What makes the biggest difference to student learning?

 I came across this recently ... suddenly all the 'dots joined' ... an ephiphany!

"John Hattie and his team have presented Collective Teacher Efficacy (CTE) as the 'new number one' influence related to student achievement several times ... Although Hattie's latest published list of 195 effects in The Applicability of Visible Learning to Higher Education (2015) puts CTE in second place, its effect size of d=1.57 is still huge: it is more than two times bigger than that of feedback (d=0.72), and almost three times bigger than the effect of classroom management (d=0.52). The message seems to be clear: together teachers can achieve more, especially if they collectively believe that they can do so!"

Uru Mānuka held a Teacher Summit (see Robin Sutton ) recently, 106 teachers and 23 workshops sharing teaching and learning practice from Year 1 through to Year 13.

Manaikalani Convenors meet each term at a Convenor's school, our lastest was at Paparore in the Far North. Using research, teacher and student observations, and student achievement data, we have identified high leverage practices (HLPs) that accelerate progress and achievement. Together we are co-constructing effective teaching and learning literacy practices that will raise student achievement.

Recent Uru Mānuka professional learning focussed on reading comprehension and oral language; 17 schools, including our high school and 190 staff attended.

So what is the big deal you may be asking? Uru Mānuka, supported by our Manaiakalani alliance is growing Collective Teacher Efficay (CTE), and as Hattie has identified, this is the 'stuff' that will make the biggest difference! This was what I was thinking as I was sitting in on the HOD of Science workshop at our recent Teacher Summit ... how cool was this! Secondary and primary teachers in the same room, sharing practice! We often talk about student agency, but I believe teacher agency is just as powerful and you cannot have student agency without teacher agency first. What I am observing now is that our Uru Mānuka teachers are starting to believe they do have good practice to share with others, instead of always looking to others or outside providers for all of the answers ... well actually, we can solve our problems and challenges from within, we just need to believe and share the knowledge and skills we possess as a collective!

Bandura(1993, 1997) defines collective efficacy as "a group's shared belief in the conjoint capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given leverls of attainment." Bandura found that the positive effects of CTE on student academic performance more than outweigh the negative effects of low socioeconomic status.

Our deliberate and intentional foci must continue on CTE, I believe this will 'move the dial' and ensure we get the biggest 'bang for our buck' ... together teachers can achieve more, especially if they collectively believe that can do so!

Reference: Collective Teacher Efficacy (CTE) according to John Hattie

Professional Development

 Professional Development (PD) or laterly Professional Learning Development (PLD), the same things, I will refer to PD for this post. We, being schools/boards, and the Ministry of Education, have put a lot of resourcing into this aspect of school improvement over many years. So the question needs to be asked, what does effective PD look like and have we been getting 'bang for our buck'?

An example from 30 years ago, my experience. Each teacher was able to choose 2 courses for the year and run it by the Principal who would say yes or no. I chose Kiwi Golf and a spelling course from memory. I had a wonderful day at Kiwi Golf and picked up a few ideas how to improve my swing. What impact did that year's PD have on my teaching and learning practice, and just as importantly, what impact did it have schoolwide? As you can probably infer ... not very much, if anything at all!

So here is what effective PD looks like ...

Uru Mānuka hosted a cluster-wide PD day at the Showgate Lounge (Riccarton Racecourse) today ... 7 schools, including our wonderful High School, approx 190 staff ... including our valuable support staff! Our focus was on reading comprehension and oral language, and was facilitated by Sheena Cameron and Louise Dempsey. We took everyone to the 'movies'! Not piecemeal PD like I have descibed above. For true meaningful, indepth professional learning to be effective and have an impact on our teaching and learning practice, it MUST be schoolwide and involve as many staff as possible.

Now you may well ask, can you guarantee that Friday's PD is going to have a meaningful impact on our teaching and learning practice across Uru Mānuka and Hornby Primary. I can confidently say this ...

1. there is a far greater chance that this approach will have a positive impact on our teaching and learning practice
2. it is up to leadership to ensure we plan for deliberate and intentional acts that will impact teaching and learning practice

A great day of connecting and collaborating ... New Entrant through to Year 13 teachers, support staff and principals. An authentic example of Learn Create Share that I have no doubt is going to have a positive impact on learners throughout Uru Mānuka and develop our teaching and learning practice in the important areas of reading comprehension and oral language, and as a consequence, will lead to accelerated student progress and achievement.

Going back to my original question about what effective PD looks like, and have we been getting value for our investment. I am a great believer in the power of the collective, our challenges are too difficult to overcome individually, but if we harness the power and expertise of the collective, we increase our chances of finding solutions to our shared challenges. And, I have no doubt that today's investment has been wisely spent and will lead to improved teacher practice and student learning outcomes over time.

A special thank you to Louise and Sheena for a wonderful day of learning, your presentations 'hit the mark' and I know we will be seeing lots of your activities and strategies implemented across Uru Mānuka classrooms from Monday onwards! 🙏

For a thorough summary of the day, refer to Uru Mānuka's prolific blogger Mr Robin Sutton 😀.
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