AHS selected for professional learning program

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Arkansas High School has been selected by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in partnership with Solution Tree, a national professional development provider, to be a part of the fifth cohort of schools for its ongoing program to develop and expand the Professional Learning Communities at Work process across Arkansas.

A total of 13 schools and two districts have been selected to serve as working models for the professional learning community project for the 20212022 school year. As part of the project, these schools will receive up to 50 days of training, coaching and support to build and sustain a strong culture of collaboration that will enhance student learning.

"It was very exciting," Principal Michael Odom said. "We were on top of the world when we found that out. It's a huge investment for the state department. They're committing to over 50 days of professional learning for teachers and coaching for administrators to really implement this process.

"It shows the commitment that Arkansas High School has to improving teaching and learning on our campus. And that is the whole point of functioning as a professional learning community. We believe that adults need to learn, as well. And if adults are learning, you can be guaranteed that students are learning."

Texarkana Arkansas School District has been a partner of Solution Tree for some time now, but this involvement with the cohort will give the high school an opportunity to showcase to other schools how effective the program can be in improving professional training and development.

"We have an open-door policy for schools that want to come and observe what we do at Arkansas High," Odom said. "We've hosted professional development sessions before, and we've had people from all over the world come. We definitely want to become a model PLC school, for sure."

Schools were selected after rounds of length application submissions and interviews. Odom said the school had a good idea of what was expected through this program.

"It shifts the focus from what we are teaching and what we're doing as adults to what our students are learning and how we know they've learned it," he said. "And what are we going to do if they do or don't learn it? That's the whole premise, really - meeting every kid where they are. It's all strategies, looking at data more intensely and looking at data in the right way so you can make informed decisions for your students and campus."

He said there are three main ideas they will look to follow: ensuring that students learn at high levels, creating a culture of collective responsibility and having a results-focused mindset on student learning.

"It's making us look in the mirror and make sure we're doing everything the right way, and not blaming students in the process," Odom said.

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