“Quality Learning, Every Student, Every Day!” Every coach leader in South Bend is saying this phrase every day. Think about the power and impact in every conversation. In order to have quality learning every day, what have we defined it to be? Most of us think we know, but is it the same?

When researched many and varied definitions emerge. The most essential finding of all the research is that learning communities MUST define what “quality learning” means to them. How has the leader articulated what “quality learning” means to him/her? How has the district?  How has the community? Coach Leaders know that quality learning will come from the conversations and agreed upon core values about teaching and learning. These conversations will define and offer the vision for what will happen in every classroom, every day to truly lift students to their high levels of learning and confidence to be a successful lifelong learner.

Another district I’ve worked in spent six months working with a cross section of the community, students, teachers, parents, board members, and business leaders to define the “21^st century graduate” – for the sole purpose of working backward and to know and identify what has to happen in classrooms through the grades to ensure the vision for their successful graduate.

From powerful conversations and clarifying the definitions used, coach leaders know that standards and expectations are clear. Even with the barrage of issues thrown at educators every day, their eye is focused on the standards of their work. And then…the question is to the student, “as you turn in this work, what aspect of it tells you it is quality work?” to the teacher, “Which criteria of quality learning is having the greatest impact on your students’ success?” to the parent, “What aspects of quality learning are you seeing in your child’s response to school?”

What is your rubric for Quality Learning? How will your conversations focus your energy and accelerate your results?

Kathryn Kee, PCC