Working with Teams
SAMSCHOOLS LLC Teams Provides...
Ongoing data analysis and graphic representation provided monthly to each siteOngoing data analysis and graphic representation provided monthly to each site
Each participating school will designate a school site data manager, usually (but not always) a school psychologist or a support teacher, such as a special educator. The data manager and the SAM Data Processing Unit will set up an electronic link so that streams of data on all ongoing assessments can be tracked for pupil progress. The Data Processing Unit will regularly provide graphic representations of progress for use by the Site Leadership Team. Statistical analyses of trends and progress changes will be provided where appropriate.The SAM Collaborative Process
Structural elements at the district level
The district will need to identify a District Leadership Team (DLT), usually comprised of the Superintendent, Curriculum &Instruction Director, Special Services Director, Human Resources Director, Special Education Director, etc., to deal with SAM related policy and resource issues. These DLT functions can be treated as agenda items on regularly scheduled meetings of the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, Cabinet, etc.Secondly, a District Resource Team (DRT) needs to be identified to meet on an as-needed basis to respond to policy and resource requests from SAM sites, and to make recommendations to the DLT. The DRT is normally chaired by the Director for Student Services and may include representatives from among the Principals.
The district will need to identify a person to be designated as the SAM Coordinator. This position is estimated at 0.50 FTE per each SAM cohort. This person will be specifically trained by SAMSCHOOLS, LLC to provide in-district capacity to grow, expand and sustain the SAM process. The SAM Coordinator will function as a trainer and technical assistance provider to assist classroom teachers and school staff to implement the fifteen critical features of the model between visits of SAMSCHOOLS, LLC teams. The SAM Coordinator needs to have expertise in general education curriculum and instruction as well as knowledge of and experience with special needs programs, particularly special education and English Language Learner services.
Finally, each school cluster will need to be served by a district-level Instructional Coach. This individual is usually a lead general education teacher with specialized expertise in one or more curriculum areas such as math or literacy. This teacher will be specifically trained in SAM implementation by SAMSCHOOLS, LLC. Supervisory assistance will be provided by the district SAM Coordinator. The Instructional Coach will be a de-facto member of the Site Leadership Teams of each cluster school. Estimated level of commitment for instruction coaches is one FTE per cluster.
Structural elements at the level of SAM school sites
Each school will establish a Site Leadership Team (SLT) to guide SAM implementation, that will meet on a regular basis at a minimum of every two weeks. This team is normally chaired by the Principal and includes representation from all general education grade levels, student support services and school staff. Union reps should be members of this team. The team will include the data manager. This team may serve other functions in addition to SAM implementation, such as school-wide PBS, cross grade level planning, etc. As a structural school reform model, SAM is designed to provide an integrated coordinating mechanism for all school leadership functions through the Site Leadership Team.Ongoing technical assistance provided on a quarterly basis to district level teams and each school Site Leadership Team
Two-person SAM teams will visit each participating school four times per academic year, with each visit lasting two days. During these visits training and technical assistance will be provided to schools, to the Instructional Coaches and to the district SAM Coordinator. The level of district support to the SAM process provided through the Coordinator, depends on the number of clusters undergoing SAM.SAMSCHOOLS, LLC will provide streams of new information to Site Leadership Teams, the District-Level Coordinator and Site Instructional Coaches as it appears in the research literature of school reform. All schools undergoing SAM will receive ongoing summary information from all other schools so that implementers can learn from each other’s experience.
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