Four Districts Participate in Classroom Walkthrough Professional Development Series by Melissa Petri (6/29/2011)

     Administrators from four area school districts have participated in a six-day professional development opportunity this school year aimed at providing leadership in data-driven decision making for schools.  Over 80 instructional leaders from Bethlehem, Northampton, Stroudsburg, and East Stroudsburg School Districts took part in Classroom Walkthrough, a research-based program sponsored by Teachscape Professional Learning.  Bethlehem and Stroudsburg involved all administrators including central office staff in this series to develop a common language around the walkthrough process in their districts.  Classroom Walkthrough is a seven-stage process that enables administrators to collect, analyze, and reflect on data collected during a 4-7 minute period in any given classroom at any grade level.

     During the initial trainings, administrators gained insightful knowledge into identifying the most effective research-based educational practices used in education.  The workshops were facilitated by staff members in the Curriculum Services department who engaged the adult learners in determining best practices through the use of professional journal articles, peer discussions, and video case studies.  The training series provided each district administrator with an iPod to assist in collecting data on these best practices.

     One of the activities the participants were engaged in was a Marshmallow Challenge.  The lesson behind this challenge is to make sure participants know what the focus, represented by the marshmallow, is in order to have continuous school improvement, while making sure to continue to revisit and adjust plans, and ensure that the walkthrough process is iterative.

     All administrators completing the series earned 38 PIL hours.