Letter of Agreement between Winona Area Public Schools District #861 (WAPS) and Winona State University College of Education (WSU) This Letter of Agreement between the Winona Area Public Schools District #861 and Winona State University s College of Education is encouraged of all universities participating in the Bush Foundation s Network for Excellence in Teaching and establishes a framework for formalizing the collaboration that has been in formation for over 150 years. In this partnership, it is our shared hope that, together, we can work to develop programs that will excellently prepare future teachers for the challenges they will face in their classrooms and enhance the professional opportunities for the teachers who currently educate our B-20 students. Winona State University and the Winona Area Public Schools District #861 share a common vision for the increased success of B-20 learners; those in the B-12 WAPS schools district and those in WSU s preparation programs. The Core Belief Statement adopted by WSU s Education faculty is as follows: We exist to prepare professionals to continuously improve Birth- Grade 12 student learning in twenty-first century schools. Through a continuum of clinical experiences and relevant and appropriate instructional methods, WSU graduates are prepared in a community of learners with developmentally appropriate content and pedagogical expertise, and professional dispositions to improve students learning by: (1) actively engaging in a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement (2) demonstrating awareness of- and an ability to respond to- broader psychosocial and global contexts; and (3) advocating for students and their learning through leadership, collaboration, innovation, flexibility, and critical thinking. The Vision, Mission Statement and Core Values Statement for the Winona Area Public Schools District #861: Vision: We are a community that inspires all students to be life-long learners who strive to fulfill their unique potential and improve our society. Mission Statement: To empower students of all ages to be life-long learners who demonstrate creative thinking, critical analysis and problem solving skills in an ever changing and challenging world. Core Values: In all that we do we are committed to: Page 1 of 6
Learner Needs- focusing on the needs of the learner and acknowledging all learners deserve equitable access to resources for a quality education. Safety- creating an emotionally and physically safe and welcoming learning environment for all students and staff. Trust- communicating openly and honestly and acting compassionately. Positive Relationships- honoring relationships with all stakeholders by respecting our community s heritage and diversity while embracing change. Objective and Validated Decision Making- relying on data, research and factual information as a basis for making decisions. Financial Stewardship- being financially responsible and maintaining a solvent school district. Diversity- provide and emphasize programming that cultivates an inclusive school climate and curriculum. In addition, the WAPS School District #861 School Board has adopted the following guiding principles from the Minnesota School Boards Association: The Minnesota School Boards Association state that the following are the Fundamental Roles of School Boards making policy, setting goals and engaging stakeholders, all with the ultimate goal of improving student achievement. The work of a school board involves: *developing a vision for the district * communicating with the stakeholders * setting goals and monitoring progress * rallying the community around student achievement * establishing district policy * hiring and evaluating the superintendent * monitoring student achievement * ratifying employee contracts * aligning resources with goals * advocating student needs to lawmakers * collaborating with community partners * training in education issues and governance * ensuring facilities are safe and adequate In partnering with WAPS to rally around student achievement, the College of Education is using its Bush Foundation grant to transform its teacher preparation programs through enhanced partnerships, enhanced clinical engagements, and more. Under the label Teach21, these transformational strategies move the College towards this excerpt from its Conceptual Framework: We not only prepare our student for licensure, certification, and employment, but also prepare them to be lifelong learners and reflective Page 2 of 6
practitioners. Our teacher candidates effect measurable improvements in the learning and learning capacity of their students, build productive partnerships to achieve these improvements, and advance their professions throughout their careers. As two institutions of learning with common core beliefs, vision and commitment to improving the success of all learners, this Letter of Agreement will help to clarify those areas that will benefit both institutions and the students they serve. Strategies: *As educational partners, the Winona Area Public Schools District #861 and the Department of Education for Winona State University seek to celebrate, strengthen and expand our existing relationships. *Together, we hope to innovate and improve the preparation systems for teacher candidates and to provide a three year commitment to the induction of teachers in the Winona Area Public Schools who are graduates of WSU and other institutions of higher education in the NExT (Network for Excellence in Teaching) network. *Use research and data to drive continuous improvement. *Provide information and recommendations on the results of this partnership. Procedures: *Clinical Connections Clinical experiences in WAPS schools for teacher, administrator and counselor candidates as a part of the teacher, administrator and counselor preparation programs at WSU have existed for many years. As partners, we seek to expand those clinical experiences in ways that will further enhance the learning for both the WAPS and WSU students. Those clinical experiences can include the Co Teaching model for student teaching, traditional student teaching, placements with the PIP program, mentoring and tutoring services, after school clubs, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) program assistants, candidate cohort group projects, counselor interns, administrative interns and any and all WAPS programs where additional instruction, supervision and resources can benefit the students of District #861 and the pre-service teachers of WSU. In these and other ways we may develop, WAPS and WSU share responsibility for high quality clinical learning opportunities for our preservice educators. *Joint Professional Development Joint staff development for the teachers of the Winona Area Public Schools District #861 and the instructors from Winona State University will serve to open lines of communication that Page 3 of 6
are vital to the success of all B-20 students. As education partners, joint staff development can provide a consistent and seamless progression through the B-20 learning continuum. The faculties from both schools will be able to participate in a joint task force on professional development to reinforce existing professional development structures and to share/reduce costs for professional development. WSU and WAPS will continue to collaborate on the STEM curriculum for the STEM program and will work together to develop additional programs such as STEM or STEAM programs or other such curricular innovations at other schools or grade levels. Moreover, through this partnership, WAPS may participate in research, training and curricular planning collaborations with WSU and its other B-12 partners. In this partnership, WSU will provide economical access to Cognitive Coaching training for WAPS employees during the 2011-12 school year and will share responsibility for costs associated with ongoing training. A representative from the College of Education at Winona State University will be available to serve on the Winona Area Public Schools District #861 Staff Development Committee and a representative from the Winona Area Public Schools District #861 will be available to serve on the WSU COE Professional Development Committee. Within this framework, both parties will seek to develop collaborative learning communities and open conversational forums aimed at strengthening communication and collaboration between the faculty, staff and leadership of WAPS and WSU. Improvement of instruction is the goal of professional development and the necessary information available from WAPS and WSU will be jointly shared in order to make evidence based decisions regarding the focus and direction of evolving instructional methods and relevant staff development. *B-20 Collaborative Leadership A quality working relationship between the two partners depends upon the ongoing commitment of leadership that is willing to work in a collaborative manner for the benefit of both institutions. On-going, reflective work with regular meetings will continue between the Dean s office of the Winona State University College of Education and the Superintendent s office of the Winona Area Public Schools District #861. A representative from the WAPS Superintendent s Office will serve as a member of the WSU Dean s Coordinating Council. The arrangement for Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA) and Educational Leaders on Special Assignment (ELOSA) may continue with some expanded liaison roles that may also include WSU Faculty on Special Assignment to District #861. Sharing faculty opens the door to Page 4 of 6
multi-lateral collaboration between WAPS, WSU and other parties as mutually agreed. Shared staff adds value and continuity for the mutual needs of both organizations and, with a shared vision, these faculty members can become bridges between WAPS and WSU as we strive to reach our goal of improved learning for all 21 st Century learners. *Induction A collaborative framework will be established for implementation of an induction program for WSU graduates who are employed by WAPS for the first three years of their residency with District #861. The induction program will include mentoring, coaching, data based instructional support and development as well as staff development designed for beginning teachers that is relevant and appropriate to their needs. The inclusion of other new teachers from the NExT network universities will be subject to arrangements made by WSU and those other institutions. New teachers from outside of the NExT network may also be included in the induction program subject to agreement between WAPS and WSU. The recruitment and retention of high quality teachers for the benefit of the WAPS students will be the priority in the decision making process as the induction program is developed. Providing and preparing Master Classroom Teachers to serve as mentors and coaches will be a shared responsibility between WAPS and WSU. *Other Considerations: Details of this agreement will be reviewed by the WEA teacher union representatives, district administrative teams and WAPS/WSU liaisons to insure that contractual rights and obligations will be met and that there will be no disadvantage to current employees with this agreement. Similarly, details of this agreement will be reviewed by the College of Education faculty and the Teacher Education Assembly (TEA) to ensure that its terms conform to the values of the College and Unit. No classroom teacher will be required to accept a clinical or student teacher and participation as a supervising teacher will be voluntary. This agreement may be terminated immediately at any time with the consent of both parties. This agreement may be terminated by either party without cause with 180 days advance written notice if at the beginning of the academic year in September or 90 days written notice if at the start of the second semester in January. Decisions regarding hiring and supervision of WAPS or WSU teachers as staff with the partnership will rest with the partner that constitutes the legal employer for that program staff Page 5 of 6
person; however, the partners will consult with one another regarding all hiring decisions for the partnership and will jointly evaluate partner employees. The partnership will be jointly managed. Each partner will have the responsibility to represent their respective institutions and will be responsible for maintaining the vision, mission and goals of their institutions. This agreement will be considered to be a living document under constant review by all parties involved in the partnership. This agreement will not preclude or inhibit either WAPS or WSU from entering into other partnerships with other cooperating schools. This agreement will not modify or diminish any existing or future agreements with any other institutions. Both partners in this agreement have a right and an obligation to insist on standards of professional decorum on the part of clinical and student teachers that are consistent with prevailing standards in the school community and the education profession. Neither partner will discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or any other reason, provided s/he is capable of performing the responsibilities of the position or assignment. *Execution President, WAPS School Date President, WSU Date Board Superintendent, WAPS Date Dean of Education, WSU Date Page 6 of 6