Educators who are provided with the opportunity to collaborate and learn with their colleagues tend to:
implement Elevate more consistently over time,
experience greater improvements in learning conditions, and
report lasting impacts on their teaching practice.
Therefore, we recommend convening educators in Communities of Practice (CoP) where they can make sense of their reports together, identify areas of improvement, and celebrate progress. Teachers using Elevate typically administer the survey three or more times each school year and we recommend recruiting CoP Facilitators that can convene participating teachers for ~60 minutes at least four times throughout the school year: before they get started and after each survey.
Below you will find protocols designed to support CoP Facilitators to facilitate CoP meetings. Facilitators should preview the protocols and modify them to fit the needs & availability of the educators in the CoP. While all of the protocols are designed for use in 60-minute meetings, we recommend allocating 90 minutes when possible.
If you'd like to modify any of the protocols below, make a copy by opening the file then clicking File > Make a copy.
Protocol: Building Community Protocol
When to Use: After teachers have been introduced to Elevate and recruited to join a Community of Practice, but before they’ve started surveying.
Objective: To co-create a safe learning space that supports open dialogue and adoption of new ideas among teachers and prepare to introduce the survey to students.
Protocol: Cycle 1 (Baseline) Results Protocol
When to Use: After the first survey window has closed, teachers have received their reports, and > 60% of students completed the survey. If participation is ≤ 60%, we encourage following up with teachers until you’ve reached 60% participation.
Objective: To review baseline survey results on learning conditions and make a plan for improvement if > 60% of students completed the survey.
Protocol: Cycle 2 Meeting Protocol
When to Use: After the second survey window has closed and teachers have had the opportunity to review their report independently.
Objective: To review progress on learning conditions after surveying students two times and make a plan for improvement.
Protocol: Cycle 3 Results Protocol
When to Use: After the third survey window has closed and teachers have had the opportunity to review their report independently.
Objective: To review progress on learning conditions after surveying students three times and make a plan for improvement, with a focus on finishing strong. This protocol also optionally introduces the idea of doing peer observations aligned to practices being tested out.
Protocol: Final Reflection Protocol
When to Use: After teachers have completed their final cycle of Elevate and have had the opportunity to review their report independently.
Objective: To celebrate progress, identify key learnings & takeaways, and make a plan to share with your school community after the final Elevate cycle.