The Evolution of CollaborationAlabama Department of Education

Meeting the Challenge!

History of School Improvement Support

1996Five teachers of the year!Independent support from sections.

1997 – 2000Cross-functional teamsIntervention/school take-over

2001 – 2004Peer AssistantsIndependent support from sections.

History of School Improvement Support

2005 – 2007Accountability RoundtableGuidance TeamStatewide System of SupportOversight Committee

2008 – PresentSteering CommitteeCoordinators’ GroupStatewide System of Support

The Journey to Collaboration

What prompted the change?

Mixed messages from sections.Confusion among the LEAs.Duplication of effort.Multiple requests for similar

documents.

In the beginning….Accountability Roundtable

•Representatives from each section of Instructional Services Division•July 2005 – July 2006

•Met two days per week (8 days per month)•July 2006 – July 2007

•Met two days per week (4 days per month) •July 2007 – June 2008 (Name change to LEA Support Roundtable)

•Met two days per month

Other Support Structures

Guidance Team•Connected work of Roundtable (SDE staff) to work of State Support Team (Contract staff working in LEAs).

•Met one day per month

State Support Team•Met two days every 6 weeks

•Regional School Improvement Coaches

•Peer Mentors

•ARI Reading Coaches

•AMSTI Math/Science Coaches

Other Support Structures

Oversight Committee•Directors of sections within Instructional Services Division

•Met occasionally for updates on the work of the Roundtable

SuccessSections more knowledgeable of other

section workDistricts modeled the collaborative

style Increased communication among SDE

and field staff Districts approved of increased

communication among sectionsMinimized duplication of effort (plans,

support, messages)

BarriersDirectors did not like “learning”

about work from their members serving on the Roundtable

Coordinators of ALL major initiatives were not members of Guidance Team

Some resentment from SDE members not serving as part of the Roundtable

The SolutionSteering Committee

•Purpose: Guide the work the Instructional Services Division to ensure collaboration, promote a single message, and minimize duplication of effort.

•Directors of each section of Instructional Services Division•Meet two days per month•Review current LEA needs based on data•Prioritize tasks/assignments•Analyze level of support

•Addressed by specific section•Addressed through collaboration among multiple sections•Addressed by steering committee

The TransformationCoordinators’ Group

•Purpose: Coordinate field support to ensure collaboration, promote a single message, and minimize duplication of effort.

•Coordinators of each major program within Instructional Services Division•Meet one day per month

Success!Statewide System of Support

•Purpose: Provide field support to ensure collaboration, promote a single message, and minimize duplication of effort.

•School Improvement Leaders, Regional School Improvement Coaches, Peer Mentors•Reading Coaches, Principal Coaches•Math Coaches, Science Coaches•Graduation Coaches•Meet two days every six weeks