SMARTmove
Transforming Schools and Classrooms through Professional Learning
The SMARTmove program is grounded in the belief that substantive expertise and effective strategies exist within the school, but much of this knowledge has not been systematically managed and shared. Through skillfully executed workshops and follow-up coaching sessions, SMARTmove facilitators build the capacity of teachers and principals to utilize the potential of professional learning communities and formative assessment strategies to transform a school and improve student learning. Designed to enhance teacher practice, SMARTmove builds the capacity of teachers and principals to utilize the power of formative assessment strategies and professional learning communities to improve student achievement. The program builds on the work of Paul Black, Dylan Wiliam, Jan and Stephen Chappuis, Doug Reeves, and other assessment experts.
Costs
Pricing for SMARTmove is customized for each district and is based on the number of teachers and days on site.
Delivery System
The SMARTmove program includes: full-day workshops; follow-up coaching sessions in schools; classroom visits and feedback cycles; and leadership series/retreats for school principals and teachers.
Key Components
SMARTmove includes the following components:
SMARTschools: Building Professional Learning Communities
SMARTassessment: Understanding formative, summative, benchmark, and classroom assessment
SMARTexpectations: Learning about learning intentions
SMARTquestions: Finding out what students know — effective questioning
SMARTfeedback: Providing feedback and developing grading practices to support student learning
SMARTchoice: Using student self and peer assessment
SMARTwalk: Learning to walk — walking to learn about classroom instructional practices
Outcomes
The SMARTmove program fosters instructional approaches and strategies that, if replicated appropriately, will assist the school:
· Increase student achievement;
· Narrow the achievement gap;
STANDARDS COVERED:
The design of Smartmove incorporates New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards, the professional standards for teachers and school leaders, and the professional development standards.
What are educators saying about SMARTmove?
“Each workshop was followed by a coaching session. The coaching sessions gave me the support and encouragement I needed to use strategies in my classroom and then discuss them with my peers.”
6th grade teacher
“It was a pleasure having SMARTmove facilitators in my building, working with teachers and helping our school move toward the goal of improving student achievement. The teachers got engaged in the discussions, and presented their points of view and experiences. That level of interaction created a learning environment conducive to improvements. I think the SMARTmove facilitators created the conditions we needed to move forward the performance of the school.”
K-8 Principal
“This is really the first workshop I attended that I participated orally. Most of the time in the past I have not been comfortable enough to share my ideas. I felt extremely comfortable in this environment.”
4th grade teacher
“I enjoyed the workshops and came away with valuable knowledge.”
7th grade teacher
“Thank you so much for the presentations on formative assessment and questioning. This was an exciting day to see teachers begin to make connections between formative assessment, PLC, and using data.”
High School Director of Curriculum
· Lower the school’s discipline rate;
· Provide intensive professional development for teachers and principals;
· Build a learning community for continuous and sustained impact; and
· Provide effective solutions for special education and ELL students.
Resources
