NWREL NEWS
Conference Call
Visit NWREL’s online calendar of events at www.nwrel.org/events/ for content and registration information on upcoming events. Check the calendar regularly as new events are added frequently.
Building Rigorous and Coherent Instructional Programs
- November 1–2, 2007
- Portland, Oregon
Small Learning Community (SLC) instructional leadership teams comprising district and school instructional leaders and SLC small school leaders will learn about the benefits of instructional program coherence for increased student achievement. The training will focus on the need to provide for cross-grade and cross-discipline continuity of instruction. Participating teams will explore the steps in creating program coherence and work with facilitators to produce professional development plans to guide the development of student proficiencies and demonstrations consistent with SLC identities.
Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) Institute: Assisting On-Site Facilitators To Organize and Lead PLTs
- November 8–9, 2007
- Portland, Oregon
Professional learning teams (PLTs) are small groups of teachers working together to improve student learning by changing their classroom instruction. This research-based approach provides a foundation for collaborative, teacher-directed, schoolwide change efforts. This is a follow-up training to the institute held in July. The purpose is to further develop the knowledge and skills of local facilitators leading PLTs in their own schools. If you did not attend the July institute but are interested in attending the November training, please contact Susan Sather at (503) 275-9645.
6+1 Trait® Writing Assessment: Introductory Institute
- December 11–14, 2007
- Portland, Oregon
Implemented in thousands of classrooms worldwide, the 6+1 Trait® Writing Model of Instruction & Assessment is a powerful framework designed to help teachers use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing, as well as create a common vision of what good writing looks like. This workshop introduces teachers to this popular analytic writing instruction and assessment model—providing them with strategies to help students identify quality in writing, manage their own writing process, practice effective revision and editing skills, and become confident writers. This workshop is a prerequisite to more advanced 6+1 courses NWREL offers.
Improving Adolescent Literacy and Mathematics: Professional Learning Teams in Action
Get the latest research on best practices related to teaching reading and mathematics to middle and high school students. This workshop is designed for teams of district and building staff in leadership roles, teachers, and teacher-leaders who want to learn strategies and develop plans in three areas: improving classroom practices; providing support for students struggling with core content areas; and leading meaningful and useful professional learning teams. Workshop facilitators will assist participants in assessing their district’s and school’s approaches to meeting adolescents’ learning needs.
National Conference on Secondary School Reform
- June, 2008 (Exact dates to be determined)
- San Antonio, Texas
NWREL’s Recreating Secondary Schools (RSS) program and a group of high school educators with frontline experience transforming their large high schools into small learning communities are planning a conference to assist school/district teams in tackling the intensive work of instructional improvement. Since 2001, RSS has helped more than 1,000 federal Small Learning Community grantee high schools provide more rigorous, relevant, personalized learning environments with the aim of increasing student attendance and reducing dropout rates. 