Learning from the Personalized Learning Convening

This past week many Kaneland teachers and administrators attended the 9th Annual Institute for Personalized Learning National Convening.  It was a great two day event to share in the journey through personalized learning.  We could not have been more proud of our multiple teams that presented and shared their story at the conference.  We all wanted to share some of the learning and takeaways from the experience.  This article shares learning from the Educational Service Department, if anyone else wants to share your take away please add it to this article as a comment.

We would love to further chat and share ideas, please contact use with any questions or interest in further discussion.

Learning snippets:

-59% of staff have never seen a peer teach, missing a job embedded professional growth experience right next door.
-Have you considered adding statement of key learner characteristics from the Graduate profile to the start of I Can statements?  Here are a few examples (bold words are right from the Kaneland Graduate Profile):
     1.  I can express myself in multiple formats how to determine slope from points on a graph.
     2.  I can be aware of the challenges and determine how to adapt when solving a two digit
addition problem.
-If you ever wonder if data is essential in personalized learning, read below:

MTSS vs RTI: A Basic Understanding of the Differences

As Kaneland begins to look towards the revision and shift in RTI to a more comprehensive MTSS system, many staff members may be wondering what is the difference.  This brief description can assist in the basic differences and understanding of the two. 

Many educators view  Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) as one and the same. The terms’ similar definitions don’t provide a strong distinction.

Response to Intervention (RTI):
The practice of providing high-quality instruction and interventions matched to student need, monitoring progress frequently to make decisions about changes in instruction or goals, and applying child response data to important educational decision.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
A coherent continuum of evidence based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs, with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each student to achieve to high standards.

While RTI and MTSS share some philosophies, the two are different. RTI is part of an MTSS framework, but the inverse is not true. MTSS provides a more complete solution. It not only implements an intervention process (RTI), but addresses behavior issues, provides support for educators and recognizes the need to incorporate outside influences. RTI, Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS), educator support including professional development and technology tools, additional support staff, district-school collaboration and both parental and community involvement all fall under the MTSS umbrella.

From the HR Office

If you have ever been interested in pursuing an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) or Doctorate (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership, please contact Chris Adkins by January 15th.  The District is looking to partner with Northern Illinois University and provide for a cohort in the immediate area.  Both the Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees would permit you to take the Superintendents exam, and obtain Superintendent licensure.  If enough staff express an interest, we would invite NIU to Kaneland for an informational meeting.  If, after that informational meeting, enough staff would want to enroll, NIU would be interested in hosting a cohort in our District.  Please call Chris at x71114 for details.