Theme: Staff Selection, Leadership, & Capacity Building

System level: Classroom

Practice: Incorporate information from relevant staff development directly into classroom practices.

What does this practice look like in Arkansas?

Teachers collaborate regularly on the issue of curriculum and instruction. Teachers meet on a regular basis, typically daily or weekly, to collaborate. This collaboration takes place even if it is not mandated. In collaboration meetings, teachers share ideas for instruction and review curricular goals.

Teachers view the school as a team and student achievement as part of a team effort.  Ideas are freely shared. A team atmosphere is key to a positive school environment. Teachers view themselves as part of a team, working toward increased student achievement and higher state test scores. As part of the team, teachers are willing to share ideas about instructional practices and discipline, as well as support each other when problems arise.

Teachers meet with other teachers in their grade level, as well as teachers in other grade levels and other buildings. Teachers are aware that students must reach a certain academic level in order to be successful in the next grade. Therefore, teachers feel the need to be knowledgeable about what the expectations are for the next grade level. Meetings with teachers across grade levels ensures that all teachers are staying on track.

Incorporation of ideas gained from professional development activities is monitored. When teachers attend a professional development activity, it is expected that they will share ideas with the rest of the faculty so that all teachers in the school can use the information. It is also expected that ideas gained at professional development activities will be immediately incorporated into the classroom. The incorporation of these ideas is closely monitored by the principal, as professional development activities that are not valuable in the classroom as viewed as a waste of district money.