Welcome to the Relationships Improvement Lab! At our kick-off meeting, we brought together improvement teams from seven schools to dive into continuous improvement and explore how we will work together throughout the year to strengthen student-adult relationships. 

Key takeaways:

• Continuous Improvement Approach: Continuous Improvement can help address systemic challenges in building relationships by testing small changes.

• Relationship Reflection: Teams identified identity, beliefs, and actions as key factors in forming strong connections with students and aligned them with the Developmental Relationships Framework. 

• Root Cause Analysis: We explored why some students and adults struggle to build relationships by creating Fishbone Diagrams.

• Empathy Interviews: Teams began planning empathy interviews to gather insights into student and adult experiences.

NEXT: Teams will (1) Conduct empathy interviews with students and adults, (2) Complete a capacity self-assessment to better understand their strengths and learning goals, and (3) Meet with coaches to plan next steps.

Slide Deck | Session Materials  [Improvement Team Access Only]

In this session, we took key steps toward developing our theories of improvement.

Key Takeaways:

• Data Reflection: Teams explored the specific problems they aim to address by debriefing their empathy activity data and analyzing their NYC School Survey data using a Data Discussion Protocol. These reflections guided each team in clearly articulating its unique problem focus.

• Brainstorming Change Ideas: Participants explored Promising Practices in our Relationships Cheat Code and brainstormed change ideas through a Brainwrite exercise. 

• PDSA Team Planning: Teams found dedicated planning time valuable for mapping out their theory of improvement. 

NEXT: Teams will (1) Meet with their coach to refine their problem of practice and solidify their plans, (2) Test one small change idea, and (3) Administer the Developmental Relationships Survey.

Slide Deck | Session Materials  [Improvement Team Access Only]

In this session, we reflected on our theories of improvement. 

Key Takeaways:

• Reflection and Feedback: School teams collaborated in pairs to share their theories of improvement, engage in dialogue, and receive constructive feedback using our Tuning Protocol. 

• Team Spotlight: One school team showcased their learning through a PDSA fishbowl, offering insights and practical examples for other teams.

NEXT: Teams will continue their first improvement cycle, either by launching their change idea, continuing to implement it, or scheduling time to study it with their team.

Slide Deck | Session Materials  [Improvement Team Access Only]

In this session, we discussed our progress with our PDSA cycles: 

Key Takeaways:

• Measuring Relationships: Teams reflected on ways to measure improvements in student-adult relationships. Teams discussed what they would observe and what students and adults might express to indicate stronger connections.

• Mini Fishbowl: One school team showcased their learning through a PDSA fishbowl, offering insights and practical examples for other teams.

• Reflection and Feedback: Teams collaborated in pairs to share their theories of improvement, engage in dialogue, and receive constructive feedback using our Tuning Protocol. 

• Survey Data Discussion: Teams discussed their Developmental Relationship survey results using a Data Discussion Protocol.

NEXT: Teams will continue their improvement cycles and schedule time to study it with their team. 

Slide Deck | Session Materials  [Improvement Team Access Only]

In this session, we learned from a "bright spot" and discussed how we will document, share, and scale what we've learned in Improvement Lab.

Key Takeaways:

• Measuring Success: Last session, teams reflected on ways to measure improvements in student-adult relationships. This session, teams reflected on what they've seen or heard this year that indicates success in their improvement work. 

• Bright Spot Share and Success Analysis: Schools implemented the Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships survey. One school team scored highly in Expressing Care based on student responses, with an average score 8 points higher than the national average for programs and 25 points higher than the national average for schools. The team shared their approach using a bright spot protocol, and teams discussed key takeaways using a success analysis protocol. 

• Documenting and Scaling Learning: Teams learned how they will document and share what they've learned in Improvement Lab. They also practiced using a scaling example to consider when they will be ready to scale their own work. 

NEXT: Teams will (1) Continue their PDSA cycles, (2) Reflect with their coach and document their learning, and (3) Share their learnings with Lab peers and school leaders

Slide Deck | Session Materials  [Improvement Team Access Only]

In this session, we reflected on our work, shared key learnings, and began planning for scaling our change ideas.

Key Takeaways:

• Process Reflection: We started the session by reflecting on the continuous improvement process. We discussed what felt different about this process compared to how we usually improve at our school, the parts of the process we might carry forward, and the parts that felt challenging.

• Change Idea Reflection and Sharing: Then, teams reflected on their change ideas and created posters that captured the details of their change idea, key learnings, successes, artifacts, and a visual representation of their work. We concluded with a gallery walk, where teams shared their work with one another and with school leaders.

• Planning for Scaling: Teams began planning for what they hope is next for their work.

NEXT: This cohort is continuing into Year 2. Teams will continue measuring relationships to support continuous improvement efforts, deepen their knowledge of key relationship-building practices, and maintain our network of transfer school staff. 

Slide Deck | Session Materials  [Improvement Team Access Only]