CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING A SHARED VISION
AND LITERACY ACTION PLAN
“A schoolwide literacy action plan is an essential blueprint for improving student achievement. It requires useful use of data about student performance, literacy needs and expectations in the school community and identifies the school’s capacity to support literacy development, enhance teaching practices, and generate change.” (Irvin, Meltzer, and Dukes)
Step 1
ESTABLISHING A SCHOOL-BASED DATA ANALYSIS TEAM AND ARTICULATING A CLEAR VISION
- During the initial sessions, a Schoolwide consultant meets with building leader(s) to discuss the formation of a building-based data analysis team or professional learning community that will establish a systematic approach for ongoing data collection and analysis, reflection, and goal-setting.
- The professional resource book What You Need to Know About Leading Effective Literacy Practices will be distributed and referenced throughout the school improvement process. This book will help teams establish appropriate structures and protocols for data analysis and responsive and measurable goal-setting.
- The consultant will facilitate the team’s articulation for a shared vision of literacy instruction in their school, as together they consider their core beliefs, how they want students to leave their school, and the look and feel of their ideal school.
Step 2
COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA
- The school-based team will evaluate and disaggregate students’ current levels of achievement (state and/or district assessment results) and identify areas in need of improvement.
- A variety of instruments or tools will be used to collect formative data about current literacy practices in all classrooms (e.g., surveys, walkthroughs, observations, work samples).
- Literacy walkthroughs will provide an opportunity to collect real-time data from classroom settings related to best instructional practices, classroom environment, student engagement, and learning. These visits are not meant to evaluate individual teachers but, instead, will provide a catalyst for collaborative conversations designed to lead to purposeful change and improvement. Schoolwide checklists will be used to collect pertinent and relevant data.
- Additional data collection will focus on reviewing current curriculum documents and formative assessment data, including student portfolios, performance checklists, kid-watching forms, and student artifacts (notebooks, rubrics, writing samples, etc.).
- Collaboration and communication will be fostered between and among teachers and/or team members through discussing and analyzing student and pedagogical data.
Step 3
ESTABLISHING DATA-DRIVEN GOALS AND CREATING A VISION STATEMENT
- Data-driven goals are prioritized based on a needs analysis and the immediate need for specific changes to occur that align with the school’s shared vision.
- The Schoolwide consultant and school-based team will collaboratively create or refine a vision statement for literacy. According to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), a clear vision enables schools to develop and implement strategic decisions affecting the school’s future. The vision also allows school leaders to come back to the fundamental beliefs that drive the school’s actions.
Step 4
CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING A LITERACY ACTION PLAN
- The action plan will include data-driven and measurable goals, who is responsible for implementing the change(s), what resources are necessary, when the changes will take place (time frame), and how the changes and results will be monitored, evaluated, and communicated.
- The Schoolwide consultant will help building leaders and team members better understand the dynamics and essential elements of a positive change process. This includes nurturing a community of reflective practitioners who are engaged in a process of continuous learning and growth.
