DoDEA Comprehensive Assessment System

DoDEA’s Comprehensive Assessment System (DoDEA-CAS) provides measurement and monitoring tools to determine whether the Pacific East District is increasing student learning. Educators utilize results from the DoDEA-CAS during their Focused Collaboration time to determine instructional paths forward for students.

There are professional learning opportunities associated with the logistics and administration of these standardized assessments. Assessment results are reported through DoDEA-CAS.

DoDEA Learning Walkthrough Tool 2.0

The DoDEA Learning Walkthrough Tool (LWT) provides administrators and educators with guidelines and expectations for high-quality instructional practices. Administrators are expected to engage in five learning walkthroughs each week and to provide educators with feedback regarding their instructional practices. The LWT is a means to develop further professional practices among educators.

Focused Collaboration

Focused Collaboration serves as the vehicle for educators to collaboratively engage in job-embedded professional learning focused on student achievement. All educators engage in Focused Collaboration on a weekly basis. Educators review evidence of student learning and use this information to drive instruction. Focused Collaboration provides educators with time to reflect on ways to provide students with equitable access to learning opportunities. Educators cycle through the six stages of Focused Collaboration and have the autonomy to make individual or collective instructional decisions.

Internal Review Visits (IRVs)

Within the Pacific East District, Internal Review Visits (IRVs) are the method in which the schools’ continuous improvement is measured. The annual IRV process provides the district with insight into areas of growth for schools. Schools report their progress toward four district-selected Cognia Standards focusing on their continuous improvement structure (1.3), differentiation (2.7), assessment (2.11), and professional learning (3.2). Administrators and continuous school improvement (CSI) chairs participate in IRVs as a way to improve their professional practice and learn best practices for improving schools from their peers. Each school’s IRV results are reported in an outbrief. The results always acknowledge areas of strength and success, and suggest opportunities for growth. As the district builds capacity by inviting administrators to participate in more IRVs across the district, there is a noticeable improvement in IRV results.

Leadership Development

The Pacific East District Leadership Development provides administrators with a variety of learning opportunities to develop their professional practice. Professional learning opportunities for leaders include leadership summits, complex huddles, CSI Networking Days, CSI Complex Days, Leadership Meetings, principal and assistant principal learning networks, and coaching opportunities. The establishment of these networking opportunities have led to an increase in leadership’s understanding of the district's systems and process.

Pacific East Data Management System (PEDMS)

Aligning with Standard 3.1, the Pacific East Data Management System (PEDMS) was developed as a data-driven process for district administrators and educators to engage in ongoing professional learning for continuous improvement.

Professional Learning

The Pacific East District Professional Learning Plan outlines the professional learning opportunities for educators within the district. The Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation is embedded in the professional learning plan as a means to evaluate results, behavior, learning, and participant reaction to the district’s professional learning activities.

Strategic Plan

The Pacific East Strategic Plan, developed by the Pacific East Steering Committee, outlines the district’s expectations and plan to provide rigorous learning opportunities for all students through an emphasis on 21st century innovative skills of collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. Professional learning is embedded in the Professional Learning Plan to support fulfillment of the Strategic Plan.

System Quality Factors

The Pacific East District focused on SQF A: Clear Direction and SQF B: Healthy Culture and engaged in work to ensure that they provided all schools with the district’s expectations, vision, and direction in alignment with the district purpose statement. The focus on SQF A: Clear Direction, led to the development of the district strategic plan. Following a successful improvement with developing a clear direction, the Pacific East District decided to focus on SQF B: Healthy Culture and SQF D: Impact of Instruction.

DoDEA Blueprint for Continuous Improvement

The DoDEA Blueprint for Continuous Improvement provides the framework for continuous improvement across the organization. The Pacific East District utilizes the Blueprint to guide the continuous improvement work of the Pacific East District.