Friday, May 9, 2014

A Superintendent Writes... Getting the Job - Now

In response to 4/17/2014 post, "Getting the Job," a LYS Superintendent writes:

SC,

As you know, I read the blog every day and I loved your post on getting the first principalship. Timely, because right now I am looking for a new principal.  Here’s what I’m looking for, NOW:

The ideal candidate will be a LYSer who is ready to move from AP to Principal. A belief in and understanding of the Foundation Trinity and The Fundamental 5 is a must. 

This person will manage the day-to-day operations of a K-12 school with an enrollment of 350 students. The salary is competitive for the size of the campus.  We are in a small West Texas town with strong community support and a cultural and artistic environment that is known across the country.

This is a great opportunity for someone willing to relocate and is hungry for a chance to prove him or herself.

SC Response
Consider the word officially out.  LYS Nation, if you are interested send a cover letter and resume to info@LeadYourSchool.com and I’ll make sure that it gets in the right hands.

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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; ESC 14 Sumer Conference (Keynote Presentation); ESC 11 Summer Conference (Keynote Presentation); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Thursday, May 8, 2014

A Superintendent Shares... Retention

A LYS Superintendent reflects on the following:

LYS Nation,

My first year as an assistant principal was a whirlwind.  I wanted to do a great job, so I was tough, on everything.  I worked discipline and truancy with a vengeance.  Too many missed days, and I would put you in Saturday school to make up the days.  Don’t accept my Saturday school offer?  I denied course credit at the snap of my fingers.  Teachers cheered me on; finally someone holding kids accountable!  Then the next year rolled around.  I had Algebra I classes with over 35 kids in them.  You see, every freshman was taking Algebra I, and about 1/3 of the sophomore class was re-taking Algebra I.  I knew then I had to rethink my approach.  

Now I am a superintendent; all of my previous administrative experience has been in high schools.  So this elementary and middle school business is a little new to me and a some of it is quite different.  Of course there is no retention, per se, in high schools, but there is in K-8.  So, this is the crazy time of year and teachers are all discussing retention.  I thought I would comment.

First, the research is clear that kids retained in grades K-8 are significantly more at risk to drop-out of high school.  The exact odds of the drop-out effect vary, but the research is consistent. Retention in grade schools creates drop-outs in high schools.  I spent a decade as a high school administrator fixing the problems passed up through grades K-8, so I saw the effects many, many times.  Disagree if you want, but I can assure you that very few 20 year olds walk across the stage to receive their diploma.  If the district can’t find an accelerated program for the retained child, a drop-out is almost certain.  

Think about that. We retain students in grades K-8, knowing full well the drop-out risk is astronomical. Then we design programs, hire faculty, and build buildings to address the needs of 18-21 year olds so they won’t drop out.  A different approach is in order.  

Let’s think about student achievement in grades K-8, or more appropriately for this discussion, the LACK of achievement for specific children.  What factors go into this achievement problem?  Well, of course there are many, but I think we can categorize them into three broad categories: school related problems; home/environment related problem; and developmental/learning disability problems.  Let’s discuss them one by one, because if you are retaining a child, you are doing so only to buy time to solve one or more of those problems.  At least I hope that is what you are doing.

School related problems include poor or no curriculum, poor instruction, poor tracking of student progress, poor systematic method of intervention and support, and other such problems.  I can’t see how retention will solve any of these problems.  These are structural and adult problems; the adults must either change structure and/or practice or risk being removed. 

Let’s move on to home/environmental problems.  The effects of abuse, neglect, poor home support systems, parents not at home, and other such problems will certainly have an impact on children.  And again, which one of these problems do you think retention will solve?  Honestly, I can’t think of any. I am not saying there is not one, but I can’t think of one.  In fact, I now believe that retention may indeed make home/environmental problems even worse, but that’s another discussion.

Last, we have the issue of developmental disorders/learning disabilities and other issues like these.  First, the front line educator (teacher, principal, counselor) is likely unqualified to make these determinations.  Second, let’s say a child does have a psychological issue.  Will retention cure the issue?  Let’s say the child is learning disabled.  Will retention cure the disability? Indeed this is likely the barrier to learning that impacts the smallest group of learners, maybe 3% or so, yet it is the one we run to most frequently.  There MAY be some children in this group that retention would help, but of the 3% that fall into this group, I suspect it would be a tiny fraction of the 3%.

Yes, I know in Texas we have SSI.  That’s a misguided law dictated by politics, not anything grounded in educational practices.   I will also caution you not to use anecdotal scenarios in a generalized way.  For example, I had a teacher tell me he retained his own child in 3rd grade and it was the best decision he ever made.  OK, but the support system in his home (a middle-class, professional educator) is likely unique, especially in areas with a lots of low SES children.  The likelihood that this teacher’s anecdotal experience could be transferred in general to children in highly at-risk situations is hopelessly misguided and will likely result in great harm to children.  

It seems to me that retention is a simple solution that fails to solve virtually all possible barriers to learning in the real world, especially with at-risk students.  I wish we truly could solve the problems of at-risk students by merely retaining them.  If it were only that easy.  The truth is when we talk about retaining a child we are most likely indicting ourselves.  Because the most likely scenario leading to child achievement failure (that we can control) is that the school did not do everything it could to support the child.  

Ouch.  

But if we are to deal with this in any meaningful manner... Own it.

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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; ESC 14 Sumer Conference (Keynote Presentation); ESC 11 Summer Conference (Keynote Presentation); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Breaking the Code

In our profession (as any profession) we often speak in jargon, shorthand and code. What I would like to share are a couple of code phrases from the field of education that will signal that you are on an adult-centric campus.

This staff is like one big family...

That won’t work here...

We need to slow down...

The teachers know what to teach...

Those tests aren’t accurate...

We haven’t changed rooms in years...

We don’t observe classrooms...

We don’t need to evaluate staff annually, we know who does a good job...

What can we expect, what with the home life of our students...

The dress code is for students, I’m an adult...

I put in for a transfer, and not because of my co-workers...

What we need is a Jeans Day...

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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; ESC 14 Sumer Conference (Keynote Presentation); ESC 11 Summer Conference (Keynote Presentation); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

A Reader Asks... A Little Career Advice

A LYS Principal asks the following:

SC,

I am currently at a career crossroads and would like you opinion on how I should move forward.

As you know, I am the High School Principal in a small urban/suburban district.  Our superintendent, a mentor and the person who hired me, is retiring and the Board is looking outside the district for her replacement.

There is a larger district that has approached me to take over a successful elementary school that currently has an opening.  The school is larger than my current school, the pay will be the same, and there would be room for advancement, both in salary and position.

My overall career aspiration is to be a Superintendent. Would it be damaging to my career to accept the position in the other district?  Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

SC Response
There is not a clear-cut answer to this.

In general, when a Principal moves from High School to Elementary School it is considered a demotion.  Unless it is a bigger school, a better living situation, or more money.  And then you still have to explain it because on paper it is at least a yellow flag.

On the other hand, if you know that you won’t be on the new Superintendent’s team, then getting out early when you can pick where you land is always a good option. 

Here are the general rules:

Men typically get their first Superintendent job from either the high school principal position or a senior central office position.

Women typically get their first Superintendent job from either a secondary principal position or a central office position.

Here is what I would do in your position. If I do not know the new Superintendent, I would stay.  I would lead the best damn High School in the region and make my Superintendent look good. Then when the new Superintendent leaves in two to four years (which is about a 90% chance), I would be a, if not THE, logical internal candidate.  If the board doesn’t see it that way, I start applying for other assistant superintendent and superintendent positions in areas where my family would like to live.

Good luck!

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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; ESC 14 Sumer Conference (Keynote Presentation); ESC 11 Summer Conference (Keynote Presentation); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Monday, May 5, 2014

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of April 27, 2014

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitter users.  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 April 27, 2014.

1. The most important responsibility of the Principal: Set the horizon of your students. (By @LYSNation)

2. Seriously... every administrator should spend regular time just sitting in a classroom to remember how hard it is to teach. (By @gcourous)

3. Teachers DESERVE regular interaction with administrators and being "too busy" to talk to teachers is insulting. (By @BluntEducator)

4. No matter how many goals you have achieved, you must set your sights on a higher one. (By @CoachKWisdom)

5. The three key High School Performance Targets: 1. Get them in school. 2. Get them in class. 3. Get them in college. Miss the first two and there is no third. (By @LYSNation)

6. Texas charter school superintendents overpaid compared with public school counterparts. (By @JWalshtxlawdawg)

7. If you believe that the grades you assign are objective measures of mastery, and you curve or provide bonus points, you would be mistaken. (By @LYSNation)

8. Remember that time you made a mistake in the classroom? Luckily, your students didn't hold it against you indefinitely. (By @BluntEducator)

9. NCAA says they won’t accept K-12 Online Learning credits toward athlete eligibility. (By @EducationNext)

10. The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) just rocketed past 55,000 copies sold! Thank you, LYS Nation! (By @LYSNation)

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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; ESC 14 Sumer Conference (Keynote Presentation); ESC 11 Summer Conference (Keynote Presentation); NEASP National Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook