1 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd Signature Practices
and the ISLLC Standards Facilitated by Joanne Picone-Zocchia
Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd [email protected]
Slide 2
What are signature practices? Signature practices are
Structures or processes Activities, events, programs, action,
protocols nested inside bigger structures or processes that unfold
over time 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 2
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What are signature practices? Signature practices can be A new
spin on a common or existing practice A new approach designed
specifically to meet an existing challenge or opportunity 2013
Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 3
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Where can we find examples of signature practices? 2013
Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 4
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Outside of Education New spin on an existing practice: Michelle
Kwans signature spiral 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd
5
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Outside of Education Associated with its originator: This
signature has lent its name to all signatures! 2013
Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 6
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OKbutsignature practices of principals? 2013 Learner-Centered
Initiatives, Ltd 7
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Kerrys focus on parental involvement Kerry visits students
homes and builds support for her student achievement goals. I went
to every house in my first year, she says. A well-attended family
education night at Harvard Park involves parents and children in a
learning game and builds awareness and understanding of the
Illinois Standards Achievement Test. She thanks the parents for
coming and tells them, We cant do this work without your help and
support. Kerry adds, School is the ticket out. If you want a better
life or a different life for your child, then we have to work
together. 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 8 (from The
Principals Story Produced by the Wallace Foundation and PBS)
Slide 9
9 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd Teds graphic organizer
for vision alignment How will doing X support and move us closer to
our vision? 9
Slide 10
Sals cross-role strategic planning team Monthly (more, if
needed) meetings with a strategic planning team that includes
teachers, students, administrators, parents and community partners
gather to analyze data, generate goals, create and monitor the
implementation of the action plan to attain the goals set, and
revisit/refine the schools vision. This team also troubleshoots
current issues (like the districts mid-year excessing of all school
aides), and identifies opportunities for improvement as they occur.
2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 10
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How do we find signature practices? 2013 Learner-Centered
Initiatives, Ltd 11
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Standard 1: Shared Vision of Learning Signature practices
related to Shared Vision of Learning include: activities, events
and programs for promoting ongoing, sustainable improvement. They
connect improvement with attainment of school wide goals that are
grounded in shared vision, mission and data. 2013 Learner-Centered
Initiatives, Ltd Processes inside which Standard 1 signature
practices might operate include budgeting, induction, goal setting
and strategic planning, decision-making, and monitoring/responding
to the effectiveness of decisions, actions and strategies. 12
Slide 13
13 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd Teds graphic
organizer for vision alignment How will doing X support and move us
closer to our vision? 13
Slide 14
2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 14 Standard 2: School
Culture and Instructional Program Signature practices in support of
Standard 2 include principal created activities, events, and
programs focused on: ensuring optimal learning for diverse student
needs and abilities the use of standards and assessment data to
identify, address and monitor student needs and progress
development of best practices in curriculum, instruction and
assessment providing learning opportunities to improve teachers
practice and ability to meet student learning needs
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2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 15 Standard 2: School
Culture and Instructional Program Processes and structures inside
which these signature practices could be nested, and which they
could inform, include: scheduling professional development
curriculum development teacher observation and evaluation analysis
and use of data technology integration, etc.
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What signature practices have you observed or implemented that
would support Standard 2? 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 16
Turn and Talk
Slide 17
2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 17 Standard 3: Safe,
Efficient, Effective Learning Environment Signature practices
related to Standard 3 include: activities, events and programs that
improve operational efficiency, address the capacity for shared
leadership, ensure safety in a variety of circumstances, etc.
Processes and structures that could encompass and be informed by
these signature practices are energy conservation, budgeting,
induction, scheduling, safety/crisis plan, leadership development,
shared decision-making, etc.
Slide 18
Sals cross-role strategic planning team Monthly (more, if
needed) meetings with a strategic planning team that includes
teachers, students, administrators, parents and community partners
gather to analyze data, generate goals, create and monitor the
implementation of the action plan to attain the goals set, and
revisit/refine the schools vision. This team also troubleshoots
current issues (like the districts mid-year excessing of all school
aides), and identifies opportunities for improvement as they occur.
2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 18
Slide 19
2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 19 Standard 4: Community
Signature practices supporting the Community standard include:
activities, events and programs focused on engaging key school and
community stakeholder groups (teachers, out of classroom staff,
parents, businesses, politicians and community members who do not
have children in the school or district) in working as partners to
improve learning. Processes and structures that could contain or be
influenced by these signature practices are communication plans,
community outreach, community partner development
Slide 20
Kerrys focus on parental involvement Kerry visits students
homes and builds support for her student achievement goals. I went
to every house in my first year, she says. A well-attended family
education night at Harvard Park involves parents and children in a
learning game and builds awareness and understanding of the
Illinois Standards Achievement Test. She thanks the parents for
coming and tells them, We cant do this work without your help and
support. Kerry adds, School is the ticket out. If you want a better
life or a different life for your child, then we have to work
together. 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 20 (from The
Principals Story Produced by the Wallace Foundation and PBS)
Slide 21
2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 21 Standard 5:
Integrity, Fairness, Ethics Signature practices in support of
Integrity, Fairness and Ethics can be found in principals design
and implementation of: services, programs, and activities that
address and meet students' emotional, physical, and mental health
needs as well as ensure the best possible learning for each
student. They can be nested inside the processes and structures
that support behavior management, allocation of educational
services, induction, scheduling, analysis and use of data, labor
relations (including mediation/negotiation), discipline/behavior
policies etc.
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2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 22 Standard 6:
Political, Social, Economic, Legal and Cultural Context Signature
practices in support of Standard 6 include: activities, events or
actions that develop advocacy, influence and awareness that
transcends the school walls. They can include public speaking,
writing, and research into current events in education. Processes
that would include these signature practices are communication,
professional improvement, advocacy, etc.
Slide 23
Activity Finding the ISLLC Standards in Principals Signature
Practices Work in pairs or triads. 2013 Learner-Centered
Initiatives, Ltd 23
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How do we uncover or develop signature practices? 2013
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Ask questions that focus on the areas in which the practices
either are most likely to be present or most necessary To uncover
existing signature practices: How do you foster? What do you do to
enable? To raise awareness about potential: What could you do to
address or improve? How might you address (or help others to
address) the need to? What could you introduce or put in place that
would help others to? 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd
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Consider 3 key factors: Context Are there conditions in place
in the district that may be acting to promote or inhibit the
development or implementation of signature practices?
Experience/training Is there a need for leadership training or
support? Real Purpose and audience Is there an authentic reason for
developing and implementing a signature practice? 2013
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Signature practices are not the be-all, end-all, nor are they
the only way of looking at professional practice. 2013
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The ability to tease out or establish signature practices is
bigger than evaluation. 2013 Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd
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Slide 29
Recognition of the existence and importance of signature
practices is an opportunity to honor and encourage professional
creativity and innovation in the service of improved learning. 2013
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Slide 30
Something to ponder What signature practices are we developing
and implementing related to professional evaluation? 2013
Learner-Centered Initiatives, Ltd 30
