Using Walkthroughs to Develop Problems of Practice

OrRTI Spring ConferenceMay 9, 2012

Bend, Oregon

Tara M. Black, M.Ed.Tigard-Tualatin School District

Purpose Participants will review essential

features of a strong core program and learn how to implement walkthroughs in their schools or districts.

Participants will learn how to use student performance and observational data to look for strengths and weaknesses in core program (Tier I ) instruction and how to aggregate data in order to develop a problem of practice.

Collaborative Practice …

3

Continuous Improvement

Petti, 2012

Advanced Organizer The F Word

Student Performance Data

Walkthroughs

Aggregating Observational Data

Developing A Problem of Practice

The F Word

Pacing Guide

Using Student Performance DataTo Review The Instructional Core4 Purposes of

Assessment Screening

Diagnostic

Progress Monitoring

Outcome

Classroom Observations Conduct classroom observations to gather

more data in regards to instruction in the core

Walkthroughs and Learning Walks are two types of classroom observation techniques

Aggregate data and look for patterns. What are strengths and weaknesses in instruction?

Set goals tied to instructional weaknesses Provide ongoing professional development

for teachers

Purpose

Who?

Time/Frequency

Walkthroughs

Purpose

Who?

Time/Frequency

Next Steps…

High School Walkthrough Video View Video

Develop a Walkthrough Protocol Efficiency

Consistency

Transparency

Sample Walkthrough Tools

Walkthrough Tool

Walkthrough Video

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=30

Talk to a neighbor

How do you currently analyze thehealth of your core program/instruction?

Does your school/district implement walkthoughs?

I’ve gathered a lot of instructional data, now what? Review and aggregate your data What are the strengths within the

instructional core? What are areas that could improve on? Set instructional goals for staff Provide ongoing support and

professional development for teachers Gather more data and go deeper

Developing a Problem of PracticeA problem of practice… Focuses on the Instructional Core Is directly observable Is actionable Connects to a broader strategy of improvement Is high leverage

Instructional Rounds in Education: A Network Approach to Improving Teaching and Learning By E. A. City, R.F. Elmore, S.E. Fiarman, and L. Teitel

Pages 101-102

Sample Problems of Practice What kinds of tasks are students being asked to

do in class?

What are the different ways you see students begin assigned work in class?

How will increasing the amount and level of student talk impact engagement and learning?

Is there evidence that students are thinking critically about their own writing across the content areas?

Questions

Contacts Tara Black, Tigard-Tualatin School District

tblack@ttsd.k12.or.us