Focus+Groups

Summary This year my school district implemented a major technology initiative. As part of our district technology initiative, I am co-leading student, teacher, and parent focus groups. I brainstormed with my district Assistant Superintendent and Director of Data and Technology to develop this plan for focus groups. We wanted to develop a plan to help us hear from the most important voices in our community - the students, parents, and their teachers.

These are our district wide evaluation questions. Evaluation Questions:
 * //What evidence do we have that literacy, technology and curriculum are being integrated? What does the integration of these areas look like in the classroom? Within our own areas, find pieces of evidence to support literacy, technology, and curriculum: logs, journals, rubrics, etc.//
 * //What evidence do we have that student achievement is being impacted positively? What does increased student achievement look like? What are demonstrations of improved student learning?//
 * //What evidence do we have that teaching methods are responsive to individual student's needs? What is different? How is it different? What improvements in student learning are occurring as a result of the differentiated teaching methods?//

I worked with my Assistant Superintendent and Director of Data and Technology to formulate some discussion questions for our meetings with parents, teachers, and students. http://bestpractices.stsd.wikispaces.net/focusgroupquestions

Reflection This experience is teaching me the importance of gathering meaningful data. We need relevant input for data-driven decision-making.

It is also teaching me the value of listening. I spent significant time thinking about what each stakeholder group had to say. It is imperative that a technology coordinator takes the time to listen to positives and negatives from stakeholders. It is also teaching me the importance of connecting with our stakeholders. I know I need to make time to connect and learn from the people in the trenches.