Seattle Schools Begin Transformation With School Improvement Grants

“Working in collaboration with employee association partners and the school community, SPS submitted school improvement plans that use the “Transformation model,” one of four federally designated intervention strategies eligible for funding under the program. Each plan addresses the following four areas: teacher and principal effectiveness; instructional approach and reform strategies; learning time (additional instructional time for students) and community-oriented schools; and operational flexibility and sustained support. “

Three Seattle Schools Receive State School Improvement Grants
by Seattle Medium
The Seattle Medium
Originally posted 5/5/2010

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) received grants totaling $5.76 million over three years for three schools under the School Improvement Grant program. Funding for the first year totals $2 million. The three-year grants – awarded by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with funding from the federal stimulus package – will support school improvement plans at Cleveland High School and Hawthorne and West Seattle elementary schools.

Working in collaboration with employee association partners and the school community, SPS submitted school improvement plans that use the “Transformation model,” one of four federally designated intervention strategies eligible for funding under the program. Each plan addresses the following four areas: teacher and principal effectiveness; instructional approach and reform strategies; learning time (additional instructional time for students) and community-oriented schools; and operational flexibility and sustained support.

“Congratulations to the teachers, staff, and families who are collaborating on the work of the School Improvement Grants,” said Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D. “These grants are an important validation of our work to improve academic achievement and create excellent schools in every neighborhood. We will use these additional resources to support the transformation of Cleveland High School into a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) school — as well as strengthen leadership, instruction, and family and community engagement in these schools.”

School Improvement Grants (SIGs) will build on recent efforts to align curriculum, strengthen professional development, and expand advanced learning opportunities throughout SPS. They are also an important component of a broader school improvement initiative that directs resources to schools based on academic performance and specific needs at each individual school. Twelve schools are participating in the school improvement initiative effort this year, and 37 schools will participate next year.

The grants will allow each school to provide additional focused instructional time to meet the needs of every student; increase support and accountability for teachers and staff; and provide additional community and family outreach tools and resources. Together, these efforts are designed to create high-quality schools and accelerate academic achievement for all students.

One of the most innovative changes addresses teacher and principal evaluation. SPS and the Seattle Education Association have agreed that instructional staff in these schools will:
• Be expected to perform at the third or fourth level on a four-tiered evaluation system.

• Have growth in student academic performance included in annual staff evaluations and be expected to show student growth.

• Have at least two years to demonstrate individual proficiency and student growth.

• Have additional career growth opportunities at the school that will lead to additional responsibilities and compensation.

• Be able to earn additional compensation based on school-wide growth in student performance.

SPS will be working with families and community members to develop more details of the transformation models. According to SPS, family and community engagement is vital to this process, and the district is meeting with each school community to share information and gather feedback and ideas as we work together to make every school an excellent school.

http://www.seattlemedium.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=102865&sID=4&ItemSource=L

Related posts:

1. FAQs on School Improvement Grants for Illinois Schools
2. The Union’s Role in School Transformation
3. Final Title I School Improvement Grant (SIG) Requirements and Application Procedure
4. FAQs on the School Improvement Fund
5. Collaboration Results in Transformation at Maryland School