Administrators of District 742 have reviewed three different formats for conducting learning walks this year. The groups discussed pros and cons of each of the formats and made recommendations for a format, as well as how many learning walks should take place. Within a week, we should have a format that has been discussed and processed. We will concentrate on three power strategies as researched by Marzano: content area vocabulary strategies, comparing and contrasting; and summarizing.
The evidence collected will shape the role of our District Staff Development Committee. Each of the members will sign up for one of the three power strategies, do research, and then present to building staff for a more common understanding of best practices.
Learning walks allow our principals (the instructional leaders of the district) to capture evidence of these strategies along with others that engage students in learning. This non-evaluative method of observation will be used for follow-up coaching sessions to discuss ways to improve and reach all learners.
I have a goal for this district's 800+ teachers this year; done effectively, we will work to log over 5000 documented learning walks into classrooms to create powerful discussions in a coaching atmospher.
