MOESC Introduces Teaching and Learning Tiers of Support Services
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is pleased to introduce a new program of tiered supports for school districts, administrators, and teachers through the newly developed
Teaching and Learning department. The team’s goal is to provide services in support of district efforts to design vertically aligned curriculum, implement evidence-based instructional strategies, and create valid and reliable assessments at the district, building, and classroom levels.
Under the guidance of Lynn Meister, the Director of Teaching and Learning, the team members are experts in the areas of data analysis, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, disciplinary literacy, curriculum alignment, assessment, and related areas from Preschool through Grade 12. According to Meister, “Mid-Ohio conducted a survey of our client districts and learned that they wanted customized professional development and services designed to assist them in achieving their school improvement goals.” To meet
these needs, the Teaching and Learning department offers three tiers of services.
Tier I: Analysis provides an audit of how the district implements Ohio’s Learning Standards in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. The team also examines data from a variety of sources, including the Local Report Card, Value Added results, progress toward meeting goals from the Ohio Improvement Process, and student data from district-level assessments. Working with administrators, the team uses this information to create and implement professional development services at the district, building, and
classroom levels.
The Tier II: Customized Services level creates a contracted service plan with the district to develop specialized professional development in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The content of these sessions is designed around evidence-based practices founded on Ohio’s Learning Standards and incorporates recommendations from the Ohio Department of Education. “Our approach is to create a narrowly-designed, effective focus in our approach to school improvement,” said Meister. “Based on the district’s goals, we construct specialized professional development designed to support teachers and administrators in their work to promote students’ growth and achievement.”
After implementing professional development, the team offers Tier III: Coaching and Intensive Support designed to provide in-depth support for classroom implementation of instructional strategies, formative and summative assessment, and teaming structures. This can include support for classroom literacy instruction in all content areas, K – 12 alignment of district assessments to Ohio’s Learning Standards, ongoing analysis of district and building data, and systems-level support. “I have worked with school improvement in a number of districts over the past 20 years,” said Meister. “The Teaching and Learning team shares my passion to work with administrators and teachers to provide ‘boots on the ground’ assistance to raise student achievement. We welcome the opportunity to offer our comprehensive services to client and non-client districts in the region.”
For more information or to schedule services from the Teaching and Learning department, contact Lynn Meister at meister.lynn@moesc.net or call 419-571-2128. Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center’s website also has the Tiers of Support posted under the Teaching and Learning tab at www.moesc.net