The principal sent this out today:

Dear Staff,

Starting next week, we will no longer require you to submit weekly lesson plans.   We recognize that this is a task that may have low value and just added weight to your week.  We realize that lesson plans do not equal student learning and that oftentimes the plan needs more than a week to implement, can change mid-day, can make you feel bound to something that isn’t working because you might be afraid we will walk in and wonder why you are not following the plan.  We have given this a lot of thought and have concluded that submitting a lesson plan does not improve student learning.  We have also realized that our goal as a school should be student outcomes, learning, and engagement.  And that, in order for our teachers to meet this goal, we need to allow them the time and space to create meaningful growth experiences in the classroom… however they see fit.

That said, we need to state our expectations as we remove work from your plate.  Instead of weekly compliance submissions, we expect accountability. This can be demonstrated in various ways.  But the single outcome is evidence of students’ growth and learning.  Growth may look different across content areas and grade levels, but it must be visible, defensible, and grounded in student thinking.

We expect: 

• A clear standards-based goal.
  
• A flexible pathway toward that goal.
  
• Defined methods for measuring progress.
  
• Clear evidence of student growth.

 We realize that flexibility is important, and we trust you to monitor and manage your students’ progress in ways that are meaningful to you and them.  Holding them accountable as well.  Feel free to be creative and use a variety of methods and ideas.  If you see that what you are doing isn’t working, we fully support you in changing directions, pivoting, asking for assistance, taking a break, and rethinking it. 

Our goal in implementing this shift is to empower you, our field experts, to make classroom time meaningful, relevant, and compelling for our kids. To make learning the goal, rather than just getting the assignment done.  We are here to assist you with this new venture.  We realize it may feel uncomfortable, and if you need help, we are here, without judgment, but to honor you as the professional and give you what you need. 

Let’s flip the narrative, put our teachers in charge, and make school great for our kids. 

Sincerely,

Your Principal