1. The Great Conversation Inspired by Jamie Vollmer’s book, Schools Can’t Do It Alone Presented by Julie Bastow Ed. S., ELA Consultant, AMA ESD Meaghan Gauthier Ed. S., Literacy Consultant, AMA ESD & Courtney Huff Ed. S., Literacy Consultant, AMA ESD
2. Today’s purpose The beginning of The Great Conversation, “ a new community-wide discussion, designed to increase student success, and ultimately, improve the quality of life of everyone in the community, whether or not they have kids in school” (Vollmer, 149).
3. A series of phases Phase 1 Objectives: Connect with as many people as possible Describe the benefits that will happen when we work together to support student achievement Help everyone understand what these benefits mean for the community
4. Why now? Shift from Industrial Age to Knowledge Age Less on making and moving More on generating and sharing knowledge Dramatic increase in what ALL students need to know An adequate education just 30 years ago…no longer sufficient
5. Local Good News Targeted Writing Project (TWP) Students across 4 districts receive 45 minutes of systematic writing instruction daily Supporting Teachers and Readers Successfully (STARS) Cycle #1: 270 students serviced, 94% improvement Cycle #2: 219 students serviced, 88% improvement Cycle #3: 295 students service, 83% improvement
6. More good news Proactive vs. Reactive Curriculum Universal Screening Teachers Meet Together to Review Student Data
7. Meanwhile… “…our schools have done all this while feeding tens of millions of children nutritious meals twice a day, transporting them billions of miles each year in safe, reliable buses, and providing them with quality health services and medical expertise…” “If that were not enough, America’s public schools are the cultural heart of their communities” (Vollmer, 155).
8. Restructuring schools Future Conversations: What are the necessary changes schools need to make to increase student success? Why are these changes important? What will they mean for EVERYONE in the community? Feedback from community is vital!
9. Schools can’t do it alone “For all public’s education’s remarkable success, no generation of educators in the history of the world has been asked to do what Americans now demand of their schools” (Vollmer, 156).
10. Did you know… Alpena schools buses travel the distance from Disney World and back in ONE day, plus a few extra miles to make a round trip to the Mackinaw Bridge (averaging 2,990 miles a day!)
