What is a fellowship?  
A fellowship is an extended curricular opportunity for teachers to explore new instructional practices, methodologies, and/or technologies to enhance teaching and learning. The purpose of the fellowship is to select instructional pioneers whose research and development work will pave the way for easy future implementation for all staff. The fellowship will provide a stipend for project time outside the regular school day and during the summer. Each of the fellowships is part of a research and development effort to explore concepts in the strategic plan. 

What exactly is the School Improvement Data fellowship? 
There are two primary goals for this fellowship program: 

1. Investigate district systems for gathering, analyzing and reporting school improvement data, including the use of electronic student portfolios.
2. Help pilot, monitor, and evaluate a district school improvement data system.

Can anyone apply?  
Because the fellowship requires classroom access to the Web, this program will be limited to Pilots '96 and Pilots '97 and Pilots ’98 teachers. 

Will I receive any equipment for my classroom?  
The school improvement data fellowship teachers may request software or equipment that become necessary to achieving the goals. 

Will I receive any additional training?  
Yes, there will be opportunities for training in such areas as AS/400 related software applications and School Vista Assessment applications. 

What are the incentives for becoming a part of the fellowship program? 
A $2000 stipend will be paid to each participant. 

Is this paid in one lump sum? Spread over time?  
It will be paid in four $500 installments: March 1, 1999; June 30, 1999; December 1, 1999; May 1, 2000. 

How do I apply?  
Attend an optional informational meeting held at Washington Intermediate School Auditorium on November 16 at 3:30 PM to receive full information and meet with a project director. Fill out  the on-line application by November 25. 

When does the program start?  
Participants will be selected by December 18 and project work will begin the second semester of the 1998-99 school year. 

How long will it last?  
The video fellowship will last from January, 1999 and continue through the spring of 2000. 

Can I sign up for just one semester?  
No, we are looking for teachers who will commit to full implementation of this project. 

What specific objectives need to be completed?  
The following tables outline the specific objectives to be completed during each semester: 
 
 

Spring 1999

This semester the focus will be to

#1 Develop evaluation criteria for systems to gather, analyze and report school improvement data.

#2 Develop a list of potential school improvement data systems for District 108.

#3 Research the uses of student portfolios in school improvement.

#4 Develop a list of potential student portfolio systems for District 108.

  
 

Summer 1999

During the summer the focus will be to build on the spring’s work to

#1 Design and/or select a school improvement data system for District 108.

#2 Help plan and prepare to implement the selected data system.

#3 Design and/or select student portfolio systems to pilot in 1999-2000.

  
 

Fall 1999

During this semester the focus will be to:

#1 Help carry out the plan to implement the selected data system.

#2 Help to monitor and refine the selected data system.

#3 Pilot one of the selected student portfolio systems.

  
 

Spring 2000

During this semester the focus will

#1 Help carry out the plan to implement the selected data system.

#2 Help to monitor, evaluate and refine the selected data system.

#2 Evaluate and select a student portfolio system(s) for use in District 108.