The document summarizes the Race to the Top initiative and a school district's transformation plan to address low performance. The district struggles to meet state accreditation and AYP benchmarks and needs professional development and community involvement. A transformation team will act as coaches, engage parents, communicate urgency, establish culture, monitor best practices, and ensure accountability. The model will provide differentiated professional development to existing staff. Research supports coaching but restructuring may challenge families and additional funds are needed. Pros include stakeholder involvement, sustainability, data use, capacity building, and collaboration.

1. NCVA Unified School DistrictRACE TO THE TOP

2. Introduction Charge from the SuperintendentComponent of Race to Top applicationProblems needing immediate attentionNeed for resources to addressSchool reform efforts

3. “Because we know that about 12% of America’s schools produce 50% of America’s dropouts, we’re going to focus on helping states and school districts turn around their 5,000 lowest-performing schools in the next five years.”President Barack Obama.

4. System to be Reformed

5. Current PressuresStruggle for state accreditation during the improvement processStruggle to meet AYP benchmarksLack of high quality professional developmentNeed for increased parental and community involvementNeed to increase student engagement and improve learning

6. Transformation model

7. Transformation TeamAct as Leadership and Instructional CoachesEngage Parents and CommunityCommunicate urgency of need for rapid improvement

8. Transformation TeamEstablish a positive organizational cultureMonitor Implementation of best practices Professional DevelopmentEnsure Accountability

9. Reform ImpactDue to the nature of the current shortage of highly qualified teachers in key areas, the model will provide for using the existing staff and provide differentiated professional development that will assist all staff to increase their capacity

10. Research Hope Foundation (2010) Education Week (Maxwell, 2010) The USDOE Blueprint for Reform (2010)

11. Pros & ConsConsCoaching takes time to see resultsRestructuring the school day will present challenges to some familiesAdditional funds needed to support transportation, recognitions, and extended timeProsInvolves all stakeholdersJob-embedded to ensure sustainabilityPromotes continuous use of student data to improve teaching and learningBuilds capacity of existing staffBuilt in early warning system through use of RTIEstablishes positive climate through a culture of collaboration

12. Policies and RegulationsHours of Employment/Work Day8VAC20-440-20. Contractual period defined.Evaluation: Licensed Personnel§ 22.1-309. Notice to teacher of recommendation of dismissal or placing on probation

13. Let’s Have a Great Year!