SMART Tools for Creating Professional Learning Communities | Dr. Valerie Hastings Gregory
Program Description
Clear, measurable goals are the "center to the mystery of [a] school's success, mediocrity or failure," claims researcher S.J. Rosenholz. Key to becoming a successful professional learning community is an understanding of the power of goals to focus improvement efforts. The SMART Goals process creates the motivation for team action and experimentation. But in order to apply the SMART Goals process effectively, individuals need strong team skills, the ability to understand and use data, and a willingness to engage in continuous improvement. Learn a process and set of tools for implementing a Professional Learning Community (PLC) in your school.Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Planning & Assessment (ISLLC standard 3) and Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1)Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- Describe the characteristics of and rationale for professional learning communities.
- Implement the 30+ minute meeting series.
- Apply "turbo" meeting skills.
- Develop SMART goals.
- Link and align SMART goals to improvement efforts.
Program Format
The learning experiences provided are based on two books: 1) The Handbook for SMART School Teams, by Anne Conzemius & Jan O'Neill (National Educational Service, 2002) and 2) Building Shared Responsibility for Student Learning, by Anne Conzemius and Jan O'Neill (ASCD, 2001). All professional learning community tools and strategies will be demonstrated and applied individually or in small, cooperative groups so that the learning experience simulates what would take place in professional learning community schools. The workshop can be built around the use of actual school or district data: however, if this data is not available for the workshop, data sets will be provided. Participants also will be provided time for reflection about how to apply and implement strategies in their schools/divisions.Target Audience
Elementary, middle, and high school administrators and teacher leadersSelf-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
Yes/yes. The training materials may be purchased separately and used for self-study, but group processes are more conducive to transfer to actual practice. Any designation of individual or group performance needs would suffice.Duration of Program
A. The full program would take 2 days, 9:00-4:00.
B. The full program can be divided into four, ½ day (3-4 hour) sessions :
- ½ Day#1-Overview of the characteristics of professional learning communities and a framework for becoming SMART schools: focus, reflection, collaboration and leadership capacity.
- ½ Day #2-Collaborative tools for determining focus and improvement priorities: mission, vision, values, greatest area of need, and goal setting.
- ½ Day #3-Collaborative tools for promoting effective reflection about current versus desired practices for improving teaching and learning: using data to determine SMART goals, collaborative examination of student work, and self-reflection strategies
- ½ Day #4-Tools and strategies for team building and collaboration: turbo meeting skills, facilitation techniques, and job-embedded professional development.
Outcomes Measured
- Development of a SMART goal using the SMART criteria: Strategic, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, and Time-bound.
- Peer review of self/team reflection on characteristics of professional learning communities at their school or district site
- Team analysis and rating of turbo meeting skills application.
- Peer review and rating of SMART diagram tree for improvement efforts.
- Peer review and rating of professional development commitment for learning.
Program Evaluation
- Comparison of beginning assessment with end-of-workshop assessment.
- Participant evaluation forms
Contact Information
Dr. Valerie Hastings Gregory
QLD Learning
1028 Ruffin Mill Court
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
W & M Office Phone: 757-221-2414
QLD Learning: 1-800- 700-9535
Email: vhgreg@wm.edu