OPTIMIZING SUCCESS THROUGH PROBLEM SOLVING

Problem Solving is a collaborative, outcome-based intervention process that uses continuous progress monitoring to drive instructional decision making and allocate resources based on student needs.

What is "Optimizing Success Through Problem Solving?"

Optimizing Success Through Problem Solving is a Milwaukee Public Schools school improvement initiative based on the problem solving process.  With a primary focus on student achievement, Problem Solving brings a data based decision making process to schools emphasizing increased positive student outcomes.   With the assistance of a Problem Solving Facilitator, schools target areas of need at the all school or prevention level, classroom level and at the level of the individual student.  Staffs are able to implement interventions and instructional strategies proven effective by research in areas such as developing social competencies for all students, developing positive school climate, increasing professional staff development, and increasing parent support and partnership for student success.  Overarching this model is the collection of objective, observable data to measure implementation, consumer satisfaction, system outcomes, and most importantly, student outcomes. A four-step problem solving process provides the backdrop for data-based and instructional decision-making processes, which are central to the initiative.

As the largest urban school district in the state of Wisconsin, MPS has a multiplicity of initiatives and programs operating to support student achievement.  Because problem solving is a data based, decision-making process, it is designed to blend with and support other initiatives that exist within the district or at the individual school level. More importantly, the basic tenets of the problem solving process can assist schools with realizing the district’s capacity builders articulated by Superintendent Andrekopoulos:

Specific Requirements and Goals Fostered in Schools Participating in
OPTIMIZING SUCCESS THROUGH PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Each school must have an effective educational plan.

OSPS offers a simple, 4 step process to support the development of an effective educational plan that incorporates best practices in the major areas of school reform and uses ongoing data gathering and monitoring to measure outcomes.

2.  A professional learning community must be developed at the school level through the leadership of the learning team.

The collaborative nature of the problem solving process, its core team approach, and its focus on building capacity for all schools, naturally emphasizes the common descriptions of a professional learning community: supportive and shared leadership, collective creativity, shared values and vision, supportive conditions, and shared personal practice.
3. Each school must implement comprehensive instructional programs that are aligned to academic standards. OSPS uses ongoing professional development and collaborative consultation to bring evidence based instructional practices and interventions to schools to support the requirements of No Child Left Behind, state standards and MPS Learning Targets.  Schools implementing Problem Solving use progress monitoring tools to monitor student progress toward goals
4. There must be fiscal responsibility at the school level and realignment of resources to the school’s educational plan. OSPS has always emphasized resource allocation based on student need and uses an analysis process to assist schools with using their resources in creative ways that align with best practices in school improvement.
5. Each school must have an effective, shared decision-making model that actively involves parents and teachers.

OSPS is a data based decision making model that emphasizes collaboration and partnership between teachers, parents, and community members to insure success for all students.

For additional information, contact:
Dr. Audrey Potter, Coordinator at 475-8156
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