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WestEd assistance credited with strengthening Nicholas Homestead PLCs and instructional practice
Summary
District leaders and a principal described WestEd training focused on PLCs, data use and tiered instruction at Nicholas Homestead Elementary; presenters said teacher practice and some benchmark measures show improvement though leaders said some grade levels still need additional work.
Nicholas Homestead Elementary’s leadership described a year‑long partnership with WestEd intended to strengthen professional learning communities (PLCs), teacher practice and data‑driven instruction.
Principal and staff presenters told the Show Low Unified School District board the WestEd team worked on campus multiple times and conducted double‑day visits that included classroom walkthroughs, PLC modeling and teacher coaching. The goal was to build teachers’ capacity to analyze student work, tune lessons and implement progress monitoring protocols.
School leaders highlighted practical changes resulting from the coaching: clearer PLC protocols, tighter meeting agendas, inclusion of special education and specials teachers in PLCs and the adoption of more targeted formative checks. Presenters described lesson tuning — where teams bring a lesson for structured feedback — and a shift toward teacher learning and peer coaching on campus.
The principal shared interim IXL benchmark growth showing third‑ and fourth‑grade gains of roughly 13 months; fifth grade trailed but had improved from its fall benchmark and was still completing a current benchmark. Presenters warned that end‑of‑year data was not yet finalized and that some measures reflect student turnover and students who take alternate assessments.
WestEd’s work will continue next year, the principal said, with an additional session planned early in the school year to orient new staff and sustain PLC expectations. Board members expressed support for the approach and asked that district visioning work be shared with campus leaders so site mission statements align with district guiding principles.
No board action was taken; presenters said the program uses TSI grant funds and is intended to be ongoing.
