10/19/04

During School Year 2003-2004, schools in DoDDS-Pacific selected teachers to serve in the role of Curriculum Implementation Facilitator (CIF) as part of a staff development initiative. The program was designed to build competence in the delivery of the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan. The primary role of the CIF is to support colleagues in implementing standards-based curriculum and instruction through the facilitation of professional development activities such as peer coaching, collaborative problem solving, looking at student work, or after-school study groups.

The CIFs use their skills to support teachers in designing instruction for understanding, differentiating instruction to meet individual students' needs, integrating curriculum, and using content-specific, research-based best practices. As a result of the September 2004 Conference, CIFs will be already working with their administrators and other leaders in their schools to implement effective instructional strategies that specifically address the new DoDEA Science Standards and materials, inquiry, writing in the content area, and differentiated instruction. They will also be able to co-facilitate study groups or other small group collaborative sessions that examine student work as a way to guide instructional decisions. Each CIF, with the guidance of their administrators, will develop school specific action plans that support the on-going focus of standards-based instruction in their school and that meet the goals of the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan, "Highest Student Achievement."

Research on educational reform indicates that high achieving schools are those that set high academic standards, hold positive expectations for student growth, and work collectively to enhance the knowledge and skills of all adults in the school who impact students. CIFs play a critical role in working with their administrator and other school leaders to build a collaborative learning community where teachers strive for high student achievement and work collaboratively to improve instruction.

The educators who are working with us as CIFs in DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam schools serve as resources for all teachers as we continue towards a standards-based school system. The work of the CIF is one that will make an already great school an exceptional place for student achievement. My sincere appreciation for the hard work and many contributions the CIFs will make for our teachers and students during the school year.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam