Evidence-Based Practice

This year’s Evidence-Based practice group is working hard at defining their goals and developing their action plans. This is not as easy as it looks or as hard as it sounds. Does that make sense? The idea here is to use a supportive group of critical friends to change one thing about your program. Each participant is asked to determine one project they want to work on that will improve student achievement through the library program. Each one determines the status quo, implements the change and then gathers evidence of the impact of that change. Then, we make the evidence public in the learning community.
We all begin by “Reading Ross” as our facilitator, Mary Ratzer, puts it. We read as much of Dr. Todd’s work as we can until we digest the process. Then, we go beyond reading and we actually do something!
Eureka! For some, it is difficult NOT to take on too much. We emphasize over and over that baby steps have power! Sure you’d like the whole fourth grade to be getting top scores on their tests, or make a great scientific discovery. But how about we begin with one classroom, one teacher, one unit or lesson and boost it up. Maybe even a small group in one classroom. If we can make one small change and show that it made a difference for kids, we’ll find it easier and get more support for another small change, or maybe even a slightly bigger change.
The group is supportive and empowering. We meet once a month from October through April (not December!) from 4 – 6 pm.. Then we all enjoy a full day with Ross Todd in May.
We always share a light supper and a little fun before we get down to work.
Here are four of this year’s 17 participants, Claudia Crandall, Carol Kadamus, Kim Ringer and Jeanne Bush.