Discussion+Page+for+Breaking+Free+of+Myths



Leadership team - let's get together and talk about some of the myths surrounding teaching and learning! We will tackle two chapters a week and then answer the study questions while responding to at least two posts from your peers. Finally we will set aside some time at our next meeting to exchange our final thoughts.

Wow - I believe today's discussion got us off to a great start. I will post the results of our 21st Century Skills assessment as a baseline. Then hopefully in July, we will reassess. As a "district" we have a lot of work to do but based on our goals and objectives it seems like we are all headed in a shared positive direction! Below is the KUD that we have all been asked to contribute to. Remember we want to list the essential information and skills that leaders should know and do to understand how to successfully achieve "Excellent Education for Every Student, Every Day!" If possible put your name next to your additions. When we meet again next month we will narrow the focus. Also there is a separate area in the discussion section for you to include your reasons for choosing the information and skills you listed in the KUD. You have the luxury of time to be as creative as possible. Thank you all for participating and sharing your ideas and concerns!

May 7th, 2011 Research shows that Professional Learning Communities are important vehicles to foster continuous improvement within any educational system. We have 1 1/2 months left to complete our book study. Make sure that your voice is heard on subjects important to your school's positive direction!


 * Partnership for 21st Century Sills Survey || Early Stage || Transitional Stage || 21st Century || Overview/Recommendations ||
 * Student Knowledge and Skills || ﻿KNOWLEDGE ||  ||   || Your school/district is "**Early**" in its approach to 21st century student knowledge and skills. This means that, in general, the primary vision for student work is focused on core subject fact mastery. See MILE Guide. ||
 * Education Support Systems || SUPPORT ||  ||   || Your school/district is "**Early**" in its approach to education support systems. This means that, in general, curriculum, assessment and professional development are focused primarily on core subject fact mastery. See MILE Guide. ||
 * Education Leadership || LEADERSHIP ||  ||   || Your school/district is "**Early**" in its approach to education leadership. This means that, in general, education leaders promote and support core subject fact mastery as the vision for student success. See MILE Guide. ||
 * Policy Making || ﻿ POLICY ||  ||   || Your school/district is "**Early**" in its approach to policymaking. This means that, in general, most education policies support core subject fact mastery. See MILE Guide. ||
 * Partnering || ﻿PARTNERING || ﻿PROGRESSING ||  || Your school/district is "**Transitional**" in its approach to partnering. This means that there are some promising collaborations emerging between the school/district, and community leaders. See MILE Guide. ||
 * Continuous Improvement || ﻿IMPROVING ||  ||   || Your school/district is "**Early**" in its approach to continuous improvement. This means that 21st century skills related projects tend to be pilot projects that occur in special circumstances.See MILE Guide. ||

Take a look at this guide if you need some ideas to assist you with this KUD. [|Technology Standards for Administrators] Additional knowledge leaders should posses to advance 21st Century Skills. [|ISSLC Standards for Administrators] These are the 2008 standards and the National Test has been updated based on these standards. collaborate with colleagues, parents, students and other stakeholders. Kathy
 * = KNOW ﻿ ||= UNDERSTAND ||= DO ||
 * Leaders must know how to communicate and

Leaders must know how to train and monitor research-based instructional strategies that promote acquistion and retention of high level material Angie

Leaders must know how to integrate technology into the curriculum and promote the use of technology throughout the programs they supervise. Kathy

We as Administrators need to spend as much time as possible on the front line (in school hallways and in classrooms) to show support and respect to teachers and to help them know that our opinions and understanding of what we are all trying to accomplish is clear, correct and valid. Bert

Current trends in instruction. Angie

How instruction and assessment are related and what this connection means to classroom teachers. Angie

Leaders must know how to actively engage the community to create shared responsibility for student and school success. Kathy

Educators must know the instructional core is made up of the teacher skills, rigourous content and engaged students. Coursework MUST be relevant to student's lives in order that they may learn. Terry || We understand that "Excellent Education for Every Student, Every Day" is possible to achieve at all of the DSCYF education sites.

We as Administrators must understand that our teachers must believe that we sincerely want to and will support their frontline efforts to provide whatever they need. When we promote initiatives and ask the teachers what supports they need for implementation, they need to understand and believe that we will follow through in supporting their reasonable requests. Bert

|| Meet with education staff weekly to promote time for reflection and refinement ofLFS practices within the classroom, small group, tutoring, and/or 1:1 sessions. Kathy

Participate in LFS training to polish up coaching skills. Kathy

Support staff in accessing high quality professional development opportunities Angie

Make sure educators are trained in technology use (NovaNET, Skills Tutor, Web 2.0 tools, MS Publisher, Power Point, Simulations, Web Quests, Virtual Field trips, Digital Portfolios, etc.). Kathy

Administrators must consistently follow through in response to reasonable requests for support from frontline staff. Bert

Set high expectations and standards for the academic and social development of all students and the performance of adults. Angie

Use multiple sources of data as diagnostic tools to assess, identify and apply instructional improvement. Angie

Collaborate to provide an open house, parent nights, speakers from the community, outreach programs, college tours and other enrichment opportunites for students and parents. Kathy

Leaders need to set high expectaions for delivery of instruction.

Leaders need to ensure teachers know what the data is telling them about the instruction the students need.

Leaders need to porvide supervsion.

Leaders need to make sure teachers have access to and are utilizing appropriate but rigorous content. Terry ||