Exploring Expeditionary Learning
Many of the schools that have joined us have found it useful after an initial conversation with an Expeditionary Learning staff member to see the design in action. Deciding to take on the implementation of the Expeditionary Learning design is not something to be done quickly and we know that -- we want you to know all about the design and we, in turn, want to know about our school since we will be working with you and your colleagues for a number of years.
A good way to start is to set up a team of staff to explore the design. Questions you might address are:
1. Do I know enough about the EL design?
- Our website has the most current information on the Expeditionary Learning design. Click here for a two page overview of the design.
- We will be happy to send you our printed materials as well; please fill in the following form to receive material.
- We will help to arrange a visit to an EL school in your region- this is best done with a small team of staff -- fill in our questionnaire and indicate you would like to be called.
- We have numerous site seminars throughout the year which will give your team a comprehensive view of the design.
- Attendance at our national conference is a great way to view the variety of work in EL schools -- the majority of presenters at the conference are current EL teachers.
2. Do a few staff members and I know the design and now the rest of my school needs to know more?
- You can arrange a visit from one of our staff members who can make an all staff presentation, meet with teams of teachers and evaluate the school's readiness to phase in the Expeditionary Learning Core Practices and recommended school structures. Since implementation of the Expeditionary Learning design changes all aspects of a school's curriculum, instruction, structure, and culture, it requires a high degree of faculty and staff support. At least 80 percent of the faculty and all of the school's leadership should endorse adoption of the design.
3. Are we ready to proceed to the next steps?
- After these initial steps, if your school leadership and the majority of the faculty think Expeditionary Learning might be a good match, we ask you to fill out our application form which will include evidence of faculty and school leadership understanding and endorsement and commitment to full participation in professional development, requisite changes in school structures, and adequate time for teams of teachers to plan expeditions. This includes: providing time and support for15-20 days of professional development time for each teacher, about half of which occurs during the summer and half during the school year; at least 25 percent of the faculty should participate in national professional development opportunities each year and school leadership should support block scheduling and plan for at least three hours of common team planning time per week.
- If you have not had a visit from an EL staff member, this will happen at this time.
- Conversations about funding our work at your school will be a critical piece of this next step. See our costs and find funding more information in this. For costs specific to your school, you will need to be in contact with an Expeditionary Learning field director.
|
