Lincoln Public Schools

Visit LPS online at http://www.lps.org/
This page can be found at http://www.lps.org/hr/recruitment/prof_growth.html?
or by using the QR code to the right.

Monday February 06, 2012 · 31° and fair in Lincoln

Professional Growth:

To help teachers continue their professional growth, Lincoln Public Schools offers a staff development program that is among the best in the nation. According to the National Staff Development Council, ". . . staff development is no longer viewed as something that is only for teachers.

We now recognize that everyone who affects student learning, from the board of education, central office administrators, principals, teachers, to classified support staff, and parents must continually improve their knowledge and skills in order to ensure student learning."

LPS staff development places emphasis in the following areas:

1. Continuous Instructional Improvement.
In the early 80's Lincoln Public Schools adopted the Instructional Theory into Practice framework for studying and refining instruction. To supplement and extend this instructional model, Lincoln Public Schools incorporated in the mid-90's components of The Skillful Teacher (the work of researchers Jon Saphier and Robert Gower) and the classroom-focused GESA (Generating Expectations for Student Achievement) program aimed at reducing disparities of practice and treatment that occur in the unexamined classroom.

2. New curriculum materials, textbooks and programs.
New material is prepared and reviewed under the direction of subject area curriculum specialists.

3. Educational equity.
Multicultural education, through the educational equity effort, helps both students and teachers make a conscious effort to promote fair and equitable treatment for every person regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or cultural background.

The skills of individual teachers and the techniques developed by the school system are put to good use in many special classes and projects throughout the district.

Successful school experiences are a good predictor of success that students will experience as adults. The instructional division provides a variety of programs directed at teaching students the things they need to know in order to become contributing members of their community.

  • For example, teaching students to write is a high priority from day one. Elementary teachers encourage students to write before they know the letters of the alphabet and teachers write responses to children even in kindergarten.
  • The community-based special education program is another highlight of the LPS instructional program. Community-based instruction helps children in special education programs get real-life experiences that will teach them how to function in their community while becoming as independent as possible. This program ties home, school and community together to provide educational opportunities that are not possible in the regular classroom.
  • In each school, every classroom has access to a telephone and the district-wide computer network. All teachers have access to electronic mail and the Internet. Computer labs are available in all schools and a comprehensive technology training program is available to all LPS staff members.
  • The Lincoln Public Schools has been named the 1999 National School Library Media Program of the Year by the American Association of School Librarians. The award was based on the district's strong mission and vision for student achievement, information literacy instruction, library media specialists and teachers working collaboratively, overwhelming support from administrators and Board of Education members, solid community involvement, integration of library resources and services within the curriculum, excellent library media center facilities in all schools, updated resource collections, and the positive atmosphere and attitude toward learning by students and staff.
  • Computer-based curriculum and instruction is an important part of the LPS instructional program. Students at all grade levels use technology as a tool for solving problems, as well as for instruction in most academic areas. The integration of computer-based activities into all academic disciplines allows students to view existing problems in new ways, forecast trends and provide possible solutions to future problems. These activities are designed so that students will be able to participate effectively in the information age.
  • Cooperative vocational education allows high school students to work part time, earn credit and improve skills learned at school. The Experiential Learning program is a lab experience for students which allows them to use some of the most advanced technical equipment and experience the day-to-day environment of business and industry.
  • The math program goes beyond just teaching students basic skills. Students are taught how to solve problems and how the math they learn applies to their everyday lives. An indicator of the quality of the LPS program is the consistently high scores students receive on achievement tests and on college entrance exams.

Lincoln parents and community members are involved in school management and activities through parent teacher organizations found at every school. Through parent forums held at different schools around the city, parents can meet with teachers and administrators to talk about their concerns regarding school policies.

Orientation

New teachers to LPS are welcomed by a small-group orientation that reviews the LPS benefits, introduces them to district staff and provides awareness of the mentoring opportunity.

All new teachers to the LPS family are provided a mentor to assist their transition into the profession. Mentor support for new teachers is augmented by sustained staff development over the first three years of employment before tenure recommendations are made. During professional development offerings over eighteen non-contractual days (eight during year one, six during year two and four during year three), new teachers are able to satisfy district tenure requirements and receive additional salary for the eighteen-day extension based upon their daily rate of pay.