Analysis
Madera Uniifed District administrators meet twice monthly to collaboratively discuss district and school site data based on benchmark exams and /or intervention assessment tools used in the schools. The administrators desire to use their bimonthly Professional Learning Community gatherings to reflect on inquiry questions based on key focus instructional issues in Madera Unified during the 2008-09 school year. Professional Learning Communities have been an important part of the teaching and learning process in Madera Unified for the last two years. Our PLC’s focus on:
- A commitment to the learning of each student
- A clear and compelling vision of what the organization must become to help all students
- Members who work together to clarify exactly what each student must learn
The process used to analyze the data is called the COI or Cycle of Inquiry. Much like the ADDIE process, COI engages the users in the process of analyzing a problem and developing a solution.
The issue/problems at hand:
- School site administrators have too little time to sit together to discuss important issues
- Issues raised at bi-monthly PLC meetings are not covered in detail due to time limitations
- Some administrators feel uncomfortable or ill-equipped to discuss possible solutions to issues without time to “think” about the issue, gather data and information or to discuss the issue with other administrators or their school site leadership committee. administrators.
- Some administrators lack technical skills and knowledge needed to use 21st century learning tools. All administrators use computers for personal and school site administration tasks and email, but a handful are technically challenged.
- All administrators have the equipment necessary to complete the blog tasks.
- The motivation and incentive to participate in the proposed project will partially be determined by the administrators’ desire to please the superintendent.
After careful thought and analysis of the issues at hand, I decided that a PLC Blog site would serve to help administrators share their thoughts, comments and ideas. Blogs are used for a variety of reason, but most are used to elicit comments, responses or for reflection of thoughts and ideas.
