Collective Efficacy

In the past we have spent time looking at the feedback that we give students during the instructional process.  The effect size for giving students specific and timely feedback according to John Hattie's work with Visible Learning and what works, is 0.73 effect size.  An effect size of 0.40 means a years growth in a years time. Thus feedback results in nearly 2 years growth in a years time.  Feedback ranks near top of the 195 strategies he measured on the impact on student achievement.  Check out his findings here.  So it is imperative that we provide feedback for students if they are going to make the growth needed.  Maybe because we focused on feedback so much last year it is one of the reasons our students grew so much and boosted our school grade.

 It is only logical that feedback could also have an immense impact on our own effectiveness as well.  This is why it is so important for all of us to get into each others rooms and provide each other feedback.  If Craig and I are the only source of your feedback we are dead in the water.  Last Monday during PD I challenged everyone to get into at least one other classroom prior to Thanksgiving break.  Thus far we have only had 3 teachers do so.  Don't worry there is still time but make the your plans today for providing your colleagues with the feedback they need to become the best they can be.  Here is the link to the google form to use when visiting another classroom.  There is immense bang for our buck with feedback.  Make sure you are giving your students the feedback they need to achieve and help us become the best we can be by giving each other the feedback we need to be Awesome. 

You might have also noticed that the effect size of collective teacher efficacy is 1.57, second overall of all strategies.  This means collective teacher efficacy results in over 3 years of growth in one years time for students.  What is collective efficacy?  you might ask.  It is the belief that what we do together collectively makes the difference for students.  People matter, we matter, you matter. What people do matters, what we do matters, what you do matters.  Talk about bang for our buck.  If we learn together and lead together each and everyday day collectively then we will be Awesome.  Intentionally, ensuring that our lesson are responsive and effective using the checklists, reading, writing, discussing in abundance, knowing where students are, where they are going, and next steps, collectively being responsive to social and emotional needs of students are the continued focus of our PD.  What we do collectively matters. 

Updates:

Advisory Class:  We will take some time tomorrow during PD to think about our Why for everyday advisory and the importance of students learning both Digital Applications and Responsibility and Preparing for College and Careers. 

Spirit Assembly:  Our first one will be on Wednesday.  Remember the Spirit Assembly Schedule Craig and I will be on announcements to share Spirit Assembly expectations for students.  These Spirit Assemblies are designed to recognize students and to create school spirit and community among students and the school.  Fun will be allowed. 

Paper Update:  We are using too much paper and toner.  Plan with this in mind and remember to be utilizing the technology that we have effectively. 

Progress Reports:  Progress reports will be going home with students on Friday Nov. 17th.  The mid-point of the grading period is a great time to have students reflect on their on progress and assess their own learning as well as set some next steps. 

Building Update: Over the past 2 weeks or so I have been in several meetings as plans are advancing.  the last couple of meetings have been about technology needs throughout the school and adjustments to layout and square footage.  We are nearing 3 dimensional rendering time which will be exciting in order to begin to see a visual of the new school.   When this is available and if allowed I will be happy to share. 

Have a great week and remember what you do matters!