ERIC ED436842: Whatever It Takes: The Case Study of Dawson-Bryant Elementary School. Transforming Learning Communities.

109 Pages·1999·2.6 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
EA 030 172
ED 436 842
Varrella, Gary F.; Haas, Brenda; Castle, Tom; Toadvine,
AUTHOR
Wendy; Washburn, Donald, Jr.; Mays, David W.
Whatever It Takes: The Case Study of Dawson-Bryant
TITLE
Elementary School. Transforming Learning Communities.
Ohio State Dept. of Education, Columbus.; Ontario Inst. for
INSTITUTION
Studies in Education, Toronto.
1999-00-00
PUB DATE
108p.; Prepared in cooperation with Erin Muck, Juanita
NOTE
Runyan, Brenda Sparks, and Donald Washburn, Sr. For other
case studies from the Transforming Learning Communities
Project, see EA 030 169-181.
Descriptive (141)
Reports
PUB TYPE
MF01/PC05 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Academic Achievement; Case Studies; Change Strategies;
DESCRIPTORS
*Educational Change; *Educational Environment; Educational
Improvement; Elementary Education; Models; School Community
Relationship; *School Restructuring
*Transforming Learning Communities OH
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This book is part of a series of case studies that
demonstrate better ways to educate Ohio's students. The case study is part of
the Transforming Learning Communities (TLC) Project, designed to support
significant school-reform efforts among Ohio's elementary, middle, and high
schools. The text presents a case study based on an elementary school in
southern Ohio. The introduction provides a historical overview of the school,
which is followed by a description of the role that the community plays in
the life of the school. The text focuses on the community connection, looking
at the key elements, the vital place of the school in the community, the
themes that run throughout the school community, the role of support teams,
and the informal connections that abound in the school. The report provides a
review of reform strategies, technology's role, the need for leadership in
initiating change, the tension that accompanied the modified schedule, and
how teachers, parents, and other stakeholders viewed change in the school.
The last chapter examines the ethos of commitment, the dilemmas over the
direction of change, the elements of successful change, and the movement
toward community. Three appendices discuss methodology, the experience of
change, and other information. (Contains 37 references.)
(RJM)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
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TRANSFORMING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
WHATEVER IT TAKES:
THE CASE STUDY OF
DAWSON-BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Prepared by:
Gary F.Varrella, Ph.D.,Assistant Professor, George Mason University
Brenda Haas, Principal, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Tom Castle, Guidance Counselor and Family Support Team Facilitator,
Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Wendy Toadvine, Graduate Assistant, Ohio University
Donald Washburn Jr.,Technology Coordinator, Dawson-Bryant School District
David W. Mays, Teacher, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
in cooperation with
Erin Muck, Graduate Assistant, Ohio University
Juanita Runyan, Teacher, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Brenda Sparks,Teacher and Parent Liaison, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Donald Washburn Sr., Superintendent, Dawson-Bryant School District
4
grans forming learning communities
TLC
This document is a publication of the Ohio Department of
Education and does not represent official policy of the
State Board of Education unless specifically stated.
Ohio Department of Education
Columbus, Ohio
1999
5
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Dear Readers:
The 12 Transforming Learning Communities case studies enlighten readers about the search for better
ways to educate Ohio's young people. The stories, told by educators themselves, paint a realistic pic-
ture of schools in Ohio.
The unique and inspirational perspectives of the school people highlight the triumphs of team spirit,
the drive to turn obstacles into opportunities, and the effort to consider complex questions and find
answers that lead to higher student achievement. These researchers tell stories of success and frus-
tration in the endeavor to make life better for future generations.
At the core of educational change is a long-term commitment to teaching and learning that has the
potential for creating positive change throughout society. The case studies emphasize intense, high-
quality professional development; increased service to others; a holistic approach to education; the
promotion of a sense of community; and a deepened understanding of the daily work in the class-
rooms, corridors, and boardrooms of public schools.
The educators at the heart of change encourage us to examine and refresh our views about schools.
Sincere thanks is extended to the local educators, university researchers, and concerned citizens for
their willingness to examine the lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and the likely con-
sequences of change.
Sincerely,
Linda C. Nusbaum
Research Project Manager
gransiorming Learning eommunities
TLC
Transforming Learning Communities Project
FORWARD
The Transforming Learning Communities (TLC) Project was an initiative funded by the Ohio
Department of Education (ODE) to support significant school reform efforts among Ohio's elementary,
middle, and high schools. Education researchers associated with the International Centre for Educational
Change at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto were contracted
number of schools supported by
to undertake in-depth case studies of school improvement in a select
Ohio's Venture Capital grants. The aim was to understand the school improvement efforts in these
schools, and to engage other Ohio educators in the lessons learned from these schools' experiences.
The project title communicates the orientation to the study. "Learning communities" is a metaphor
for schools as learning places for everyone (especially students and teachers) who has a stake in the suc-
of
cess of schools as educational environments. "Transforming" signifies that the schools are in a process
change, and that the changes they are striving to achieve involve fundamental reforms in teaching and learn-
ing, assessment, organization, professional development, and/or governance. Transforming also captures the
the process of change in participating schools.
not just to document
intent of the project to support
The TLC Project began in the Spring of 1997. A three-stage process was used to identify and select
schools that had demonstrated notable progress in their efforts to implement significant change over
(I) solicitation of nominations from ODE staff familiar with the
the preceding three to five years:
Venture Capital schools, corroborating opinions from independent sources (e.g., Regional Professional
Development Center staff), and statistical profiles for nominated schools (e.g., performance and demo-
graphic data); (2) telephone interviews with the principal of each nominated school; and (3) ranking of
schools according to relevant sampling criteria. Twelve schools were chosen for variation in type (ele-
Ohio); focus
mentary, middle, secondary); location (rural, urban, and suburban from various regions in
for change (e.g., teaching and learning, professional growth, school-community partnerships); school
improvement model; and evidence of progress.
The individual case studies were carried out during the 1997/98 school year by teams consisting of at
least two members of the school staff and researchers from four Ohio universities that partnered with the
schools. Each team designed and implemented a multi-method study of school improvement activities and
and docu-
outcomes in their school learning community.These included interviews, observations, surveys,
studies
ments. While each case study reflected the unique character of school change at each school, the
employed a common conceptual framework to guide their exploration and analysis of change in these
school learning communities.The TLC framework oriented the case study teams to investigate change and
and in rela-
the classroom, the corridors, and the community
change processes in multiple contexts
tion to three key processes of learning in organizations: collaboration, inquiry, and integration.
The major products of the Transforming Learning Communities Project include 12 individual case
study monographs, a cross-case study and handbook, and a companion video at www.ode.ohio.gov.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This product represents the efforts and cooperation of
many, many people.
In particular the
Dawson-Bryant Elementary Transforming Learning Communities (TLC)
case study team wishes to
thank, first, the children, teachers, staff, and parents of Dawson-Bryant Elementary for being
so accom-
modating, flexible, and candid. The cooperation we received from the local businesses,
social services,
and local institutions of higher learning in the Coal Grove and Ironton made
our job more pleasant and
enriched the case study in multiple ways. Superintendent Donald Washburn, Sr.,
has supported our
efforts from start to finish, showing himself to be a leader worthy of emulation. We
also extend our
thanks to the Dean's Office of the College of Education, Ohio University, Athens,
Ohio, for serving as
the central coordinating agency for this case study. Our special thanks
go to Dr. Stephen Anderson,
Co-Director of the TLC project,,for guidance, editorial comments and recommendations,
and support.
We also wish to thank Dr. L. Muir for editorial feedback.
Dawson-Bryant Elementary School Transforming Learning Communities Case
Study Team
Tom Castle, Guidance Counselor and Family Support Team Facilitator, Dawson-Bryant
Elementary
School
Brenda Haas, Principal, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
David W. Mays,Teacher, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Erin Muck, 1997-98 Graduate Assistant, Ohio University
Juanita Runyan, Teacher, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Brenda Sparks,Teacher and Parent Liaison, Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Wendy Toadvine, 1 997 -98 Graduate Assistant, Ohio University
Gary F.Varrella,Assistant Professor, George Mason University (1998
to date) and Ohio University
(1997-98)
Donald Washburn Jr., Dawson-Bryant School District Technology
Coordinator
Donald Washburn Sr., Dawson-Bryant School District Superintendent
gransforming ,fearning eommunities
TLC
PREFACE
The voices of teach-
This case study represents the observations and insights of many individuals.
of Dawson-Bryant Elementary (DBE) and university staff
ers, parents, and the case study team composed
introduction provides a historical overview of the fine
can be heard throughout the discussion. The
explore the crucial
learning institution DBE has become with time and effort. The sections that follow
classroom and learning
role of the community that exists inside and outside the DBE building and the
community compo-
environment. Although separate, Chapters Two and Three overlap (e.g., there is a
and they embrace the elements common to
nent in the learning environment section and vice versa),
elements include the
the TLC case studies completed in Ohio during 1997-98. The broader background
the school, the communi-
perspective of the prevalent culture of cooperation and collaboration across
in DBE is explored, along with changes in
ty, and the classroom. The role of the various technologies
the professional lives of teachers.
transforming learning
The final chapter examines the DBE experience as a growing, dynamic, and
and the indicators of
community. This last section provides a macro view of the challenges overcome
and future directions for the continually
success at DBE. Finally, we will discuss emerging challenges
transforming DBE learning community.
d
O
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The Drive Into Town
Welcome to Dawson-Bryant Elementary (DBE) School
2
A Brief History
2
Catalysts for Change
3
The Roots of Reform at DBE: Declining Student Performance
3
The Success for All Program
4
Success for All Components at DBE
5
Consolidation
6
The Modified Calendar
6
Enabling Technologies
7
Open Door to the Community
7
The Dawson-Bryant Elementary School Timeline
8
CHAPTER TWO
MAKING SENSE OF THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION
16
Exploring Key Elements
16
Our View From the Community Front Porch:A Mind Map
I8
The School as a Clearinghouse
20
Voices from the School Community: Themes
21
Empowerment through Collaboration and Partnerships
23
The Two-Way Street: From the Corridors and Classrooms to the
Community Front Porch
24
Extending a Hand
24
Clasping that Hand
25
The Parents as Members of the Learning Community
25
The Roles of the Success for All Program and the Social Agencies
27
Success for All as an Organizer
27
Family Support Team and Parent Liaison
28
Who Is Involved?
29
An Example of Agency Collaboration
30
A Community Visit with the Parent Liaison
3 I
Heading Problems Off at the Pass
33
Informal Connections
34
The Case for Inquiry at DBE Reaches All the Way to the Front Porch
34
o