CLC Implementation example
SIM & CLC–The Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) refers to the use of both Content Enhancement Routines and Strategy Instruction. The Content Literacy Continuum (CLC) refers to the 5 level implementation of whole school change, which includes the Strategic Instruction Model within its phases.
The Content Literacy Continuum is designed to be initiated over a three to five year period with significant support from certified professional development specialists coordinated in teams by the Strategic Learning Center, combined with an implementation commitment from the partnering school. During this time, work will focus on developing faculty expertise and school-based facilitators to continue development and maintenance of the model with limited support from the Strategic Learning Center after the implementation phase has been completed.
Research on school change indicates that the benefits of school improvement are only realized when teachers become fluent with the targeted practices and can integrate them with other practices over time. This process will require ongoing school-based support after the implementation period is over, and must be permanently nurtured as an important part of the culture of the school in order to see the full benefits of your SIM investment.
About the Planning Phase
The purpose of the Planning Phase is to develop a plan for improving literacy based on the goals, needs, characteristics and resources of a particular school. During this phase, student performance data that has been collected by the school will reviewed, as will school improvement plans and other school-improvement issues. Project orientations are provided to staff and interviews are conducted with each member of the school administrative and instructional staff to determine appropriate professional development and implementation strategies. Options and resources related to working with teachers both during and beyond-the-school-day are explored, and initial plans for launching development activities will be co-constructed with staff. Important outcomes for this phase include a general plan of action for the three-year effort, a specific plan of action for Phase 1 implementation, and the formation of a school-based lead contact and implementation team that will work with the SIM Implementation Team. This phase usually lasts 3 to 6 months, but may take less time, depending on the characteristics of the school.
Planning Phase: The Focus of Activities (August-June)
- Overviews of SIM-CLC implementation to staff and administrators
- Review of school achievement data
- Interviews with school staff about SIM-CLC implementation and learning
- Collaborative development of implementation schedule
- Collaborative development of professional development plan
- Identification of site-based coordinator and leaders
- Collaborative development of communication plan
- Obtain implementation commitments from staff
Develop plan for Team visits and development work
About Phase 1
During Phase 1 of implementation of the Content Literacy Continuum (CLC), the Strategic Instruction Model Implementation Team begins helping staff gain knowledge of various interventions based on specific instructional roles and responsibilities. As professional development activities progress, teachers will be identified as potential candidates for becoming on-site coaches. These teachers will be asked to participate in additional professional development activities so that they can become SIM professional development specialists who sustain CLC components as the SIM Implementation Team begins to depart in the later phases of the project. These on-site coaches will agree to implement the interventions with high fidelity in order to prepare for a professional development specialists retreat at the end of the first year of implementation. A minimum of one year is required to achieve the goals associated with Phase 1 implementation.
Phase 1: The Focus of Activities (August-June)
- Assess school culture
- Design school-wide literacy development plan
- Introduce staff to each SIM Content Literacy component
- Begin classroom implementation of components
- Identify teacher-guided professional development plan
- Prepare key instructional leaders as potential SIM specialists
Evaluate and report on Phase 1 progress
About Phase 2
During Phase 2 of implementation of the Content Literacy Continuum, the SIM Implementation Team continues to create learning situations for staff and helps teachers begin to develop implementation fluency across courses. The on-site coaches begin to collaborate with the SIM Implementation Team in creating learning opportunities. Student achievement data is reviewed to evaluate progress and to adjust implementation plans. A minimum of one year is required to achieve the goals associated with Phase 2 implementation.
Phase 2: The Focus of Activities (August-June)
- Begin SIM Specialist certification process
- Revise school-wide literacy development plan
- Expand staff skills in SIM Content Literacy components
- Expand classroom implementation of components
- Mentor on-site coaches for becoming SIM specialists
Evaluate and report on Phase 2 progress
About Phase 3
During Phase 3 the major components of SIM have been implemented and all the Content Literacy Continuum are in place. The on-site coaches begin to assume professional development leadership roles and work with the SIM Implementation Team to develop long term plans for maintaining, refining, and expanding the Content Literacy Continuum as an approach to improving student academic performance. A minimum of one year is required to achieve the goals associated with Phase 3 implementation.
Phase 3: The Focus of Activities (August-June)
- Certify instructional leaders (on-site coaches) as SIM specialists
- Revise school-wide literacy development plan
- Expand staff skills in SIM Content Literacy components
- Expand classroom implementation of components
- Collaboratively work with school-based SIM specialists
- Evaluate and report on Phase 3 progress
Collaboratively develop ongoing implementation plan