Changes in Instruction:  What will teachers do to ensure students learn and develop the learning behaviors identified in the first column?  (Be sure that the instructional practices you identify will address every student learning behavior and connect to the Rhode Island Beginning Teacher Standards.)  Include all Changes in Instruction from the School Improvement Action Plan Template that this activity/series will impact.

Identify strengths and weaknesses in literacy instruction across all content areas.

Understand how to create instructional opportunities that reflect an understanding of how children learn and develop critical thinking/literacy strategies.

Understand how to create learning experiences that reflect an understanding of central concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline they teach.

Emphasize oral and written communication through instructional use of discussion, listening and responding to ideas of others, and group interaction.

Understand how to create and utilize formative assessment to adjust instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Professional Development (PD) in support of Changing Instruction: For each change in instructional practice, detail the PD that will support making those changes. Include:

1.        Describe the PD.

2.        Who will facilitate the PD?

3.        When the PD is scheduled to take place.

4.        How will the professional development implementation be monitored?

Collaboration and Support: For each major PD program, describe how teachers will be provided opportunities for ongoing collaboration and discussion regarding their PD and putting it into practice.

Resources, School and District: What school-wide and district supports and resources will be necessary to implement the PD? Indicate the source of funds for each program of PD. (e. g., Article 31, Title I, etc.).

Evaluating Results/Reporting to Families and Community:

1.        What evidence will the school use to draw conclusions about the impact and effectiveness of each major PD program? 

2.        Who will be responsible for organizing the evaluation? 

3.        When will the evaluation activities take place and when will they be completed?

1. The literacy team will evaluate the feedback from the recent literacy walk, choose topics from the statewide literacy policy, and create professional development based on research and the needs of staff.  The interactive professional development will allow for modeling, guided practice, and independent practice to be monitored on the next literacy walk.  Differentiated instruction strategies will be modeled for teachers throughout all training modules.

2. The literacy team and the administrative staff will participate in the literacy retreat and building of professional development modules.

3. End of January to plan for February Faculty Meeting: End of March to plan for April Faculty Meeting: End of April to plan for May Faculty Meeting.

4. Through Literacy Walks and analysis of student work.

The School Improvement Team and the Literacy Action Team meet monthly to implement and assess the plan. Teachers meet during CPT, department, and faculty meetings to engage in professional conversations, participate in and reflect on professional development.

Article 31 funds-$2,250.00

1. The 2008 NECAP Scores, the Literacy Walk Reports, Staff surveys, and student work.

2. The Literacy Action Team and administrative staff.

3. On-going throughout the months of January-June; December 2008.