Schoology Implementation Plan

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Overview The purpose of this document is to provide stakeholders with information in specific areas to guide their decision-making process as we transition from using Engrade to Schoology as our learning platform. To ensure a smooth transition, we have provided six flyers with recommendations for stakeholders with the rationale behind the recommendations. The flyers also address how the recommendations address the four strategic goals of Worcester County Public Schools and resources for implementing the recommendations. Through the adoption and implementation of Schoology, we will provide students with the ability to access course resources at anytime, from any location. This will allow teachers to guide students directly to the appropriate resource while reducing the risk of time wasted searching for content or materials. Students will be able to log in from any device to complete assignments or access learning materials, creating a more efficient and effective learning environment. Students who are absent from school can access the missed lessons and assignments before returning so they don’t fall behind in their learning. Teachers will be able to provide feedback more quickly, which will improve the learning process for students. The ultimate goal of this plan is to increase student achievement by providing more flexibility in students’ learning experiences through the accessibility of the learning content. Below is a brief description of the topic for each flyer. Digital Citizenship We must teach students how to self-monitor the quality of their habits, actions, and consumption patterns that impact the ecology of digital content and communities. Professional Development We must provide adequate, consistent professional development on Schoology that is relevant to the needs of the teachers and students. Onboarding New Staff and Students We must ensure that all new staff and students are adequately prepared to use the learning management system in an effective way. Coaching We must provide individual, personalized support for all teachers through teacher leaders. Role of Adminstration We must provide support from administration, who will use Schoology to provide professional development, communicate with staff and students, and manage administrative tasks. Role of Parents We must provide parents with important information about Schoology so they can support their children in the learning process.

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan

Digital Citizenship Recommendations We are asking students to use technology in our classes. Therefore, we must teach them to use it responsibly. Just as we teach students how to make physical healthy choices, we must teach students how to make healthy digital choices. It is recommended that each school create a plan for teaching digital citizenship to ALL students in a way that is appropriate for the level of the student. This could include the following options: ● Primary classroom teachers can incorporate lessons on a regular basis. ● Secondary teachers of a specific content area (for example, all social studies teachers) can incorporate lessons on a regular basis. ● Homeroom teachers can incorporate lessons on a regular basis. ● A required “specials” course could be offered. The purpose is to teach all students positive digital behaviors so it must be a method that will provide exposure to all students, not just those who choose to participate or used as a disciplinary action. However, in addition to courses, there may be extra-curricular activities promoting digital citizenship that students can join such as a club to tweet positive messages about students. There may also be separate courses for students who make poor digital choices who need reinforcement in positive behaviors. Additionally, promotional and informative materials and programs can be used to spread specific messages. This could include artwork/posters hanging in classrooms and halls, videos during announcements or in the cafeteria, and positive digital behavior rewards.

Rationale As Schoology implementation begins, students will be using devices more for education that ever before. It is our responsibility, as educators who are requiring the use of technology, to teach our students how to be good digital citizens. We already teach citizenship through our requirement of community service hours and government courses, as well as our numerous initiatives and activities that promote positive community membership. We must also guide students through this concept in the digital world. Many of our discipline problems stem from social media and its misuse. Technology is a powerful and beautiful tool, when used appropriately. However, it can be destructive and damaging when misused. While students are still under our guidance, we must help them learn how to self-monitor the quality of their habits, actions, and consumption patterns that impact the ecology of digital content and communities.

Relationship with WCPS Strategic Goals Academic Achievement GOAL: Every student will be academically successful and experience continuous growth by engaging in a rigorous instructional program preparing them for a competitive, culturally diverse world.

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan By teaching students how to self-monitor habits, actions, and consumption patterns that impact the ecology of digital content and communities, teachers will provide students with the skills needed to make a positive impact on their community. School Safety GOAL: Every Worcester County Public School will be a safe and secure learning environment that creates and maintains a culture of respect and positivity with the intention of promoting the well-being of every student. Students will learn the quality of habits, actions, and consumption patterns that impact the ecology of digital content and communities. By implementing positive behaviors, the number of discipline issues in the schools caused by negative digital behaviors will reduce creating a safer learning environment for students. Encouraging positive digital behaviors will also promote a culture of respect and positivity throughout the school.

Resources The Definition of Digital Citizenship: https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/the-definition-of-digital-citzenship/ Digital Citizenship resources by Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship Digital Citizenship:​ ​http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/ Digital Citizenship resources by Edutopia: ​https://www.edutopia.org/topic/digital-citizenship Digital Citizenship resources by ISTE: ​https://www.iste.org/learn/digital-citizenship

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Professional Development Recommendations In order to effectively implement Schoology, the district will provide professional development opportunities for all teachers. These include: ● Schoology Boot camps being offered during the summer to learn the features of Schoology ● Creation of a website that provides resources for using Schoology and other digital tools that have been approved by the central office ● Continual training for lead teachers in each school It is important that professional development is offered not just at the district level but also at the school level. Therefore, for each school, we recommend: ● Regular (a minimum of monthly) PD sessions during the school year that focus on the basic features of Schoology and provides teachers with work time to practice in the presence of teacher leaders who can help guide the learning process ● After school (paid) workshops that focus on “extra” features of Schoology

Rationale As teachers transition from Engrade to Schoology, they will need time to learn how to effectively use the platform. The district-wide boot camps will allow teachers to spend time learning the platform before implementation in the fall. Teachers can choose from one of three sessions and work, as much as desired, over the summer to learn the platform and build their classes. The school-based time needs to be provided during the bi-weekly, 45-minute in-service time so as not to take away from the teachers’ normal planning and PLC time. The topic of these sessions, which should be lead by the teacher leaders being trained at the district level, should be the basic features that all teachers must use so that everyone has the opportunity to learn the tools that are expected to be used with students. Those teachers who are interested in learning more may attend the after school workshops to learn additional features to enhance their students’ learning. This will provide all teachers with the opportunity to dig deeper in to the platform as it fits with the needs of their classrooms. The website of resources will provide teachers with extra help at their own convenience as it will provide tutorial videos and step-by-step instructions for various features of Schoology and other digital tools that can be integrated with Schoology. It will also provide suggestions for how each tool might be used in different grade levels and content areas.

Relationship with WCPS Strategic Goals Organizational Effectiveness GOAL: Worcester County Public Schools will maximize organizational effectiveness through professional learning, continuous growth and participative leadership while maintaining integrity, transparency, and a commitment to professionalism. The consistent professional development on Schoology will improve organizational effectiveness by providing opportunities for teachers to lead their colleagues in growing in their use of technology and learning the Schoology platform.

Resources

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Beginner’s Guide to Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-using-schoology-the-back-to-school-essentia ls Schoology How-to Videos: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/sections/200216633-Schoology-Videos Schoology Help for Instructors: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/202764287-Instructors Schoology Help for Students: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/200077723-General#section-header Schoology Help for Administrators: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/200077693-Help-Center#section-header

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Onboarding New Staff and Students Recommendations As new staff are hired in the district, there needs to professional development that focuses on the basic features of Schoology and provides teachers with work time to practice in the presence of teacher leaders who can help guide the learning process. This PD should be given during the new teacher orientation week and teachers should be grouped by school level and potentially content area, depending on the number of new teachers and available lead teachers for training. The new teachers will be accompanied by their mentor teachers who will work with them to learn and build their courses in Schoology. Students will be introduced to Schoology by their teachers. Each teacher will be given the login information for his or her students to be able to help them log onto the platform. Teachers will guide students through their courses in the platform to familiarize students with how to navigate the course. If a student is having difficulty logging on, the teachers will notify the tech coach and lead teachers at the school so they can help fix the issue.

Rationale Since new staff will not have had the opportunity to participate in professional development prior to their date of hire, they will need support in learning how to access and use Schoology. Sessions specifically targeted to new staff will allow them to learn the platform and how it can be used in their classroom with the support of lead teachers who are already using it. While all classes will be expected to use Schoology, each teacher may use it differently based on his or her content area and grade level. For this reason, teachers will be responsible for guiding students through their own course in the platform so students understand how it will be used for that particular course. This also allows students to learn the specific features that will be used by their teachers. For example, if a teacher wants to use the discussions feature in his or her course, the proper use of the feature must be demonstrated to students by that teacher because the students’ other teachers may not use it and, therefore, will not teach them how to use the tool.

Relationship with WCPS Strategic Goals Academic Achievement GOAL: Every student will be academically successful and experience continuous growth by engaging in a rigorous instructional program preparing them for a competitive, culturally diverse world. By guiding students through their own courses in Schoology, teachers will provide students with the skills needed to access the necessary content to be academically successful. Using an online learning management system will also help students learn technical skills that will prepare them for careers and college. Organizational Effectiveness

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan GOAL: Worcester County Public Schools will maximize organizational effectiveness through professional learning, continuous growth and participative leadership while maintaining integrity, transparency, and a commitment to professionalism. The targeted professional development for new teachers on Schoology will improve organizational effectiveness by providing opportunities for new teachers to grow in their use of technology and learning the Schoology platform with the support of the lead teachers and their mentor teachers.

Resources Beginner’s Guide to Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-using-schoology-the-back-to-school-essentia ls Schoology How-to Videos: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/sections/200216633-Schoology-Videos Schoology Help for Instructors: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/202764287-Instructors Schoology Help for Students: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/200077723-General#section-header

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Coaching Recommendations Each school in the system has a group of lead teachers who have been and are continuously being trained on the use of Schoology. It is the responsibility of these teachers to lead professional development and coach other teachers in the building. Each school should create its own method for how these lead teachers will coach their colleagues. The following are some options that schools could use: ● At least one lead teacher in each department who can work with colleagues in an individual or small group setting to provide more direct support. ● At least one lead teacher in each grade level who can work with colleagues in an individual or small group setting to provide more direct support. ● At least one lead teacher in each hallway or pod who can work with colleagues in an individual or small group setting to provide more direct support. ● A schedule of days and times when each lead teacher in the building is available to work with teachers on specific Schoology topics or issues

Rationale There will be some teachers who are part of the early adopters or early majority who will spend their own time learning Schoology and will be more independent in building their courses. These teachers may not rely on the lead teachers very often as they enjoy discovering the features on their own. However, there will be teachers who are part of the late majority or laggards who will need more support in recognizing the value of Schoology and/or how to use it because they may be less comfortable with technology in general. Using a coaching model will help these teachers feel more comfortable because they will be provided with more individual and personalized support. Coaches will be able to build relationships with these teachers by spending time with them working on their needs.

Relationship with WCPS Strategic Goals Organizational Effectiveness GOAL: Worcester County Public Schools will maximize organizational effectiveness through professional learning, continuous growth and participative leadership while maintaining integrity, transparency, and a commitment to professionalism. Using a coaching program will improve organizational effectiveness by providing opportunities for teachers to lead their colleagues in growing in their use of technology and learning the Schoology platform. It will also demonstrate the district and schools’ commitment to each teacher, regardless of his or her level of comfort and independence with technology, by meeting the individual needs.

Resources Beginner’s Guide to Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-using-schoology-the-back-to-school-essentia ls Schoology How-to Videos: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/sections/200216633-Schoology-Videos

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Schoology Help for Instructors: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/202764287-Instructors Coaching for Change: https://eleducation.org/resources/coaching-for-change-teacher-centered-coaching Taking Teacher Coaching to Scale: https://www.educationnext.org/taking-teacher-coaching-to-scale-can-personalized-training-becomestandard-practice/ The Art of Coaching Teachers: ​https://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coaching_teachers/ A Coach for Every Teacher: http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/mar18/vol60/num03/A-Coach-for -Every-Teacher.aspx Coaching Classroom Instruction: https://www.marzanoresearch.com/resources/tips/cci_tips_archive What is Coaching: ​https://www.teachingchannel.org/coaching2

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Role of Administration Recommendations It is important for the administrators in each school to be familiar with how Schoology is used for teaching and learning in their buildings. They must also understand how it can be used to provide professional development for teachers, to communicate with teachers and students (and parents, if and when that feature is enabled for the district), to access data for decision making, and to manage various activities in the school such as clubs, extra-curricular activities, and after school academies. Administrators must also meet with the lead teachers regularly to maintain open lines of communication with them and understand the progress and current needs of the staff and students. They must support the leadership of the teacher leaders and provide resources, such as time and funding, which are necessary for them to carry out their responsibilities.

Rationale District and school administrators can use Schoology to provide professional development opportunities for teachers using the groups or courses feature. This will allow professional development to be more flexible regarding the time and location while maintaining accountability for engaging in the activities. They can also use Schoology to communicate important information to teachers and students. This will be especially helpful at the high school level where students may attend two different schools and frequently miss announcements. Administrators can access various data through Schoology to be more informed about student progress and for making decisions for the school. They can also use the calendar feature to post the dates and times for all of the events in the school so everyone has access to the information. This may encourage more staff and student participation in school events. Although the delivery of professional development often comes from administrators in a district or school, sometimes the most effective sessions are led by teachers. Because teachers and students will be the primary users of Schoology, teacher leaders should be leading the professional development with the involvement and support of the administration. The faculty must understand that the administration is part of the planning and delivery process, even if the role is small. Their support provides a sense of value and accountability to the learning that is taking place. Teachers will invest more time into Schoology if they understand that it is expected from the administration. Teacher leaders will feel supported if the administration is involved. Regular meetings between teacher leaders and administrators will build their relationships and allow for honest and transparent communication. Problems and needs will more efficiently and effectively be addressed.

Relationship with WCPS Strategic Goals Communication and Collaboration GOAL: Through collaborative relationships, staff, families and our community will experience timely and honest communication about district initiatives, activities, and performance. Using Schoology will allow the administrators a means to which they can easily communicate with staff and students. This provides more effective and efficient communication so that everyone will have accurate and timely information.

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Organizational Effectiveness GOAL: Worcester County Public Schools will maximize organizational effectiveness through professional learning, continuous growth and participative leadership while maintaining integrity, transparency, and a commitment to professionalism. The administrative support of consistent professional development on Schoology will improve organizational effectiveness by providing opportunities for teachers to lead their colleagues in growing in their use of technology and learning the Schoology platform. Administrative support of a coaching program will improve organizational effectiveness by providing opportunities for teachers to lead their colleagues in growing in their use of technology and learning the Schoology platform. It will also demonstrate the district and schools’ commitment to each teacher, regardless of his or her level of comfort and independence with technology, by meeting the individual needs.

Resources Beginner’s Guide to Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-using-schoology-the-back-to-school-essentia ls Schoology How-to Videos: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/sections/200216633-Schoology-Videos Schoology Help for Administrators: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/200077693-Help-Center#section-header Creating a Culture of Coaching to Support Teachers in Every School: https://edsource.org/2017/creating-a-culture-of-coaching-to-support-teachers-in-every-school/5918 56 10 Ways for Administrators to Support Coaches: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coaching_teachers/2014/10/10_ways_for_administrators_to_.ht ml How to Build a Successful Instructional Coaching Program: https://www.insighteducationgroup.com/blog/how-to-build-a-successful-instructional-coaching-pro gram The Easiest Way to Triple the Impact of Coaching - Principal Support: https://www.instructionalcoaching.com/the-easiest-way-to-triple-the-impact-of-coaching-principal-support/

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Role of Parents/Guardians Recommendations The role of parents in the plan has the potential to change over the course of the implementation. At the beginning, parents and guardians will not have access to Schoology just as they did not with Engrade. Parents and guardians will still have access to the PowerSchool app, in which they can view their children’s graded assignments and overall grades, as well as other school data such as attendance. To inform parents of the implementation process and its implications for their children, consider the following suggestions: ● Each school provides parents and guardians with information on the expectations for students using Schoology. ● At back to school activities, teachers will demonstrate how Schoology will be used in their classrooms and explain the expectations for the students. ● Information regarding current parent access will be communicated to all parents and guardians using multiple methods such as text messages, phone calls, newsletters, and on the district and school websites. If, and when, parents and guardians are provided access to Schoology, information pertaining to logging on and navigating the platform will be provided through each school and on the district and school websites.

Rationale The district leaders decided not to provide parent access to Schoology in the first year of implementation in order to allow teachers the opportunity to learn the platform and design their courses. At the end of each year, the district leaders will discuss the issue and decide whether or not it will be provided for the following school year. While parents and guardians will not have access to the platform in the first year, it is still important for them to understand how it will be used in their children’s education. Therefore, we must provide them with the information and be available to answer their questions. Teachers, administrators, and district leaders will be available to answer questions that appropriate to their level of knowledge and responsibility. Teachers will be able to address questions specific to their courses, while school administrators and district leaders will answer questions about policies and school and district-wide expectations. By being transparent, we are demonstrating to parents and guardians that we want their children to succeed and we want them to be active participants in that success. The school staff, parents/guardians, and students create a team that works together for each child’s success.

Relationship with WCPS Strategic Goals Communication and Collaboration GOAL: Through collaborative relationships, staff, families and our community will experience timely and honest communication about district initiatives, activities, and performance. Providing parents/guardians with information about Schoology will allow them to understand the district initiative and how they can help their children through the implementation process. Using multiple methods of communication provides access to the information for all parents/guardians.

Worcester County Public Schools Implementation Plan Organizational Effectiveness GOAL: Worcester County Public Schools will maximize organizational effectiveness through professional learning, continuous growth and participative leadership while maintaining integrity, transparency, and a commitment to professionalism. By providing parents/guardians with information about Schoology and their access (or lack thereof) to it, the school system is maintaining transparency and a commitment to professionalism. Providing honest answers and requesting feedback builds the partnership and mutual respect between families and schools.

Resources Beginner’s Guide to Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-using-schoology-the-back-to-school-essentia ls Schoology How-to Videos: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/sections/200216633-Schoology-Videos Schoology Help for Students: https://support.schoology.com/hc/en-us/categories/200077723-General#section-header Worcester County Public Schools: ​https://worcesterk12.org