Early EOC Analysis

A LYS leader who took over an academically unacceptable campus submits the following status report.

SC,

Below are our results after year one of implementing the Foundation Trinity with urgency and fidelity.  Which we both know is the only workable plan for sustainable school improvement.  Though we have a long way to go, our progress this year was satisfactory.

Reading: 81% met the minimum standard; 72% met the satisfactory standard for the phase in standard; 47% met the satisfactory standard for the recommended standard; and 0% met the advanced standards. 

Writing: 62.5% met the minimum standard; 62.5% met the satisfactory standard for the phase in standard; 44% met the satisfactory standard for the recommended standard; and 0% met the advanced standards. 

Algebra 1: 100% met the minimum standard; 96.8% met the satisfactory standard for the phase in standard; 56% met the satisfactory standard for the recommended standard; and 15.6% met the advanced standards. 

Biology: 90.6% met the minimum standard; 87.5% met the satisfactory standard for the phase in standard; 46.8% met the satisfactory standard for the recommended standard; and 6.2% met the advanced standards. 

World Geography: 90.3% met the minimum standard; 80.6% met the satisfactory standard for the phase in standard; 45.2% made the satisfactory standard for the recommended standard; and 3% met the advanced standards.  

With the exception of writing, I think this is a decent initial showing on the new EOC.  Based on my discussions with superintendents and principals around the state, our writing scores may actually be about average, which is scary.  We still have considerable work to do as the increased standards are phased in each year, but who can argue with 96.8% meeting the current satisfactory standard in Algebra 1?  The World Geography scores are respectable, but it is interesting that Ervin Knezek’s prediction that social studies scores would go down on EOC was correct, especially since we were at near 100% on TAKS. 

SC Response

Like you, I’m not celebrating your scores, but I am far from disappointed.  Especially when you consider the level of underperformance that was occurring prior to your arrival.

There are two things I would like the reader to consider.  First, the best way to think of the EOC is as a program review. The EOC simply measures if the required content was covered, taught at the appropriate rigor, and retained.  Based on that understanding, as a state and as a profession we have considerable work ahead of us.

Second, the student population that you serve is significantly over-represented with students who are economically disadvantaged and/or limited English proficient.  Meaning that all of those in our profession who believe that teaching at-risk population in a high accountability environment is a no-win proposition, couldn’t be more wrong.    

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

The Reference - Part 2

As I reported earlier this summer, it’s that time of year again.  The time when districts look at what their campuses are doing and then look at LYS campuses and decide that they need to make a run at those campus and district leaders.  In the course of the recruitment dance, the interested district always wants a to hear from a reference or two.  Do you want to know why the LYS Leader is different?  Here is an excerpt from a reference that I just completed.

Do you know her reason for wanting to leaving her current district?

An interesting question, as you are aware (MASKED NAME) is not looking for a job.  Your district contacted her because she is one of the top five, large school principals in the state.

How does she get along with superiors, colleagues and subordinates?

Again, an interesting question. If as a superintendent, you value a principal that outworks everyone and builds a campus that outperforms all rivals, then you will love (MASKED NAME). If, in your district, you have campus administrators that don't want to work harder to keep up with her, then your district does not have a climate conducive to (MASKED NAME). How (MASKED NAME) is received has more to do with the attitude of you and your administrators than her. 

Describe her strengths.

(MASKED NAME) is a data and observation geek.  She knows what is working and what isn't before anyone else even knows that there might be an issue.  Her campuses make three self-adjustments before anyone else has finished reading their morning e-mails.

Any weakness?

(MASKED NAME) has little time or sympathy for education leaders that worry more about adult comfort than student performance.

Is there anything else you would like to share about her?

A district hires (MASKED NAME) because it wants its principals to be more like (MASKED NAME). Regardless of where your organization is currently positioned things will improve after (MASKED NAME) arrives.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A LYS Principal Comments... The Adversity Measure

A LYS Principal submitted the following:

Thank you for your interesting presentation of data to our board. My staff and I have been discussing your premise assumptions for several years.  We think you are correct, however there were a number of principals in the audience that were grumbling.  

At my campus we always have a large number of very LEP, late registering students.  Students that a number of my sister schools seemingly had no room for. To educatate these students we have to work our tails off. This is not the case at every campus in my district. We know that the playing field is not equal but this is never truly acknowledged at any principal meeting.  But now, because of you, it has been acknowledged at a Board meeting.

SC Response

Evidently my presentation surprised a number of folks, but I don’t know why.  I didn’t say anything that I haven’t been commenting on for the past fifteen years.  I guess seeing the results in black and white and having those results discussed in an open forum upset the world-view of some people. To get the LYS Nation up to speed, I’ll give you the summary of my presentation.

1. There are external factors that impact the ability of a campus to educate the students that it serves. 

2. The external factors that create the greatest levels of adversity that have to be overcome, in ranked order are: Economic Disadvantaged, Limited English Proficient, and Mobility.

3. These external factors can be weighted to create an “Adversity Gauge.”  The greater the “Adversity Gauge,” the harder a campus must work, to keep up with a campus with a lower “Adversity Gauge.”

4. Raw campus performance scores tell an incomplete story.  Much like a raw golf score.  Shooting par on a U.S. Open Course is a much more difficult task than shooting 5 under par at a typical golf course.  Golfers understand this.  Though they respect the 5 under par score at the typical course, they celebrate and revere the even par score at the U.S. Open.

5. Raw performance scores adjusted based on the “Adversity Guage” provides a more complete picture of campus instructional quality. 

7. Based on the above assumptions, there are a number of “High Performing” schools that are barely shooting par at a regular course.

8. Based on the above assumptions, there are a number of “Struggling” schools that are shooting par at a U.S. Open course.

As I expected, the reception of my report was mixed. There were some principals at “High Performing” campuses that tried to make the case that their school was different. That even though their students were not as poor, LEP or mobile as students at other campuses, they still faced their own unique challenges.  I do not refute this, I just point out that the playing field is far from equal.  And as proof, I offer this final piece of evidence. Every principal that has protested that the “Adversity Guage” is a flawed premise, I have offered the chance for that principal to move to tougher campus.  Not one has taken me up on the offer.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of July 1, 2012

According to the latest Pew Internet report over 90% of adults in the United States now have a cell phone and 55% of those who own cell phones use them to go online. Additionally, there are now over 30 million tablets in use in the country.  And how are those tablets being used? To read, watch, listen, play, work, explore and buy.  Bootleg technology is here. It is in homes, cars, buses, backpacks, pockets, purses and lockers. As a profession, we pay lip service to instructional relevance and real world connections. Bootleg technology is about as real as it gets.

 

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of July 1, 2012.

1. LYSer, Brent Jaco, is the new principal at Lake Jackson Intermediate School! Who will be next?

2. Page 17 of Texas GOP Platform: "We support reducing taxpayer funding to all levels of education." Republican teachers, did you read that? (By @johnkuhntx)

3. Absolutely terrifying. Republicans aren’t really even trying to hide their war on education anymore (By Peter Stuart)

4. As a teacher, I’m not a big fan of homework. If given it should fully support class discussions and be relevant. (By @CoachB1963)

5. "I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy." -John Adams (By @tlonganecker)

6. “I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is a disgrace, that two are a law firm, and that three or more a congress.” -John Adams  (By @tlonganecker)

7. “You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.” —John Quincy Adams (By @DrFrankBuck)

8. Standards don’t change even though we may refuse to meet them. (By @CoachB1963)

9. Just read “The Fundamental 5.” Would love to implement. (By @patriot_teacher)

10. The numbers just came in. June 2012 was the best month yet for The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) book sales. Thank you, LYS Nation!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)