Submitted for review and approval to the District Level Planning & Decision Making Committee

Transcription

1 Submitted for review and approval to the District Level Planning & Decision Making Committee Conroe ISD District Staff Development Plan Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development

2 Table of Contents Staff Development Plan Overview... 2 Staff Development Plan Highlights... 3 Conroe ISD Instructional Model... 8 Tier I General Education Best Practices of DI... 9 Department Staff Development Summaries Listing of Staff Developments Accountability, Assessment, Evaluation, and Instructional Materials..22 Bilingual/ESL Career and Technical Education College Readiness Dyslexia Early Childhood Elementary Language Arts Fine Arts Gifted Programs Guidance and Counseling Health Services Instructional Technology and Library Services Mathematics Novice Teacher Academy Year I and Year II Physical Education Science Secondary Language Arts Social Studies Special Education Student Support Services/ Crisis Prevention Institute Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

3 Conroe Independent School District Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development District Staff Development Plan Overview Staff Development is an integral part of the overall mission of the Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development Department. This ongoing, comprehensive plan details the continued integration of the Conroe ISD Instructional Model as it is addressed through the various staff development workshop offerings. The District s curriculum, instruction, and staff development are adjusted, developed, and aligned on an ongoing basis to address the District s student achievement needs as evaluated in data reflective of student performance on statewide and locally developed assessments. The department s resources, time, and budgets are aligned for the best possible use of our staff development local and federal funds. The Curriculum and Instruction Department participates in district wide initiatives and various content areas and special programs staff development plans. The eight year plan for staff development has incorporated the addition of layers to the Conroe ISD Instructional Model with the spiraling from year to year of training on best practices emphasizing Differentiated Instruction. In addition to these district wide staff development workshops, professionals in the department provide feeder based and individual campus staff development based on the needs determined by the campus administration in their Campus Improvement Plans and student achievement data. also access the staff development sessions through our online Eduphoria Workshop registration system. Each teacher in the district has a personal profile which tracks their professional development. The Curriculum and Instruction Department has also expanded online offerings to District paraprofessionals and substitutes and will continue its expansion in all content areas. The Curriculum and Instruction Department is dedicated to supporting quality instruction in our District. Focusing on providing comprehensive staff development programs is one way of supporting our District s quality instructional programs. We also continue to recognize the ongoing need to grow the leadership capacity with our in district talent as well as bringing in current research based best practices that align with our District s staff development plan and instructional model. 2 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

4 Staff Development Plan Highlights The Curriculum and Instruction Model (Conroe ISD Instructional Model) The Curriculum and Instruction Department continues to assume the leadership role in implementing the Conroe ISD Instructional Model emphasizing all aspects of Differentiated Instruction. The three components of our district s instructional model include the alignment of the TEKS, the students Learning process of the required curriculum, and the ongoing Assessment in which both teachers and students evaluate their learning (See Conroe ISD Instructional Model on page 8). Cross Curricular Integration The Curriculum and Instruction Department will continue to emphasize cross curricular instruction with an added focus on alignment of integrated TEKS and corresponding cross curricular activities including the alignment of materials. The integration of College and Career Readiness (CCRS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), as well as the new Technology Applications TEKS for grades K 12 from the State, will continue to be emphasized throughout the curriculum and trainings offered by Curriculum and Instruction. State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Initiative The Curriculum and Instruction Department will continue taking the lead by preparing the district s administrative staff and teachers for the instructional depth and rigor necessitated by our State assessment. The Curriculum and Instruction Department will emphasize the following components during the District Wide Staff Development on August 17, 2016 entitled #CISDallmeansall. The focus of conference speakers as well as content sessions will include the following: CISD Instruction Instructional Model Tier 1 Best Practices Ongoing Assessments (Common and Formative) Enriched Learning Meet the needs of ALL Learners Integrating Technology Follow up trainings will be provided throughout the school year through content area cadre meetings. Diversity For the school year, the Curriculum and Instruction Department will continue to offer cultural diversity training by providing workshop opportunities on Ruby Payne s research on poverty. Campus administrators, teams and individual teachers are encouraged to attend. New Hires The District s newly hired teachers will have opportunities to attend a New Hire series of workshops that are specifically designed for teachers to have background in the District s best practices. The trainings will allow the teachers to hit the ground running in the fall with this rich instructional background. The Curriculum and Instruction Department will be encouraging current District teachers who are changing content areas to attend these trainings as well. 3 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

5 Summer Curriculum Rewrites and Revisions Each summer the Curriculum and Instruction Department engages in curriculum rewrites or revisions based on any changes in State TEKS/Curriculum and on a review of district/campus assessment data. The changes result in some revisions in all core content areas each year. The Curriculum and Instruction Coordinators develop teams of master teacher curriculum writers that are trained by the core coordinators and district instructional coaches. The process is also facilitated and monitored by the Curriculum and Instruction staff. SafeSchools, librarians, speech therapists, and nurses will have the opportunity to take approximately seven hours of online staff development courses during the summer in exchange for not being required to attend the staff development training on August 12, The online training for exchange day is through the SafeSchools system. SafeSchools is a library of online school focused safety courses that can be accessed anytime, anywhere through the Conroe ISD website. The SafeSchools courses selected for our teachers, librarians, speech therapists, and nurses cover varying topics including Child Abuse Identification and Intervention, Sexual Harassment, and many others. K 8 Homegrown Writing Institute The summer writing institute, delivered by staff developers from College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP) at Columbia University, will guide teacher leaders in grades K 8 through the pedagogy of writing instruction, provide keynote lectures, and overviews of the writing workshop model using Lucy Calkins resources, as well as provide the experience of understanding what it means to be a writer. This 4 day training will allow those in attendance to develop a level of learning brought to those who have attended TCRWP in New York without having to leave the state, and it will enhance their ability to lead the writing instruction on their campuses and across the district. Foundational Principles in Literacy K 2 Cohort and Administrators from eight campuses will come together this summer for three days of intensive learning to begin their year of growing as a community of learning. The focus for these three days will be on a deeper understanding of literacy assessment and how to use data to drive instruction, characteristics of readers at various levels, and characteristics of text. Knowledge of these core components will support these teachers and administrators as they move into a year of developing a more rigorous approach to the teaching of reading and word study in their classrooms. Participants will receive numerous resources including the Units of Study in Reading, Guided Reading by Fountas and Pinnell, and The Continuum of Literacy Learning by Fountas and Pinnell. The new Benchmark Assessment System will also be piloted through these campuses. 3 rd and 4 th ELA Institute The Rigor in ELA series is returning into 3 rd and 4 th grades this summer. from these grades will have the opportunity to experience three days of indepth learning to support more rigorous instruction in reading and writing. Participants will receive resources to use in the classroom for both reading and writing. Hands on instruction through the week will deepen their understanding of Reading and Writing Workshop, with 4 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

6 focuses on Read Aloud Think Together, Guided Reading/Small Group Instruction, Conferring, Reader Response, Writing Workshop and Word Study. 3 rd and 4 th Grade Math Institute This math institute will provide our 3 rd and 4 th grade teachers with the mathematical knowledge and tools to create critical thinkers that extend foundational math from the primary grades while creating independent problem solvers. The goals of the institute are to grow teacher capacity in understanding what it means to teach in a studentcentered, problem based manner while building conceptual understanding using proper models and manipulatives to foster algebraic reasoning for all students. 5 th and 6 th Grade Advanced Math Academy The goals of the 5 th and 6 th Grade Advanced Math Academy are to strengthen teachers knowledge of the advanced mathematics curriculum and the implications for success in Advanced Math Placement Courses. The teachers will learn how to integrate tools (Algebra Tiles, manipulatives, models, etc.) into their instruction to develop conceptual understanding and reinforce algebraic concepts. In addition, a focus on the integration of the mathematical process standards will increase both the rigor and critical thinking of advanced math students and the number of students taking advanced placement courses which positively affects Index 4 in our accountability system. Algebra 1 Institute The Algebra 1 institute will provide teachers with the necessary skills to integrate tools such as Algebra Tiles, manipulatives, models, etc. into their instruction to help develop conceptual understanding in algebraic concepts. will also learn to integrate the new Process Standards in order to develop students' abilities to apply mathematics to solve problems and communicate and represent mathematical ideas. The institute will also focus on the revised math TEKS and their instructional implications. This all will be done in correlation with the components of CISD Solves. Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) PBIS is a positive, proactive and instructional approach to strengthen school climate, improve classroom management, promote positive relationships in schools and provide students with social and behavioral skills needed to be successful learners. PBIS is an approach that is designed to improve behavioral success by employing nonpunitive, proactive, multi tiered strategies and techniques. PBIS can involve procedures at the School wide level, the classroom level, and the individual student level. It is essential that universal factors are the primary focus of staff development for PBIS. This includes the structure of the school/classroom, the teaching of expectations to students, observing and monitoring student behavior and adjusting plans when necessary, initiating positive interactions with students to form positive relationships, and correcting student behavior in a calm, consistent, and fluent manner. In , Conroe ISD will expand the school wide PBIS process, Foundations, to a third cohort of campuses. The campus teams will participate in team training to develop a comprehensive plan to implement school wide PBIS. The staff development focuses on creating supportive environments that have clear and positive behavioral expectations that are taught 5 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

7 and practiced, consistent supervision skills, as well as effective behavior management and positive behavior support of all students. To address classroom and behavior management, staff development will be provided on the CHAMPS process. CHAMPS is not a program but a process designed to help school personnel make all settings physically and emotionally safe for all students and staff. It helps teachers identify and maintain the effective aspects of current management plans while adding and/or strengthening missing or less effective aspects. This approach guides teachers in making research and data based decisions on classroom management. This will be done through district wide staff development, campus based staff development, and working with individual classrooms and teachers. Emerging Art Teacher Institute will develop a deeper understanding of the components of CISD Art Scope and Sequence, the correlation of instruction and CISD Tier 1 best practices appropriate to Visual Art, and build a toolbox of activities from participation. will explore ways to implement TEKS based age appropriate activities in classrooms, be given specific and sustainable examples of lessons to address CISD Tier 1 Best practices, Explore CISD Visual Art expectations for competition and submission of student work to events beyond the campus, and ways to implement new technology received through IMA funds. Participants will be grouped according to the level of their teaching assignment (i.e., Elementary or Secondary). Through an interactive training and coaching model, guided by the CISD Visual Arts Facilitators, as well as teacher leaders, participating teachers will leave with an understanding of how to organize these components in a way that builds deeper understanding of CISD Visual Art curriculum process. This workshop would be initially offered in the summer (4 sessions) and condensed and repeated in the school year (3 sessions). Learning Management System (LMS) A LMS is a framework that will allow Conroe ISD a single place for online resources for students and staff. Once it is fully implemented, it will give our students and parents a single place to look for information on upcoming assignments as well as provide a repository for materials used for coursework. Any video, assignments, online discussions can all be handled through the LMS. Students will be able to turn their assignment in to the LMS and teachers can provide feedback to the student all within the Conroe ISD environment. The system will be platform and device independent so students and teachers will have anytime, anywhere access. We will be able to offer staff development for our teachers through the system. We have selected Canvas as our LMS. students and teachers have accounts. We have begun district and campus level staff development which will continue through the school year. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Professional learning communities is an ongoing process where educators work collaboratively to evaluate recurring cycles of data to ensure student learning occurs and achieve better results for all students they serve. The work of PLCs includes intentional and continuous staff learning, which is essential in order for staff to make improvements to their own practice and truly impact student learning at higher levels. PLCs are action oriented, committed to continuous improvement and results oriented. The three big 6 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

8 ideas of a PLC include a focus on learning, creating a collaborative culture and results oriented thinking to address intervention and/or enrichment needs for students, as well as determine ongoing adult training. 7 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

9 8 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

10 Tier 1 General Education Best Practices of Differentiated Instruction The Curriculum and Instruction Department will continue to utilize our Differentiated Instruction Tier 1 Best Practices as an integral part of our general education instruction which includes differentiating the content, process, product, and environment as well as the foundational research of Multiple Intelligences, Cooperative Learning, Brain Based Learning, and Marzano s Research. We will also be sustaining the Differentiated Instruction Management Strategies of Tiered Assignments, Flexible Groupings, and Anchor Activities. As part of tiering assignments, the emphasis on scaffolding students to the next level of achievement by adding value will receive further emphasis. The Curriculum and Instruction Department Director and Coordinators will emphasize Trainer of Trainers workshops to extend opportunities of understanding the Differentiated Instruction and Tier I Best Practices process throughout the school year. Our goal is to continue to provide campus administrators and teachers with a menu of research based best practices that can be fine tuned to the specific achievement needs of their campus and students they serve. Curriculum and Instruction Departments will carry through the theme of our Conroe ISD Instructional Model and the Tier 1 Best Practices of Differentiated Instruction as part of general education best practices throughout all staff development offerings in the school year, always with the goal of full implementation. List of Staff Developments Offered: Assessment in Action Ruby Payne s A Framework for Understanding Poverty Foundations of Differentiated Instruction Thinking Maps Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligence CRISS (CReating Independence through Student owned Strategies) SUMMER 2016 Staff Development Opportunities June 15, 2016 June 16, 2016 June 16, 2016 June 16, 2016 June 20, 2016 June 27, 2016 July 27, 2016 August 4, 2016 Ruby Payne s A Framework for Understanding Poverty Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligences Workshop Marzano s Six Step Process for Building Academic Vocabulary Thinking Map Workshop Cancelled Foundations of Differentiated Instruction Assessment in Action K 12 Thinking Map Workshop Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligences Workshop CRISS (CReating Independence Through Student Owned Strategies) Level I Training 10:30 a.m. Room 201A Room 201A New 9 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

11 FALL 2016 Staff Development Opportunities September 29, 2016 October 4, 2016 October 5, 2016 October 11, 2016 October 27, 2016 October 27, 2016 November 29, 2016 December 1, 2016 December 8, 2016 Foundations of Differentiated Instruction Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligences Workshop (Day 1) Marzano s Six Step Process for Building Academic Vocabulary Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligences Workshop (Day 2) Assessment in Action Secondary Assessment in Action Elementary Thinking Maps Workshop (2 day training) Day 1 Thinking Maps Workshop (2 day training) Day 2 Ruby Payne s A Framework for Understanding Poverty 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Room Room SPRING 2017 Staff Development Opportunities January 12, 2017 January 24, 2017 January 31, 2017 April 18, 2017 April 18, 2017 Foundations of Differentiated Instruction Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligences Workshop (Day 1) Cooperative Learning Strategies with Multiple Intelligences Workshop (Day 2) Thinking Maps (2 day training) Day 1 Thinking Maps (2 day training) Day 1 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Room Room 10 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

12 Department Staff Development Summaries 11 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

13 Accountability, Assessment, Evaluation and Instructional Materials The department of Accountability, Assessment, Evaluation and Instructional Materials is tasked with providing Texas Education Agency (TEA) mandated trainings in security, confidentiality and test procedures to all campus assessment coordinators. TEA releases a final testing calendar before the beginning of school each year that determines the final scheduling of these required sessions. The department of accountability, assessment, evaluation and instructional materials supports student learning through acquiring, generating, maintaining and disseminating information and instructional materials in a timely manner. We serve the district at all levels in measuring and improving student learning for local, state and federal accountability. In addition, the department works to facilitate and provide professional training and development in the use of data systems to support the continuous improvement of academic and administrative processes, as well as, the integrity and administration of state and local assessments. Bilingual/ESL The Department of Bilingual and ESL Programs fundamental purpose is to guide our teachers toward best practices that not only serve all students, but that are foundational and essential for our ELLs. We will continue the process of implementing a content based ESL Best Practices Instructional Model in grades Pre Kindergarten through 12 th grade in which classroom expectations of teachers serving English Language Learners (ELLs) are established. The goal, as we look forward, is to encourage implementation at all grade levels and at all campuses in the district. Furthermore, this year the department is pleased to offer the addition of Talk, Read, Talk, Write a framework for building the necessary literacy skills of our Long term ELLs. Our 3 rd Annual Bilingual/ESL Conference will be held this summer in which this year s focus will be on Professional Learning Communities, as this is essential for working together as a community to help close the gap for all students. We are honored to have Dr. Luis Cruz keynote the event. Dr. Cruz, has been a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Dr. Cruz presents on methods from the best selling book Transforming School Culture by Anthony Muhammad. Finally, we will continue to offer multiple trainings for our classroom teachers to add their ESL endorsement to their current teaching certificate by offering two day workshop trainings on how to prepare for the TExES ESL Certification exam and how to best meet the needs of our ELLs. Career and Technical Education The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Department has created a professional development plan to address the needs of new and returning CTE teachers in order to support the instruction of CTE students in their classrooms and labs. The Conroe ISD Instructional Model is utilized as the fundamental model for district instruction. This is an expectation for all CTE courses and is monitored by district administrators. Contextual teaching and learning is the 12 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

14 concept of teaching and learning that helps teachers relate subject matter content to the real world to make connections between knowledge and its applications to their lives as family members, citizens, and workers and engage in the hard work that learning requires. This CTE instructional process is congruent with the Conroe ISD Instructional Model. Conroe ISD uses a variety of assessment tools and strategies to address the instructional needs of all students. Data provided through Texas Academic Performance Reports (TARP) and PBMAS reports, Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), District Benchmark Exams, INOVA, lead4ward (including heat maps and quintiles), and Eduphoria are used to evaluate and determine specific instructional objectives for identified students with needed interventions. College Readiness In Conroe ISD, we strive to increase the percentage of students to demonstrate college and career readiness by the student s designated date of graduation. The College Readiness teams from each high school campus will diligently work to encourage student participation, increase scores in advance level courses and assessments. The definition of College Readiness is to provide all students, who are considering college, with an opportunity to acquire the necessary conceptual and academic skills, content knowledge and academic behaviors to pursue their post secondary education. The College Readiness Team s goal is to assist all CISD students including first generation college students, economically disadvantaged, at risk, African American and Hispanic students to become college and career ready. In support of Conroe ISD efforts, the partnership with Lone Star College, offers opportunities for students to start making the transition to college. Conroe ISD s Department of College Readiness is committed to educating all stakeholders with the most recent College Readiness information and materials, equipping staff with the most effective resources available and training teachers to incorporate College and Career Readiness skills in the classroom. In addition, College Readiness will demonstrate the implementation of HB5 in collaboration with Conroe ISD CTE department and Workforce development of Lone Star College. Dyslexia The Conroe ISD Dyslexia Program provides explicit, direct instruction organized in a systematic, sequential, and cumulative way to meet the specific learning needs of students with dyslexia. This intervention program meets the requirements of the Texas Dyslexia Law to utilize individualized, intensive, and multisensory methods to deliver the components of instruction, which include phonemic awareness, graphophonemic knowledge, language structure, linguistics, and strategy usage. will continue to be provided with the training and support needed to deliver an appropriate instructional program to students eligible for these services. In addition, staff development will include the topics of dyslexia characteristics and identification, dysgraphia, and serving students with dyslexia in the classroom. 13 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

15 Early Childhood The goal of the Early Childhood Department is to support Prekindergarten and Kindergarten teachers through targeted staff development designed to enhance classroom instruction. These staff developments reinforce district initiatives and content area programs such as CISD READS, CISD Solves, CISD Investigates and CISD Remembers. Information from the Early Childhood Technology Infusion Program will be shared in courses on the use of ipads and computers in the Early Childhood classroom. These courses will be offered to support teachers in integrating these devices seamlessly into instruction. Assessment overviews for both Prekindergarten and Kindergarten will also be offered to support teachers in giving and using the data from these important tools. Finally, Prekindergarten teachers will be offered a consistent schedule of staff development and collaborative planning to assist in raising the standards toward achieving a high quality Prekindergarten in Conroe ISD. Elementary Language Arts The Conroe ISD Elementary Language Arts Department embraces the balanced literacy model of CISD READS for Grades PreK 6. The trainings of will focus on continued support of the CISD READS model. There will be continued support of small group instruction in the reading classroom, with trainings being offered on different types of small group reading instruction for different grade levels. There will continue to be an emphasis in the area of Literacy Assessment, with trainings supporting teachers not only in developing and giving assessments, but in using the data to drive their small group instruction. Independent reading will remain on the forefront as we grow teachers understanding of how reading in the classroom can grow students reading ability. In support of the area of writing, we will continue to grow the understanding of the workshop model in writing. In addition, work will continue on incorporating grammar and conventions work meaningfully into the workshop approach. In addition, work will continue in vertically aligning writing grades K 8 in conjunction with the Bilingual/ESL and Secondary Language Arts Departments. Word Study will continue to be a focus this year, with workshops on integrating word study into the reading and writing workshop, and assisting teachers with teaching for transference of these important skills. Courses this year have been tiered to give guidance to selection of courses for all teachers. As always, anyone is welcome to attend any staff development session. Fine Arts Conroe ISD has a high profile Fine Arts program that is State and nationally recognized. students in Conroe ISD are given opportunities to participate in multiple performing and visual arts programs. Students experience Fine Arts curriculum at the earliest grade levels and are engaged in the Arts through high school. It is the expectation in all of the Fine Arts instructional plans that teachers hold themselves accountable to the highest standards of student achievement. This is accomplished through alignment of curriculum and instruction, differentiated instruction, data driven decision making, and a well defined instructional 14 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

16 approach for each of our programs, based on Tier 1 best practices. Informal and formal needs assessments are conducted on an annual basis with the fine arts personnel. Specifically, this year we are adding an Emerging Art Teacher Institute to provide ongoing support for Art teachers. Due to the comprehensive K 12 Art program offered in CISD, specialized training is necessary to ensure building teacher capacity, which in turn, impacts student success. will develop a deeper understanding of the CISD Art Scope and Sequence, the correlation of instruction and CISD Tier 1 best practices appropriate to Visual Art, and build a toolbox of activities from participation. will explore ways to implement TEKS based age appropriate activities in classrooms, be given specific examples of lessons to address CISD Tier 1 Best practices, Explore CISD Visual Art expectations for competition and submission of student work to events beyond the campus, and implement new technology received through IMA funds. Participants will be grouped according to the level of their teaching assignment (i.e., Elementary or Secondary). Through an interactive training and coaching model, guided by the CISD Visual Arts Facilitators, and teacher leaders, participating teachers will build deeper understanding of CISD Visual Art curriculum process. Gifted Programs Gifted Programs is committed to providing staff development related to the nature and needs of gifted and talented students, identification of gifted students, and differentiation of curriculum and instruction for gifted students. These staff developments not only assist teachers in developing challenging and engaging lessons, but also in understanding the unique social and emotional needs of these high ability students. The Teaching Up! Series provides structured work sessions for teachers of all students to enhance their understanding of and skill with regard to the design and implementation of challenging instructional experiences for learners at all levels. The #ignited series will catapult teachers and administrators alike into differentiation of instruction through content, process, product and environment to meet the needs of our gifted students. trainings support teachers of gifted students in meeting the professional development requirements outlined in the Texas Administrative Code. Guidance and Counseling The Guidance and Counseling Program in Conroe ISD (PK 12) is focused on helping our students be successful learners, taking ownership of their futures, identify the pathways to those futures, and take the steps necessary along the way to reach their goals. The program is also designed to assist those students who may experience road blocks academically, socially or emotionally. In elementary and intermediate schools, the focus is on building good citizens, as well as developing those skills necessary to be successful academically. Students take their first look at future careers and begin to hear about post secondary opportunities. In junior high, planning for the future takes on new urgency. Counselors work with students, not only to plan their academic pathway to graduation, but to investigate careers, majors, and colleges. Naviance, a 15 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

17 web based career/college exploration and planning system, is introduced to students as they begin their search and start their high school academic planning. Social and emotional priorities are also addressed. In high school, focus becomes more specific to future plans, academics, and making sure the student not only has the academic prerequisites for future endeavors, but also has a clear pathway on how to reach his/her goals. Once again, Naviance is a powerful tool in helping students and counselors track progress toward attaining academic, career, and postsecondary goals. Counselors work with students on any barriers to reaching those goals, and help them find financial opportunities that are available to help them access the education they want and need to fulfill their plans. Health Services The Health Services Department of Conroe ISD is committed to the health and wellbeing of all students. Professional school nurses provide skilled compassionate care to students in order to allow each student to achieve their highest potential. The Health Services Department for Conroe ISD has created a professional development plan to address the continuing professional education needs of the novice school nurse as well as the expert in order for them to provide quality health care to all students. Collaborating with local healthcare entities, Health Services will provide nurses with information regarding current programs and services that may be beneficial to our students. District level department leaders will be called upon to educate the nurses in areas such as Food Service, Legal requirements, Special Education, and Conroe ISD Technology tools. Instruction will be given on pertinent school nursing issues to foster understanding of the role of the professional school nurse in the educational setting. new school nurses will receive training on Health Services policies and procedures as well as be certified in vision and hearing screening to facilitate a smooth transition into school nursing in Conroe ISD. Lead Nurses will meet monthly to discuss and solve issues as well as plan future activities to address the learning needs of all nurses. This comprehensive professional development plan will accomplish the philosophy of our department: by utilizing the facilities of the school and community, the school health program can assist each student in attaining an optimal level of physical and emotional health. Instructional Technology and Library Services Instructional Technology remains focused on providing staff development designed to build teacher capacity to fully employ technology in the instructional process. Library services staff development is designed to meet the needs of district librarians and to provide teachers instruction with regard to resources offered through district libraries. Staff development sessions offered provide teachers, librarians, and administrators with the opportunity to learn more about specific tools and about using technology in the classroom. In addition to the staff development sessions offered throughout the year, we remain committed to meeting the expressed needs of teachers and campuses through just in time staff development. Campus trainings are tailored to meet the specific needs of teachers on those campuses. 16 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

18 Mathematics The CISD Solves Math Structure will continue to be supported during the school year. There will be a continued emphasis on Math Review, Mental Math, Problem Solving, and Math Fluency. The purpose of this structure is to create a balanced Math program that will help students develop computational skills, develop mathematical reasoning and problem solving abilities, deepen conceptual understanding, and demonstrate understanding in a variety of assessment formats through powerful mathematics. To enhance the CISD Solves Math Structure, professional development will continue to focus on Differentiated Instruction through trainings such as Guided Math in which teachers use Flexible Grouping to address all learners needs. The Math Department will continue to offer staff development related to the new math TEKS grades K through 12 that were implemented over the past three years to grow the learning of our teachers which will in turn maximize student achievement. Novice Teacher Academy Year I and Year II The Novice Teacher Academy (NTA) is a cornerstone of support and professional development for newly hired teachers with zero to one year of teaching experience. A professional development path has been created for our novice teachers with an emphasis on best practices in both instruction and content pedagogy. Novice teachers in their first year in Conroe ISD will be required to attend Effective Classroom and Behavior Management, Foundations of Differentiated Instruction and content area sessions. in their second year will be required to attend Assessment in Action, and an additional six hours of content area professional development. A Framework for Understanding Poverty is highly recommended for our novice teachers in their second year. Novice Teacher Academy Orientation will be an embedded strand in the Introduction to Conroe ISD in August. It will feature a schedule of induction trainings including the Conroe ISD Instructional Model, technology and an overview of Conroe ISD programs. Further opportunities to learn will be provided through subject area Curriculum and Instruction staff development. Physical Education Our goal as physical education/wellness professionals is to ensure students with the best practices toward developmentally appropriate instruction related to physical activity and health. Providing students with a program that develops the components toward staying healthy and realizing the highest potential for well being will be achieved by: providing students with age appropriate knowledge and skill about fitness activities; providing students with current, researched based instruction; modeling appropriate fitness and health practices; promoting daily physical activity; integrating physical activity into all areas of the curriculum; providing appropriate assessment that yields information about the students' progress toward their personal learning goals; providing a safe environment for learning and practicing skills; and 17 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

19 providing an environment and creating opportunities for problem solving and team work. providing quality staff development that is relevant and purposeful, which in turn maximizes student achievement. Science The goal of CISD Investigates is to develop scientifically literate students by providing opportunities through a learning continuum that develops knowledge based problem solving skills, enabling students to make responsible choices when faced with future challenges. Science teachers will ensure rigorous instructions for all students and a commitment to the challenge of extending knowledge to a high level of thinking and understanding. Focused and comprehensive staff development plans are designed and implemented based on district data, teachers instructional needs, and as a means to address the Science achievement gaps in our district. Ongoing, just in time support is provided to assist teachers as they assess and differentiate in their classrooms. Science staff development will focus on instructional best practices including: vocabulary development using Marzano s Six Step Process for Building Academic Vocabulary, 5E Science Lessons, formative assessments, writing in the science classroom, and implementing small group instruction using anchor activities. will leave science staff developments with practical ideas and resources to use in their classrooms. Secondary Language Arts The Secondary Language Arts Department supports a balanced literacy model of instruction that addresses reading, writing, research, listening and speaking. This differentiated instructional model is TEKS based and STAAR aligned which provides a sound structure for a comprehensive, rigorous focus on higher level thinking, strategic, independent, and critical reading, real world writing, as well as a solid foundation in academic language. The skills and strategies necessary for success in college and career readiness are also integrated into the curriculum for all students in order to attain higher levels of achievement. Ongoing staff development and training in the critical areas of reading and writing provide teachers with the instructional support to ensure the success of every student in the area of literacy learning. Social Studies Social Studies instruction in Conroe ISD is based on the Social Studies Model. The goal of this program is to prepare our diverse population for living and working in a global environment, with global citizenship emphasized throughout the K 12 coursework. The basis of the model is sound Social Studies instruction focusing on History Alive! instructional strategies, the Interactive Student Notebook, the 7 Steps to a Language Rich Interactive Classroom and content literacy activities from the Social Studies Instructional Manual. Additional emphasis is on the effective use of formative and summative assessments, support for struggling reading and writers through Talk, Read, Talk, Write and instruction supporting the Social Studies process standards. Differentiated Instruction is embedded into lesson planning through the differentiated qualities of engagement for respectful tasks. CISD Remembers is the Scope and 18 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

20 Sequence that features assurance words, assurance statements, and vertical alignment of Social Studies skills. Finally, additional training on teaching to Enduring Understandings through Essential Questions is provided for our experienced teachers. The Social Studies model will drive professional development offered during the school year with the goal for all teachers to be equipped with strategies and ideas to meet the needs of their individual students. Special Education With the increased expectations of student learning and inclusive practices in the general education classroom, the Special Education Department has created professional development to expand teachers skills for working with students with disabilities. Special education services will look different on every campus but will always include individualized support and services for students. These services are provided on a continuum. As a department, we are dedicated to providing quality support and training to all educators. Whether staff needs a basic understanding of disabilities or an in depth explanation on how to collect data, there are training opportunities to meet all needs. For students with intensive behavioral needs that are primarily in self contained classrooms. The training will focus on developing and strengthening the components that must be in place in order to have a program that will provide comprehensive behavioral instruction and support in a highly structured setting. In collaboration with Curriculum and Instruction, training will be provided to teams of teachers, school administrators, and special education staff as we examine how to meet the unique instructional needs of our students served through special education. Student Support Services The Department of Student Support Services will provide staff development to address Response to Intervention (RtI), Positive Behavior Interventions & Support (PBIS), Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), and comprehensive behavior management strategies for students in general education and students receiving Special Education services in the Social Development Class (SDC). In , staff development for RtI will provide support to campus RtI Teams, RtI Interventionists, as well as provide training on Tier I Best Practices. Staff development will be available on the RtI Behavioral Model and process. Additional training will also be provided to focus on behavioral interventions in Tier I, as well as more intensive interventions at Tier II and Tier III. PBIS is a positive, proactive and instructional approach to strengthen school climate, improve classroom management, promote positive relationships in schools and provide students with social and behavioral achievement needed to be successful learners. CISD will expand the Schoolwide PBIS process, Foundations and the classroom management process of CHAMPS to a third cohort of campuses. CHAMPS training will also continue at the district wide level through our PBIS: Classroom & Behavior Management staff development. Staff development will also be available for staff who work with students receiving Special Education services with intensive behavioral needs that are primarily in self contained classrooms (SDC). The training will focus on developing and strengthening the components that must be in place in order to have a program that will provide comprehensive behavioral instruction and support in a highly structured setting. CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention 19 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

21 program addresses the need for training Conroe ISD staff in safe, respectful, noninvasive methods for managing disruptive and assaultive behavior in a way that is compatible with staff's duty to provide the best possible care. As our district increases in size, we have a greater demand for additional training and our goal is to have in place adaptable solutions to manage different situations that come up in our schools in order to help our Conroe ISD (K 12) staff and the individuals in their care. 20 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

22 Listing of Staff Developments 21 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16

23 Content Area and Special Programs Staff Development Plans Accountability, Assessment, Evaluation and Instructional Materials List of Staff Developments Offered: Accountability Training Accommodation Training for ELLs, Special Education and Section 504 TAKS Administration Procedures and Requirements STAAR Alternate Administration Procedures and Requirements Fall STAAR EOC Administration Procedures and Requirements District/Campus Coordinator Training Security and Confidentiality TELPAS Administration Procedures and Requirements Spring STAAR 3 8 EOC Administration Procedures and Requirements Summer STAAR retests Administration Procedures and Requirements Eduphoria Training Excel Training SUMMER 2016 Staff Development Opportunities June 2016 Accountability Training for Administrators TAC Campus Administrators June 2016 Eduphoria and View It Training for new administrators TAC Campus Administrators FALL 2016 Staff Development Opportunities August Eduphoria and View It Training for new TAC Campus Administrators administrators August TD Textbook Coordinator Training TAC textbook coordinators from each campus August 17, 2016 District Wide Staff Development for Jr. High and High School Assessment Coordinators Preparing for the Assessment Year and Accountability TAC Jr. High and High School Assessment Coordinators September 12, 2016 New Assessment Coordinator Training TAC New Assessment Coordinators October 4, 2016 TAKS Training for High School TAC High School Assessment Coordinators October 11, 2016 Accommodation Training for ELLs, Special Education and Section 504 and Testing Overview 3:00 p.m. Conroe LGI Elementary High School October 17, 2016 Accommodation Training for ELLs, Special Education and Section 504 and Testing Overview Conroe LGI Elementary High School Tuesday October Accommodation Training for ELLs, Special Education and Section 504 and Testing Overview 3:00 p.m. Conroe LGI Elementary High School November 8, 2016 STAAR EOC Training for High School ACs TAC High School Assessment Coordinators Tuesday and December 13 and December 14, 2016 h STAAR Alt2 Administration Procedures and Requirements TAC Assessment Coordinators Eduphoria and View It Training TAC Administrators SPRING 2017 Staff Development Opportunities January 25, 2016 District/Campus Coordinator Training Security and Confidentiality 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Jett Assessment Coordinators 22 Conroe ISD Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Staff Development 9/26/16