Method of Scale: Pilot-to-Scale

Before Texas Tech could implement and scale its year-long residency, it

reinvented its approach to partnership. Built on the Professional Development School model, Texas Tech reinvented its scattered, ill-defined approach to partnerships into a structured model with carefully defined MOUs that encouraged data sharing, accountability and understanding of roles and responsibilities, all with an eye towards scaling. This new approach to teacher preparation-district partnership better positioned Texas Tech to implement and scale its residency.

Fidelity

Texas Tech’s teacher preparation-district partnerships allow for adequate pre-scale planning and encourage data-driven decision making. For example, Texas Tech carefully develops MOUs with district partners that define clear expectations, protocols, and a shared vision for producing high-quality teachers. Additionally, Texas Tech implemented “Data Days,” which are held twice a year. Data Days reinforce its commitment to using data for continuous improvement and help keep the focus on impact. During these Data Days, program faculty and district leaders come together to assess candidate performance and create plans for how to adjust the clinical experience to improve impact

Funding

This new model was not funded by external grants. Starting in 2010, Texas Tech began to transform its educator preparation program, by deepening district partnerships and revising coursework aligned to the instructional framework used in the clinical experience. This and other program transformations were funded internally. To do this, it advocated for new university funding but also strategically reallocated existing funding. For example, traditional student supervisor roles were replaced with specialized Site Coordinator roles.