What do we have to do well together to help students perform at higher levels?

What do we need to know or do differently?

How will we implement what we learn?

How will we know if it works?

These are the questions that BISD educators ask themselves as they strive to help every student succeed academically. Professional learning is the key that unlocks the answers. Teachers, principals, central office staff, the superintendent and the board collaborate in a variety of learning teams to

• develop classroom, campus and district leadership
• allocate resources of time, money and personnel
• analyze performance data
• incorporate research-based tools and practices
• evaluate growth and improvement
• build capacity
• design and implement effective strategies
• develop deep understanding of learning
• provide educational equity for all learners
• involve families in the education of their children

Student success requires continuous analysis of data to inform instruction through effective professional learning experiences. Quality professional learning occurs in a variety of structures including department and grade level teams, leadership teams, and advisory teams. This year BISD restructured to form Action Learning Teams. These teams meet throughout the year to use data to target areas of needed student improvement and then implement changes to heighten performance. Teams request resources, collaborate, report their progress on their blog, and provide student samples as proof of effective changes in instruction.

Because professional learning improves the learning of all students, the National Staff Development Council recommends that all teachers in all schools receive high quality professional learning as part of their daily work. In Birdville, we are headed in that direction.