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Rising Star An Overview

Prepared for the District 97Board of Education

By Felicia Starks Turner and Cynthia BaranowskiNovember 27, 2012

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Objectives

• Review the background for why the District is using Rising Star

• Reiterate District goals regarding growth and improvement

• Become familiar with the Rising Star Tool• Understand how plan approval is different

than in the past

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Introducing ..….Rising Star!

A type of GPS for districts and schools*Purpose: Help you reach a specific destination*Shows the distance to that goal

*Allows for alternate routes *Allows for stops, diversions, road blocks

along the way but keeps the goal in mind

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Rising Star Is a Tool

• A keep-moving, navigational tool – never really finished

• Research-based and field tested

• That guides everyone in moving in the same direction to improve learning

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It’s All About Transformation,Not Compliance

• Transformation – Moving from one state to another

• Compliance - Meeting a set of requirements

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The Continuous Improvement Cycle

Not a one-shotissue

Assess & Diagnose

Plan

ImplementMonitor

AdjustIMPROVEDSTUDENT LEARNING

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Covers Many Aspects of Teaching & Learn

• 8 elements: Comprehensive planning, Conditions for Learning, Community and Family, Professional Development, Leadership, Curriculum Instruction, and Assessment

• 4 categories: Continuous Improvement, Learning environment, Educator quality, Teaching and learn

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The Fit

• Continuous Improvement - Comprehensive planning

• Learning environment - Conditions for Learning, Community and Family

• Educator quality - Professional Development, Leadership

• Teaching and learning – Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

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Foundations for Success

• Culture of Candor• Formal Team Structures• Leadership• Coaching and Support (external for District,

internal for schools)• Indicators of Effective Practice

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The “Roll Up Your Sleeves, Real Work”Is Done in Steps by a Team

• How are Rising Star meetings different?Assigned roles – Process mgr., Capacity Building Coach, Facilitator, Open ChairRead and discuss the meaning of a Wise Ways,Assess where the district/school is in relation to full implementation of the Wise Ways,Create an action plan to reach full implementation,Monitor the action plan on an ongoing and regular basisMake adjustments as needed after monitoring (Monthly meetings)

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Indicators and Wise Ways• Indicator: Instructional Teams develop standards-aligned units of instruction for

each subject and grade level. (1045)

• Indicator: The district sets district, school, and student subgroup achievement targets. (1123)

• Indicator: The superintendent and other central office staff are accountable for school improvement and student learning outcomes. (1125)

• Indicator: The district provides the technology, training, and support to facilitate the school’s data management needs. (1149)

• Indicator: The district monitors to ensure the intended curriculum is implemented with fidelity. (2326)

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Chunking It Out

• 189 Indicators – “Whew!”• State mandated beginning with two

foundational elements, 25 indicators• Smart Start – focusing on meetings• Smart Plan – focusing on district and school

relationships• The 25 indicators need to be “approved” by

the Board at the first meeting in December

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Choose level of development or implementation • Explain the reason for their rating• Conversation/discussion• Consensus

Do the same with:• Priority Score• Opportunity Score

 

Team Determines a Priorityand Opportunity Score

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Level of development or implementation • No development or implementation• Partial development/implementation• Full implementation

Priority• 3 = highest priority• 2 = medium priority• 1 = lowest priority

Opportunity• 3 = relatively easy to address• 2 = accomplished within current policy and budget conditions• 1 = requires change in current policy and budget conditions

Development, Priority,and Opportunity

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Evidence of Implementation, Creating the Plan

• The team then works to write a brief description of the evidence to support the rating for the selected level of development/implementation.

• After the evidence of implementation is complete, the team writes a detailed action plan to bring the school or district to full implementation of the Indicator

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Next Steps

•Board Approval•Monitor Smart Start andSmart Plan in December•Add assessment of additional indicator(s)•Board review of 8 additionalschool plans at Jan. meeting •Teams continue to meetmonthly for ongoing review

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What does Board approval mean?

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Questions?