Design, Implement and Evaluate the NELA Problem of Practice
The NELA Problem of Practice Project is an opportunity for each Fellow to focus on one key aspect of the school and make a significant, positive impact on teacher practice and school culture. Fellows typically consult with their Principal Mentors, Executive Coaches, and NELA Faculty when selecting a project.
During the first semester, the Problem of Practice Project focuses on developing qualitative and quantitative skills for each Fellow. They participate in a joint action research project that focuses on identifying a challenge within the school, designing a research plan, creating a logic model, writing research questions, and analyzing the data. During the second semester, each Fellow completes an individual Problem of Practice Project using the skills learned during the first semester. Their individual Problem of Practice Projects focus on a specific challenge faced at their Principal Residency site.
The six phases for the Problem of Practice Project are:
Phase 1: Identify the Most Pressing Challenges for Teachers at Your School Conduct a comprehensive review of the school’s current educational program regarding school performance trends and achievement indicators. Include information from NCDPI, Teacher Working Conditions Survey, School Report Cards, Progress Reports, School Improvement Plans, self-assessment documents, action research, surveys, interviews, teacher or school-based assessments.
Answer the following questions using data/evidence to support your responses.
Phase 2: Design Your NELA Problem of Practice Project Fellows will use the information from Phase 1 entry profile and other data to design a school improvement project with input from their Principal Mentor, NELA Executive Coach, and other school leaders. Fellows will also collaborate with teachers, staff and stakeholders. Your NELA Problem of Practice Project should involve working with adults (e.g., administrators, teachers, parents) to address student learning. Feedback and input will be given by Principal Mentor, NELA Executive Coach, and NELA Faculty throughout the process. You must have a written agreement with your Principal Mentor approving your NELA Internship Project. Dr. Bonnie Fusarelli and your Executive Coach must also approve your NELA Problem of Practice Project.
Your project description should include:
Phase 3: Identify Strategies and Develop Logic Model During this stage, Fellows will develop a full plan of action, including a logic model that describes the project. Experts in the field, including Dr. Jeni Corn, will assist Fellows. Logic models will vary from project-to-project, although they will all emphasize clarity. In other words, NELA Problem of Practice Project activities should be directly connected to intended outcomes, which should also directly connect to the data used measure project effectiveness. After Fellows have created logic models and received feedback from Principal Mentors, Executive Coaches and Dr. Corn, Fellows should post the document to Digital Portfolios.
Phase 4: Implement the NELA Internship Project Fellows will implement the project with selected teachers. The project will most likely include meetings, coaching, modeling, co-teaching, professional development, PLCs, etc. Fellows should keep track of artifacts and post important documentation to their Digital Portfolio Problem of Practice Project page.
Phase 5: Evaluate the NELA Internship Project Throughout the school year, Principal Interns will collect data on your NELA Problem of Practice Project and will analyze the outcome of your project. You will work closely with Dr. Corn to create a plan to evaluate the implementation and impact of your intervention using the following steps:
Phase 6: Presentation Fellows will compile and present results and recommendations for next steps based on their experience NELA Problem of Practice Project near the end of spring semester. The presentation should include internship project description, evaluation questions, data sources, results, and recommendations. The presentation should also be visually appealing and informative. Use a combination of text, graphs, and other visuals to communicate your message. Dr. Corn will provide a template.
During the first semester, the Problem of Practice Project focuses on developing qualitative and quantitative skills for each Fellow. They participate in a joint action research project that focuses on identifying a challenge within the school, designing a research plan, creating a logic model, writing research questions, and analyzing the data. During the second semester, each Fellow completes an individual Problem of Practice Project using the skills learned during the first semester. Their individual Problem of Practice Projects focus on a specific challenge faced at their Principal Residency site.
The six phases for the Problem of Practice Project are:
Phase 1: Identify the Most Pressing Challenges for Teachers at Your School Conduct a comprehensive review of the school’s current educational program regarding school performance trends and achievement indicators. Include information from NCDPI, Teacher Working Conditions Survey, School Report Cards, Progress Reports, School Improvement Plans, self-assessment documents, action research, surveys, interviews, teacher or school-based assessments.
Answer the following questions using data/evidence to support your responses.
- What are the most pressing challenges or needs of this school? How do you know?
- What student performance trends can you identify?
- What teacher working conditions trends can you identify?
Phase 2: Design Your NELA Problem of Practice Project Fellows will use the information from Phase 1 entry profile and other data to design a school improvement project with input from their Principal Mentor, NELA Executive Coach, and other school leaders. Fellows will also collaborate with teachers, staff and stakeholders. Your NELA Problem of Practice Project should involve working with adults (e.g., administrators, teachers, parents) to address student learning. Feedback and input will be given by Principal Mentor, NELA Executive Coach, and NELA Faculty throughout the process. You must have a written agreement with your Principal Mentor approving your NELA Internship Project. Dr. Bonnie Fusarelli and your Executive Coach must also approve your NELA Problem of Practice Project.
Your project description should include:
- What are the major activities?
- What are the intended outcomes?
- Context: District-School-Grade(s)-Content Area(s)-Classroom
- Focus: Technology/Media-Science-Social Studies-ELA-Math-Other
- Type of Project: Grant-funded-LEA-Administrative Mandate-School Initiative-Other
- Participants: Central Office Staff-School Staff-Students-Parents
Phase 3: Identify Strategies and Develop Logic Model During this stage, Fellows will develop a full plan of action, including a logic model that describes the project. Experts in the field, including Dr. Jeni Corn, will assist Fellows. Logic models will vary from project-to-project, although they will all emphasize clarity. In other words, NELA Problem of Practice Project activities should be directly connected to intended outcomes, which should also directly connect to the data used measure project effectiveness. After Fellows have created logic models and received feedback from Principal Mentors, Executive Coaches and Dr. Corn, Fellows should post the document to Digital Portfolios.
Phase 4: Implement the NELA Internship Project Fellows will implement the project with selected teachers. The project will most likely include meetings, coaching, modeling, co-teaching, professional development, PLCs, etc. Fellows should keep track of artifacts and post important documentation to their Digital Portfolio Problem of Practice Project page.
Phase 5: Evaluate the NELA Internship Project Throughout the school year, Principal Interns will collect data on your NELA Problem of Practice Project and will analyze the outcome of your project. You will work closely with Dr. Corn to create a plan to evaluate the implementation and impact of your intervention using the following steps:
- Ask important questions
- Identify appropriate data sources
- Collect and analyze data
- Summarize results
- Make recommendations about the intervention
Phase 6: Presentation Fellows will compile and present results and recommendations for next steps based on their experience NELA Problem of Practice Project near the end of spring semester. The presentation should include internship project description, evaluation questions, data sources, results, and recommendations. The presentation should also be visually appealing and informative. Use a combination of text, graphs, and other visuals to communicate your message. Dr. Corn will provide a template.
