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Since the 1998-99 school year, the district has utilized an "action research" approach to staff development. The staff members have divided into ten small, cross-curricular, mainly multi-grade level, focus groups, or learning teams, which focus on one of four broad categories. These categories include brain-based learning/learning styles (includes mulitiple intellegence theory), learning strategies, assessment, and Dimensions of Learning. These topics were specifically selected to support our district goals and/or school improvement goals. The staff members will remain in the same group for at least three years, with each year being dedicated to a certain aspect of the action research model. Each staff member is required to document fifteen hours of work within their focus group. Each semester, the teams are provided a four-hour block of time to meet during a school day. The remaining seven hours are set up by the members themselves. Some meet before or after classes during regular contract time, while others have chosen to meet outside of regular contract time. This has allowed greater flexibility while still meeting the needs of the district. By coordinating our district level activities with our Area Education Agency, Arrowhead AEA 5, we have also been able to secure either staff development credit or graduate credit for participating staff. |
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| During year 1 (1998-1999), staff members researched information from their selected category, selected a specific issue they wanted to address within their classroom, and collected baseline data. Since this approach to staff develop was new, the staff expressed everything from apathy to excitement. Though there were a few bumps along the way, some excellent action steps were generated which will allow us to work toward our goals. It should also be noted that we have made extensive use of the Action Planning Model developed by Peter Holly, who currently serves as senior education consultant for the New Iowa Schools Development Corporation (NISDC). |
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| This year (1999-2000), staff members have started putting their research into action. Again, some staff are much more enthused about this process than others. |
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| Next year (2000-2001), the teachers' groups will focus on evaluation of the changes they have implemented in their classrooms. The initial baseline data collected during year 1 will serve as the reference point, with comparisons made to the current year's information. Although the specific students will have changed, it is hoped that a trend of increased student achievement will be seen. |
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All K-12 staff members have received a basic overview of the IMSeries software package. Most have also received training regarding input of curriculum units, objectives, activities and resources. With the exception of a few individuals, staff members were required to produce two lesson plans utilizing information that they had put into the IMSeries system.
Interested staff were given the opportunity to continue their curriculum work during optional work days held June 1-3, 2000. During this time, they either converted existing curriculum (saved as MS Word documents) into a form that could be imported into the system or typed information directly into the system via the web. |
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Throughout the school year, the staff participates in a wide variety of conferences and workshops. Some of these are made available through Arrowhead AEA 5, while others are state-wide or national programs. Conferences and workshops attended during the 1999-2000 school year included: Sac County Inservice Day Sac County Summer Institute (Sac City) Comprehensive School Improvement Plan Workshop Series (Storm Lake) |
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