SMART Teaming for School Improvement

SMART Teaming for School Improvement is a year-long training program that is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of school-level leadership teams as they work to improve student achievement and close achievement gaps. It is an ideal program for schools identified in “school improvement.” Teams are led by principals. Recommended team membership is 6-8. Strong support from central office leadership is essential for success of the teams.

There are four components included in the year-long program:

1. training in team basics and data-driven decision-making processes;
2. training/coaching/support in designing action research projects to directly impact student learning results;
3. a facilitated support network for principals engaged in the program; and
4. participation in a “share fair” to highlight results of individual teams.

A team-approach to training/coaching/support is provided.
Ashland University Credit is optional.

What We Offer/Performance Promises:

• Five training dates (30-34 hours):
  • Two day focus on team basics and data-driven decision-making (early fall). Key objectives include:
    1. developing in-depth knowledge and skills of team members in basic team structure and protocols;
    2. develop knowledge and skills in working with school data to identify target learning needs of students;
    3. training and support in using a seven-step decision-making cycle for developing a school level plan to address student achievement needs;
    4. enhance collaborative work relationships and processes.
  • Three days (scattered through the remainder of the year) to train teams more directly in the decision-making cycle (action research). Key objectives include:
    1. developing knowledge and skills in using a plan, implement, study, revise process in school improvement;
    2. gain knowledge and skills in designing appropriate evaluation methods for studying strategy connection to student achievement;
    3. deepen understanding of the importance of following through with action plans for results.
• 12-15 hours of on-site coaching/support is available to teams as they work through their action research projects.
• Four quarterly networking meetings for principals to address issues/concerns related to leading school improvement processes.
• “Share Fair” Day: teams will come together to share their results.

Key Benefits:

• Increased knowledge and skills of team members in implementing data-driven decision-making processes addressing improvement goals and student achievement needs.
• Enhanced collaborative work skills (successful working relationships and teaming processes).
• Enhanced skills in planning and implementing research-based strategies to address improvement goals.
• Opportunity to engage in on-going learning experience of plan-do-study-act process (7-step decision-making cycle).
• Enhanced knowledge and skills in designing evaluation methods and tracking progress over time to ensure progress toward targets.
• Coaching and on-going support offered through an expert-team.
• Quality professional learning experiences designed with consideration of adult learning theory principles.
• Networking support for principals to enhance learning experiences.
• Opportunity to gain skills in presenting project results through a formal “share fair” experience.