On Tuesday, November 30th, SCV35 partnered with the Center for the Future of Arizona and KnowledgeWorks, an education consultant in Ohio, to host three other Arizona districts to a personalized Learning Inquiry Lab. Roughly 50 education leaders from Mesa, Amphi, and Yuma Union school districts all descended virtually on our district to observe our progress in moving to a personalized learning model of instruction and ask questions about our lessons learned thus far along our journey.
Personalized learning means placing students at the center of their own education. SCV35 first embarked on this path four years ago as we worked to build a data-informed culture. Sustaining that culture means that once we obtain actionable, standards-based data on each student, teachers then prescribe instruction and support learning in the precise area of need for each student. This includes both extension learning in areas of strength as well as additional support in areas where more growth is needed to reach proficiency.
After hearing an opening presentation from Assistant Superintendent Stephen Schadler and Curriculum Coordinator Megan Padilla, attendees were invited to select from the following breakout sessions for more detailed information. Each descriptor has a link if you would like to hear the 20-minute presentation yourself.
Breakout Descriptors (Breakout sessions are linked below)
Session No 1
SBLR Task Force - In September of 2020, SCV35 established a task force of teachers and administrators to research the impact of a standards-based system of learning and reporting. We are now nine months out from converting to a standards-based report card in K-8. One year later, we will add 9-12. Come hear about the process that led to those decisions and where we are now.
Principal Panel 1: Making Shifts at School- Grading. Meet two principals who are currently engaging their staff in a research-based discussion of Grading for Equity (both the concept and the book by the same title). No zeros? Minimum score for no work? You’ve got to be kidding! These principals will discuss their effort to sway the culture of their campus to be student-centered.
What do students think? Watch here.
USING Technology - The title’s emphasis is not accidental! In August of 2019, SCV35 serendipitously began migrating to a 1:1 model of technology for instruction in middle school. Our progress has accelerated dramatically since then and we will be 1:1 K-12 by the end of this year. This session will discuss the ways we have leveraged the COVID pandemic to shift even our most reluctant teachers to an understanding of how to USE technology to create personalized learning pathways for students. We will also discuss the practical requirements for expanding inventory and maintaining a robust infrastructure.
Session No 2
From CIA to TLA - Hear from our District specialists how we transitioned from the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment to Teaching, Learning and Assessment. They will show you the tools we have collaboratively developed thus far as well as the revitalized TLA website which has become a go-to resource bank for teachers.
Principal Panel 2: Meet two principals who are currently engaging their staff in shifting their school to a personalized learning approach driven primarily by student efficacy. How are they getting their teachers on board to better be able to get their students on board?
In the Middle: Seeing PCBL Through the Eyes of an Instructional Coach - Every SCV35 school employs a dedicated Instructional Coach to support teachers and bridge the gap between teachers and administration. With administrative support, this team meets monthly with our Design Team teachers for a monthly training on Highly Effective Instruction (HEI). Come listen to this panel of coaches explain the lessons they have learned from working directly with teachers thus far in our PCBL journey.
Session No 3
Learning by Doing from an Elementary Teacher’s Perspective - Every school has teachers who say “ready or not, here we go!” Come listen to teachers who accepted the challenge of being the avant garde for their staff. What did they learn? What did their students learn?
Learning by Doing from a Secondary Teacher’s Perspective - Every school has teachers who say “ready or not, here we go!” Come listen to teachers who accepted the challenge of being the avant garde for their staff. What did they learn? What did their students learn?
Creating a Personalized Professional Development System for Teachers - SCV35 has long provided significant PD opportunities for its teachers (and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars annually). Learn how we are working to generate teacher-efficacy by shifting that model to connect a personalized, goal-oriented path to the teacher evaluation.
What do students think about personalized learning?