Native Star Tip of the Week #6

Native Star Tip of the Week #6

By Margaret Claymore

Tip 1 – When writing up your school reports, use Word and save, copy, and paste to the form in Native Star—alleviates losing any material if the system locks, goes down, or your computer shuts down—more room for writing as of 9-29-2010. The limited character capability (265 characters) has been updated and can handle paragraphs and longer text no.).

Tip 2 – All schools need to review the REPORT HANDOUT to determine which reports their schools need to complete and submit. Two reports required of all schools: Title I School wide Report/Plan (commonly called the Section 1114 Plan) and the AYP Smart Goals plan/report (In Alert or AYP). The other one is either the School Improvement/Corrective Action OR the Restructuring Report/Plan depending on what their AYP status is. (See Native Star handout--Reports Used)

Tip 3 – The Native Star School (SIP) Plan due on October 31, 2010 turns in to the Comprehensive Plan Report: Key Indicators are listed in Red. Each School’s progress on the Indicators will be the window to view their profile.

Tip 4 – ID02: When working with this indicator, contact me for an example on how to include By-Laws for your team at

Tip 5 ----Four Core Leadership Coaches have been selected to represent the East/Navajo/West:

Margaret Claymore 612-270-7651 (Cell); 952-851-5425 (Office)

Ethel Davis

Sandra Poolaw 505-977-2681 (Cell); 505-563-5429 (Office)

Cheryl Quimayousie

Note: Additional coaches for each ELO office are listed in a separate handout with this training packet.

Tip 6-----When printing out your reports for a “hard copy,” select the format you would like from the “Format” choices (Use Word) and then EXPORT the report to your documents for review and printing.

Tip 7------Enter data to allow for consistent review in connection with Instruction and curriculum planning (Part 2) on the Dash Board. Next year the system will be able to allow for input of last years’ data in comparison with new data the following year.

Tip 8-----Review Smart Goals annually and plan for continued growth beyond maintaining AYP—Use an AYP Smart Goals Worksheet and be specific about short-term and long-term goals. Evaluate what is and can be done to sustain student performance beyond the benchmarks.

Making Native Star Work for You = Three Key Things to Remember:

·  Focus on support – Purpose of assessing is NOT to “evaluate” individual performance; but to “determine” what supports are needed to reach full implementation.

·  So Many Indicators – Why? They focus on what matters most in professional performance. Native Star enables teams to set priorities and achieve “quick wins” as well as doggedly pursue the implementation of more difficult Indicators.

·  All Means All – Some teachers exhibit effective instructional practices and are strong candidates to assist and guide other teachers or provide professional development. However, the GOAL is always to reach UNIVERSAL APPLICATION of the practice, consistently and school-wide—not just the few who are good at what they do.

Note: Each school claims that the label cannot be accurate because their staff “works SO hard!” This is an emotional response and yet a solid relationship of trust will allow all to work in a trusting environment: don’t dismiss or hide the emotions.

What Other Schools are saying:

“Our school leadership team has found NS to be beneficial. It is important because we are having better conversations to improve out instruction. We are having data retreats and from these we create our ACTION PLANS. With past leadership our principals rarely dedicated 50% of time in the classroom. We are focusing on instruction, and Native Star is driving our school improvement efforts.”

“This is a learning year for us, but Native Star makes us think about what we are doing!”

“The Wise Ways were helpful; it is research based, and we like it.”

“We were confused at first because we thought we had to do all of the indicators. We have lots of data and are focusing on our principal walk-through process; we are also working with our lesson plan system on NASIS now.”

“We are making progress with Native Star; it is better than our state system. The process is clear, and we are having no problems with Native Star so far. Native Star is thought provoking; we will work with it. In reference to our state, we like Native Star better because we have smaller reports and it is easier to handle.”