Version 3 of 3 Systemic Improvement-Actions of Effective Leaders

In the Spring, 2009 of The AdvancEd Source, Brian MCulty, Ph.D. writes that the single biggest challenge among educators is the lack of follow through. There is not a lack of knowledge, but a instead a lack of action throughout the system. He refers to this as the "knowing-doing gap." This is true not only of leaders but of teachers as well. How often have we attended some really good workshops, but came back and never implemented what we learned. This is probably more then norm rather than the exception. In this last post on Actions of Effective Leaders, we will look briefly at the last two of the "Five Actions of Success."

Action 4, Implement Deeply: Doug Reeves (2006) believes until you have high levels of implementation (90%) across the school, then you will not get desired outcomes. This calls for leaders to monitor regularly to make sure that implementation is happening across the board. This requires a lot of will on the parts of leaders.

Action 5, Monitor, provide feedback, and support: In this step, leaders will know what implementation looks like when it is being handled well. A rubric can be used to determine when this happens. Leaders will then develop a set of deadlines or a report schedule when the goals are to be met. This will also include formative assessment techniques that demonstrates that the goals are actually being useful for the students.

When Leaders use these steps on a regular basis, they should begin to see the type of implementation that makes a difference in classrooms, school and to the district.

Version 2 of 3 Systemic Improvement-Actions of Effective Leaders

In the Spring, 2009 of The AdvancEd Source, Brian MCulty, Ph.D. writes that the single biggest challenge among educators is the lack of follow through. There is not a lack of knowledge, but a instead a lack of action throughout the system. He refers to this as the "knowing-doing gap." Further elaborating on Brian McNulty's article "Five Actions for Success..."

Action 1, Use data well: Although we often give lip service to collecting and using data, are we taking the data and establish performance targets? Once this is done, are we continuing to collect data and analyze our progress? Lastly, is it having an impact on student learning?

Action 2, Focused goal setting: This process is get everyone's attention on a limited number of focused goals and strategies. This means get a whole lot of focus on just a few items for implementation. Revisiting the goals frequently in our formal and informal meetings helps. Does everyone in your school (district) know what the goals are for the school (district)?

Action 3, Focus on developing shared instructional practices: School and districts that are successful are clear about goals and expectations (here is where I make my shameless plug for the class Crucial Confrontations which spends a great deal of time discussion how make your expectations clear). It may also mean that we even whittle the wording town to 3 or 4 catchy phrases that are the focus for your school.

Tomorrow, we will continue our look at the last two steps to improve your implementation of your goals for the year.

Version 1 of 3 Systemic Improvement-Actions of Effective Leaders

In the Spring, 2009 of The AdvancEd Source, Brian MCulty, Ph.D. writes that the single biggest challenge among educators is the lack of follow through in initiatives. There is not a lack of knowledge, but instead, a lack of action throughout the system. He refers to this as the "knowing-doing gap." This is true not only of leaders but of teachers as well.

How often have we attended some really good workshops, but came back and never implemented what we learned? This is probably more the norm rather than the exception. Williams (2007) further adds that the most important variable in effective classrooms is what teachers do as opposed to what they know. More effective teachers act on what they know works. Further, this can be applied to administrators as well.

The more effective principals have not only commitment to reform strategies, but they also have a high degree of follow-through on the implementation of the strategies. In addition, this would be true of all Central Office personnel and superintendents. McNulty has provided "Five Actions of Success" that might be helpful in carrying out the reform strategies. They are:

1. Use data well
2. Develop a limited number of focused goals
3. Focus on instructional practices
4. Implement deeply, and
5. Monitor and provide feedback and support

So whether we are working on new differentiation strategies in our classroom and schools or whether we are carrying out effective Classroom Walk Through Strategies, this five step plan can helps us take the knowledge that we have an implement effectively in our school system. Tomorrow, we will begin looking more deeply at these 5 steps.

Version 3-What's Available for UCPS in PD?

There are numerous ways to stay involved with professional development at the county level. But, it seems that there is so much coming down the pipe, that it is almost impossible to keep up. In this article, I will attempt to give you a view from 30,000 feet of three ways to stay abreast.

• Skype: This is a type of VOIP (voice over IP) phone system. Users can "dial" computer to computer or even to outside landlines and cell phones. There may be some bandwidth issues with Skype so it may not be around forever for use in UCPS. In addition, one can use Skype for virtual conferences and instant messaging.
  
• TokBox: This product is similar to Skype except is does not allow for calls to landlines and cell phones. Both products allow for video communication.
  
• DimDim: This product is similar to our very own Elluminate...only cheaper. It provides a means to have virtual, online meetings with several people.

In a time when budget constraints are an issue, don't hesistate to stay at home and take the meeeting online.

Version 2-What's Available in UCPS for PD?

There are numerous ways to stay involved with professional development at the county level. But, it seems that there is so much coming down the pipe, that it is almost impossible to keep up. In this article, I will attempt to give you a view from 30,000 feet of three ways to stay abreast. Today's tools will focus on communication tools.

• Twitter-It seems that more and more people are using this online, microblogging tool to get out their message to the world. The UCPS Staff Development office uses Twitter (ucps_pd) to send out daily reminders about meetings that are on tap and ongoing staff development news from the educational world. Twitter often links to our next tool.
• Blogger-This tool for blogging by Google offers more information about PD needs that Twitter for more in depth study. Twitter allows for 160 characters, but Blogger allows for more in depth posts and the possibility to post comments about articles that you find interesting.
• Distance Learning Labs-Currently, every cluster in the county now has a video distance learning lab for delivery of content. The ultra modern system can deliver workshops or classes (PDC included) to any local high school and even around the world. Workshops are currently scheduled for next fall for deliver to our site from the remote site at UNC Chapel Hill. In addition, the NC School of Natural Sciences and NASA among others can deliver courses to our schools now.
  

Version 1-What is available in UCPS for PD

There are numerous ways to stay involved with professional development at the county level. But, it seems that there is so much coming down the pipe, that it is almost impossible to keep up. In this article, I will attempt to give you a view from 30,000 feet of three ways to stay abreast.

• Moodle-Everyone is familiar with Moodle. This provides a way for collaboration to happen with a larger audience than with just your school. Coming soon in Moodle will be "Job Alike" groups which are virtual professional learning communities centering around your grade or the subject matter in which you teach.
• PD 360-This online set of videos covers most any topic imaginable in education. UCPS Staff Development Offices offers 2 courses (PD 360 Pick 1 and PD 360 Pick 3) for teachers to use in their own professional learning or the videos can be used by principals and PD leaders to supplement workshops that are already taking place.
• Elluminate-This tool for virutual collaboration allows for meetings virtually to save on time and travel. It allows for video, audio and instant messaging as well as powerpoint delivery and an interactive whiteboard.
  

In the future, we will go over other tools at your disposal for professional learning here in UCPS.

What is the Real Definition of Professional Development?

There are many definitions floating around that claim to be the real definition, but what is the real definition? For our source here in Union County, we have turned to the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) to determine the real definition. The NSCD defines it with the following terms and ideas:

• fosters collective responsibility
• aligned with state standards
• conducted in learning teams
• facilitated by well prepared, principals, coaches, mentors, teachers and other leaders
• occurs multiple times per week
• continuous cycle of improvement through analysis, goals, evidence-based learning strategies, provides transfer to the classroom, regularly assesses the effectiveness of the pd
• may be supported and strengthened by courses, workshops, institutes and conferences

In evaluating your staff development, are you incorporating these ideas. If not, then reflect on ways that you might easily implement these thoughts into your everyday professional learning.

What's on Tap for Thursday and Friday, April 2 and 3, 2009

What's on Tap for Thursday and Friday, April 2 and 3, 2009

Thursday

• General Principals' Meeting
• PBH Advisory Council
• Transportation Specialist
• 5th New to Trailblazers
• 2nd New to Trailblazers
  
• School Nurse General Meeting
• Speech Pathology Issues in the Public Schools
• Spanish for Prekindergarten
  
• New Elementary Spanish Teachers
• Chinese Language Class
• Middle School TI User Group
• The Who, What, When Where, How and Why of Globalization

Friday

• Crucial Confrontations
• Elementary Staff Meeting
• Poplin Elementary
• Superintendent's Student Advisory Council MTG
• Middle School Staff Meeting
• Teacher Assistant of the Year Interviews