The Mileposts Program includes a hassle-free software program designed by teachers, as well as an underlying philosophy of 360° accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a belief in the right of all students to reach their fullest potential. Adopting this program can transform our educational system from within.
Our core product, Mileposts, is a complete 360 degree student learning and intervention management system that:
- Brings all parties back to the table of accountability
- Brings focus to all instructional delivery and remediation
- Creates a culture of collaboration among all stakeholders
- Incorporates all necessary state and federal mandates
- Constructs a team of action around each struggling student
- Is the catalyst to improved learning opportunities
- Is the umbrella program that houses all other learning applications
The four pillars of the Mileposts Program includes the innovative software program, the philosophy of 360° Accountability for all stakeholders, the catalyst to a culture of collaboration and complete transparency, as well as comprehensive (unsurpassed?) tech and training support services.
The Innovative Mileposts Software
The software was designed by teachers for teachers, making the system intuitive and easy to use for all educators. The software goes beyond a simple data warehouse for assessment data. With full integration and synchronization with district systems, there is little, or no, client installation required. The program utilizes a cloud-based approach allowing a light load on already taxed technology systems in small to medium districts. Since it is web-based, it also allows users the ability to access the software and their data through almost any web browser. Assistance is provided in uploading state assessment results, as well as customizing the Mileposts Program to include individual district-wide assessments.
360° Accountability plays Key Role in the Mileposts Philosophy
The power of Mileposts lies beyond the dynamic software - in the 360° accountability philosophy for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. All stakeholders sign an Accountability Agreement every three years to uphold their respective responsibilities. Students take ownership and responsibility for their learning. Parents agree to become active partners with the school to facilitate, promote, and encourage their child’s learning. Teachers agree to keep students and parents informed of progress toward goals, differentiate instruction to better meet the needs of each student, and collaborate with parents and colleagues to find the best strategies/interventions to ensure growth for all students. Administrators vow to hire and develop the most effective teachers, align curriculum to meet state standards, and supply appropriate instructional resources. This is a key foundational pillar to the Mileposts philosophy. In addition to raising students’ and parents’ level of awareness, it becomes the perfect lead-in with parents to those crucial conversations concerning struggling students.
Catalyst for Creating a Culture of Collaboration and Transparency
The Mileposts Program has become the catalyst for creating a culture of collaboration – not only within the school setting, but including the parents and students as well. Working together as a team, versus separate entities, produces a more tightly woven fabric of support for each student’s learning. This alone changes the way the stakeholders communicate with each other, as they build a team of action around struggling students to improve their learning, thus creating a cocoon of learning.
One key element to high performing schools research states that high levels of collaboration and communication between teachers, students, parents, and administrators are crucial to student success. (Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools by G.S. Shannon and P. Bylsma, 2007, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Olympia, WA). Mileposts has proven to be the catalyst that can change the culture within schools from one of “Private Practice” to one of professional collaboration and communication leading to higher levels of student achievement. Several administrators from within the Idaho Mileposts Consortium have been excited by changes in conversation they hear within their buildings. This change in conversation is the beginning of culture change within the schools.
Mileposts, also, generates complete transparency at all levels, leading to positive opportunities for collaboration among all parties. Evidence of student learning (or lack of) which is instantly available to administrators, teachers, students, and parents prompts crucial observations and can initiate critical conversations for all parties responsible for the learning process when the school environment has been founded on collaboration with the goal of success for all.
Comprehensive Client Services/Support and the Consortium Model
The comprehensive support offered to all clients by the Silverback Team is the single most important component to implementing the Mileposts Program and Philosophy effectively. First, the ease of installation and implementation has a negligible impact on the technology staff in local districts due to the Cloud-based system, integration and synchronization with district systems, and the assistance given to upload state and district-wide assessments. Staff training is delivered by experienced and knowledgeable facilitators, using a Train the Trainer model for school leaders (principals, specialists, and lead classroom teachers) through multiple modules. Facilitators are trained to be sensitive to the unique needs of the different districts. In addition, the Silverback Team assists new districts in identifying and implementing any additions to Benchmarks, Interventions, and/or district-wide assessments to make the program fit the needs of the district. Client support and follow-through is responsive and on-going. We believe in doing what it takes to make it work for you.