Three-Year Turnaround Plan

Home > Services > School Improvement > Three-Year Turnaround Plan

Three-Year Turnaround Plan

The STAR Framework for Powerful Teaching and Learning and the STAR Protocol and Process are the nucleus for a three-year turnaround plan that develops Powerful Teaching and Learning at the district, school, and classroom levels. The BERC Group provides systemic services that result in unified instructional practice. Using data collection, focused planning, and tiered coaching, The BERC Group helps administrators and teachers develop classroom practices that impact all students.

School and Classroom Practices Study

The School and Classroom Practices Study initiates and guides all improvement processes over the three years. The study includes an analysis of the Human Resources Management System*, interviews/focus groups with district and school staff, students, and parents, as well as classroom observations. The purpose of the study is to gather data related to strengths and weaknesses in the school structure and in classroom instruction. Individual comments and observation data gathered in the study are anonymous; all data are presented in the aggregate (school level). Improvement strategies begin with a focus on school structure and classroom instruction.

Following the School & Classroom Practices Study, five annual components propel The BERC Group’s Three-Year Turnaround initiatives. Each year, these components advance administrators and educators toward expertise in the STAR Framework and STAR Protocol and Process. Training follows a gradual release of responsibility model. As administrators and teacher leaders become Powerful Teaching and Learning experts, The BERC Group gradually releases responsibility to create self-sustaining professional learning communities.

*Optional Human Resources Management Consultation helps school districts develop effective practices for recruiting, training, and retaining staff.

Annual Components

1	Planning Meetings Team members conduct meetings to direct and evaluate improvement plans using five cyclical steps: Plan, Act, Reflect, Adjust, and Confirm.

2

STAR Data Collections
The BERC Group researchers gather data during 30-minute observations in all classrooms using the STAR Protocol to measure ongoing progress toward Powerful Teaching and Learning. School level data feeds directly into the planning process. Initial classroom observations provide baseline STAR data for the SCPS report in the first year. STAR Data Collection occurs in the winter and spring of each year.

3

Facilitator Training / Technical Assistance
The BERC Group research associates train teacher leaders to become Professional Learning Community facilitators while conducting classroom observations for personal reflection and lesson planning.

In year three, Facilitator Trainings will no longer be necessary and instead technical assistance will be available on-demand.

4

STAR Learning Walks
Through workshops and classroom observations, administrators and teacher leaders will reflect on their own practices and learn how to model Powerful Teaching and Learning. The STAR Learning Walks ensure administrators and teacher leaders know how to support Powerful Teaching and Learning at the school level.

5	Regional Academies A two-day regional conference allows educators across districts to collaborate while exploring the latest research in best practices around Powerful Teaching and Learning.