Lessons learned : an AISI journey

Abstract

This inquiry is one teacher's attempt to capture the story of AISI (The Alberta Initiative for School Improvement) in a northern school division. A review of the literature in the areas of literacy and professional development sets the stage for looking at the multidimensional literacy program that is the focus of this study. Related AISI projects are analyzed and discussed to uncover themes that have arisen out of the search for 'best practice' in curriculum, instruction and professional development. Study findings show that student achievement rose significantly in all initiatives, and that teacher efficacy and leadership improved as a result of the professional development opportunities structured by the division. Administrative support, teacher training in the new program, and program implementation were found to be factors affecting student achievement in this study. Further study is needed to determine the impact of these changes in practice and expectation on teacher engagement over time. In addition, more study needs to be done to make more explicit the relationship of alphabet letter recognition and at-home reading to student scores on both internal and external measures of literacy development.