Collaborative Inquiry Update--Walk the Walk

In the last blog post, I shared about the beginning of the MNPS collaborative inquiry journey, which included identifying barriers to implementing collaborative inquiry.  The IC Map (Innovation Configuration) Map for Collaborative Inquiry helped address the barrier of the lack of a common language.  Another barrier identified by the stakeholder group was lack of leadership modeling, or as we call it "walking the walk."

The identification of this barrier led to the development of an evaluation plan for collaborative inquiry.  When implementing a new idea or strategy, creating an evaluation plan before implementation helps with monitoring progress.  Through our partnership with REL Appalachia, MNPS received technical assistance for developing an evaluation plan and for building our capacity to use the plan to monitor our progress.

With the evaluation plan created, the next step was to pilot it with the MNPS Collaborative Inquiry Community of Practice schools in the spring of 2016.  To answer the evaluation questions, multiple sources of data sources were used.  REL Appalachia liaison, Dr. Stephanie Wilkerson, helped MNPS develop data collection protocols, including the Teacher Data Use Survey (to be released by IES soon), Collaborative Inquiry interview protocols, and Collaborative Inquiry Focus Group protocols.  Fortunately, the support did not stop there as Dr. Wilkerson and her staff worked with an MNPS team to build our capacity to collect the data necessary for answering the evaluation questions in the future when their assistance is no longer available.  Finally, the data collected this spring was triangulated and used to develop the Preliminary Evaluation Report for the Collaborative Inquiry Community of Practice and Infographic.

5 Key Findings and Recommendation from the
Preliminary Evaluation Report for the
Collaborative Inquiry Community of Practice

Key Finding and Recommendations #1

Schools are applying collaborative inquiry practices in differing ways based on their school needs and school leadership.

• Use the IC Map.
• Create an action plan.
• Identify school collaborative inquiry leaders.

Key Finding and Recommendation #2

The use of collaborative inquiry in schools is making a positive difference in how teachers approach using data to make evidence-based decisions.

• Continue to evaluate collaborative inquiry for impacts.
  

Key Finding and Recommendation #3

MNPS teachers feel supported in implementing collaborative inquiry, but need more professional learning.

• Provide ongoing, needs-based PD support through workshops, modeling, and onsite assistance.
  

Key Finding and Recommendation #4

All schools see value in integrating collaborative inquiry with current initiatives to address key problems of practice.

• Delve deeper into understanding and meaning through collaborative inquiry process.
  

Key Finding and Recommendation #5

To create a culture of collaborative inquiry in using data, a common language and integrated approach to implementation are needed at both the school and district levels.

• Continue the community of practice.
  
• Sustain school leadership.
  
• Convey district support and expectations.
  

I thank Dr. Stephanie Wilkerson through the REL Appalachia partnership for her support.  We look forward to the continued use of the evaluation plan as the community of practice grows.

If you have any questions/feedback, please feel free to contact Margie Johnson at [email protected].