AD Connect
3-26-18
Back to Basics
PLC's and Coaching During STAAR
As with all systems, we need to be flexible and make adjustments when needs arise on our campuses. This certainly applies to our PLCs and our coaching conversations. Many of you have modified your plans to meet the needs of the work taking place in classrooms gearing up for STAAR. Below are some ideas from our campuses:
- Focus coaching conversations on the one instructional challenge you face with STAAR success, perhaps rigor of instruction or evidence of student mastery.
- Develop short common assessments for a priority SE, administer weekly, and review results at the subsequent PLC. Plan and model reteach lessons.
- Cancel some PLCs for the short term to provide teachers additional targeted STAAR support to students.
- Identify a student group to closely track in your PLCs. Consider desired distinctions, achievement challenges with a particular population, etc. Meet with teachers to identify specific student learning gaps, planned instructional interventions, and expected evidence of learning. Subsequent PLCs can follow the same format and continuously monitor the same kids.PL
SSI
I know you are already thinking about what to do following the 5th grade administration. Below are some reminders to consider as we move toward the next phase (to begin immediately after the first round of testing):
Identify likely non-passers and create new groups (reading/science, math/science, reading/math/science, and science only)
Assign strong teachers to those groups based on their skill sets
Allocate instructional times to ensure all needs are addressed
Remember, we have materials for this phase. Your teachers just need some time to plan/prepare.
Failure Prevention
Behavior Plans
Upcoming Coaching Visits
These will be our areas of focus during coaching conversations over the next few weeks:
- Principal goals and campus initiatives
- STAAR readiness plans and PLCs/walkthroughs
- SSI plans
- Failure prevention plans
- Discipline/behavior concerns
Balanced Literacy
Instructional Coaches
Consider also the following resources:
Arlington ISD Instructional Coach Model
Western DuBuque Community School District Instructional Coaching Handbook
Coppell ISD Instructional Coaching
Franklin Township Public Schools Instructional Coaching Manual
Upcoming Dates
March 29-PLC Institute
March 30-Student/Staff Holiday
March 31-Last day for Dimension U Math Tournament (WAIP, 2/16)
April 10-STAAR (5th grade math & 4th grade writing)
April 11-STAAR (5th grade reading)
April 19-District Transfer Fair
April 23-APMP Meeting & District Retirement Celebration
May 4-PTA Spring Luncheon
Interview Collaboration
Where's Nester
Monday-Campus Walks/Coaching (AM) & Campus Walks/Coaching (PM)
Tuesday-Campus Walks/Coaching (AM) & Meetings at HHB (PM)
Wednesday-Meetings at HHB (AM) & Meetings at HHB (PM)
Thursday-AM LAD; PM Campus Walks/Coaching
Friday-No school