A Tale of Two Belief
Systems
Roots Findings 1& 2
Castleton, July 14, 2010
Susan Hayes, NAEP Coordinator
Noel Bryant, School Improvement/Enrichment
Coordinator
AGENDA
Welcome
 Quick Overview of Roots Study
 Individual Reading
 Group Work
 Wrap Up
 Exit Card

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Learning Intentions:


You will understand that strategies and
structures alone will not improve student
outcomes without a fundamental shift in
beliefs and culture.
You will have the opportunity to reflect
on the guiding beliefs and culture of your
school and consider how these might
impact your action planning.
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Task #1: Individual Reading
(15 minutes)

Individually read through the handout
entitled, “A Tale of Two Belief Systems”
considering the similarities and
differences between the two schools.

If you would like, use the graphic
organizer to capture your thoughts about
the similarities and differences you
identify.
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Task #2: Group Work

(20 minutes)
Using “A Tale of Two Belief
Systems” (and your graphic
organizer if you chose to fill it out)
work with your group to fill in the
missing boxes on the sheet labeled
“Differences in King and Smith
School: A Continuum.”
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Task #3: Individual Assessment
(5 minutes)
 On
your own, place a mark
where that represents where
you believe your school lies on
each continuum (e.g. is it closer
to King or Smith School?)
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Task #4: Group Discussion
(20 minutes)


Take a piece of chart paper and draw 9
lines on it to represent each of the 9
continuums. Place a dot on each
continuum that corresponds with where
you as an individual believe your school
would fall.
As a group, discuss the 3-4 statements
where you notice the dots are furthest
apart.
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Group Share
(15 minutes)

Teams share out the 3-4 statements
where dots were furthest apart.

Why do you think opinion differed so
greatly?
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Wrap Up

(10 minutes)
As you continue your action planning,
consider these questions:
• How will you include this paradigm shift in
your planning?
• How will you share the importance of this
shift in beliefs and attitudes with your
staff?

Discuss this with your team.
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Exit Card
 What
was the most powerful
idea you took away from this
presentation?
 How
could this presentation be
improved?
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Thank you!
Susan Hayes: shayes@wested.org
Noel Bryant: noel.bryant@state.vt.us