Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI)

 

What is AISI?
According to Alberta Education, AISI is a bold approach to supporting the improvement of student learning and performance by encouraging teachers, parents, and the community to work collaboratively to introduce innovative and creative initiatives based upon local needs and circumstances.The goal of this initiative is to improve student learning through initiatives that enhance student engagement and performance and reflect the unique needs and circumstances of each school authority.

Initiated in 1999 by the Alberta Government and its partners, AISI provides targeted funding to school authorities to improve student learning and enhance student engagement and performance. After four successful three-year cycles of the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (2000-2012), AISI is now in its fifth cycle, 2012-2015.

Calgary Catholic School District has participated in AISI since its inception.

Cycle 1 (2000-2003) established a foundation of trust, created a model for collaboration, established accountability measures and criteria to provide evidence that the initiative is working, and set the stage for continuous improvement.

Cycle II (2003-2006) built on the enthusiasm and commitment of the first cycle and expanded AISI's sphere of influence to more teachers and students in Alberta. Cycle II can be characterized by integration and sustainability of effective practices such as promising instructional interventions, professional development, accountability, and administration.

Cycle III (2006-2009) continued to build on the accomplishments of the first two cycles. Characterized by collaborative inquiry, it emphasized innovation and research, extended what was learned based on in-depth analysis of project outcomes, enhanced professional practice, focused on professional development, and expanded knowledge sharing and dissemination.

Cycle IV (2009-2012) will focus on the need to address the needs of 21st Century learners through an emphasis on student engagement and innovation. Technology integration permeates each of the six projects in order to build on the 21st Century skills of communicating, sharing, networking, and disseminating knowledge.

Cycle V (2012-2015) will focus on engagement and literacy as a means to achieving success for all students. CCSD wants to increase student engagement when students are learning literacy skills by effectively utilizing technology and/or English Language Learning (ELL) strategies in all subjects (K-12).