Four schools in the rural West Carroll Parish School District in Louisiana faced an achievement gap between students. The district implemented the Learning Framework, a comprehensive teacher training program, to address the gap. After participating in the program, teachers improved their instructional skills and student test scores increased, with math scores rising 12.7% and English scores up 16%. The achievement gap was eliminated and student attitudes toward school also improved.

1. West Carroll Parish School District
Challenge
District Profile
Four schools in the West Carroll Parish School District, a rural
West Carroll Parish School Dis-
district in northeastern Louisiana that struggles with high levels of
trict serves 2,300 students and is
poverty, faced an achievement gap in student scores on the Louisi-
located in rural Oak Grove, LA.
ana Education Assessment Program (LEAP). West Carroll needed a
tool to close the gap.
Challenge
West Carroll wanted to close the
Solution
achievement gap that existed be-
The Learning Framework is a results-driven program focused on
tween students in four schools and
building internal capacity and sustainability to enable schools and
the rest of the district.
districts to maintain and continue improvement on their own. It is
a comprehensive teacher and administrator training program that
Solution
helps struggling schools increase student achievement through
The Learning Framework; a com-
improved educator practice. The research-based Framework trains
prehensive, research-based train-
teachers to use instructional strategies in order to hit learning
ing program.
targets that are aligned to state standards. During the training,
teachers learn how to make instruction intentional and engage stu-
Benefits
dents immediately in learning at the start of each and every lesson.
• Elimination of achievement gap
Teachers also examine how to design integrated lessons, maximize
• Increased student achievement
planning time, utilize immediate feedback assessments to gauge
in Math and English Language
student understanding, use higher level questions, and differenti-
Arts
ate instruction to meet the needs of every student. As they partici-
• Student attitudes about school
pate in training, teachers consistently see and experience exem-
and learning improved
plary modeling of each instructional strategy and practice taught.
• Teachers greatly enhanced their
instructional skills
Benefits • Educator attitudes about
West Carroll eliminated its achievement gap because of remarkable teaching improved
gains in student test scores on the LEAP. The test score data veri-
fies the impact of School Improvement Network’s Learning Frame-
work, which West Carroll participated in during the 2006-2007
school year. Teachers’ participation in the professional develop-
ment program solidly improved student achievement and students’ attitudes; as well as the teachers’ attitudes,
confidence, and skills.
• Elimination of Achievement Gap
After implementing the Learning Framework, the students of the teachers who participated in the program
saw their LEAP scores finish nearly 8% above the rest of the district.
©School Improvement Network
www.schoolimprovement.com/pd360 800-572-1153

2. Dr. Steven Shaha, who headed an evaluation team regarding the project, notes, “This is remarkable.
These students started at a significant disadvantage and ended up exceeding their peers. Teacher
participation clearly distilled down to the students and had the inspiring hoped for by impact
every teacher and principal.
• Increased Student Skills and Achievement
An assessment team measuring the impact of the Learning Framework (LF) on student achievement deter-
mined that 12.7% more LF students passed the math portion of LEAP over the previous year; representing an
overall increase of 21.4%, and eliminating the achievement gap and surpassing the rest of the district’s pass-
ing rate. The results were similarly impressive in English Language Arts (ELA). After the LF was instituted,
16% more LF students passed the ELA portion of LEAP than in the previous year; representing an increase of
27.7% in the number of students who scored at Basic, Mastery, or Advanced levels, again closing the gap and
surpassing the rest of the district.
• Impact on Student Attitudes
Survey results show that Learning Framework students feel more confident as students, put more effort into
learning, and like teachers and school more because of what the Learning Framework taught their teachers.
Students also reported seeing teachers consistently practice what they learned during their professional
development.
• Impact on Teacher Skills and Knowledge
Teachers participating in the Learning Framework reported feeling a significant increase in their expertise
and more cumulative confidence in all the areas and skills covered in the training.
• Impact on Teacher Attitudes
Teachers who participated in the Learning Framework showed significantly favorable attitudes about the
training and its perceived impact on their students.
About School Improvement Network
Founded in 1991, School Improvement Network (SINET) has worked with thousands of schools and districts in
every state and around the world to provide comprehensive solutions that get results in student learning. As the
producer of The Video Journal of Education, TeachStream Online Courses, and PD 360, SINET is the nation’s
leader in professional development. SINET provides onsite training to help schools make Adequate Yearly Prog-
ress, improve student learning and engagement, and increase achievement. The School Improvement team has
documented best practices in more than 3,000 classrooms across North America and has worked with dozens
of the most respected experts in education. Learn more at www.schoolimprovement.com.
©School Improvement Network
www.schoolimprovement.com/pd360 800-572-1153