The Speedway High School Model“Home of the World Famous

Sparkplugs”

Professional Learning Community

Perspective“Focus on the process,

not the results”

3 Key Questions…1.What’s the Challenge?2.How do we

strategically plan for it?3.How do we know we’re

winning?

What’s the Challenge?Current51% Free/Reduced Lunch15% Special Education13% English Language Learners35% MinorityPrior to PLCToo many failures each grading periodLow ECA test scoresPoor AP test performance“The road to getting there is the most important

part. Once you arrive, the journey is over.”—John Wooden

Challenge: Too easy to focus on RESULTS!

NCLBPL 221RISE!!!!!!School grades (A-F)ECAGraduation RatesAP scores (College Readiness)

New Style of Leadership

History LessonSpeedway Four Star School 1999-2002Changing demographicsIncreased Free/Reduced populationContinued to teach & test the same way

we’d always done it.“Who Moved My Cheese?” Spencer

Johnson

Momentum builds…Finishing my first year as Principal (2007-

2008)Two veteran teachers had been reading Rick

DuFour’s books. Grass roots movement!NCA visitation suggested a more

comprehensive, planned PD system to address our weaknesses and increase student achievement.

Two teachers worked to put together a proposal which we submitted to Superintendent.

Once challenge is identified…now we strategically plan for it.K.I.S.S.1.Increase student achievement.2.Increase collaboration among faculty.Priorities1.Reducing failures2.Increasing ECA test scores3.Increasing AP scores4.Focusing on Classroom instruction5.Connecting our mobile student population to

community

What has come from our PLC? Racing to Excellence Intramural program (kickball, dodgeball, basketball,

cornhole) ENL planning sessions School wide writing assignments Cross curricular projects (Indy 500) Performance Tasks (Common Core Standards) Tutoring by students and adults Leadership from faculty FNO Intervention checklists Grade level teams PD “experts” Department planning Focus on AP/Dual Credit curriculum After school Department study tables

Process

More Process…Last year (2011-2012)Electronic FNOsIntervention TeamData collection/interpretation

“Cervantes said the journey’s better than the end. Practices, to me, were the journey.”—

Wooden

How do we know we’re winning?Measure 2007-

20082008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

Eng 10 ECA

-- -- 70% 70% 73%

Alg 1 ECA

-- 31% 54% 75% 85%

Grad Rate

86.3% 96.6% 100% 96.3% ---

AP(% senior passing 1)

7% 7% 4% 22% 23%

DOE Grade

D (Watch)

D (Watch)

D (Watch)

D (Watch)

A (Exempla

ry)

ECA data = 1st time test takers @ SHS

Recent DOE Letter Grade= !

More measurable data:1. Failures 10% + for several years Last 8 semesters: 3.55%-4.90%2. High Yield Instructional Strategies 4 minute walkthroughs Documented increase in use during instruction. Documented use during teacher observations.

“I don’t like emphasis on trophies. The real reward is in the effort, the journey, the hard

fight. Trophies are a by product of success.”—John Wooden

Beyond winning…Teachers love to spend time with one

another.Teachers crave more ideas/knowing about

how to get students to achieve more.Teachers love to learn more about their

craft.Teachers love hearing from their peers.Teachers care about their students.

Evaluation and Evolution…Survey teachers at conclusion of each

semester (RISE)Build time around faculty needsALWAYS filter through vision, mission and

school improvement goals.

“Perfection is impossible but striving for perfection is not. Do the best you can. That is

what counts.”—John Wooden

Recent Feedback (Nov. 2011)1. Do you feel you’ve grown in: Instructional techniques 66% yes Data Analysis 89% yes Collaboration 81% yes Planning and preparation 56% yes2. As a result of PLC, do you feel like you are

more likely to intervene with failing students? 85% yes

3. As a result of PLC, do you feel Speedway HS is a better Academic Institution? 96% yes

Remember…

Focus on the PROCESS, not the

RESULTS!

Questions?Tim McRobertsSpeedway High School317-244-7238tmcroberts@speedway.k12.in.us