Professional Development Overview

-SVSU Goal -Link to Vermont School Quality Standards Requirements -Introduction to System Wide Graduate Courses -Introduction to Technology Courses -Introduction to Other System Wide Inservice Opportunities SVSU Goal: At all levels of the system, high performing staff will support student success. Part of our success is measured by student opportunity to learn, faculty and staff participation, state, national and local assessment results, professional development opportunities, and staff evaluations. Across the SVSU, we are... Linking professional development to the SVSU K-12 Long Range Plan and building plans through system wide negotiated contract language for administrators, professional staff / faculty, and support staff Observing and evaluating all staff Providing needs based professional development opportunities to meet ‘just in time’ learning needs for adults. Vermont School Quality Standards: The Vermont School Quality Standards were adopted by the Vermont State Board of Education in December 1998 and distributed in January 1999. Across the SVSU, we have been using these tenets as the base of our professional development design, development, implementation and evaluation. Key points from the School Quality Standards are outlined below: Section 2112 (page 3) Definition of Needs-Based Professional Development Staff development based upon needs identified through an examination of student performance data and related data and aligned with a school’s action plan for improving performance Section 2120.4 (pages 6-7) Key Points by September 2002 (a) Schools shall develop and implement needs based staff development for administrators, professional staff and paraprofessionals (b) Professional development must align with staff evaluation and supervision policies (c) Schools shall coordinate professional development with district-wide goals (d) Individual Professional Development Plans, required by teachers, administrators and other professional staff for state relicensure, shall align with building / district goals. (e) New staff shall be provided with training in standards based instruction. (f) A mentoring system shall be implemented in schools. System Wide Graduate Courses More than 250 Teachers and Administrators Have Taken These Graduate Courses. The K-12 Curriculum Committee is responsible for course design. Often, we find the professors. Then, we network with colleges and universities who support our efforts. Sometimes the college or university provides the instructor. We currently work with Trinity College, University of Vermont, St. Joseph’s College, Norwich University and are linking with Castleton. Courses are offered locally so that our 350 staff members do not have to travel great distances to appreciate adult learning opportunities. Please visit the course listings on our web site for start times. Graduate Work Addressing the Standards: Strategic Reading & Writing Course – 3 credits Reading Strategies Course - 1 credit Administrative Reading Course - 1 credit Secondary Content Area Reading/Writing Strategies Course - 3 credits Problem Solving in Mathematics - 3 credits Standards Based Units – 1 credit Rubric Design – 1 credit CRISS-Creating Independence through Student-owned Strategies (recertification only) Graduate Work Addressing the Learning Opportunities: Multiple Intelligences - 2 credits Multiple Intelligences II – 1 credit Collaborative Teaming for Student Success – 3 credits Excelling Learners – 3 credits Developmentally Appropriate Practices –3 credits Middle Level Certification - 9 credits Technology Courses Based On Staff Technology Competencies Staff technology competencies were finalized in November 1996 at basic, intermediate and advanced levels. By fall 1998, basic competencies became a part of the staff evaluation component, given access (time to learn before being evaluated). At basic level, components include computer systems/functions, proper handling, computer operation, responsible use of technology, basic proficiency with word processing, graphics software, database applications and telecommunications. Evaluated by fall 2000, intermediate level expects proficiency with spreadsheet, advanced use of database & higher proficiencies. Advanced level is encouraged, not evaluated. We designed 6 courses, in March 1996, to help staff reach proficiency levels. SVSU Technology Committee members agreed to teach them. Technology courses have greatly expanded, using Title II funds (no cost to any SVSU staff) with former introductory level teachers teaching advanced courses and new faces teaching basic levels. Currently, thirty-two courses range from 5-15 hours each and are offered for recertification only, at no cost to any SVSU staff member, using Title II funds. They were designed by the Technology Committee to allow all staff to meet SVSU Staff Technology Competencies requirements. These courses, by new teacher contract, also have salary benefits. Three 15 hour courses are the equivalent to one (15 hour) graduate course. Only federal, no local dollars are used to pay our teachers who teach these courses. We are proud of our faculty who are serving in leadership positions to assure student success. March 1996 – We began with six introductory courses (e.g. Intro to Mac, Intro to Claris Works, Intro to Office 95, Intro to the Internet, Intro to PC / DOS, First Class By April 2000 courses increased to include – First Class, Introduction to the Internet, Windows 95/98, Curriculum Based Internet, Intro to Microsoft Office 97, Information Technology and the Virtual Library, Auto Cad, Intro to Mac, Hyperstudio, Scanning/Photoshop, Intro to PC/Dos, Troubleshooting, Network Operating Systems, Microsoft Front Page, Microsoft Excel, Intro to Microsoft Word 97, Microsoft Word II, Video Editing and Portfolio Applications, Graphic Design Applications for the Classroom, Intro, to the SVSU Curriculum, Multi-tasking: Internet / CD-ROM / Writing / Drawing, Intro to Programming in Visual Basic, Troubleshooting/Maintenance/Upgrades, Computer Resources for Teachers, Satellite Resources, Intro to Claris Works, Using Claris Works in Your Curriculum, WordPerfect 8, Intro to Computers, Front Page for Web Page Design, Developing Your Own Classroom Web Page and Also Curriculum Based, Discovery Works—Science Processor Software, Tronic Phonics 1571 staff members have enrolled in SVSU Technology Courses between March 1996 and November 2000!! Awesome! Other System Wide Inservice Opportunities After School: As a system we are expanding courses offered using the Technology Course Model. The Standards Board has approved courses for recertification and SVSU designed courses count toward salary increases. Only federal (e.g. Title II), no local dollars are used to pay our teachers who teach these courses. We are proud of our faculty who are serving in leadership positions to assure student success. We are just beginning, but to date, more than 150 staff have participated. Guided Reading (K-6) Interactive Writing (K-6) Comprehension Strategies (K-12) Analysis of Running Records / Oral Reading Word Solving Strategies / Reading & Writing Writing Your IPDP and Teacher Portfolio Building Assets and Resiliency in Youth Student Writing Portfolio Scoring First Aid / CPR Developmental Reading Assessment Instructional Focus During School:During school, substitutes are provided so that our staff can participate in inservice opportunities. In some instances, substitutes are secured for each individual. Other times, a substitute travels with a staff development provider and teachers are released for only a short time. Some of this type of training also involves paraprofessionals. Examples include: Life Space Crisis Intervention Crisis Prevention Institute Aggression Replacement Training Curriculum based inservice Application of new materials by company service providers State Assessment (e.g. writing and math portfolio training, DRA training) The Local Standards Board: The Local Standards Board reviews SVSU graduate level, technology and system wide inservice courses. To date, they have preapproved them all toward recertification. Other Inservice Opportunities Inservice Days: Across the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union we have unified Teacher, Administrator and Support Staff Contracts. We have 180 student days and 10 inservice days annually. Inservice days are divided into district wide days and building days. Both designed to support curriculum implementation and work toward achieving building and system long-range plans. In addition, administrators meet monthly, have an annual retreat and have experts who support their efforts through common workshops. An annual theme is chosen. Over the past few years we have had specific instruction in reading enhancement, application of data, and leadership. Paraprofessionals also receive specific training to support individual roles. Building Professional Collections: All buildings and the SVSU Central Office have professional collections that hold current information based on the Learning Opportunities section of the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. These include information on curriculum, assessment, developmentally appropriate instructional practices, professional development, and specific information on disciplines. Other Course Work from Varying Institutions: By contract, teachers, administrators, and support staff have the opportunity to take graduate (or undergraduate) course work at post secondary institutions. Tuition is reimbursed upon successful completion of the course, based on our supervisory union-wide Professional Development Policy. Forms are found on this web site under Staff Development – Course Sign Up Forms. Conference Attendance: Conference attendance is also reimbursable. It allows professional educators to receive current information and learn through another avenue and is encouraged. Conference attendance is also based on our supervisory union-wide Professional Development Policy. Forms are found on this web site under Staff Development – Course Sign Up Forms. Professional Days: Each professional faculty is allowed two professional days, by contract. This number can be extended based on system and building initiatives. These days can be used to attend conferences, serve on Curriculum Writing Teams, visit other professionals within the SVSU or schools outside our limits, etc.

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