Turnaround Talk

November 2024

Food for Thought

Important Dates

November

November 19...Principal Turnaround Academy...virtual...9:00 am
Collaborative Walkthrough Schedule

Principal Turnaround Academy - October 22 (Faine Elementary - Dothan City Schools)

We had a great day of learning and collaboration during our October Turnaround Principals meeting at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School in Dothan City Schools. Big THANKS to Principal, Tina Garst, and her staff for being such gracious hosts. Our principals were able to engage in conversations about the importance of the school leader, visit classrooms, discuss academic and attendance data, and finalize their ACIP. Below are just a few pictures of our Turnaround Principals and our OSI Turnaround Team working on the various activities.

We will continue our attendance discussion at our next Turnaround Principals meeting on November 19th from 9:00 - 12:00. Just a reminder, this meeting will be virtual.

Driving Student Success through Instructional Transformation

In Alabama’s Governor’s Turnaround Schools, we are focused on instructional transformation as a central pillar for rapid school improvement. Instructional transformation drives growth by ensuring all students receive high-quality, rigorous instruction tailored to their needs. This transformation involves creating intentional systems to align lesson planning, teaching, and assessment. Additionally, it consists of establishing systems for continuous monitoring of student progress and ensuring adjustments are made when student achievement gains are not on track to reach high levels.

In essence, Instructional Transformation aims to create a learning environment where every student has the necessary tools and support to succeed. This requires a collaborative effort among educators, administrators, and the community to establish a culture prioritizing teaching and learning. This collaborative effort involves diagnosing individual student learning needs and implementing fluid instructional groupings based on student learning data and instructional strategy data. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a culture that values high levels of learning for all students.

Turnaround News

Highland Gardens Special Visitors

State Superintendent, Dr. Eric Mackey, Governor Ivey's Education Policy Advisor & Coordinator of Education & Workforce Transformation, Nick Moore, and CLAS Executive Director, Dr. Vic Wilson delivered dictionaries to Highland Gardens Elementary in Montgomery Public Schools as part of the Montgomery Rotary Club Dictionary Project.

Better Together

It’s always a great day when the Barbour County Intermediate School ALSDE come together for their monthly walkthrough and calibration visit. These collaborations, which happen in each of our Turnaround Schools, allow our partners to determine real-time support based on classroom visits and feedback from school administrators like BCIS Principal, Mr. Jason Munford.

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.

ELA Proficiency Scales - Grades 6-12

The ELA 6-12 proficiency scales were revised in collaboration with the Office of School Improvement Literacy Specialists, ARI, and ALSDE Instructional Services. 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.

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.

ELA Proficiency Scales - Grades 6-12

Planning Checklist and Calendars 2024-2025

OSI Curriculum Leader Calendar Checklist

OSI Principal Calendar Checklist

Student Information Systems Data Calendar

Assessment Testing Dates for 2024-2025

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.