Vertical Teaming in a small school - COSA Assessment Conference/Handouts...describe vertical teaming...

Vertical Teaming

in a small school

IntroductionsKaren Patton - Wallowa ESD superintendent

Bret Uptmor - Wallowa SD superintendent

Vearl Lewis - Wallowa Elementary School, head teacher, 2nd grade teacher

Kristen Tompeck - Wallowa Middle School, teacher, DATA specialist

Share...

Is there a team structure in place at your school? If so, what is it like?

Share...

What are you hoping to get out of today's session?

Objectives● describe vertical teaming in a small school● identify challenges & solutions of teaming● demonstrate district and ESD collaboration● discuss DATA process as it relates to small

schools● present teacher and administrator

perspectives● provide tools for implementations● discuss next steps

What is a vertical team?

A team of teachers from across grade levels that aim to

address a common area of concern (academic, behavioral, school wide)

Why vertical teaming?

The Benefits● improve student outcomes● team structure encourages collaboration,

alignment, safe space for open discussion● focus on data, evidence based discussion and

decision making● alignment across grade levels

Classroom Benefits

● collaboration● goal settings kept us on

track● pinpoint strengths and

weaknesses (teachers and students)

● better understanding of CCSS

● exposure to data● "I do make a

difference."

Administration Benefits● focuses teachers on data● encourages discussion

grounded in evidence● facilitates open

conversation● provides pathways for

teachers to overcome roadblocks

● district level data based needs analysis

Share...

What are some challenges to vertical teaming?

What did we learn that can help you?

Vertical teaming in

Wallowa Elementary School

Challenge: Time● when to train?● when to implement?● when to meet?● when to collect data? when to analyze

data?● when to evaluate results?

Solution: Time● our training schedule based on DATA Project

training schedule● implementation based on training schedule● administrator designated meeting time on work

Fridays● determined type of data, individuals determined

number of data points with set minimum ● found a balance between data collection and

teaching time● amended meeting format to include data and

results analysis

Challenge: Money● money for training● money for time to meet● money to support instructional practices● sustainability

Solution: Money● designated time on work days ● grant money● support from ESD● creative funding, collaboration with

regional districts?

Challenge: Manpower● teachers are overstretched● teacher reluctance● establishing whole team effort● level of understanding (standards, data)● time management● data expert

Solution: Manpower● creative scheduling to designate trainer● choose topic immediately relevant● provide tools and support● make it user friendly, flexibility in

requirements● support from ESD

Challenge: Communication● establishing effective communications

systems● communication among team members● communication to critical support staff● communication to school board● communication to public

Solution: Communication● information sharing system - group email,

Google Docs, school based program

● face to face - trained member regularly and frequently available to field questions

● school board and public communication- publicize the priority

Challenges?What challenges do you see that we haven't addressed?

What challenges have you encountered that we haven't yet?

How might we address those challenges?

Vertical teaming in a small schoolIn our school...● Two groups; K-3 & 4-6● start meetings together, then break into

small groups● meet for 1 hour, every three weeks, work

Fridays● informal bridges to 7-12● content focus - math

Vertical teaming in a small schoolIn other schools...

● smaller groups (K-2, 3-4, 5-6)● 1/2 hour every week● late start, early release● common prep period

Results● marked improvement in problem solving

in elementary grades● alignment in teaching practices● increased awareness between high school

and elementary school math programs● greater awareness of CCSS

Vertical teaming in a small school

What might work for you?

Implementation: Where do you begin?

Implementation: Here's how...Step 1: Assess your situationStep 2: Find your partners Step 3: Train data expertStep 4: Establish teams & meeting calendarStep 5: Reassess & support

Implementation: Step 1

Assess your situation...

Implementation Rubric

Implementation: Step 2

Find your partners....

ESD

Implementation: Leveraging Resources in Small Districts

● ESD Role● Historical Knowledge of District● Sharing Staff● Funding

Implementation: Step 3

Train your data expert ....

The Oregon DATA Project

The Oregon DATA ProjectWhat is the DATA process? Direct Access to Achievement Project provides structure for evaluating data and measuring instructional impact.

How does it fit in?DATA Project provides training, proven effective structure, tools, and ongoing, statewide support.

Implementation: Step 4

Establish teams & meeting calendar

Getting reluctant teachers on board...

● make it immediately relevant to teachers● start with something that is already in

place● provide tools● provide resources● alter schedule, make data collection

manageable

Implementation: Step 5

Reassess & support

Recommendations...● small bites, find natural fits● have consistent meeting structure and

dedicated meeting time● team members have authority to make

and act on team decisions● use meaningful data, directly connected to

work with students, clear criteria● develop effective communications

systems

Recommendations● administrator support (allots time,

training resources, values teacher input)● designate lead teacher to support data

specialist● communicate to the public ● create a culture of data (informal

conversations, in house PD)● proactive at the start

Contact InformationKaren Patton - kpatton@r18esd.org

Bret Uptmor - buptmor@wallowa.k12.or.us

Vearl Lewis - vlewis@wallowa.k12.or.us

Kristen Tompeck - ktompeck@wallowa.k12.or.us

DATA Project - oregondataproject.org