Cross-grade teams at Shallowford Falls form goals for the school every spring based on student assessment data. Grade-level teams are given two hours of released time three times a year to develop and assess specific team goals. Each teacher also has an annual conference with the principal to discuss student achievement gains over the course of the year and achievement of individual professional development goals. Teachers are accountable to show how they are using their professional learning, what they've done, and how it has made a difference for their class, their grade level, the school. At International High School teachers participate in peer evaluation, observe each other, and develop an extensive portfolio to document progress on their professional development goals.
Leadership is essential, especially through the periods of difficulty that are bound to arise.
Things don't always work out as intended. Even research-based programs don't necessarily work as well or as smoothly in one site as in another. New strategies need to be tried, momentum has to be maintained, and the principal almost always plays a central role. And because she's always working on something new, the principal models her high expectations for teacher learning. She really kept that momentum alive.