Another Empty Promise of Vouchers

Here are some observations about vouchers, as it relates to the state of Texas.

One of the reasons presented for vouchers in Texas is that parents should not be forced to send their children to a school that has been rated as failing three years in a row.  At first glance, that seems logical, but under scrutiny, the argument falls apart.  Yes, there schools that have been chronically low performing and those schools should be improved.  Note to policy makers: This actually takes training, resources, staff and time... Which costs money. However, no matter how much one might wish it to be, vouchers will neither improve a chronically struggling school NOR will they help the students attending the school.  

Why... The chronically low performing schools are either in extremely impoverished areas serving extremely impoverished families or they are located in very remote locations.  A voucher has no impact in either of these cases. 

Take the impoverished school serving impoverished families.  Just giving a family a voucher for partial private school tuition doesn’t solve the problem. First, the child now has to be accepted into a private institution (in no way a given). Second, the parents still have to make up the difference in tuition (how hard can this be for an impoverished family). Third, the family would have to find a way to get the child to the new school (if the family has a car, hopefully the parents’ work schedules will match the school schedule).  Just one of these requirements would be a significant hurdle.  Overcoming all three is a near impossible proposition.

Now take the school in the remote location.  When there is only one school in a 30 mile radius and the school has an enrollment less than 200 students, you can give out all the vouchers you want, but there is no place to use them.

So a voucher program does not solve the problem as presented.  

Sounds a lot like an agenda looking for a problem.

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NAESP National Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Writes... Does the Passing Standard Matter - Part 1

In response to the 1/29/15 post, “Does the Passing Standard Matter,” a LYS Central Office Administrator writes:

SC,

I am a proponent of having a minimum performance expectation of a Checkpoint (common assessment) at 70%. 70% is the passing standard for classroom assignments. We all know the passing standard for the STAAR is different for almost every subject and every grade level. We can find comfort later in knowing the real number of students who will pass the state level passing standard will be higher than our Checkpoint scores reflect. 

However, I never want to lower the classroom expectation that all of our students meet the district’s passing standard.

SC Response

Well stated.  We are almost in complete agreement.  We differ only on the performance expectation.  I set the target at 80%.  I want my campus(es) work to get everyone over the 80% mark.  70% leaves too much to chance.  And no one can argue the fact that 70% is much closer to failing than to mastery. 

Set your internal and short-term standards high.  Work your tail off to meet them. Let the state standards take care of themselves.  Celebrate big at the end of the year when your students make huge performance leaps and outperform the neighboring schools.

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NAESP National Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

The Legendary Leadership Badge (January 2015)

There are those that don’t understand the power of reflective observation.  They mistakenly believe that there is nothing to learn after a few cursory visits to a classroom.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, the most important key to building insight and deeper understanding about teaching and learning is to engage in a steady volume of daily classroom observation.  What we have learned over the past ten years is that about every 300 classroom observations, the observer will notice, discern and/or learn something new... something that was previously hidden. It is the “Eureka” moment, and there is nothing else like it in instructional leadership.

In this pursuit, there is the PowerWalks Legendary Leadership Badge that is earned every 300^th PowerWalks Observation. The following instructional leaders have already earned the Legendary Leadership Badge for the 2014/2015 school year (as of 1/31/15).

  

2 Badges

Lorie Bratcher: January 2015; October 2014

Sean Cain: January 2015; October 2014

Sandra Wilson: January 2015; October 2014

Jim Womack: January 2015; December 2014

1 Badge

Joan Alvey: January 2015

Tracey Bennett: January 2015

Wes Brown: January 2015

Jenn Cooper: January 2015

Ethan Crowell: January 2015

Donny Green: January 2015

Julie Hinson: January 2015

Todd Jones: January 2015

Charles King: January 2015

Lyle Lackey: January 2015

Kim Meador: January 2015

Tim Merki: January 2015

R.J. Rodrigue: January 2015

Patsy Sanchez: January 2015

Michelle Schreiner: January 2015

Melissa Summers: January 2015

Tamika Washington: January 2015

Brenda Blackmon: December 2014

Marianne Buentello: December 2014

Dexter Floyd: December 2014

GayLynn Holt: December 2014

Cara Jolly: December 2014

Brian Lowe: December 2014

Mike Metz: December 2014

Leslie Thomas: December 2014

Pam Williams: December 2014

Mary-Margaret Crandall: November 2014

Charlie Crisp: November 2014

Rita Faulkner: November 2014

Jenny Morris: November 2014

Twyla Thomas: November 2014

Michael Clifton: October 2014

Rankin Hitt: October 2014

Jennifer Phillips: October 2014

Jessica Robert: October 2014

Chris Viator: October 2014

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
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NAESP National Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

PowerWalks Hero Schools (January 2015)

In furtherance of a LYS Nation tradition, we will take this time to tip our caps to the campuses that have embraced the most important step in creating and maintaining an action oriented professional learning community.  These are the campuses that have conducted an extraordinary number of formative classroom observations in a given month. In January, the Hero Schools met or exceeded the targets below:

The January Hero School Targets

Big Schools – 250 PowerWalks Observations

Medium Sized Schools – 175 PowerWalks Observations

Small Schools – 95 PowerWalks Observations

Very Small Schools – 50 PowerWalks Observations

For February, due to the short month and potential weather days we will leave the targets unchanged:

The February Hero School Targets

Big Schools – 250 PowerWalks Observations

Medium Sized Schools – 175 PowerWalks Observations

Small Schools – 95 PowerWalks Observations

Very Small Schools – 50 PowerWalks Observations.

For the record, the schools in the LYS nation conducted a total of 9,251 PowerWalks observations this past month.  But enough stalling, here are your twenty-five PowerWalks Hero Schools for the month of January 2015.  Congratulations!!!

Elementary Schools	Junior High & Middle Schools	Alternative Schools	Combined Campuses	High Schools
Rennell ES (CFISD – midsized school): 606	Magnolia JH (MISD – midsized school): 302	San Marcos School (JWPCS – very small school): 117		Weatherford HS (WISD – large school): 625
Winona ES / IS (WISD – small school): 510	Big Spring MS (BSISD – midsized school): 235	Afton Oaks School (JWPCS – very small school): 64		Fairdale HS (JCPS – large school): 613
Veterans’ Hill ES (HISD – small school): 267	Winona MS (WISD – small school): 193			Iroquois HS (JCPS – large school): 460
Raymond E. Curtis ES (WISD – small school): 217	Big Spring IS (BSISD - small school): 159			Mayde Creek HS (KISD – large school): 441
Dublin ES (DISD – very small school): 210	Dublin IS (DISD – very small school): 124			Morton Ranch HS (KISD – large school): 367
Mary Martin ES (WISD – small school): 209				Winona HS (WISD – small school): 221
Marlin ES (MISD – very small school): 183				Weatherford 9th Grade Center (WISD – small school): 159
West Avenue ES (NEISD – small school): 123
Hutto ES (HISD – small school): 115
Stephen F. Austin ES (WISD – small school): 106
Cottonwood Creek ES (HISD – small school): 102

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NAESP National Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top Tweets From the Week of January 25, 2015

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 January 25, 2015.

1. We applaud innovation, and for good reason, but it's important to remember the fundamentals of good teaching are universal and unchanging. (By @DavidGeurin)

2. Hutto Superintendent, Doug Killian: I struggle with the idea that the Party of Lincoln would propose vouchers. I struggle with that idea. (By @edwonkkimmy)

3. Train. Watch. Talk. Adjust. Repeat. (By @CabidaCain)

4. Visioning and transforming an organization cannot be delegated or abdicated. Lead your school! (By @brandyjbaker)

5. Overheard an administrator share the Fundamental 5 (ByCain & Laird) with fellow administrators during a discussion about rigor. Book in hand! (By @DrJerryRBurkett)

6. "Nothing kills problem solving and hope faster than focusing on the things with which we have NO control." (By @BethHouf)

7. School vouchers are a gated community subsidy marketed as a barrio benefit. Bait and switch. (By @LYSNation)

8. Vouchers are public tax dollars used to subsidize private and religious schools. So... Why vouchers? (By @RHYTexas)

9. Quote about Sean Cain: "That guy is a jewel. His book (The Fundamental 5 by Cain & Laird) has made a difference in our school." (By @DrJerryRBurkett)

10. Excited to share that I'm presenting again at the NAESP National Conference this Summer! (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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); NAESP National Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook