Wolcott's What's Up
Office of Teaching & Learning 4.20.2016
Progress
noun: progress
ˈpräɡres/
1.
forward or onward movement toward a destination.
"the darkness did not stop my progress"
synonyms:forward movement, advance, going, progression, headway, passage
"boulders made progress difficult"
Kudos and Thanks!
These last five years in education across the United States have caused tremendous stress and anxiety in all educators. The state and federal mandates and their trickle down effect have led to many sleepless nights for all of us. Implementing the new more rigorous Common Core State Standards in both Math and Reading have required us to dramatically change how we teach, with materials that aren't fully aligned to these standards, so we can prepare for a new assessment (PARCC) that changes every year, while being evaluated on a new evaluation instrument that uses new metrics (student growth/PERA), while trying to meet the social and emotional needs of a wonderfully diverse population. Added to this, are the coming expectations from the state that we fully implement the Next Generation Science Standards next year and the newly approved Illinois State Social Science (studies) Standards during the 2017-18 school year.
I don't know of an educator in America who is not stressed out and/or overwhelmed to some extent by all of these changes and demands.
So, how do we handle this?
STAYING STRONG
First and foremost, we have to stay strong as a team and realize it will take years for us to fully develop our new curriculum and instructional practices. No one, not me, not the Superintendent, or the Board of Education expect staff to be perfect. All we can do is make progress...daily progress. Try and get a little better each day, knowing we are doing the absolute best job we can.
PACING OURSELVES
Next, we need to slow down things if and when we can. We will not be fully implementing the Next Generation Science Standards next year. We will use next year as a learning year. We will take our time to learn the new standards, what they mean for students and implement when staff are ready. The same will happen with the new Illinois Social Science (Studies) Standards. Even though we are mandated to implement during the 17-18 school year, we will take our time and implement as soon as we can in a thoughtful manner.
WE ARE FLEXIBLE
Then, we must be responsive to problems and challenges that arise while we are making curricular and instructional changes. For example, looking back at notes made by members of the reading committee last year when the Schoolwide program was selected, the two overwhelming strengths of the program list were 1) alignment to and prioritization of common core standards and 2) strong unit assessments. Now after implementing the program, we see that these are strengths. The assessments are not as aligned to instruction as we thought, the standards are not as prioritized as we thought, and their are quite a few of the more important and higher level standards that aren't addressed. This totally unexpected problem, can not go unaddressed. We will need to adjust the reading curriculum so we can better meet the needs of students.
SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER
And finally, we need to feel good that we are in a district with so many resources to support us all through this period of change. Having full time social workers, instructional coaches, LRC Directors, Gifted Specialists, etc., a good supply of Chromebooks (although we would all love more), well furnished classrooms, daily collaborative time, weekly PLC time, and a supportive Board of Education will help us survive and eventually thrive.
With all of that said, I want to thank you for all your perseverance and resilience through these tough times. I am continually impressed with our staff and the progress and growth we have made as a district toward accomplishing our Academic Transformation Plan.
Next Generation Science Implementation
As you are aware, the State has mandated that we fully implement the Science Standards next school year. We can not meet this timeline without causing undue stress to students and staff. We have decided to slow down the implementation and use next year as a learning year.
Part of the learning process will be to "pilot" science resources in the classroom. Members of the Next Generation Science Committee will meet on May 18th for a full day of presentations by three of the most highly recommended products. At the conclusion of the day, resources will be selected for piloting. Piloting will begin in early fall. Our goal of piloting materials is to truly find out strengths and weaknesses of programs prior to purchase in early spring. We believe this piloting will help us avoid problems like we have had with Schoolwide.
Teachers interested in piloting resources next school year should contact their building principal or members of the Science Committee after the 18th.
Ten Marks Math/TEACH
I have received quite a few questions regarding the use of TenMarks. I believe most of these questions will be answered once people see the resource during the April 29th School Improvement Day, but will address a few of the more commonly asked questions below:
Question: Why was TenMarks purchased?
- Numerous teachers and administrators have expressed a frustration in pulling resources for the new curriculum. They have shared that it is very difficult to try and gather materials from 6-8 different sources. Further, they have shared a need for a direct instructional component for students that would be more closely aligned instead of having to go to LearnZillions or Khan Academy. And they said they would love more opportunities for differentiation.
- In an attempt to meet these needs, TenMarks was purchased. TenMarks has two components 1)TEACH: A component which models instruction for students and staff 2) TenMarks Math: a component that allows for individual student practice and assessment as well as remediation and extension.
Question: Is TenMarks a new math curriculum?
- No, TenMarks is a resource. Our Math curriculum is clearly listed on the District 68 CUrriculum Weebly. This spring and summer, as Rachel Manjarres (District Math Specialist) and curriculum writing volunteers realign our math curriculum based upon instructional sequencing required by PARCC, they will align the TenMarks lessons to what we have developed.
Question: Are teachers required to use TenMarks?
- No. Teachers are required to teach the Board approved curriculum listed on the D68 Curriculum Weebly. Choosing to use TenMarks or other materials such as Engage New York, etc. is at the discretion of the classroom teacher.
IXL Math
Wilson Fundations: Third Grade
Principals have been expressing a need all year for systematic phonics instruction at the third grade level feeling many of the foundational skills needed for student success are not be taught through existing resources.
In a meeting last week, principals made the consensus decision to purchase the level three Fundations program for third grade students next school year. Buildings will purchase this program from building Title 1 funds.
I attempted to secure an onsite trainer for the staff this May. Unfortunately, the company who does the training in Illinois is booked until early October.
Fortunately, training is available for third grade staff in late May in Lombard. Principals have the website for registration.
Third grade teachers should complete a "Conference Request Form" in My Learning Plan for this training. Principals will use building budgets to send staff to this event.
Reading A to Z
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
In compliance with federal testing requirements, Illinois will administer a science assessment to students enrolled in a public school district in grades 5, 8 and once at the high school level. The high school assessment utilizes a course-based model with content aligned to Biology I. The assessment will be administered in an online format and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which were adopted in 2014.
The test will be administered to students in grade 5 and 8 during the last week of May in District 68.
A link to frequently asked questions provided by ISBE can be found here: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/assessment/pdfs/isa/isa-faq.pdf
Accommodations for IEP students will be used during the assessment.
Learning Targets? Learning Intentions? HELP!
Some people call the picture to the left a stool, others called it a chair, some a seat, and in some parts of the world a settle. What is important is that all of these are synonymous for a place in which one sits.
The same can be said for the term, "learning target." Some call it a learning intention, others a learning goal, others an "I can", some a purpose statement. What is important though is that regardless of what term you use, every lesson every day, students should know what they are learning, why and what success looks like.
Leadership and Learning Resources
Greg Wolcott
Email: wolcottg@woodridge68.org
Website: www.woodridge68.org
Location: 7925 Janes Avenue, Woodridge, IL, United States
Phone: 630.967.2035