Join us June 21-22 for this two-day learning opportunity for Improvement Science in Education

Be part of this two-day online event to learn how IMPROVEMENT SCIENCE STRATEGIES can address gaps in your learning system, promote continuous improvement, and re-energize the work of your teams in support of students!

There is no shortage of research on school improvement, but putting research into practice in school settings is not always easy.   Improvement is highly contextual, requires a systems level approach, and user centered problem solving.  Improvement Science offers practical strategies for identifying and refining contextual, job embedded solutions to the problems facing our schools – solutions generated with the help of those closest to the problems.

Sessions will be offered for both beginners and leaders who are looking to advance their knowledge of improvement science practices. View & Download Event Flyer

Day 1 – Changing the Paradigm for Our Schools

This Keynote will explore the potential and utility of Improvement Science with examples and lessons learned from using this methodology to improve outcomes for students and the systems that serve them.

Day 2 – The Power of Networked Communities

Hear how a Networked Improvement Community in California is leveraging improvement work on a larger scale.

What is Improvement Science?

Learn how the improvement science approach is different from typical approaches to school improvement.

Understanding the System and the problem that produces it – Root Cause Analysis

In order to solve a problem, we must first ensure we have a deep understanding of it. Gain familiarity with several root cause analysis tools including the 5 Why’s and the Fishbone Diagram as methods to investigate systems.

Culture – The foundation of School Improvement

Research continues to affirm the role of culture in creating positive, sustainable change. This session will answer the question “what is school culture” and provide a rationale for its importance in supporting improvement efforts.

Preparing Principals to Lead School Improvement

Examine the role of the principal in guiding change through the use of improvement science with two of the authors of “The Education Leader’s Guide to Improvement Science”. Explore how a principal prep program nurtured strong leaders of equity through promotion of improvement science tools and methods.

The Impact of Improvement Science on District Level Work

Gain perspective on the improvement journey from a district currently implementing improvement science methods in their daily work.

Understanding the System and the problem that produced it – Learning from those closest to the problem

Understanding a problem from the perspective of those closest to the problem provides key insights to needs changes. This session will explore process maps and empathy interviews as valuable tools to gain insight into your system.

Choose Results: Make a Measurable Difference through Aligned Actions

Join Raj Chawla, author of the book “Choose Results” to discuss how leaders can influence and guide others in order achieve goals.

Extended Opportunity – The Educational Leader’s Guide to Improvement Science (Meet the Authors)

The Educational Leader’s Guide to Improvement Science provides a strong foundational look at the role of improvement science in schools. Join contributing authors Deborah S. Peterson and Susan Carlile for an informal meeting with opportunity for questions.

Generating and Testing Change Ideas – PDSA Cycles in Action

Where do Change Ideas come from? Design changes within the context of your school. Discover the power of short, focused PDSA cycles to measure the impact of your change ideas.

Focusing Collective Efforts

Aim Statements and Driver diagrams are tools that can bring clarity to the efforts needed to move toward actionable improvement. This session will illustrate the use of these tools to focus your teams improvement work.

Understanding Variation in data

Investigate variation using multiple data analysis tools including Run Charts and Pareto Diagrams for visualizing systems change over time.

Supporting New Teachers and Mentors with Empathy Interviews

Empathy interviews can be a powerful source of information for mentors working with new teachers. Join us to learn how.

Use Data to Tell Your Story

Public narratives about school often focus on measures of student performance. However, the acts of teaching and learning are more complex than traditional data representations can describe.

Although most models of data use begin with data, it is the use of questions and predictions that enable us to tell a compelling story. Join our conversation about how to repurpose and leverage data to create, inspire, and communicate with audiences about what matters most to you.

Improving and Sustaining School Culture

Research continues to affirm the role of culture in creating positive, sustainable change. This session will examine the characteristics of a positive school culture and key leadership strategies necessary to shape and maintain such a culture.

Coaching for improvement

Establishing structures to tackle particular improvement initiatives is critical. Explore ideas for getting the right people at the table, creating sustainable improvement structures, and establishing routines to guide improvement work.

Improvement Science and your PLC

Explore the tenets of improvement science through the work of your building level PLCs

Register now

Date/Time

Monday, June 21 – Tuesday, June 22

8:00am – 2:30pm

Location

Online via Zoom

Price

Single Registration: $295
Save $20 with code “Early Bird” if you register by May 31

12 Clock Hours Available (for additional fee)

Who Should Attend

  • Superintendents
  • District Administrators
  • Principals
  • Teacher Leaders
  • State/Federal Program Directors
  • ESD Staff
  • Teaching & Learning Leadership
  • Continuous Improvement Partners