Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
PartA:ProfessionalLearningCurrentReality
MeghanLee
KennesawStateUniversity
Dr.AnissaVega
ITEC7460PL&TechInnovation
September27,2015
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 2
PartA:ProfessionalLearningCurrentReality
Note:ThefollowinganalysisofthecurrentrealityofprofessionallearningatElHaram
SchoolinCairo,Egyptisbasedoninformalpersonalinteractionwiththefacultyanda
formalinterviewwiththeprincipal,Mr.AhmedMohamed,duringschoolpreplanning.
Vision&Mission
Empiricalevidenceshowsthatwhenstudentsengageinpersonalized,
selfdirected,collaborativelearningtaskssupportedbydeepsocialdiscussionbasedon
realworldtasks,theylearnmore(Nicaise&Barnes,1996).ElHaramSchoolsvision
focusesonthedevelopmentofdigitalagecitizenscapableofsuccessinanincreasingly
globalizedsociety(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).Theprivateschools
centralmissiontoprovidestudentsampleopportunitiestothink,create,contributeand
takeprideinthemselvesandtheircommunity(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,
2015).
Theschoolstrivestoencouragecommunityinvolvementintheoutersuburbsof
Cairo,Egyptbypartneringwithlocalorganizations(suchasalocalanimalandfarm
outreachorganization)toofferstudentsauthenticlearningopportunitiesoutsidethewalls
oftheclassroomandthroughonlinefieldtripsandcollaborationswithpartnering
classroomsaroundtheworld.Studentsareofferedcontinuousopportunitiestoengagein
criticalthinkingthroughschoolwidefocusonprojectbasedlearning.Forexample,all
studentsparticipatedinaschoolwidesciencefairforfamilieslastyear,accordingtoa
personalinterviewinSeptember2015withtheschoolsprincipal,Mr.AhmedMohamed.
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 3
ThedevelopmentofproficientbilingualspeakingandwritingskillsinArabicand
Englishplaysalargepartintheaimtonurturethegrowthofstudentsintodigitalage
citizenslivingandworkinginagloballyconnectedworld.Supportforstudentssocial
andpersonaldevelopmentisalsoimportantwithintheschoolwithcollaborationthrough
learningalongsidepeersthroughmultigradelevelprojectsandcrossclassroom
sharingtofosterthespiritofteamwork(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).
Technologyisanintegralpartoftheschoolsvisionandmissionforaddressing
theuniqueneedsoftodaysdigitalagelearners.PrincipalAhmedMohamedstatedthat
theschoolsultimategoalistoclosethegapbetweentheteacherstechnologyskillsand
needsandthestudentstechnologyskillsandneedswhileaddressingtheschools
frustrationsinprovidingthetoolsandtrainingnecessarytoachievethisobjective.The
schoolsdesiredlearningenvironmentisfullyoutlinedhowever,theschoolneeds
assistanceintransitioningfromthecurrentrealitytotheoneembodiedintheirvision.
Theschoolhasensuredthateveryclassroomhasoneclassroomcomputerwitha
connectedprinter.Theschoolhastwocomputerlabseachcontaining28computers
linkedtoanetworkedprinter.Theinstructorscomputerconnectstoadigitalprojector.
TheschoolisWiFienabledwithapasswordneededtoaccessthewirelessnetwork.
Studentsarepermittedtobringelectronicdevicestoschoolprovidedtheyarenota
distractionandareusedpredominatelyforeducationalpurposes.Students,faculty,and
parentssignatechnologyusecontractatthebeginningofeachschoolyear.Theschool
doesnothaveawebsiteatthemomenthowever,thereisprivateWhatsAppgroupfor
importantcommunicationsbetweenparentsofstudentsandteachers,suchasreminders
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 4
forschoolevents,paperworkthatneedstobereviewed,signed,returned,fieldtrips,etc.
NeedsAssessment
TheinternetservicespeedsinEgyptareaparticularlyfrustratingtopicfor
educatorsinterestedintechnologyintegration.Theprincipal,Mr.AhmedMohamed,
statedthathisteachershavecomplainedcontinuallyabouttheslowinternetspeedsand
hadinformedhimthattheywantedtousetheInternetforinstructionalpurposes,butwere
oftenunabletoaccessresourcesconsistently.Teachersarealsofunctioningatvarious
levelsoftechnologicalproficiencies,andwhilesomearekeentousedigitaltools,others
strugglewithsimplyconstructingatypeddocument.(A.Mohamed,personal
communication,2015).Also,Mr.Mohamedstatedthestudentsoftencomplainedto
parentsandteacherssaying,Ourschoolscomputersaretoooldandtooslow,andthey
donthaveanygamesonthem(A.Mohamed,personalcommunication,2015).
Aneedsassessmentsurveywasadministeredattheendoflastschoolyear,and
professionaldevelopmentontechnology,computermaintenance,andtrainingwashigh
onthelistofprioritiesforthecurrentschoolyear(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,
2015).Teacherswillselecttheirownprofessionaldevelopmentworkshopsonceaweek
throughouttheschoolyearwhichwillbeleadeitherbysupportstaff,teachers
themselves,outsiders,oradministration(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).
Thegoalthisyearistosystematicallyaddresstheneedsofteachersthrough
carefulselectionandimplementationofprofessionaldevelopmentsoriginatingfromthe
teachersthemselves(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).Inthepast,teachersdid
nothavemuchofavoiceintheirownlearning,andfeltdisrespectedbyformer
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 5
administration.Mr.Mohamedhopestoshowteachersthathevaluestheirjudgementand
willrespondtotheirneedssotheycanallworktogethertoovercomebarriersto
fulfillingourgoalofcreating21stcenturycitizens(A.Mohamed,personal
communication,2015).
ProfessionalLearning
Asmentionedabove,professionallearningopportunitieswillbehandled
differentlythisyearwithteachershavingavoiceandhandinthetrainingstheyattend
andprovideforeachother.AsKnight(2007)aptlystatedregardingthistopicof
professionaldevelopmentchoiceforeducators,providingteacherspersonaldiscretionis
inmanywaystheheartofbeingaprofessional.Teacherswillbeparticipatingand
leadingtheirownworkshops/trainings/presentationstwiceaweekmosteveryTuesday
andThursday(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).Sundaysarereservedfor
schoolwidefacultymeetingsledbyadministration,whileMondaysarereservedfor
schoolwidegradelevelandindividualplanning(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,
2015).WednesdaysarededicatedtocommitteessuchastheCurriculumTeam,
CommunityOutreach,DataDetectives,andsuch,whileThursdaysarereservedfor
communityoutreach,specialguests,TeamTea(informalmeetingsofcommitteeswith
administration)andindividual/jointprojects(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).
Accordingtotheprincipal,theteachersreceivedtrainingonMicrosoftOffice
Suiteaspartoftheirprofessionaldevelopmentgoals(A.Mohamed,personal
conversation,2015).TheyalsolearnedhowtocreateTriviaGamesusingPowerpoint
whichtheyenjoyedbecausetheycouldusethesewithouthavinginternetaccess.One
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 6
teacheralsoprovidedaworkshoponWebQuests,buttherewaslittleinterestinactual
classroomapplicationduetotheslowInternetconnection(A.Mohamed,personal
conversation,2015).
AlignmenttoSchoolImprovementGoals
Professionallearninginitiativesarealignedtoschoolimprovementgoalsmore
thanprioryears.Providingteacherstheopportunitytoconducttheirownworkshops,
trainings,presentations,anddemonstrationsbasedontheirspecificneedsaseducators
beginsthejourneytoovercometheachievementgapsintheschool.Accordingly,the
LearningForwardsStandardsforProfessionalLearningstatesthatprofessional
developmentopportunitiesforteachersmust
focusonstudentlearningoutcomesto
haveapositiveeffectonchangingeducatorpractice
(LearningForward,2015).
Teachersareencouragedtoengageinpeerobservationsthroughouttheschoolyearand
provideconstructivefeedbacktotheircolleaguesonaformalandinformalbasisasapart
oftheirprofessionalportfolios(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).The
principalandviceprincipalconductformalandinformalwalkthroughsandperformance
evaluationsthroughouttheschoolyeartoensurequalityteachingpracticesareinplace
(A.Mohamed,personalconversation,2015).Thepeerevaluationandperformancebased
evaluationsspecificallylookforevidencethatindicatesstudentsareactivelyengaged,
utilizinghigherorderthinkingskills,providedclearguidancewithongoinglearning
facilitationbytheteacher,etc.(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).
Studentlearningobjectivesarealignedtotheschoolimprovementgoalsthrough
theutilizationofgradelevelplanning,curriculumandassessmentplanningacrossgrade
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 7
levels,andtheimplementationofcollaborativeinquirythatimprovesinstructional
practicesbycollectionandanalysisofmultiplesourcesofschooldata(ElHaramSchool
ImprovementPlan,2015).Thecollaborativeinquiryprocessisanewendeavorthis
schoolyear,andonethatwilltakealotofsmallstepstoimplementbecauseitrequiresa
widescalechangeprocesstotakeplace.
Technologyisaweakareaintheevaluation,andteachersmostlyscoresomewhat
lowerinthisevaluationareaduetolackofnecessarytools,skills,resources,andsupport
(A.Mohamed,personalconversation,2015).Thus,thereislittlealignmenttothe
technologygoalsasstatedintheschoolsvisionandmissionatthistime.Smallssteps
thatcanbetakenthisschoolyearinaddressingthedisconnectbetweenthevision/mission
andtheschoolimprovementgoalsinvolvegreateremphasisonbuildingstrongerteacher
andstudenttechnologyliteracy,directactiontowardsimprovingtechnologyperformance
bymaintainingandupgrading/updatingcomputersovertime,andfindingsolutionsto
alleviatethefrustrationsofslowInternetaccessbyplanningahead,usingoffline
resourceswhenpossible,andpossiblyincreasingtheschoolsbandwidthwithISP(El
HaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).
Funding&Incentives
Theschoolfundingcomesfromtuitionfeesastheschoolisaprivate,forprofit
educationalinstitution.Thevastmajorityofthebudgetfortheschoolgoestowardsthe
costofthebuilding,maintenancecosts,teacherandadministrationsalaries,hourly
employeesalaries,employeebenefitspackages,materials/books,consumables,etc.(A.
Mohamed,personalconversation,2015).Thebudgetallocatedforprofessional
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 8
developmentthisyearis5000EGP(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).This
indicatesthattheschoolprefersforteacherstoconducttheirowntrainingsbecausehiring
outsideexperts/trainersisveryexpensiveandoftendoeslittletoimprovetheprofessional
learningoutcomesattheschool.Thatbeingsaid,teachersareencouragedtoattend
educationalconferences,courses,andworkshopsoutsidetheschoolandareprovided
three
paid
professionallearningdayseachyeartouseinadditiontoreimbursementofup
to500EGPforregistrationfees(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,2015).
Diversity
Egyptisaverydiverseareaoftheworld,andthedemographicssectionoftheEl
HaramSchoolImprovementPlanreflectsthisfact(ElHaramSIP,2015).Themajority
ofthestudentsandfacultyareSunniMuslimwithasmallpercentageidentifyingaseither
ChristianorHindu(ElHaramSIP,2015).TheschoolfocusesondevelopingEnglishand
Arabicbilingualismandstrivestobalancethestudyofthetwolanguagessothestudents
willbeproficientineachbythetimetheyenterhighereducation(ElHaramSIP,2015).
Mr.Mohamedexplainedthatasaforprofitprivateschool,themajorityofthestudents
comefromhighersocioeconomicallevelhouseholdswithalotofparentinvolvement
(A.Mohamed,personalconversation,2015).
Specialeducationisaverysensitivetopicinthispartoftheworld.Onemust
alwaysconsiderthebeststrategiesforaddressingtheimmediateneedsofthestudentwith
littlepowertoobtainaformaldiagnosisletaloneaformaltreatmentprogram.When
askedaboutspecialeducation,theprincipalstatedthatinterventionsaremadeonanas
neededbasiswiththestudentcounselorandthattheyarecarefultomaintainpositive
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 9
relationshipswithstudentsandtheirfamilies(A.Mohamed,personalconversation,
2015).Theunfortunatelyrealityisthatstudentswithspecialneedsarevastlyunderserved
intheMENAregionoftheworld.Privateschoolsandpublicschoolsdowhattheycanto
quietlyimprovelearningforstudentswithspecialneedsoftenwithlittletonosupport
fromthestudentsfamilies.Thisissueisonethatmaybevastlyimprovedbygivingall
stakeholdersespeciallytheteacherstrainingandsupportinusingassistivetechnology
toolstoimprovestudentlearningoutcomesasawhole.Offline,online,andeven
opensource&customizableassistivetechnologytoolsarereadilyavailableforfree,orat
lowcost,andstakeholderscanbeginusingthesetoolsimmediatelywithlittletraining.
Teachershaveparticipatedinworkshopsaddressingspecialneedsledbytheschool
counselorandoutsideexpertsinthepast,butthisyear,theywillbeofferingtheirown
trainingsonaddressingstudentswithspecialneedsincludingstudentsfromdifferent
cultures,nonArabicandnonEnglishspeakers,etc.Ofparticularinteresttoteachersisa
workshoponcommonlyencounteredlearningdisabilitiessuchasdysgraphia,
dyscalculia,anddyslexia.
Collaboration
Teachershavemanyopportunitiestoengageincollaboration.Theyparticipatein
gradelevelandsubjectareagroupsthatworktogethertodevelopcurriculum
frameworks,commonassessments,lessons,teachingmaterials,etc.Teachersalso
collaborateonvariousschoolwidecommitteessuchasCommunityOutreach,Data
Detectives,CurriculumTeam,etc.Partoftheschoolimprovementplanforthisyearisto
developaschoolwidecultureofcollaborativeinquirybasedonevidencetakendirectly
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 10
frommultipledatasources.TheteacherswillalsobeworkingdirectlywiththeDataand
TechnologyCoachtodevelopsolidinstructionaltechnologyanddataanalysisskills.Data
Detectivesareformedthroughvoluntarymembershipandrequiresagreatdealof
teamworktobesuccessfulinthechangeprocessofcreatingadatadrivenculture.
Evaluation
Mr.Mohamedsharedthatteachersareformallyevaluatedbytheviceprincipal
andhimusingacustomizedobservationframeworkthatincludesaformfor
selfevaluationandevaluationfeedbackformfortheteacheraswellastheprincipaland
viceprincipalsobservationsandfeedback(A.Mohamed,personalconversation,2015).
Theprincipalandviceprincipalconductformalandinformalwalkthroughsand
performanceevaluationsthroughouttheschoolyeartoensurequalityteachingpractices
areinplace(A.Mohamed,personalconversation,2015).Thepeerevaluationand
performancebasedevaluationsspecificallylookforevidencethatindicatesstudentsare
activelyengaged,utilizinghigherorderthinkingskills,providedclearguidancewith
ongoinglearningfacilitationbytheteacher,etc.(ElHaramSchoolImprovementPlan,
2015).Technologyintegrationisapartoftheprofessionalevaluationandwillbe
regularlytrackedthroughtheschoolyearasapartofregularinformalwalkthroughs.The
Data&TechCoachwillalsobetrackingtheoutcomesofdataandtechnologyinitiatives.
RunningHead:PARTA:PROFESSIONALLEARNINGCURRENTREALITY 11
References
ElHaramSchool:
School
ImprovementPlan20152016
.(2015).Cairo,Egypt.
Knight,J.(2007).InstructionalCoaching:APartnershipApproachtoImproving
Instruction.ThousandOaks,CA:CorwinPress.
Nicaise,M.,&Barnes,D.(1996).Theunionoftechnology,constructivism,andteacher
education.JournalofTeacherEducation,205212.
StandardsforProfessionalLearning.LearningForward(2015).
RetrievedSeptember25,2015.
Page 1 of 19
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
All teachers participate in learning teams
throughout the year and meet regularly
to plan for instruction (e.g., develop
lesson plans, examine student work,
monitor student progress). The
collaborative work is aligned with the
school improvement goals.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
As explained by the principal, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed, all teachers participate in grade level teams after the instructional time has ended every Monday afternoon
and also, more extensively during pre-planning and post-planning times. Their collaborative work is directly aligned to the school improvement goals because the
grade level lead teacher reports directly to admin (A. Mohamed, personal communication, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend all teachers participate in vertical teams in addition to grade level learning teams. I feel that they would greatly benefit from the opportunity to
collaborate with teachers in different grade levels, and would welcome the opportunity to share and problem-solve with unbiased colleagues every week.
Page 2 of 19
Emergent
There is some evidence that the
principal, administrative team,
or related human resources
(e.g., leadership team, coaches,
central office) support or
reinforce the creation and
maintenance of a learning
community, but additional
support in this area is needed.
Although administrators have
created structures for meetings
to occur, they have failed to
provide teachers with
professional development
related to the collaboration
process.
Operational
The principal, administrative team, and other
human resources periodically support the
creation and maintenance of an effective
learning community to support teacher and
student learning. In key aspects of the
school, these individuals work
collaboratively to reinforce collaborative
forms of professional development and
learning for staff members. Although this
process is operational, it would improve if
greater emphasis were given to monitoring
its impact on school improvement goals and
student achievement.
Fully Operational
The principal, administrative team and other human
resources consistently support the creation and
maintenance of an effective learning community to
support teacher and student learning. These
individuals work collaboratively to reinforce teachers
skillful collaboration (e.g., facilitation skills, conflict
resolution, and group decision-making). They also
help to create structures to support collegial learning
and implement incentive systems to ensure
collaborative work. They monitor the impact of these
collaborative processes on school improvement
goals and on student learning, and participate with
other individuals and groups in the operations of the
learning community.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Teachers have the opportunity to select much of their own professional learning experiences this school year by leading their own workshops weekly (El Haram
School Improvement Plan, 2015). Formal and informal observations by both administrators and colleagues give teachers the opportunity to engage in continuous
collaboration and provide helpful constructive feedback to each other while the administrators ensure the high standards for education are being met (El Haram
School Improvement Plan, 2015).
Page 3 of 19
Page 4 of 19
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
A variety of teachers take advantage of
opportunities to participate in
instructional leadership development
experiences and serve in instructional
leadership roles (e.g., instructional
coach, mentor, facilitator). They plan,
advocate for support of, and articulate
the benefits and intended results of
professional learning.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
As mentioned above, all teachers have the opportunity this school to act as instructional leaders in the school by conducting their own professional develop
sessions most every week during the school year (El Haram School Improvement Plan, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS: Teachers should be required to deliver two professional developments each school year to take place in the fall and spring. I have
noticed that not all the teachers have been eager to conduct a professional development session so this may be one way to get everyone contributing.
Page 5 of 19
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
The principal and other leaders support
a school culture that reflects ongoing
team learning and continuous
improvement. The principal and other
leaders plan for high-quality
professional learning, articulate intended
results of school-based professional
learning, and participate in professional
learning to become more effective
instructional leaders.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
The changes in team learning and continuous improvement initiatives are in the emergent stage because I do not feel they meet the requirements to be
operational yet. The wording in the El Haram School Improvement Plan is leaves out measures to ensure administrators participate in team learning and
continuous improvement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Include measures for administrations team learning plan and plan for continuous improvement in addition to clarifying the current educators learning plans, also.
Page 6 of 19
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
Teachers spend a significant part of their
work-week in job-embedded learning
and collaboration with colleagues
addressing curriculum, assessment,
instruction, and technology. They
receive sufficient support resources
(e.g., materials, time, training) and assist
with securing additional resources
necessary (e.g., funding, time,
technology) to sustain their learning.
(NSDC Standards recommend that
formal and informal job-embedded
learning take place during at least 25%
of educators professional time. Such
time can be devoted to lesson study,
peer observations and coaching,
modeling, conferencing, teacher
meetings, mentoring.)
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Teachers engage in peer observations during the workday, according to the El Haram School Improvement Plan (2015) and the principal, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed
(personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
More time should be devoted to job-embedded learning by engaging in model lessons. Instructional coaching is taking place this year, but would best serve the
school improvement process if instructional coaching occurred regularly after this school year as well.
Page 7 of 19
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
Resources are allocated to support jobembedded professional learning that is
aligned with high-priority school
improvement goals and technology
supporting student learning. There is
sustained commitment to ensuring that
these professional development
activities result in successful classroom
implementation. There is also a process
in place to determine the value-added of
key strategies and processes, i.e., how
they impact student achievement and
related organizational short- and longrange goals.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
The allocation for professional learning is a tiny portion of the school budget (A. Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015). Technology training has been sporadic
in prior years and difficulties with the internet service and electrical loss is a common complaint from teachers and students (A. Mohamed, personal
conversation, 2015). Equipment also needs to be updated (A. Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Increase budget for professional learning and assign an administrator to oversee the expenditures with principal and owner approval. Priority must be given to
improving the internet service and maintaining and updating all of the computers in the school to improve instructional integration percentages. Regular
technology coaching one one one and in small groups with teachers would significantly improve instructional technology outcomes for the school.
Page 8 of 19
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
Teachers and administrators
collaboratively analyze disaggregated
student learning, demographic,
perception, and process data to
identify student and adult learning
needs and goals. They continuously
(minimum of 4 times a year) collect
and analyze relevant student and
teacher data (e.g. action research,
analyzing student work, classroom
observations, Awareness Walks, and
surveys) to monitor and revise school
and classroom improvement
strategies. Accomplishments are
celebrated and results are regularly
reported to family and community.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Mr. Ahmed Mohamed and teachers in the school have shared anecdotal evidence of the lack of data analysis that has taken place in the school in prior years.
This school year is the first one where data analysis has received a dedicated team with a data coach to assist with the collaborative inquiry process (A.
Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Continue the collaborative inquiry by utilizing the Data Wise and UDP processes facilitated and taught to the Data Detectives this school year. Develop a system
for regular and continuous data collection from all stakeholders regarding student achievement levels, demographics, needs assessments, surveys, etc.
Page 9 of 19
10
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
The principal and other leaders
develop and implement a
comprehensive plan for conducting
ongoing (both formative and
summative over a three- to five-year
period) evaluation of the impact of
professional development on teacher
practices and student learning.
Evaluation also emphasizes changes
in school culture, organizational
structures, policies, and processes.
Teachers contribute to the evaluation
by collecting and analyzing a variety
(student learning, demographic,
perception, and process) of relevant
data. The plan specifies the evaluation
question(s), data sources, data
collection methodology, and data
analysis processes.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
This school year is the first to have teachers in control of their professional learning opportunities. They evaluate all of their learning opportunities and the data
team is collecting the results of each professional development to assess the impact on student learning. Teachers are providing their summative student
learning data to the Data Detectives to inform the change process (El Haram School Improvement Plan, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The school needs a long-term plan for evaluating the impact of professional learning on student achievement. The process being performed by the Data
Detectives would serve the school well if it was continued in the future so that the school will have longitudinal data for a deeper level of data inquiry.
Page 10 of 19
11
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
The principal and other leaders
demonstrate advanced skills in
determining appropriate research
design, interpreting research results,
and determining whether results can
be generalized. They ensure that
teachers and community members
learn to use educational research.
They work with them to conduct
extensive reviews of research to make
informed instructional decisions
regarding the adoption of professional
development and school improvement
approaches.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
I have seen no indications that actual research is being studied by the principal or other leaders to inform the instructional decisions for professional
development and school improvement approaches. I have noticed that decisions are made based on far less reliable resources. Also, there is a distrust of
Western research while at the same time everyone wants their children to know English. It is an unusual paradox. When bringing my own research into the data
team and into coaching sessions, I have to be cognizant of this distrust of Western resources, especially research from Americans, and be sure to include
research from more relevant organizations such as research from other Arabs and Arab-affliated and Islamic-affiliated organizations. I do my best. I also suspect
that part of the difficulty in utilizing research for informing instructional decisions is that the vocabulary in English is far above the level of the administrators and
teachers. Academic vocabulary is difficult even for native English speakers. With all of these factors, the level points to Not Addressed.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
See above. I recommend that the administrators and teachers be more willing to study research articles and investigate studies conducted worldwide in the field
of education and not focus solely on the research of individuals that they can personally identify with on a cultural and linguistic level.
Page 11 of 19
12
Emergent
Teachers attend multiple
workshops on the same topic
throughout the year to gain
information about new
programs or practices. They
experiment with the new
practices alone and
infrequently with limited
school-based support for
implementation. No
emphasis is given to
enhancing teachers content
knowledge or understanding.
Operational
Teachers participate in long-term (two- to
three-year period), in-depth professional
learning that includes a variety of appropriate
professional development designs including
the use of technology. The various designs are
aligned with the intended improvement
outcomes. They include but are not limited to
follow-up support for implementing new
classroom practices (e.g., collaborative lesson
design, professional networks, analyzing
student work, problem solving sessions,
curriculum development, coursework, action
research, and classroom observations). Some
evidence is present of attention to enhancing
teachers content knowledge.
Fully Operational
Teachers participate in long-term (two- to three-year
period), in-depth professional learning that engages
learning teams in a variety of appropriate professional
development designs including the use of technology.
The various designs are aligned with the intended
improvement outcomes. They include but are not limited
to extensive, follow-up support for implementing new
classroom practices (e.g., collaborative lesson design,
professional networks, analyzing student work, problem
solving sessions, curriculum development, coursework,
action research, and coaching with feedback). A major
focus of ongoing professional development is a
commitment to maintaining and updating all teachers
knowledge and understanding of the content they are
teaching and changes occurring in their field(s).
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
As reflected in the El Haram School Improvement Plan (2015), teachers engage in a variety of professional development opportunities; however, this is the first
school year where they will have both the opportunity to select and facilitate their own professional development sessions and the opportunity to participate in
collaborative inquiry on school data and receive support from an instructional technology and data coach (A. Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Continue the coaching and collaborative inquiry process to engage all the teachers in the professional learning process and track the changes over time. Data
team should work towards a longitudinal study on the impact of professional development on student learning.
Page 12 of 19
13
Emergent
The principal and other leaders
provide multiple workshops on
the same topic throughout the
year. They articulate the
learning goal, but do not discuss
expectations for implementation.
Teachers receive limited schoolbased support for implementing
the new classroom practices.
Activities are only generally
aligned with the school
improvement plan or related
priorities.
Operational
The principal and other leaders align a variety
of professional development designs with
expected adult learning outcomes (e.g.,
collaborative lesson design, professional
networks, analyzing student work, problem
solving sessions, curriculum development,
coursework, action research, and coaching with
feedback). The professional learning is longterm (two-to-three year period) and in-depth with
extensive school-based support for the
implementation of new practices. They clearly
communicate the expectations for
implementation by providing rubrics that
describe the desired classroom practices and
communicate how those practices connect to
the school improvement goals. Generally,
activities are aligned with major priorities within
the school improvement plan.
Fully Operational
The principal and other leaders align a variety of
professional development designs with expected
adult learning outcomes (e.g., collaborative
lesson design, professional networks, analyzing
student work, problem solving sessions,
curriculum development, coursework, action
research, and coaching with feedback). They
ensure that teams of teachers are engaged in
long-term (two-to-three year period), in-depth
professional learning with extensive schoolbased support for the implementation of new
practices. They clearly communicate the
expectations for implementation with
collaboratively developed rubrics describing
desired classroom practices and communicate
how those practices connect to the school
improvement goals.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Though the professional learning is not yet long-term, the principal and other leaders have aligned these goals with the schools vision and mission. Schoolbased support is limited because the data coach and instructional technology coach is a temporary volunteer, and not a regular member of the support staff. The
SIP does not allocate much support to the implementation of new classroom practices because the support staff are too few, and hiring more support staff is not
possible at this time (A. Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Allocate more fiscal and staff resources to teachers so they can implement new classroom practices on a long-term basis.
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14
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
Professional development builds the
capacity of the staff to use research
about adult learning needs and
individual and organizational change
processes as they implement new
strategies. Professional development
sessions consistently employ the same
instructional strategies that are
expected to be used in their
classrooms. The experiences impact
teachers depth of understanding
enabling them to solve problems and
adapt new strategies to classroom
circumstances. Professional
development is differentiated to reflect
career stage needs and interests (e.g.,
mentoring, leading learning teams,
coaching, utilizing technology, and
curriculum development).
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Peer observations, model lessons, and demonstrations are part of the professional learning changes being implemented this school year (El Haram SIP, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Provide more support during instructional time for teachers to engage in peer observations regularly and establish a clear mentoring program for new teachers.
Page 14 of 19
15
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
Teachers and administrators have
knowledge and skills to monitor and
improve group processes (e.g., group
decision-making strategies, stages of
group development, effective
interaction skills, and conflict
resolution) that are necessary to
accomplish tasks and satisfy the
interpersonal expectations of the
participants. As a result, the school
culture is characterized by trust,
collegiality, and collective responsibility
for student learning where colleagues
work collaboratively in established,
ongoing learning teams. Technology
(e.g., online discussions, web casts,
and seminars, educational blogs,
listservs, downloadable resources) is
used to support collegial interactions
and to ensure effective and sustained
implementation.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Though the knowledge of effective group processes has improved this school year, the teachers and administrators are still lacking in the best practices for
productive collaborative teamwork.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend continuing to utilize the UDP and Data Wise processes to inform collaborative inquiry and especially using protocols for all meetings.
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16
Emergent
Operational
Classroom practices of
some
Fully Operational
Classroom practices (e.g., considering interests, backgrounds,
strengths, and preferences to provide meaningful, relevant
lessons and assess student progress, differentiating instruction,
and nurturing student capacity for self-management) of all
teachers reflect an emotionally and physically safe environment
where respect and appreciation for a diverse population is
evident. There are high achievement expectations for all
students and teachers. The principal and other leaders provide
professional learning for teachers lacking understanding of the
impact that attitudes regarding race, disabilities, background,
culture, high expectations, and social class of both students and
teachers have on the teaching and learning process.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Teachers and administrators have received cultural awareness training in prior years, but there is a lack of awareness of personal biases regarding race,
disability, background, culture, expectations, and social class of all stakeholders. Anecdotal evidence of cultural responsiveness supports this score.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
All staff and students would greatly benefit from age-appropriate cultural awareness program each school year. Staff would benefit from ongoing training in
culturally-responsive pedagogy.
Page 16 of 19
17
Emergent
Operational
Fully Operational
Teachers exhibit a deep understanding
of subject matter; differentiate
instruction based on needs, interests,
and backgrounds; use a variety of
appropriate instructional strategies;
and use various assessment strategies
(e.g., constructed-response test items,
reflective assessments, academic
prompts, culminating performance
tasks and projects, interviews, rubrics,
peer response groups) to monitor
student progress toward meeting
rigorous standards. They plan
interdisciplinary units with colleagues
and can articulate a rationale for why
specific instructional strategies and
assessments are appropriate to
specific content or objectives.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Teachers engage in grade-level planning and development of curriculum maps to inform grade level units each school year (El Haram School Improvement Plan,
2015). They share common assessments in the form of benchmark tests and are beginning to plan more interdisciplinary units with colleagues (A. Mohamed,
personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Teachers would benefit from more professional development focused on assessment strategies and differentiation of instruction.
Page 17 of 19
18
Emergent
The principal and other
leaders emphasize the
importance of teachers deep
understanding of content
knowledge, research-based
instructional strategies, and
assessment strategies. They
create work schedules to
support collegial interaction
and sharing and encourage
teachers to participate in
district-based professional
development focused on
content, pedagogy, and
assessment.
Operational
The principal and other leaders
promote teachers deep understanding
of content knowledge, research-based
instructional strategies, and
assessment strategies as a high
priority. They avoid large-scale
trainings that may not address the
needs of all participants. They create
work schedules to support collegial
learning and differentiated professional
development focused on content,
pedagogy, and assessment. Teacher
learning time and application of
strategies and assessments is closely
monitored.
Fully Operational
The principal and other leaders promote the
sustained development of teachers deep
understanding of content knowledge, researchbased instructional strategies, and assessment
strategies. All professional development activities
are purposeful and aligned with specific individual
and group needs. They create work schedules to
support ongoing, collegial learning and
differentiated professional development focused
on content, pedagogy, and assessment. Teacher
learning time and application of strategies and
assessments is closely monitored.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
Principal and other leaders promote professional learning opportunities that are chosen by the teachers and have ensured that the schedule this school year
allows for teachers to participate in more peer observations, weekly professional developments hosted by colleagues, and have the opportunity to engage in
instructional technology coaching and data analysis with a volunteer coach (A. Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend that administrators focus more on research to inform the need for deep understanding of content knowledge, promote the best instructional
strategies, and learn a variety of assessment strategies to improve the time and funding for teachers to learn about these topics.
Page 18 of 19
19
Emergent
There is a school committee to
focus on developing community
partnerships to support student
learning. Communication
through written correspondence
or phone is about school
programs, student progress, and
encouraging attendance at
school functions, yearly
conferences, and performances.
Operational
There is a committee that works with
families and the community through
partnerships that develop programs to
support student learning. Strategies are
implemented to increase family
involvement such as offering suggestions
about ways parents can support student
learning at home and communicating with
families about school programs and
student progress (e.g., information about
report cards, grading practices, student
work, homework, and school events)
through a website, phone, email, voice
mail, and written correspondence.
Fully Operational
Partnerships among teachers, families, and
the community are maintained to develop
programs that support learning and enhance
student skills and talents. Strategies are
implemented to increase family involvement
such as providing parent education
workshops with information on child
development and supporting student learning
at home and communicating with families
about school programs and student progress
(e.g., information about report cards, grading
practices, (student work, homework, and
school events) through an interactive website,
phone, email, voice mail and written
correspondence.
EVIDENCE: In the space below, provide detail evidence supporting your rating above
There is a WhatsApp group for parents of students to inform them of school announcements and other such schoolwide information. Individual teachers also use
Whats App to communicate with parents as this is a very popular method of communication in Egypt. Those parents without smartphones receive text messages
from the school and/or their childs teacher (A. Mohamed, personal conversation, 2015).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The school needs a website and a paper newsletter to inform parents and a dedicated team of teachers to engage the community in the learning process.
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