Ed Week story praises district for top down approach to
instructional consistency
Gilroy – Five years ago, phrases such as “data teams,” and “walkthroughs,” were nonexistent throughout Gilroy Unified School District. Teachers operated independently of each other and schools were among the lowest performing in the county.
But as the district office focused on improvements using a more scientific approach such as analyzing test scores combined with best teacher practices – test scores have risen – and so has its reputation.
GUSD is featured in the latest edition of Education Week released Wednesday, a national education publication, for its progressive top down approach to create instructional consistency.
“We feel really fortunate that there are others outside the district that are recognizing the work put into improving student performance,” said Superintendent Edwin Diaz.
According to Diaz, GUSD was recognized because of its balance between district mandated instructional practices and sites with complete autonomy.
For the past four years GUSD has partnered with the Stupski Foundation – a nonprofit education organization focused on reform.
“If you asked every superintendent in the country what publication they read every week, it would be Ed Week – so this is quite an honor,” said Jane Hammond who serves as Director of District Alliance for the foundation. “GUSD has made a cultural transformation.”
A reporter interviewed principals, teachers and district officials last Spring to determine whether the school district would be the focus of the story. Gilroy has never been covered in Education Week before.
Teachers started collaborating and meeting weekly to go over student performances. They share strategies for improvement with each other. They participated in sometimes controversial walkthroughs where they observed their fellow teachers in action.
The district established an accountability plan last year that allows individual school sites to determine what areas they want to improve, and establish their own strategic plans.
For the first time, everyone throughout GUSD was on the same page – understanding what expectations were from the top, yet given the opportunity to determine the path to get there.
