Advice from the Field
From Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents
DCI has given our small school district an effective process to analyze the right student data. On top of that, the support we receive from our DCI facilitator and Coaching Support Team is phenomenal. They are on site once a month and are available when we need them!
DCI has been an essential component of the work in our school district. We recognize that the education of our children is too important to leave to chance, so we have been intentional about how we approach the task and how we conduct the important work of meeting the needs of the students entrusted to our care…. There are no easy answers in the modern educational environment. Rather, every district faces a series of hard choices that determine the outcomes of the students and the future of our communities. The DCI work has made us better at our jobs.
Start with what you already have as you begin this work. We had a strategic plan in place and DCI established “the why” which helps to achieve this plan. Always focus your attention on instructional efforts and what actually works. DCI provides what works for us and is not something extra. It is not about checking the boxes for compliance. It is a framework that adds relevance to what we are doing in the district. It helps to make our teachers great which leads to school improvement!
Throughout our involvement with DCI, we learned how to focus efforts at the district level in order to provide communication and clear expectations of effective practices for all buildings. We developed strong teams at the district and building levels, along with a strong professional development team. These teams created a space for teachers to talk about the work, plan for strategies of implementation, as well as collect and receive feedback. Additionally, our teams have opportunities to collaborate with one another or observe classrooms in other buildings. Creating these opportunities has helped us increase accountability and capacity for doing the work.
From DCI Facilitators and Coaching Support Team Members
This district is forward thinking with an excellent vision. DCI is able to work with each building to assist in implementing necessary changes to accomplish this vision. DCI is not “one more thing” but instead provides coaching to fulfill the goals of the district. District-wide implementation brings a cohesiveness to the district.
District leaders receive support on how to align district-wide efforts that will directly impact student learning. Leaders gain access to specific data collection and analysis tools to better inform their professional learning plans. Teacher leadership capacity is elevated and classroom teachers are provided training and coaching.
Start with what you already have as you begin this work. We had a strategic plan in place and DCI established “the why” which helps to achieve this plan. Always focus your attention on instructional efforts and what actually works. DCI provides what works for us and is not something extra. It is not about checking the boxes for compliance. It is a framework that adds relevance to what we are doing in the district. It helps to make our teachers great which leads to school improvement!
When the district leadership is involved in the DCI work, it is easy to see growth in practices. Involvement is supporting and encouraging, attending PD and coaching sessions, and participating in walk throughs. This leads to sustainability for the district.
From Principals
Our DCI journey has been outstanding, and we have experienced significant growth throughout the process. The fundamental support of DCI has allowed us to transition through some very prodigious educational philosophies including standards-based grading, data-based decision making, and a collective commitment to collaboration.
Everything we are doing in DCI follows our CSIP and building plan goals, as well as our vision and mission.
From RPDC Directors
The beauty of DCI is that a district is met where THEY are and choose an area of support that aligns to their CSIP goals and objectives. DCI is a system that coaches teachers and leaders, not catches them. It is a statewide system that is available to any district/charter in the state of Missouri. It can create long lasting systems in schools.
When evaluating the value of DCI, every district in the state has the opportunity to receive the same valuable Professional Development. DCI has proven to be a great asset to our rural districts by affording them quality training for all their staff.
The beauty of DCI is that a district is met where THEY are and choose an area of support that aligns to their CSIP goals and objectives. DCI is a system that coaches teachers and leaders, not catches them. It is a statewide system that is available to any district/charter in the state of Missouri. It can create long lasting systems in schools.
As I am working with school districts on developing their Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) the DCI work marries perfectly. When districts work on their action steps to meet their objectives, utilizing the DCI processes makes the work come to life.
It is important to spend time at the beginning with your District Leadership Team really diving into the leadership module and forming the foundation for the program. This will enable the roll out into the buildings to be consistent and all building administrators will understand DCI and what the goals are within the program.
