Rockingham Elementary School, Halifax Regional School Board

Challenge

The Halifax Regional School Board’s strategic plan identified math and literacy as key areas for improvement. IPI was brought in to assist them in transforming Rockingham Elementary School, one of the schools within the Board.

Solution

Rather than using a problem-deficit approach, a strength-based change approach—Appreciative Inquiry—was adopted and well received. A methodology for change and innovation was developed and piloted with a core team and a standardized approach was then approved for the entire staff. The project eventually involved multiple stakeholders including all staff, additional members of the community and representatives from the Board’s School Improvement Team.

Results

Students showed a marked improvement in math, were more engaged and took greater ownership of their learning. Teachers reported how surprised they were at the level of enthusiasm that this approach generated among the students. As a result of the positive outcomes at the classroom level, the board decided to develop in-house personnel who could who work with other schools and school teams to teach them the approach and support the board’s overall strategic plan.

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