The Work
Web Site Creation
In partnership with our Technical Operations Department at Southeast Regional Resource Center (SERRC), we have created a web site as part of our work to support and build the capacity of Alaska’s educational community.
The Alaska’s School Improvement Resources web site is a comprehensive site that provides current information about Alaska’s school improvement planning process and resources and strategies that you can use right now in meeting the provisions of No Child Left Behind and increasing student performance.
The web site can guide school, district, or state teams through the school improvement process with a focus on analyzing state assessment data to set improvement goals, analyzing school data to clarify problems in low performing areas, and using classroom data to monitor student progress.
It provides support and/or links to understanding information collected from Alaska’s Instructional Audit Tool and how the accompanying resources can build capacity for student learning.
The web site is a public resource for the state, districts, and schools that are challenged to set, implement, and meet the adequate yearly progress targets. We have organized it into two major categories:
A. School Improvement Planning Guide
B. School Improvement Resources
A. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING GUIDE
ACC, in partnership with EED has developed the School Improvement Planning Guide which follows a five step process that directly aligns with EED’s School Improvement Plan Submission Packet. The 5 steps are:
→Data Analysis
→District Goals/ School Objectives
→Actions for Implementation
→Student Progress Monitoring and Evaluation
→Monitoring the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Plan
B. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RESOURCES
The School Improvement Resources section has been further divided into three main areas:
1. Components of Effective Schools
2. Content Areas and Subgroups
3. Stakeholder Resources
Within each of these areas specific resources are identified and labeled as:
• Knowledge and Guidance
• Tools
• Technical Assistance
Many links for this website have been gathered from the Content Centers and Regional Comprehensive Centers. Other sources have been chosen for their research base and practicality for users.
1. COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS
Resource information in Components of Effective Schools is organized around six fundamental components from the Instructional Audit Tool related to school success and high academic achievement. Those components are:
• Curriculum
• Assessment
• Instruction
• Leadership
• Supportive Learning Environment
• Professional Development
Alaska’s Instructional Audit identifies these components as domains. For each domain we provide a brief introduction, identify the domain’s key elements, and present relevant resources for each element in the form of knowledge/guidance, tools and technical assistance.
2. CONTENT AREAS AND SUBGROUPS
Content Areas and Subgroups was selected to meet the provisions of NCLB and to emphasize Alaska’s Performance Standards. Included are:
• Reading
• Writing
• Math
• Technology
• Special Education
• English language learner
• Alaska Native education
• High School
3. STAKEHOLDER RESOURCES
Finally, Stakeholder Resources, was organized for specific groups to find general resources focused on school improvement quickly and easily. Groups that have been identified are:
• Central Office/ District
• Coaching/Mentoring
• Parent/ Community
• Principal/ School
• Professional Organizations
• School Boards
• State
• Teacher/Classroom
Although not intended to endorse the effectiveness of any particular program or practice, this website does aim to inform educators about proven strategies and best practices within each of these areas. Development of resources is ongoing. Please check back frequently for updates.