Early Action for Success Phase 2

Information for Schools Nominating to Self-Fund

2017 Expression of Interest

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for principals on the Expression of Interest process to self-fund participation in Early Action for Success Phase 2for the 2017school year.

Background

Early Action for Success (EAfS) Phase 2 is part of the department’s implementation of the NSW Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (2017-2020).EAfS Phase 2 aims to improve students’ performance through a focus on instructional leadership and targeted intervention in the early years.

Self-Funded Schools

Provision is made to accommodate up to 50 non-Early Action for Success Phase 2 schools that self-fund Instructional Leadership positions and for thestaff to participate in the support and professional learning provided through the EAfSstrategy in 2017.

Schools that self-fund their participation in EAfS will be responsible for recruitment and salary costs associated with the appointment of either, an Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal, Instructional Leadership Literacy and Numeracy, working with K-2 students.

Principals will be responsible for identifying suitable teachers or executive to fulfil the role of Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal, Instructional Leadership Literacy and Numeracy,within existing staff or by external recruitment.Smaller schools may choose to work together to attract a shared Instructional Leadership, Literacy and Numeracy position.

The role ofthe Assistant Principal or Deputy Principal, Instructional Leadership Literacy and Numeracy will be to build student and teacher capacity in both literacy and numeracy, by providing high quality differentiated professional learning and direct literacy and numeracy support, within a school or group of schools.

Like the 533 funded schools, self-funded schools will also be responsible for costs associated with teacher professional learning and the implementation of interventions identified to support student learning.In return, the schools will have access to all services and support made available to funded EAfS schools under the strategy. This includes:

  • School Principals and Instructional Leaders engagement in professional learning opportunities held each held each term to support schools in data analysis.
  • Support by 20 Deputy Principal, Instructional Leadership, Literacy and Numeracy Trainers.
  • Resources located at the Early Action for Success website.

Closing date:Interestedschools are invited to submit a completed Expression of Interestform by COB Wednesday, 30 November2016.

The Expression of Interest form is attached at Appendix 1.

Successfulschools will be notified by Early Learning and Primary Educationby COBFriday 2 December 2016.

Please note:The commitment is for the 2017 school year only. During 2017, the initiative will be reviewed for expansion from 2018 to 2020. Schools selected to participate in 2017 will be invited to continue their participation into the next phase of the initiative, in accordance with the outcome of the review.

Timeline for Self-Funded Schools: Term 4, 2016

Week / Date
Week Ending / Action
Week 6 / 18 November / Expressions of Interest,to participate in the self-fund schools component of EAfS, to be advertised in SchoolBiz
18 November 2016.
Week 7 / 25 November / Adobe Connect session for Directors, PSNSW and Principals of interested schools on23 November 2016 at 3:30 pm.
Week 8 / 2 December / Expressions of Interest submitted by schools to ELPE by COB 30 November 2016.
Successful schools notified by COB 2 December 2016.
Week 10 / 16 December / Principals recruit Instructional Leadership position and notify ELPE of successful applicant by 16 December 2016.

Criteria for School Selection

Expressions of Interests will be evaluated against the following eligibility criteria.

  1. Agreement to commit to the funding of an Instructional Leadership, Literacyand Numeracy position, in accordance with selection criteria, at a levelcommensuratewith anticipated Kindergarten to Year 2 enrolments

The followingis a suggested staffing allocation guide.

Anticipated 2017
K-2 Enrolment / Staffing Allocation
(FTE position) / Position
Level
Less than 25 / .2 / Assistant Principal
25 to 59 / .4 / Deputy Principal
60-89 / .6 / Deputy Principal
90 -119 / .8 / Deputy Principal
120+ / 1.0 / Deputy Principal

Common Criteria for Assistant Principal and Deputy Principal,Instructional Leadership Literacy and Numeracypositions

  • Proven successful experience in instructional leadership that has improved learning outcomes for K-2 students in literacy and numeracy.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience in, implementing successful change processes that has resulted in improved learning outcomes for K-2 students.
  • Demonstrated deep understanding of current research in effective instructional leadership and effective high quality teaching in early literacy and numeracy.
  • Demonstrated experience in the provision of high quality differentiated professional learning that has enhanced teacher capacity in improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for K-2 students.
  • Demonstrated capacity to work alongside teachers to both model and improve teaching and assessment skills in early literacy and numeracy.
  • Outstanding communication skills with the demonstrated capacity to contribute to building and strengthening a collaborative learning culture in a school.

Additional criteria for Deputy Principal, Instructional Leadership, Literacy and Numeracypositions

  • Demonstrated ability to build staff expertise to lead literacy and numeracy teaching and learning.
  1. Agreement to commit to the goals of EarlyAction for Success Phase 2
  • Early identification of the level of attainment in literacy and numeracy of each individual child K-2.
  • Differentiated teaching practice that focuses on the needs of the individual student.
  • Targeted interventions in literacy and/or numeracy according to need.
  • On-going monitoring of student progress against the Literacy and Numeracy Continuums/Learning Progressions.
  1. Agreement tocomplete actions required under the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy
  • Demonstrate within the School Plan and Annual School Reports how student needs, Kindergarten to Year 2, are being addressed and literacy and numeracy targets met, through the use of diagnostic assessment, differentiated teaching and targeted interventions.
  • Starting with the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment, monitor and track K-2 student progress at 5 weekly intervals, against the Literacy and Numeracy Continuums/ Progressions.
  • Maintain K-3 student literacy and numeracy achievement data as well as any data required for the purposes of evaluation.
  • Participate in the external evaluation of EAfS Phase 2.
  • Maintain accurate financial records of funds expended.

Information session for interested Principals and Directors, Public Schools NSW

An Adobe Connect session will be conducted for Directors, Public Schools NSW and interested Principals on Wednesday 23 November, at 3.30 pm.

The session will be held at

The purpose of this session will be to provide an overview of the self-funded schoolscomponent of EAFS Phase 2.The session will be recorded and the link distributed to schools that register at

For further information please contact:

Janice Farmer-Hailey

Leader, Early Action for Success

Telephone (02) 9266 8088

APPENDIX 1

Early Action for Success, Phase 2

School Nomination to Self-Fund

2017 Expression of Interest

School Name: / School Code:
Principal:
Anticipated 2017 K-2enrolment: / 2016 FOEI:
Anticipated allocation for Instructional Leadership position: ___ FTE
Level of anticipated Instructional Leadership position (TICK BOX):
Deputy Principal or Assistant Principal
Our school is committed to the goals of Early Action for Success:
  • Early identification of the level of attainment in literacy and numeracy of each individual child K-2.
  • Differentiated teaching practice that focuses on the needs of the individual student.
  • Targeted interventions in literacy and numeracy according to need.
  • On-going monitoring of student progress against the Literacy and Numeracy Continuums/Learning Progressions.
Our school agrees to complete the following actions
  • Demonstrate within the 2017-2020 School Plan and Annual School Reports how student needs, Kindergarten to Year 2, are being addressed and literacy and numeracy targets met, through the use of diagnostic assessment, differentiated teaching and targeted interventions.
  • Starting with the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment, monitor and track K-2 student progress at 5 weekly intervals, against the Literacy and Numeracy Continuums/ Progressions.
  • Maintain K-3 student literacy and numeracy achievement data as well as any data required for the purposes of evaluation.
  • Participate in the external evaluation of EAfS Phase 2.
  • Maintain accurate financial records of funds expended.
I understand that our school, in addition to meeting the cost of the Instructional Leadership position, will be required to fund any costs associated with teacher professional learning and the implementation of interventions identified to support student learning.

Principal signature: ______Date: ______

Please email endorsed EOI by COB Wednesday, 30 November 2016 to

1