creating buy-in and consistency: using workgroups to create change in a national non-profit
DESCRIPTION
This session will explore the value of workgroups as a tool for building buy-in and developing best practices in a national non-profit. Breakthrough Collaborative has used the workgroup approach to standardize teacher training across the organization over the past few years, building expertise and site leadership in the process. This workshop will examine Breakthrough's experience and encourage participants to leave with takeaways for creating change in their own organizations.TRANSCRIPT
Generating Buy-in and Consistency
Using Workgroups to Create Change in a National Non-profit
Heidi Erbe, Director of Instruction, Breakthrough San Francisco
Do Now
Pair Share
• Think of a time when a new program was rolled out at your organization. What was your reaction to the process and the end result?
Objective
Today, we will discuss how workgroups can be a model for building buy-in and
developing best practices.
Mission of Organization
Founded in 1978, Breakthrough Collaborative has a unique dual mission to:
• Increase academic opportunities for highly motivated, underserved students and put them on the trajectory of a successful college path; and
• Inspire and develop the next generation of teachers and educational leaders.
History of Organization
1978: First Breakthrough site started
1989: First Breakthrough replication site started
1991: National office opened to support replication- range of roles- fundraising site start-up, coaching, training, branding affiliation
2009: Improving Teacher Training Initiative started
History of Challenge
• Breakthrough is a distributed network of affiliated programs
• National office does not hire local site directors who are employees of independent schools or independent 501(c)3 organizations
• Mandates are an unsuccessful vehicle for standardization and excellence
History of Challenge
Affiliate employees express desire for:1. Professional Development
2. Career Pathways
3. Codified Best Practices
4. Increased Pass-Through Funding Tied to Training
5. Enhanced Accountability from National and Each Other
Mandates do not consistently produce…1. excellent student outcomes
2. director longevity
3. best practice codification
History
• Compare/contrast your organization with Breakthrough in terms of history, influence, and impact.
Pilot Plan
1. “Improving Teacher Training Initiative”2. Gap + Breakthrough3. 2 days vs. 2 weeks of teacher training4. New way for national office to work with
local sites5. Research + Breakthrough Reality6. High-impact, transferable teaching skills—
teaching residency7. Breakthrough teacher = standard definition
Model Selection & Development
Model
Model Selection & Development
• Research-based model that works for all students
• Comprehensive model
• Collaborative conversation
• Cycle of developing, testing, refining—excellence through collaboration
Model
• What are some of the strengths and potential weaknesses of this model?
Data
Preparation6 of 9 indicators—ITTI teachers reported feeling better prepared; average of 7% higher scores than non-ITTI sites
– Curriculum development– Lesson planning– Instructional techniques– Leadership training– Classroom management– Development of a community of young educators
Summer Session Support9 of 9 indicators—ITTI teachers felt better supported by an average of 5% higher scores
Data
• 25 US sites will implement ITTI during summer 2011
• 22 sites (88%) will have a full implementation
• 16 US affiliates will pilot curriculum during summer 2011, representing 64% of the Collaborative
Anecdotal Data
The work I have done with ITTI, both at working retreats and over the
phone/internet, has been the most productive professional development I
have ever had, including the 5 years when I was a classroom teacher and routinely attended in-services and conferences.
Please keep this going!
Anecdotal Data
The "package" that we have created over the past two years is solid, and
maintaining momentum by continuing to meet and refine is important. This is the
best collaborative work I've seen come out of Breakthrough; I hope similar models continue to thrive in the Collaborative.
Data
• How might a similar replication model affect your organization?
Critical Attributes
Professional development for directorsIncreased standardization Excellence through collaboration
Challenges
• Sustainability
• Framing pass-through funding
• Time commitments and Executive Director buy-in
• Over-reliance on key site leaders
Implications
• Pilots vs. workgroups
• Ongoing need for training, support, and evaluation
• Extending best practices to all areas of work
Closure
• What are two ways you might apply the practices of Breakthrough’s teacher training replication model to your organization?
Questions