Session 1: Project Initiative

Rationale for the Project Initiative

The project initiative that will be conducted by the SH, PSDS, and EPS, as participants’ of the ABC+ program on Instructional Supervisors Professional Development entitled Instructional Leadership Training: Strengthening Learning Conditions for Early Literacy Instruction, serves as their culminating activity.

The project initiative will demonstrate the leadership skills they have learned in the ISPD focusing on the areas of developing learners’ literacy, SEL, organizational climate, well-being, and GESI. The project initiative is justified in the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads under the Domain 1 on leading strategically is “Program design and implementation.” School heads at career stage 1 should understand the implementation of programs to support the learners. At career stage 2, they should be able to implement such programs. On the other hand, the PSDS and EPS need to support the initiatives of the school heads and this is part of their professional standards on fostering a culture of continuous improvement (PPSS domain 3). Under this domain, the PSDS and EPS support for instructional leadership across the four career stages needs to provide support strategies to help divisions/districts/schools and/or learning centers with the continuous improvement of the teaching-learning process.

The project initiative is integrated into the “existing work requirements” of the participants that they are presently working on in their school or district so that it will not incur additional funding or expenses within the WFP and MOOE. These existing project foci (literacy instruction, SEL, organizational climate, well-being, and GESI) are integrated into the existing activities that they are currently implementing. The plans and activities will form part of their existing School Improvement Plans or School Learning Continuity Plans (for school heads) and supervisory plans (for PSDS and EPS). The project initiative will be presented during the learning conference towards the end of the ILT program. The learning conference will showcase the aspect of the project initiative that has been implemented as this will serve as a learning exchange amongst various school leaders who participated in ILT.

Criteria for the Project Initiative:

• Reflects the objectives of modules 1 to 4.

• Shows competencies as an instructional leader

• Supports the literacy instruction of teachers

• Approach selected builds social and emotional learning

• The activities promote well-being of teachers and students

• The plan is clear and is well organized

• The basis of the plan is grounded from good source of information

• The implementation is grounded on a sound framework

• The school as a learning organization is involved in the implementation

• The effects of the project initiative is determined

• Schedule a presentation for their project initiative

The Instructional Leadership Training (ILT) Program covers a range of topics and the following foci are provided to demonstrate the instructional supervision skills of the participants.

The project initiative is short term with initial steps implemented during the Workplace Application and Project initiative Weeks (Week 2-6). Note that you need to identify how it can be further implemented after completing the ILT, depending on the estimated time frame indicated in the SIP/LCP and district plans. Consider these phases for the progression of the project initiative.

As an example of how a the project initiative plan is designed, let's take a look at an example of a project initiative plan. While browsing through the sample project initiative plan, consider these questions as also a guide on how you will design your own:

1. Is the shared vision and SMART goals aligned with the description, WAPP and design?

2. How did the SH/PSDS used data to inform the concept of the project initiative?

3. Is the school community involved in the intervention used? If none, what aspect needs reflective thinking?

4. Did the members of the team engaged in a reflective thinking to arrive at the activities?

5. How was coaching done by the school head and PSDS? If none, which aspect needs coaching?

6. Are there procedure that allowed the proponents of the project collect evidence of effective implementation? If none, what can be done?

The example does not present an ideal Project Initiative plan. This is to present you a reflective activity where you can start designing your project initiatives and integrate your own ideas and processes in the plan.

To guide you in making your Project Inititive Plan, you can use the checklist/ rubric included in the training guidebook.

Reminders on the Project Initiative

Complete the template that shows your plan for the project initiative. This will be shown to your facilitator and PSDS before you implement.

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Find time to meet with your facilitators to present and receive feedback regarding your plan for the project initiative.

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The detailed guidelines in making the project initiative is found in another section of the materials that will be provided to you.

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Your implementation process for the project initiative will be monitored by the PSDS.