Whole-Faculty Study Groups


Book Description

Used by hundreds of schools and school districts across the country, the Whole-Faculty Study Group (WFSG) System is a student-driven, holistic process for facilitating major staff development and schoolwide change. While providing a step-by-step methodology for the development and implementation of successful WFSGs, this newest edition of Murphy and Lick's groundbreaking bestseller incorporates the most current theoretical concepts on change, the latest refinements to change management procedures, and a wealth of new experiences from more than two thousand individual study groups. Other significant revisions to this edition include: Three additional chapters: the research foundation for WFSGs, how to recognize and understand school culture, and fourteen key findings A reorganization of chapters to make the book even more reader-friendly New material on timely topics such as "learning communities" and "learning teams" An increased focus on assessment of student results Updated sets of resources and illustrations in the appendix WFSGs are a proven way to successfully reform, improve, and transition schools to meet tomorrow's needs. Filled with real-world examples and illustrative cases, this book provides both the practical knowledge and the theoretical foundation necessary to negotiate the societal, organizational, and cultural barriers affecting education. This new edition is essential for administrators, teachers, and staff in K-12 schools, as well as district level administrators, teachers of education, and anyone interested in increasing student learning.




Whole-Faculty Study Groups


Book Description

This book whole-faculty study groups, their application and the underlying change principles necessary for such study groups to succeed. The book provides numerous examples, snapshots of real-world situations, and a detailed step-by-step practical methodology for the development of successful professional whole-faculty study groups in schools.




The Whole-Faculty Study Groups Fieldbook


Book Description

In this practical guide, an experienced group of contributors provide concrete strategies and real-world examples for implementing this highly successful design for professional learning communities.




Whole-Faculty Study Groups


Book Description

One of the most successful and exciting approaches to reform and change in education today is that of whole-faculty study groups. This holistic, practical approach facilitates schoolwide change and enhanced student learning. This second edition of Whole-Faculty Study Groups presents many new illustrative examples, snapshots of real-world situations, and step-by-step instructions for the development and implementation of whole-faculty study groups in schools. This book is written primarily for teachers and administrators in primary schools, but would also make an excellent resource for central office personnel, faculty in schools of teacher and administrator preparation, and corporate and governmental organizations involved with schools and school reform, education, and training.




The Whole-Faculty Study Groups Fieldbook


Book Description

Master one of today′s most successful school reform and school improvement strategies! The Whole-Faculty Study Group (WFSG) System is a student-centered, teacher-driven process for facilitating major staff development and schoolwide change. When applied properly, it has produced extraordinary results for thousands of educators and students in schools and school districts across the country. The Whole-Faculty Study Groups Fieldbook is a comprehensive guide to applying the WFSG process. Edited by Dale Lick and Carlene Murphy, this practical manual provides concrete strategies for implementing and sustaining a school improvement process in any environment. Offering extensive experience, each contributor explores a different aspect of Whole-Faculty Study Groups and supplies lessons learned and many first-hand examples of successful school reform and student performance enhancement. Written to complement existing resources or serve as a stand-alone guide, this book will Demonstrate how concepts can be applied in a variety of school improvement efforts Present relevant strategies and activities Illustrate how to use suggestions in real-world situations Highlight critical concepts through extensive case examples Provide helpful tips and lessons learned Explain how findings can be applied to professional learning communities Offering numerous illustrations of the WFSG System in action and a comprehensive collection of tools for initiating and sustaining successful improvement programs, this fieldbook is an essential resource for K-12 administrators, staff developers, and teachers involved with any type of school transformation effort.




Schoolwide Action Research for Professional Learning Communities


Book Description

Discover how Whole-Faculty Study Groups (WFSGs) use collaborative action research to involve an entire professional learning community in improving staff and school performance.




Whole-faculty Study Groups


Book Description

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers' perceptions regarding the impact of Whole-Faculty Study Groups on professional growth, instructional practices, and student achievement. This research also sought to determine the perceptions of teachers regarding the effectiveness of Whole-Faculty Study Groups compared to other professional development models. Data were collected from 41 teachers in two schools engaged in a Whole-Faculty Study Group model of professional development. Surveys and interviews were the instruments used to collect the data. Results indicated that Whole-Faculty Study Groups were positive in their impact on professional growth, instructional practices, and student achievement. Findings also revealed that Whole-Faculty Study Groups were an effective model of professional development when compared to other models. Teachers explained that Whole-Faculty Study Groups provided them with a choice in their topic of study and time for on-going, collaborative study that was relevant to their work. Teachers cited the benefits of sharing with their colleagues, learning from them, and being supported by them. While agreeing that Whole-Faculty Study Groups were positive in their impact and effectiveness, several participants suggested that other models of professional development can also be effective and one teacher pointed out that a well-balanced professional development plan should include more than one model.







Schoolwide Action Research for Professional Learning Communities


Book Description

Discover how Whole-Faculty Study Groups (WFSGs) use collaborative action research to involve an entire professional learning community in improving staff and school performance.




Teacher Study Groups


Book Description

Highlighting the issues involved in starting and maintaining a teacher study group, this book provides practical suggestions for organizing, facilitating, and dealing with group dynamics within a study group. It addresses the details that go into making decisions about the time, place, group size, resources, and structure of the meetings, as well as potential difficulties and ways to address them. Guidelines, samples of notes, transcripts of actual conversations all help to re-create the ecology of existing study groups. Chapters in the book are: (1) Why Form a Teacher Study Group?; (2) What Is a Study Group?; (3) How Are Study Groups Organized?; (4) How Are Study Groups Facilitated?; (5) What Does a Study Group Session Sound Like?; (6) What Are the Issues That Study Groups Confront?; and (7) What Is the Influence of Dialogue and Reflection beyond the Study Group? Contains 23 references. (RS)