Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Manhattan, Kansas: Profile of Award-Winning Professional Development

Demographics:

80% White (not Hispanic origin)
3% Asian or Pacific Islander
1% Native American or Native Alaskan
15% African American
1% Hispanic
1% Limited English Proficient Students (2 languages spoken)
44% Qualify for free/reduced lunch
30% Receive special education services

Critical Factors That Led to Developing a Professional Development Model:

1. The Quality Performance Accreditation (QPA) initiative adopted by the State Board of Education holds schools accountable for demonstrating student progress and mandates both site- based councils and school improvement plans. The QPA also requires a professional development component that must connect these activities with their impact on instructional strategies. This state initiative served to facilitate site-based decision making and focus thinking on individual school improvement strategies.

2. Three teachers focused their efforts on directing the faculty to reflect on the meaning and subsequent improvement of low student scores (initially) in fourth-grade math and science. Following a Summer Magnet School for mathematics and problem solving (involving voluntary participation by students and teachers), teachers in all grades embarked on a year-long a study of ways to implement the National Council of Teachers' of Mathematics (NCTM) standards school-wide.

3. Wilson was invited by Kansas State University (KSU) to become a Professional Development School. This initiative involved a number of components that served to focus the energy of the Wilson faculty on developing a plan for professional development and raising questions about the ways to improve student performance in the targeted areas (e.g., a Wilson teacher was appointed a Clinical Instructor, with KSU supporting her half time out of the classroom; KSU faculty worked alongside several Wilson teachers with preservice and inservice teachers; KSU students, working alongside Wilson teachers, sponsored after-school clubs focused on math and science which extended the learning time for students).

Framework for Professional Development Model:

The Clinical Instructor (CI) is a key actor in this professional development plan. Released half time from the classroom (with funding from the KSU Professional Development School initiative), the CI facilitates the activities that have been focused on math and science problem solving. In addition, the CI has coordinated field experiences in the school, taught university seminars and math and science methods courses, and mentored preservice and inservice teachers. In particular, the Wilson faculty has focused on problem solving in math, hands-on science, collaboration and networking, and raising expectations concerning students.

The professional development activities developed by the Professional Development Committee at Wilson are forwarded yearly to the District Professional Development Council (comprising teacher representatives from each school, administrators and central office personnel). Here school plans are assessed for their incorporation of district and state goals and for their efficient use of professional development funds. The District Staff Development Office offers support primarily in the areas of evaluation and assessment, and "capacity building workshops" (e.g., performance assessment, integrated curriculum, collaborative teaching, and development learner outcomes). A trainer of trainers model is used. The Manhattan District is an active member in the KAW Valley Inservice Consortium, and in the "writing and performance assessment consortiums" of KWAC and KPAC.

Wilson has used a combination of Kansas's assessment tests, curriculum tests, and performance-based tests to monitor the impact of their work in math and problem solving on student achievement. They have posted large gains on the Kansas math tests (especially for girls) and now plan to the use the same professional development strategies to focus on reading and social studies.

Contact Information:

Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Manhattan KS

Melisa J. Hancock

5th Grade Teacher

Woodrow Wilson Elementary School

312 N. Juliette Avenue

Manhattan, Kansas 66502

913-587-2170

913-539-8024 (FAX)

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