SISEP eNotes: May 2015

Date Published:

May 20, 2015

 

SISEP eNotes

Notes, News and Discussion from the
State Implementation & Scaling-up of Evidence-Based Practices Project

May 2015

Communication Cycles

 

We all have been in a place where we know about a problem and/or solution but “it is beyond us” to know where to go with the information. Communication cycles are designed to intentionally address communication gaps as education systems work to improve student outcomes.

Practice Policy Communication Cycles

The practice-policy communication cycle is part of the SISEP work in each active scaling state.   Facilitators and barriers encountered in practice are rapidly (at least monthly) communicated to the highest level required for a solution.  For example, ‘not enough time for competent coaches to support teachers learning to use new instruction practices’ can be taken from the school to the district leadership.  If district leadership cannot find a solution for some reason, the issue is not dropped – it is taken to the State Management Team.  In this way, local issues can be resolved locally and more systemic issues can be resolved at a statewide level.

The keys to making the practice-policy communication cycle work are:

  1. The leadership team at each level understands the need for at least monthly communication with the practice levels.
  2. The leadership team agrees to have a standing agenda item and time set aside (up to one hour) to hear directly from Regional or District Implementation Teams and their partners.
  3. The leadership team agrees to work on solutions to problems that are presented and agrees to celebrate, strengthen and operationalize facilitators.

When the practice-policy communication cycle is in place, real facilitators and impediments are revealed and acted upon every month.  This leads to systemic change with improved supports for teacher instruction and student outcomes as the results of the process.


Getting Started: Linking Communication Protocols

Communication is important for any organization, program or innovation. Try using this activity yourself or with your team to intentionally develop and use linking communication protocols for new or existing programs or innovations.

See: Activity 5.3: Linking Communication Protocols


Getting Better