The document describes a project to increase collaboration between a classroom teacher and resource specialist by sharing a digital planbook. The goals were to improve support for special education students and meet their IEP goals. By sharing the planbook, the teacher and specialist could view and amend lesson plans, suggest interventions, and attach modified documents. Initial results showed improved grade point averages for special education students in the teacher's classes after implementing the shared planbook. The teacher learned about collaborative leadership skills through the project.

1. The Open Planbook
DAVID CRISSINGER
TEACHER LEADER CERTIFICATION ACADEMY
MAY 21, 2015

2. Vision Statement
Students will receive individualized support
at the moment it is needed from a resource
specialist working hand-in-hand with the
classroom teacher.

3. Project Goals
My goal was to increase the effectiveness of the
resource specialist in our inclusive program by
sharing a planbook. The effectiveness will be
measured by analyzing the academic achievement
of resource students in my class over a period of
time. Trimester achievement grades will be used as
evidence.

4. Overview of the Project
 Planbook shared by teacher and resource specialist
View
Amend
Suggest interventions
Ask questions
Attach and modify documents
 The resource specialist arrives prepared to make a
positive impact.

5. Rationale/Needs Addressed
RSP students are underperforming
IEP goals not met
Maximize effectiveness of resource
specialist
Leverage expertise of resource
specialist

6. Teacher Leader Model Standards
 Domain 1
1.1 Utilizes group processes to help colleagues work
collaboratively to solve problems, make decisions,
manage conflict, and promote meaningful change.

7. Reseach
Least Restrictive
Environment
Equal partners
Confidence in
partner’s skills
Effective
routines to
facilitate in
depth planning
Increased
productivity and
creativity over
time

8. Key Finding from the Research
Special Education Students Greatly Benefit
Expertise
Grade level instruction Designing modifications
Effective Collaboration
General Education Teacher Special Education Teacher

9. Evidence of Success
1st trimester - 7th grade RSP had an average grade point average
(GPA) of 2.43.
2nd trimester - the average GPA rose to 2.86. Growth of 0.43.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7th Grade RSP Language Arts
Grade
1st Trimester 2nd Trimester

10. Evidence of Success
1st trimester - 8th grade RSP had an average grade point average
(GPA) of 2.08.
2nd trimester - average GPA rose to 3.25. Growth of 1.17.
0
1
2
3
4
5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
8th Grade RSP Language Art
Grade
1st Trimester 2nd Trimester

11. Action Steps
 Purchase planbookEdu
 Design layout and have trial run - update
 Encourage input from resource specialist
 Procedures for sharing
 Face-to face meetings
 Present The Open Planbook to administration.
 RSP modifies at least three documents
 Resource specialist designs lesson
 Share with instructional assistant

12. Next Steps
 Keep sharing
 Collect more targeted data
 Tie goals to IEP
 Share planbook across disciplines

13. Learning / Growth
Model the Way: If I see
something that needs to be
improved, I can take action.
Inspire a Shared Vision: Key word is “shared.”
I learned that pushing “my” vision is not
leadership.
Challenge the Process: Opening
my planbook to potential
judgment is not how we have
worked.
Enable Others to
Act: Biggest area of
growth. By valuing
a colleagues input I
have encouraged
true collaboration.
Encourage the Heart: For
many teachers, helping is the
reward. However by publicly
recognizing and appreciating
those who help, we gain
credibility as leaders.
As a result of my capstone
my personal growth in
leadership was my biggest
reward. I found myself
employing the skills learned
in TLCA in areas far beyond
my project.