Northwest Area Schools Title II D Grant Report

Northwest Area SchoolsTitle II D Grant ReportCris OwensProject CoordinatorNorthwest Area Schools/Education Service Agency 5Isabel, SD 57633

Dr. Helen E. UseraProject EvaluatorInstitute for Educational Leadership & EvaluationChiesman Center for Democracy, Inc.Rapid City, South Dakota 57701

Technology Bootcamp: Learning to Lead in the 21st Century

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1.0Professional Development Goal:80% of participating teachers will increase their effectiveness in integrating 21st Century Skills into the learning process.

Professional Development Objective:

By the end of the third quarter, 80% of participating teachers will develop and implement, in a classroom, a student-based project that is aligned with reading or math standards, and integrates 21st Century Skills and technology.

Activities:Four (4) classes with cohort groupsSix (6) coaching visits per teacherFourteen (14) online postings per teacherCollected evidence:Teacher projectspostings

(Evaluation)**as measured by increasing one level on the Milestones for Improving Learning and Education (MILE) Guide for 21st Century Skills, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, by the conclusion of the project.**

Mile GuideThree stages of developmentEarlyTransitional21st CenturySix categoriesStudent Knowledge and SkillsEducation Support SystemsEducation LeadershipPolicy MakingPartneringContinuous ImprovementPartnership for 21st Century Skills website a self assessment survey 14 questionswww.P21.org/mileguide Participants pretest in Aug 2010 and posttest in May 2011 6Mile Guide: Comparison of Early StagePartner category has to do with community partnerships. There is a need here, rural schools often struggle with this because there are few partnerships to foster. However, community education is a continuing need.Greatest gains area is in Student Knowledge.7Other category PE, music, tech teachers, computer teachersMS didnt show much change in the end but did in MarchAll others showed good gains8Good gains with the exception of MS9Great gains. Shows typical effective implementation growth 10Links to Projects and Postingshttp://technology-bootcamp-nwas.wikispaces.com/

http://community.thinkfinity.org/groups/technology-bootcamp

Goal 2.0Student Achievement Goal:80% of students in cohort classrooms will reach proficient or advanced in reading or math as measured by the Dakota STEP in 2011.Student Achievement Objective:

At the end of each quarter, 80% of students in cohort classrooms will attain proficiency on a teacher-selected indicator in reading or math as measured quarterly by Achievement Series assessments.

Activities:Teachers will analyze 2010 Dakota Step data to identify weak reading and math indicators.Teachers will be provided with guidance to analyze data, select indicators and plan for formative assessmentHand out steps for Emetric analysis at August classProvide direction on how to access classroom data through EmetricGuide teachers through an analysis of data using EmetricGuide teachers to DOE Website for reading/math standard clarificationGive copies of unpacked standards to teachers for analysis and discussionHave each teacher select one or two indicators for focused instruction (ex: Measurement m.1.2)

Guide teachers through the development or selection of formative assessments using Achievement SeriesEach teacher will administer a Pre/Post-test related to the selected indicator(s) quarterlyTeachers will plan technology rich lessons and activities to assist students attain proficiency on teacher selected indicatorTeachers will record data quarterly and submit to project coordinatorsTeachers will participate in discussions about what impact technology-rich instruction is having on student achievement.

Not reported didnt indicate the grade4 comparison teachers in reading but no grade level reported16No MS scores 4th quarter. 19Dakota Step Percent of Proficient & AdvancedYearReadingMath201076.9%81.3%201175.8%87.0%Dakota Step 2010 & 2011Reading 2010Reading 2011Math 2010Math 2011Number of Students Tested1821906469Average Scaled Score625.13622.96653.25674.96Minimum Scaled Score543546567579Maximum Scaled Score751720817838Range208174250259Observations: Reading Range of scores got closer, the maximum SS decreased from 751 to 720Math minimum and maximum both increased21Principals Cohort GroupInvited 28 to participate 13 choose to participate for the grant period.Attended leadership training in August 2010.Met face to face oncePosted on Thinkfinity about projects and teacher observationsAttended Technology Summit in June 2011

Project SuccessesRetained 85% of the participating districts 18/21 Retained 83% of the cohort teachers 35/42Rich ongoing teacher collaboration throughout ESA 5 regionPrincipals tuned into teachers technology & 21st Century Skills growthIncreased Student engagementMajor ChallengesInternet availability at schoolsBandwidthSites blocked by Technology Achievement SeriesWhat Did WE Learn?Our region has high quality teachers who are willing to learn, grow and shareTeachers are willing to take risks in order to improve education process for studentsNew education sites and usesSmee District Technology Coordinator, Eric Skillingstad, earned his recognition at TIE!Need for continued technology & 21st Century Skills teaching and learning

Advice for Future Project LeadersDo all the upfront planning possible.Plan for as many what ifs as possible.Plan on sustainability after the grant work is over.Get high quality experts to work with your teachers.Coaching is a must.

Considerations for ReplicationIf you could change anything about the Bootcamp, what would you want?

1. Learn how to put a Wikispace together2.Learn how to use Smartboards and IPads3.Learn how to assess the new products and connecting to what students learn4.I wish there was a Bootcamp 25.I would like to go to other schools and visit classrooms.6.I would like to learn how to develop true creativity for students.

What do you recommend should be kept for future Bootcamps?

1. Face to face meetings keep you on track2. Thinkfinity3. Kevin Honeycutt4. Stipend5. Credit hours6. Gifts7. The staff is flexible. 8. Monthly meetings; modeling with teachers

What do you recommend should be changed for future Bootcamps?

1.The day of the week for face to face meetings should be changed so the teacher does not miss the same class every time.2.Use an alternative assessment to the Achievement Series.3.Integrate technology standards.4.Meet and practice presentations 1-2 weeks prior to the conference.5.Increase the stipend.6.Provide a checklist of requirements.7.June is better for the initial meeting time.8.Coaches should model to students and the teacher observes.