Connery Elementary School: Turnaround Practices in Achievement Gain Schools

Summary

Connery Elementary School in Lynn, Massachusetts, transformed into a successful Turnaround School by adopting four key practices: building vibrant communities, deliberate instruction, data-driven support, and creating safe learning environments. Led by Principal Mary Dill, the school fostered collaboration, involving staff in planning and problem-solving. With a focus on supporting students' academic and non-academic needs, the school utilized a team structure, aligned lessons, and continuous feedback. The commitment to ongoing improvement has driven Connery’s progress from a Level 4 to a Level 3 school, with aspirations to become a Level 1 institution dedicated to the success of its students, families, and community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Connery Elementary School was identified as a Turnaround School in 2010 and implemented four key practices to achieve improvement.
• 😀 The four key practices of successful turnaround schools are creating vibrant communities of practice, being deliberate about instruction, using data to meet student needs, and establishing safe learning environments.
• 😀 Leadership at Connery focused on collaboration and clear communication, with Mary Dill emphasizing a team-based approach and shared planning from the outset.
• 😀 The school conducted a 5-day retreat to align goals, establish priorities, and foster a strong sense of community among staff.
• 😀 Connery serves a diverse student body, with many students coming from various parts of the world, and the school prioritized getting to know students' needs and backgrounds.
• 😀 Non-academic support for students was a critical part of Connery’s turnaround, with over 200 students accessing services through the Lynn Community Health Center.
• 😀 The school adopted a collaborative team structure, with aligned prep time for grade-level teams to meet and plan lessons together on a daily basis.
• 😀 Teachers work together to unpack standards, develop lessons, and build common language around content areas to ensure consistent and effective instruction.
• 😀 The school uses a continuous feedback system to check on students’ progress during lessons and adjust teaching strategies to meet individual needs.
• 😀 Connery’s commitment to continuous improvement is central to their success, with staff striving to make incremental gains and aiming to eventually reach Level 1 status.

Q & A

What are the four key practices that Massachusetts Turnaround Schools implemented to improve student outcomes?

The four key practices are: creating vibrant communities of practice, being deliberate about instruction, using data to meet student needs, and establishing safe learning environments.

How did Mary Dill approach the leadership challenge at Connery Elementary School when she first joined?

Mary Dill emphasized the importance of collaboration and inquiry, making it clear that staff would not work in isolation. She organized a 5-day retreat to set a clear plan, align lessons, and create a Connery school pledge for students.

How did the school address the diverse needs of students coming from different parts of the world?

The school recognized that students came from varied backgrounds and faced different challenges. Teachers worked together to ensure personalized and supportive learning environments, incorporating the needs of diverse learners into their planning.

What role does the Lynn Community Health Center play in supporting Connery Elementary School students?

The Lynn Community Health Center provides essential support for over 200 students, addressing non-academic barriers to learning such as health and emotional challenges, ensuring students can focus on their education.

Why is the team structure at Connery Elementary School critical to its success?

The team structure ensures that grade-level teams have aligned prep time to plan lessons and units, fostering collaboration and shared problem-solving. The inclusion of specialists and support staff further strengthens this approach.

How do teachers at Connery Elementary School collaborate to improve instruction?

Teachers collaborate daily by unpacking standards, discussing pedagogy, and sharing strategies. They also build common language around content areas and co-develop lessons, ensuring consistency in teaching practices.

What is the purpose of coding the learning objectives in lessons at Connery Elementary School?

Coding the objectives helps make the content more accessible, especially for English language learners. By breaking down academic language and providing synonyms or examples, students better understand the key concepts of each lesson.

How do teachers at Connery Elementary School ensure that students are on track with the lessons?

Teachers use 'quick checks' midway through lessons to assess student progress. This allows them to identify students who may need extra support and adjust their teaching accordingly.

What is the ongoing commitment of Connery Elementary School to prevent a decline in performance after improvements?

There is a strong commitment to continuous improvement, driven by a shared desire to avoid regression. The school fosters constant communication among staff and maintains a collective focus on getting better each day.

How did Mary Dill describe the collective effort behind Connery Elementary's turnaround?

Mary Dill emphasized that the success was a result of collaborative efforts, stating that no one achieved it alone. Trust, teamwork, and consistent commitment from all staff members were key to the school's improvement.