PRISM Learning Communities

1

• PRISM Learning Communities
• 3rd Annual SE PRISM
• Learning Community workshop
• September 15, 2006

2
PRISM Goals

• To increase expectations student achievement in
  science and mathematics by
• Increasing quality, quantity diversity of P-12
  teachers.
• Ex. Content-based customized professional
  learning
• Providing challenging courses curricula to all
  students.
• Ex. New GA Performance Standards
• Ex. Classroom Research Mini-grants
• Ex. Higher Education Institute for Teaching
  Learning
• Increasing the involvement of higher education in
  P-12 schools
• Ex. School Learning communities

3
PRISM Strategies

• Strategy 1 Customized content-based PD
• Strategy 2 P-5 Endorsements
• Strategy 3 K-16 Learning communities
• Strategy 4 Higher Education Institute
• Strategy 5 More Pre-service Science
• Strategy 6 Teacher working conditions
• Strategy 7 Teacher Recruitment
• Strategy 8 Challenging Curricula (GPS)
• Strategy 9 Public Awareness Campaign
• Strategy 10 Faculty Rewards

4
Key Regional Activities

• Professional Development
• PD Mini-grants (74 funded in SER in 2 years)
• Last year over 1200 teachers participated
• PD Redelivery in Learning Communities
• P-16 Learning communities
• Focus on effective-practices in science math
• 72 school-based LCs in 2006-2007
• 46 higher ed LC faculty from AASU CGCC

5
P-16 Learning Community Defining Elements

• P-16 Learning Communities Promote
• The trying, testing, verifying, and replicating
  of effective teaching practices in science and
  mathematics
• Collaboration between P-12 and higher education
  faculty.
• Shared leadership by faculty from schools
  colleges
• A commitment to a set of values which builds
  community and respect for diverse ideas.
• Making the work of participants public.
• Work that is results oriented.
• Collaborative inquiry (action research)
• (LC environment structure at each school may
  vary!!!)

6
LC Rubric Discussion

• Groups including old and new schools discuss
  rubric
• Focus on each element separately
• Where will your school most likely begin?
• How might your LC make progress on each element?
• Which elements will be the most difficult?
• (Next well provide step by step goals and a LC
  template)

7
2005/2006 LC Rubric Results

• Over 50 of Learning Communities at top levels
• Community Diversity
• Shared Vision
• Results Oriented Work
• Collaborative Inquiry

8
SE RegionLearning Community Goals

• To create community within the group where all
  participants openly share ideas and experiences.
• To determine needs by evaluation of student data
  and student work samples.
• To determine, validate and share effective
  practices in the teaching and learning of science
  and mathematics.
• To determine and meet the professional
  development needs of each teacher in the learning
  community.
• To participate in action research projects
• To use research results to improve the teaching
  and learning of science and mathematics in all
  P-16 classrooms.

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Discussion of LC Template

• 1st Step Clarify PRISM LC definition and
  discuss possible school level needs.
• Questions Ideas

10
Discussion of LC Template

• 2nd Step Determine direction of LC for
  2006/2007 based upon the data self-assessed
  teacher needs
• Questions Ideas

11
Discussion of LC Template

• 3rd Step Plan needs based professional
  development (begin inviting H Ed faculty)
• Questions Ideas

12
Discussion of LC Template

• 4th Step Assess status of PRISM LC using rubric
• Questions Ideas

13
Discussion of LC Template

• 5th Step Share best practices
• Questions Ideas

14
3rd Annual PRISM LCW

• Panel Session is next for additional questions
• Implementing PRISM Learning Communities
• 1st steps taken to establish and/or engage in LCs
• Main challenge and how it was overcome
• Largest accomplishment or most progress made