement research-based best practices
  improvement theory based on root causes
  according to the Action Plan
• 3. Monitor the implementation of research-based
  best practice/improvement theory to insure
  integrity and fidelity4. Assess student learning

• Act
• 1. Standardize the implementation of
  research-based best practice (improvement theory)
  that improved student learning (revise the flow
  chart to reflect changes made to the system)
• 2. If improvement theory was unsuccessful
  continue the PDSA cycle (try another improvement
  theory based on the next identified root causes)

Action Research Overview
Study 1. Examine student assessment results
(compare to baseline) 2. Assess the impact of
research-based best practice/improvement theory
on student achievement
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Classroom PDSA
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Student PDSA
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The PDSA process Empowers Students

• Students generate an action plan/improvement
  theory
• Involves student in problem solving
• Focus on improvement

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Ground rules created by students Classroom mission statements Classroom student measurable goals
Quality tools and PDSA used regularly The Continuous Improvement Classroom Classroom data centers
Classroom meetings facilitated by students Student-led conferences Student data folders

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Continuous Improvement Empowers Students

• When asked
• I know what the important learning goals are in
  my classroom 95 of elementary students agreed
• Teachers challenge me to put forth my best
  effort
• 91 of elementary students agreed

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Questions
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Want more information?
Cedar Rapids Community Schools Continuous
Improvement Web Site http//quality.cr.k12.ia.us/

• Ann Buckley
• Early Childhood
• abuckley_at_cr.k12.ia.us
• Paul Hayes
• Counselor
• phayes_at_cr.k12.ia.us
• Jay Marino
• Assoc. Superintendent
• jmarino_at_cr.k12.ia.us

Janette Stecker 5th Grade jstecker_at_cr.k12.ia.u
s Steph Stulken Kindergarten sstulken_at_cr.k12.i
a.us Becky Martin CI facilitator rmartin_at_cr.k12
.ia.us