Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, December 9, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Digging for Data Leads to Data Chats with Students (Elementary Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Initiative: Closing the achievement gap has lead elementary educators to develop a culture of collaboration. The building blocks for increasing student achievement include the use of the continuous improvement model and the development of professional learning communities. These initiatives continue to be a blueprint for increasing achievement of all students. Elementary schools evaluate historical and current student data to inform instruction. Students are encouraged and motivated through data chats with their teachers and/or administrators.

Goals: The belief that all students can learn is central to achieving success. Common goals shared amongst elementary schools include: analyzing data, targeting subgroups and/or individual students for assistance, engaging teachers in using and understanding data, preparing an analysis of the data, identifying and sharing best practice for teaching, and motivating students to increase their knowledge.

Targeted Population: All elementary students in 140 elementary schools

Timeline: Over the past five years our district has embraced the continuous improvement model and the development of professional learning communities. The belief that all students can learn and that staff have an obligation to make sure students learn, has been an integral factor in the development of the Hillsborough County model for increasing the achievement of all students.

Staff Development: The Office of School Improvement provided elementary principals and assistant principals with the books – Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement (1998) and On Common Ground: the Power of Professional Learning Communities (2005). The Solution Tree Conference provided to all administrators (summer 2008) was instrumental in maintaining momentum for this endeavor. Continuous support from Staff Development, Office of School Improvement, and monthly professional development for principals and assistant principals has enabled this initiative to thrive.

Continued on attachment.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Motivate students to become responsible learners

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

There is no financial impact to the District.

EVALUATION

N/A

SUBMITTED BY:

Barbara B. Hancock
General Director, Elementary Education
(813) 272-4455
Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
B 01
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section B Item# 01