Partners in School Innovation

In the early stages of our partnership with an intermediate school in San Jose, the school team expressed their goal of focusing on their Multilingual Learners (MLLs). They were honest about the opportunity to better engage with this student population, and eager to understand how to better improve their outcomes and school experience. An analysis of standardized assessment data and a curriculum review by Partners in School Innovation coaches revealed opportunities for growth in areas like structured language practice, vocabulary development, and overall language instruction for MLLs. Through coaching and co-created equity-focused strategies, we were able to help the school achieve significant results - a 250% increase in rate of total MLL population reclassified to Fluent English Proficient Status compared to the previous year and a 60% reduction in students identified as Long Term English Learners, compared to the previous year. Read more about how the school reached their goals in just a year of collaboration: https://lnkd.in/gRPYMjqe #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #StorytellingForChange #SanJose #CaliforniaSchools #MLL #MultiLingualLearners #ELL [Image description: A graph of results achieved by this intermediate school, showing a 10 percentage point increase in the number of multilingual learners reclassified to Fluent English Proficient status and a 36 percentage point reduction in the number of students classified as Long Term English Learners from the previous year.]

Whenever change initiatives get started, you might see progress through surface-level adjustments but there are layers to change that all participants must embrace. To get deeper into more meaningful improvements, consider changes to beliefs and practices. George Philhower, Ed.D., superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools, a rural district just east of Indianapolis, shares in this District Administration article, "New generation: How to embrace impactful change over surface adjustments," a roadmap for initiating substantial and sustainable change. It outlines details on: - Beliefs: The foundation of change - Practices: Changing the nature of work - Structures: Context for new practices - Tools: Instruments of support Read https://lnkd.in/gWe8ArV5 to learn more about the divide between surface-level and deep change. #SchoolTransformation #ChangeManagement #superintendents #education #equity #EducationEquity

Our experience shows that disaggregated data allows educators to better understand where to focus efforts for the greatest impact. This approach not only provides a roadmap for data-driven progress but also strengthens accountability in building inclusive, supportive learning environments for every student. We applied this approach at a high level in our work with the East Side Alliance (ESA) transformation network over several years. With a focus on supporting Latinx students, language learners, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, ESA demonstrated how targeted data analysis empowers schools to address inequities and foster sustainable academic success. Here’s a high-level look at how we supported this team in using disaggregated data analysis - the visual shows the steps of the approach and how they looked in practice with ESA who was able to take focused actions to support students most in need and put a plan in place to strengthen their engagement. Learn more by reading "What is Disaggregated Data? A Look into How Data Can Drive Equity and Informed Decisions in Schools" at https://lnkd.in/geuedMUr [Image description: A graphic outlining a practical framework for using disaggregated data in school settings, with real world applications outlined.?At the bottom is the Partners in School Innovation logo.] #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #DisaggregatedData #EducationData

Announcing the "Change Agents" Book Guide, now available in our Community! Deepen your learning from reading Change Agents: Transforming Schools From the Ground Up by Justin C. Cohen and gain access to exclusive content to help you strengthen the skill sets and mindsets needed to implement sustainable and equitable school improvement. If you haven't yet read the book, it combines real stories from educators with practical, equity-focused strategies for transforming schools through continuous improvement. The guide is an online companion course for the Change Agents book and was developed with insights from our Partners in School Innovation staff. In this guide, you’ll discover: - Reflective prompts to bring colleagues (and even students!) into key concepts from Change Agents???? - Practical resources and hands-on activities to support meaningful school improvement??? - Checklists and discussion questions designed to build the skills and mindsets for sustainable change??? This Community resource is for educators, school leaders, and staff who wish to actively participate in creating equitable educational environments and are ready to engage in deeper learning as they read Change Agents. Enroll for free at https://lnkd.in/g5scCNga and check out more about the book at https://lnkd.in/gyQkEP69 [Image description: Graphic showing the "Change Agents" book cover in the bottom left corner; on the right are the words "Community Course" and "Change Agents Book Guide" in bold and over an image of guide posts. In the top left corner is a ribbon with the word "NEW" on it and in the top right corner is the Partners in School Innovation logo. The bottom right has the text "Available on-demand now in the Partners in School Innovation Community" showing.] #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationForAll #BookRecommendations #ProfessionalDevelopment #BookGuide #Books #ChangeAgents

Student shadowing allows educators to see firsthand what the experience is like for students in the classroom. For an intermediate school in San Jose that we collaborated with, student shadowing also created urgency around the instructional and language needs of multilingual learners (MLLs). During shadowing, the school’s instructional leadership team (ILT) focused on observing each MLL’s academic speaking, listening, and off-task behavior. This practice highlighted to everyone that just because a lesson was designed to be collaborative didn’t mean that the student experience was engaging and actually collaborative. So the school and Partners in School Innovation co-created a plan to improve support for MLLs that went beyond focusing solely on language practice strategies. Learn more about the full journey and practice here: https://lnkd.in/gRPYMjqe #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #StorytellingForChange #SanJose #CaliforniaSchools #MLL #MultiLingualLearners #ELL [Image description: A visual graphic explaining student shadowing as a practice where educators follow a specific student throughout the day to closely observe and experience their academic and social interactions. It includes an image of a student and teacher working together in a classroom setting.]

Results-Oriented Change Agents are leaders who handle the complexities of under-resourced schools and commit to the success of every student. We’re thrilled to spotlight a Change Agent who embodies the mindsets, possesses the skills and understanding, and takes the necessary actions outlined in our Change Agent Framework and Rubric to effectively transform her school and district for the better: Principal Marie Mabanag of Christopher Elementary School in Oak Grove School District in California. Read https://lnkd.in/gEa5nEDV to learn more about her background, what motivates her as an educator, how she uses classroom walkthroughs effectively, and what advice she gives aspiring Change Agents. #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #ChangeAgent

Reminder that the final deadline for workshop proposals is coming up for the National Summit on Improvement in Education 2025 - the date is November 15th! Share with summit attendees your stories about how you're getting results and learning critical lessons regarding student outcomes. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gqdBjBu3 and in the post here.

One of the most impactful tools we advocate for is disaggregated data. Unlike general data that provides overall averages, disaggregated data breaks down information by specific characteristics like race, language proficiency, gender, and socioeconomic status. This deeper perspective reveals hidden inequities and sheds light on the experiences of vulnerable populations that might otherwise go unseen. Here are three powerful benefits to using data analysis to drive equity and school improvement. Using disaggregated data: - Reveals disparities: Enables schools to identify achievement gaps, allowing for targeted support where it could have the most impact - Empowers data-informed decisions: Supports school and district leaders in using accurate, specific insights to shape instructional practices and resource allocation - Enhances accountability and transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to equity by openly tracking and addressing performance across diverse student populations Learn more by reading "What is Disaggregated Data? A Look into How Data Can Drive Equity and Informed Decisions in Schools" at https://lnkd.in/geuedMUr [Image description: A graphic highlighting three benefits of implementing data analysis for equity-focused improvements in schools. The benefits outlined are 1. Reveals disparities 2. Empowers data-informed decisions and 3. Enhances accountability and transparency. At the bottom is the Partners in School Innovation logo.] #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #DisaggregatedData #EducationData

The term "walkthroughs" may stir up different definitions for people based on what the process means at their schools (or meant, at previous schools). They may have also been negative experiences as being able to observe adult practice can be a point of contention. But walkthroughs don't have to be challenging. One of the most critical parts of successfully navigating how walkthroughs are introduced and designed is to involve multiple stakeholders in decision-making early. The key people to engage are: - Those who will be observed - Those who will be observing - The students most impacted Autonomy in designing the school's walkthrough system is extremely important to participants and crucial to the practice's success. To learn more, enroll in the free, self-paced course "Classroom Walkthroughs" today: https://lnkd.in/g5PGasT4 (if you're not a Community member, it's free to join!). [Image description: Graphic of three illustrated people's portraits in a row; under each is a label for what they represent. One is "Those who will be observed," another is "Those who will be observing," and the last is "The students most impacted." The graphic title is "Key Design Stakeholders for Walkthroughs Systems" and at the bottom is text about enrolling in a free Community course on classroom walkthroughs. In the top right there is the Partners in School Innovation logo.] #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #ProfessionalDevelopment #OnlineCourse #ClassroomWalkthroughs #ClassroomObservations

At Partners in School Innovation, we believe that all students should have access to rigorous instruction. Making sure this happens includes looking out for and considering how student populations like Multilingual Learners (MLL) can be better supported. Our collaboration with a large intermediate school in East San Jose, CA, during the 2022-2023 school year, produced significant results for their MLLs. The school, which educated more than 700 students in grades 7 and 8, was looking for more expertise and support on how to better serve its significant ML population. Read the full story of how they achieved a 250% increase in rate of total MLL population reclassified to Fluent English Proficient Status compared to the previous year and a 60% reduction in students identified as Long Term English Learners, compared to the previous year: https://lnkd.in/gRPYMjqe #education #equity #EducationEquity #K12Education #EducationalLeadership #EducationLeadership #EducationForAll #StorytellingForChange #SanJose #CaliforniaSchools #MLL #MultiLingualLearners #ELL [Image description: A cover image for a case study titled "Supporting Multilingual Learners: How a San Jose School Transformed Their Approach." The image features a photo of two elementary school students - an Asian girl and Latino boy - looking to the left while holding pencils above sheets of paper, and at the bottom there is the Partners in School Innovation logo.]