Aim training2013
- 2. This presentation was prepared for NAIS by: Cheryl Gardner Meridian Solutions 301-587-3385 2
- 3. Introductions Names Roles in AIM process Initial questions Materials needed for this session AIM User’s Manual School Self Assessment document 3
- 4. AIM Training Agenda Background Implementation Requirements School Self Assessment Online Climate Survey Assessment Report Post Implementation Evaluation 4
- 5. Background 5
- 6. Assessment components Climate Survey All constituents including students ages 12 and older Younger students ages 9 – 11 School Self Assessment Resources AIM User’s Manual Guide to Understanding/Evaluating AIM Results . . . Background 6
- 7. AIM plans at your school Why is your school undertaking AIM? How do you plan to use the results? Do you plan to implement all aspects of the assessment? What is your tentative schedule? . . . Background 7
- 8. AIM meets current needs AIM designed to evaluate / assess – Diversity Multiculturalism Congruence with NAIS Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice Implemented as Stand alone Self-study element in accreditation review Part of strategic planning process . . . Background 8
- 9. Entire school community participates Affirm a school’s progress in meeting diversity and multicultural goals Identify effective diversity and multicultural initiatives Facilitate meaningful and constructive dialogue in the school community using appreciative inquiry Support positive community-building process . . . Background 9
- 10. Potential benefits Gather information on school climate Discover what is most effective for advancing inclusiveness and multiculturalism Find areas that need more work to ensure steady progress Use a common language to facilitate discussion Gain additional benefits unique to your school (?) . . . Background 10
- 12. Process Overview and Action Steps See flow chart on pages 2 & 3 of User’s Manual Includes references to sections in Manual Suggests related tasks . . . Implementation 12
- 13. Important considerations Staff time required Confidentiality Terms and definitions . . . Implementation 13
- 14. First steps . . . Choose an AIM coordinator Form Steering Committee Familiarize yourself with AIM materials Prepare an AIM implementation schedule . . . Implementation 14
- 15. AIM coordinator role Review materials and know how to proceed Keep process on schedule Schedule committee meetings Check in with assessment committees Coordinate production of assessment report 15 . . . Implementation
- 16. AIM coordinator role Prepare definitions for the affiliation/constituent categories Prepare total number of potential survey participants by affiliation category Implement outreach plan for climate survey Share experiences 16 . . . Implementation
- 17. Steering committee role Oversee assessment process Work with coordinator to develop schedule Prepare plan for the self assessment Choose discovery committee facilitators Ensure self assessment includes all questions of importance to the school Write final report . . . Implementation 17
- 18. Prepare schedule including tasks 18 . . . Implementation Task / Activity Form committees Conduct self assessment Implement outreach plan Administer climate survey Review survey results Complete report Participate in debrief Due Date
- 20. Self Assessment questions A. School governance and leadership B. Policy and administration C. Admissions and financial aid D. Faculty / teacher E. Teaching and learning . . . School Self Assessment 20
- 21. Self Assessment questions (cont.) F. Student life G. School publications and environment H. Staff involvement and life I. Parent / guardian involvement J. Alumni/-ae involvement and investment . . . School Self Assessment 21
- 22. Process steps will guide assessment . . . School Self Assessment 22 1. Appoint steering committee 3 to 6 members Oversees assessment Completes Section K 1. Meet to review process 2. Appoint discovery committees Focus groups of 8 to 10 members Should include diversity and expertise
- 23. Process steps (cont.) 23 . . . School Self Assessment 4. Convene discovery committees – each one Considers the questions in assigned sections Reaches consensus decisions 5. Write summary report Facilitator will write with help of recorder Considers survey and discovery data in light of Section K data
- 25. Things to consider Younger Student survey Instruments in other languages Optional Paper surveys Distribution of survey via . . . E-mail link and/or Link on school website . . . Climate Survey 25
- 26. Preparation for climate survey Prepare outreach plan Prepare information for Insightlink Define affiliation groups Determine # of potential respondents in each group School logo for first survey page Spanish / Mandarin / Korean survey . . . Climate Survey 26
- 27. Constituents = affiliation groups Students – ages 12 and older, ages 9 - 11 Trustees Administrators Faculty / teachers Staff Parents / guardians Alumni / -ae . . . Climate Survey 27
- 28. Available for all constituents Involves all members of school community Assesses how they experience the school Uses appreciative inquiry approach Provides for confidentiality Helps to identify priority initiatives . . . Climate Survey 28
- 29. Important to generate wide participation Prepare outreach plan for your school Include reminders during survey administration Set goals for participation by constituent groups Enlist many in outreach activities Share results with the school community . . . Climate Survey 29
- 30. Parent permission issues Existing school policy Voluntary survey thus written permission not required, but parent can opt out for child Student survey questions available for parent review if requested . . . Climate Survey 30
- 31. Climate Survey Results Summary Report Benchmarks for comparisons Data Tables By affiliation groups Request others if needed – by age, gender, race/ethnicity, years with the school Verbatim Comments . . . Climate Survey 31
- 33. Value of assessment report Highlights big picture Documents key learning Creates basis for moving forward Provides “road map” for next time . . . Reporting 33
- 34. Preparation for report Gather discovery committee reports Review climate survey data Participation rates Question scores Composite scores Verbatim comments Benchmarks 34 . . . Reporting
- 35. Data Analysis Guide to Understanding/Evaluating AIM Results Factors for each constituent group Composite scores for each factor driver Cross-reference to discovery group questions Compare results for each part of the assessment See report outline in User’s Manual 35 . . . Reporting
- 37. Make notes of experiences What worked well What didn’t work well Value and usefulness of information gathered How much time was invested in self assessment Response to climate survey . . . Assessment Evaluation 37
- 38. Data gathering for evaluation Debriefing will include – Review of AIM coordinator notes Review of your AIM report Teleconference with selected staff Preparation of report with recommendations 38 . . . Assessment Evaluation
- 39. Share what you learned With other schools Process Experience With NAIS Process Experience Final report (sharing is optional) 39 . . . Assessment Evaluation
- 40. AIM Support Team NAIS Documentation & Payment Tina Wood, NAIS wood@nais.org / (202) 973-9762 Climate Survey Set-up & Delivery George Gillies, Insightlink Communications gillies@insightlink.com / (1-866-802-8095 x701) Implementation Support & Questions Cheryl Gardner, Meridian Solutions cagardner@meridiansolutionsinc.com / (301) 587-3385 40 . . . Assessment Evaluation
- 41. Final questions / concerns 41 What final questions do you have? Contact your AIM Support person (listed in Appendix of AIM User’s Manual) Next steps