Book Study: Whatever it Takes - Chapter 5

[Chandler Smith]

Chapter 5: This chapter presents an Eight Step Improvement Process for Total Quality Management. Rate the eight steps as follows and discuss the extent to which your school has completed these steps.
Step 1: Disaggregate data, including test results.
Step 2: Develop an instructional calendar.
Step 3: Deliver the instructional focus based on the calendar.
Step 4: Assess student mastery of the standard taught.
Step 5: Provide additional instruction for students who did not master the assessment.
Step 6: Provide enrichment for students who did master the assessment.
Step 7: Provide ongoing maintenance of standards taught.
Step 8: Monitor the process.

[eweathers2]

Chapter 5: This chapter presents an Eight Step Improvement Process for Total Quality Management. Rate the eight steps as follows and discuss the extent to which your school has completed these steps.

RATE THEM HOW? MOST USEFUL? LEAST USEFUL?

Step 1: Disaggregate data, including test results. -- We do this -- guess it could be useful for grouping students

Step 2: Develop an instructional calendar. -- We have the comp. curr.

Step 3: Deliver the instructional focus based on the calendar. -- Done

Step 4: Assess student mastery of the standard taught. -- mostly done

Step 5: Provide additional instruction for students who did not master the assessment. mostly done

Step 6: Provide enrichment for students who did master the assessment. done

Step 7: Provide ongoing maintenance of standards taught. done

Step 8: Monitor the process. done

I do these things ... I'm sure I could do it better in some individual cases

[ccope]

Step 1: Disaggregate data, including test results.--we do this, its more useful for state or administration than on a teacher level. A teacher already has set up information that way...

Step 2: Develop an instructional calendar.--school does this, just wish it was given a bit earlier or in digital form so that it could be edited by administrator(s) or teacher as needed. (ohh maybe with the website?)

Step 3: Deliver the instructional focus based on the calendar.--kind of a no brainier..

Step 4: Assess student mastery of the standard taught.-- since we do this with test scores automatically, I broke this down on an art level for myself as: draw 3 objects using accurate shading as standard. draw practice (i.e. drawing basic shapes, different lines) then shape practice (i.e 3d shapes) finally shading practice. By breaking it down(going back to the disaggregation of data again) it can easily be assessed where student is weakest and measures can then be taken.

Step 5: Provide additional instruction for students who did not master the assessment.--plato? additional assignments,

Step 6: Provide enrichment for students who did master the assessment.-- from an art stand point, displaying artwork.

Step 7: Provide ongoing maintenance of standards taught. --utilizing skills through out the year/unit

Step 8: Monitor the process. --of course...

[cbreaux]

Based on my math classroom:

Step 1: Disaggregate data, including test results. -- This is done. This could be done better if the previous year's test results were available for all students.

Step 2: Develop an instructional calendar. -- District unit tests determine when and what you teach.

Step 3: Deliver the instructional focus based on the calendar. -- This is done.

Step 4: Assess student mastery of the standard taught. -- For the most part, this is done.

Step 5: Provide additional instruction for students who did not master the assessment. -- Plato, tutoring, and IMPACT are used for this.

Step 6: Provide enrichment for students who did master the assessment. -- Other assignments on more of a creative side are often given.

Step 7: Provide ongoing maintenance of standards taught. -- Daily warm-up exercises continue to monitor standards previously taught. Also, since skills build on one another, early standards appear throughout the school year.

Step 8: Monitor the process. -- This is done.

Many of these things are done. Since it is my first year with 8th grade, I am sure some of them could have been done much better. Next year, with geometry and advanced math, I am more prepared for these things far ahead of time.

[kryush]

Chapter 5: This chapter presents an Eight Step Improvement Process for Total Quality Management. Rate the eight steps as follows and discuss the extent to which your school has completed these steps.
Step 1: Disaggregate data, including test results.
This is certianly done each year. Teachers should be aware of this data as well to assist with thier instruction. However there is a HUGE emphasis put on the testing RESULTS that often teachers forget to check to see where the students began the year.

Step 2: Develop an instructional calendar.
Our teachers are to follow the ICC which lays out the scope and sequence of lessons to be taught.

Step 3: Deliver the instructional focus based on the calendar.
yup... done also.

Step 4: Assess student mastery of the standard taught.
Through the EdPerformance testing we can assess how well the standards identified in the ICC have been taught. However, it is not a true assessment as many students do not take these tests seriously.

Step 5: Provide additional instruction for students who did not master the assessment.
Teachers provide before school, IMPACT etc. for additional tutoring for those students who need it. Also LA GEAR UP provided in school tutoring for our 7tha nd 8th graders who needed it.

Step 6: Provide enrichment for students who did master the assessment.
We have the awards ceremony at the end of the year as well as play, concerts and art shows!

Step 7: Provide ongoing maintenance of standards taught.
Teachers are held accountable based on LEAP scores and Ed Performance results.

Step 8: Monitor the process.
Formal teacher observations are held every quarter to assess instructional methods, also our staff is good about assessing student performace and adjusting their instruction.