Important Dates
September
- Sept. 2...Labor Day Holiday
- Sept. 16...2024-25 ACIPs should be completed and approved by the school and district.
- Sept. 16... Deadline for Principal Acknowledgement of Standard uploaded into the team folder.
- Sept. 17...Turnaround Academy...Washington K-8, Birmingham City Schools
October
- Oct. 22...Turnaround Academy...J.E. Hobbs, Wilcox County Schools
Principal Turnaround Academy - September 17th
We look forward to seeing all of our Turnaround Principals at Birmingham City Schools, Washington K-8 on Tuesday, September 17th at 8:30 am. These face-to-face meetings will be a great time to dig into effective leadership practices while learning from and with other principals who are faced with overcoming similar issues.
While these meetings will be geared toward the role of the principal, others are certainly invited to attend. It should provide opportunities for future leaders to grow their knowledge .
Collaborative Walkthroughs
When it comes to improving teaching and learning, classroom walkthroughs are one of the most effective tools at our disposal. Walkthroughs help schools gauge their overall progress in the implementation of targeted instructional practices. Through structured data collection, observers collect evidence to answer this question: To what extent do we see classroom examples of what we’re striving to achieve? This information can guide improvement efforts for both the school and the partners who provide support.
What IS a Collaborative Walkthrough?
a focused needs assessment for an individual school in real time with partners who support that school
an opportunity to look for evidence of a focus of practice
a prescriptive conversation focused on providing feedback w/support
What IS NOT a Collaborative Walkthrough?
an instructional audit
a teacher observation/evaluation
a compliance check
a time to walk around a school and make note of everything you see
Charting Success: The Power of Goals and Progress Monitoring in Continuous Improvement
"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible."
— Tony Robbins
In any journey toward excellence, setting clear, achievable goals is the first critical step. Research has consistently shown that goal setting significantly enhances performance, with studies indicating that specific, challenging goals lead to higher levels of task performance compared to easy or vague goals. However, goal setting is only the beginning; frequent and consistent monitoring is equally vital to ensure that we stay on course. Regularly reviewing our progress not only allows us to celebrate small victories but also helps identify areas where adjustments may be needed. Research suggests that monitoring progress toward goals increases the likelihood of success, particularly when feedback is timely and actionable. By integrating goal setting with ongoing monitoring, we create a dynamic process that drives continuous improvement, fostering a culture of accountability and sustained success.
With this said, I strongly encourage those involved in the development of the ACIP to attend one of the regional ACIP training sessions. The morning session will provide technical assistance training designed to provide educators and administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the Alabama Continuous Improvement Plan (ACIP). Attendees will gain valuable insights into the ACIP framework, including its components, processes, and the critical role it plays in driving school improvement and student success. The afternoon session will provide participants with dedicated work-time to collaborate with school improvement and ALSDE specialists. Attendees will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from the ACIP training, receive personalized guidance, and develop actionable plans tailored to their school’s unique needs.
Virtual Literacy Labs
Join our OSI Literacy Specialists on Wednesday afternoons this year for quick, informative, and FUN Literacy Labs! Each session will focus on enhancing literacy instruction across all grade levels by helping teachers deepen their understanding of literacy strategies. These sessions are virtual and open to EVERYONE! You don't want to miss out on this fun!
Click HERE to register.
These scales have been created and revised in order to provide LEAs and teachers with a guide to implementing proficiency scales into their instruction. As such, in order to most effectively embed them into individual classroom discussion and/or building-specific goals, they might need to be adapted. These scales are intended as a starting point for integration.
PREP (Preparing Relief Educators Program)
The PREP Program is designed to provide high-quality resources to emergency-certificate teachers, long-term substitutes, and early service teachers, empowering them to excel in their roles and make a positive, long-lasting difference in the lives of their students.
If you have any teachers that fall in one of these categories I encourage you to make this resource available to them. A list of topics and supporting resources can be found HERE.
OSI - Leadership Coach
Email: tim.solley@alsde.edu
Website: https://sway.office.com/x6GMkvnr5n1z2O6F
Twitter: @Tim_Solley