BACKGROUND: The Willamette Curriculum Coalition
(WCC) was formed by the Willamette ESD in 1993 to provide leadership, coordination and
technical assistance in standards-based education to school districts in Marion and Polk
counties. Two years before, Oregon had passed the sweeping school reform act, the Oregon
Educational Act for the 21st Century, which demanded higher educational standards and new
ways to measure student progress. To help students reach new standards, teachers faced
having to change what and how they taught. Combined with Oregon's dwindling resources for
public education, this challenge became a tremendous feat to accomplish, especially for
smaller districts. The WCC realized that by pooling talent and resources, it could offer
services to districts to help them implement new standards that focus on student
achievement. For a quick look at its mission, vision and participants, see WCC At A Glance(7k ).
HOW IT WORKS: WCC
is guided by a leadership team of teachers, principals, curriculum directors, and
superintendents representing each of the 13 member districts. The coalition is funded by
the ESD, annual membership dues, consortium-based grants, such as the Goals 2000 and
Eisenhower professional development grants, program registration fees, and fees for
customized services for individual districts or schools.
A cadre of accomplished
"teacher leaders" designs and presents interactive training programs through the
WCC to several hundred teachers a year. The WCC also develops standards-based curriculum
to help teachers implement the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. For an example
of an innovative math program WCC offers, check the Cognitively Guided
Instruction program.
"We can stay on the cutting
edge of implementing the CIM and standards-based education, thanks to the coalition,"
said David Beeson, Willamette ESD Board chair and OSBA Board member. Beeson is also a
Silver Falls School Board member. "The service this coalition provides has been very
valuable to local districts."
A complete description of the WCC's
philosophy, training approach and keys to success can be found in the WCC
Overview. Several members of the coalition - those who use the services - provide more
insight into how this service helps local school districts. Check out What
Others Say About WCC for their comments.
The Willamette Curriculum Coalition (WCC), established in 1993, is
a consortium for professional development and school improvement. It is comprised of the
Willamette Education Service District (ESD) and 13 school districts, which include 75
schools, approximately 1,200 teachers, and 21,000 students. Membership in the coalition is
voluntary. WCC is supported by the Willamette ESD, annual membership dues, and grants and
contracts. A leadership team of teachers, principals, curriculum directors, and
superintendents representing each member district guides the coalition’s work.
WCC brings together ideas, people, and resources across
its member districts to enhance standards-based school improvement. Professional
development is at the core of this collaborative venture. The coalition's work is based
upon two key premises:
By working together on a regional basis, school districts
can more effectively help students reach high standards.
Teachers need to play a central role in designing and
leading professional development programs to assure that the programs have quality,
authenticity, and relevance.
WCC has recruited and supported a cadre of accomplished
teacher leaders from the region to provide collegial, interactive professional development
programs related to Oregon's standards-based learning and assessment system. In any given
year, between 300 and 500 teachers participate in the coalition's regional professional
development programs, in which teachers come together at central locations for institutes,
courses, workshops, or informal colleague-exchange networks. An equal number of teachers
participate in on-site local professional development programs, led by members of the
teacher training cadre, that typically involve one-day workshops and follow-up training.
The teacher leader cadre consists of three levels of
trainers: Senior, associate and assistant trainers. Senior trainers are the most seasoned
and distinguished teacher leaders from the region. They not only lead professional
development programs, but also serve as mentors for new teacher trainers in the cadre.
Senior trainers must go through a formal application process. Currently, there are five
senior trainers in the coalition. In addition to the senior trainers are the associate
trainers. They are skilled teachers leaders nominated by their district, or by other
teachers in WCC schools, based upon their success as trainers or their potential for
success. There are currently eight associate trainers in the coalition.
All trainers have in-depth knowledge of standards-based
teaching, learning, and assessment practices, and are continually extending their
knowledge through service on statewide committees, participation in professional
development conferences and associations, and collegial planning, problem solving, and
product development work sponsored by the coalition. All teacher leaders are paid for
their services at rates set by the coalition's Leadership Team.
Observed Outcomes
WCC-conducted studies and surveys indicate that most
participating teachers have applied to their teaching and assessment practices significant
concepts and tools from coalition training programs.
Action research studies have documented gains in student
learning that appear to be systematically related to new or refined practices that stem
from professional development activities.
Keys to Success
Tie professional development to broader school improvement
themes and goals related to student learning.
Identify goals that all member districts hold in common
and can collectively embrace; keep them front and center in planning, reviewing, and
evaluating professional development programs.
Recruit, value, and conscientiously support teachers as
designers and leaders of professional development programs.
Develop a broadly representative planning and
decision-making team to ensure that the overall design and implementation of professional
development programs match what schools and teachers need.
"The Willamette Curriculum Coalition is a keen example of
local districts working together with the ESD to help schools and teachers improve student
learning. By combining strengths across member school districts, and by obtaining
consortium-based grants, WCC has been able to offer opportunities for professional
development, curriculum improvement, and action research that would not be readily
available to individual schools acting alone. The WESD Board appreciates the commitment of
our constituent school districts to reach beyond their individual boundaries and
collaborate on common programs related to teaching and learning. We are pleased and proud
to support this highly worthwhile coalition." David Beeson, Willamette ESD Board Chair
"The Willamette Curriculum Coalition is a great
example of successful collaboration between an ESD and local school districts. The Dallas
School District would not be where we are today, in terms of school reform issues, without
our involvement as a WCC partner. We experience top quality staff development,
partnerships in Goals 2000 and other grant opportunities, and valuable curriculum
development and assessment work related to the standards-based system. The collegial
sharing by all the WCC member districts and the ESD, under Glen Fielding's leadership, is
a model for success." Tim Blaine, 21st Century Schools Coordinator, Dallas SD
"It is through WCC that we’ve been able to
honor the talent and the expertise of the teaching staff in the areas that WCC serves.
They are the source of the curriculum documents that have been created as well as the
designers and presenters of excellent staff development activities in the area of school
reform." Sharon Poteet, Principal, St. Mary’s Public
Elementary, Mt. Angel SD.
"WCC has been an invaluable asset to the Gervais
School District since began seven years ago. This is one area where a consortium of
districts can do things better and smarter. With the help of the Willamette ESD's, Dr.
Glen Fielding, the consortium has helped us prepare for state performance and content
standards, provide staff development opportunities using Eisenhower and Goals 2000 funds,
and meet local curriculum development and assessment needs. Membership fees, at $2 per
student, are the best buy in the state." David Nuss, Gervais School District administrator
"The coalition is among the most rewarding
organizations I have had experience with. All of the school districts in Marion and Polk
counties have an opportunity to take advantage of up-to-date staff development. Districts
like ours have been able to stay on the cutting edge in implementation of the CIM and
standards based education because of the W.C.C. The work that Glen Fielding and his staff
do on behalf of our member districts in obtaining and administering grants, developing and
presenting workshops, and providing a venue for evaluation of curriculum, instruction,
assessment and resources is exceptional. We would be lost without this valuable
organization." Lynn Hurt, Principal,Whitworth and Rickreall Elementary
Schools, Dallas SD
"Our curriculum, instruction, assessment, and
knowledge of reform efforts would be severely diminished without this coalition. Upon
arrival in a "small district" I found a lack of support for many of the
functions large districts can provide. Curriculum was one of the most notable. Our
district frequently found the product of the WCC of high quality and adopted it intact.
This group communicates almost daily via e-mail, phone, and fax. We provide support for
each other in the development of curriculum, instructional practice, assessment, and
accomplishing tasks such as CIM certification. Teachers throughout our region recognize
WCC-sponsored inservice as the best there is." Chris Brantley, Principal, Stayton Middle School, North
Santiam SD
Example
of a successful professional development program that impacts student learning
For the past five years, WCC has supported ongoing
professional development and action research on Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI). CGI
is a research-based approach to fostering children’s learning in primary-level
mathematics. Teachers who have been trained in CGI design instruction that builds on what
children already know in math and on their "natural" problem solving strategies.
With the aid of Goals 2000 and Eisenhower consortium grant funds, WCC has sponsored
classes in CGI, developed a small cadre of CGI-focused teacher educators, led by Marilynn
Annen and Lisa Friesen, teachers in the Silver Falls school district, and supported
teachers’ action research on CGI. Evidence from our action research studies suggests
that CGI helps teachers to teach with greater understanding of students’ learning
needs and capabilities in math, and helps many students to achieve at higher levels.
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