The TASSP / LYS Leadership Academy - Don't Miss Your Last Chance to Attend

On this coming Sunday and Monday, the TASSP / LYS Leadership Academy is in Frisco, Texas.  Late registration is still available. Join over 100 education leaders from across the state as we tackle real world leadership issues with real world experience and solutions. Last week's Academy was amazing, don't miss your last chance to participate this year. See you there!

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: LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote); The 2016 Texas Charter School Conference (Multiple Presentations); The 4^th Annual Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

The Positive Benefit of Dropout Accountability

I was recently talking to a group of high school educators who were bemoaning the fact that in their state they would now be accountable for reducing the dropout rate.  The crux of their complaint is that they should not be held accountable for a student/parent decision that they essentially have no control over. For those of you working in states where dropout accountability is already a reality, you are likely to be thinking, “Been there, done that.”

Many of us in education have been accountable for reducing the dropout rate for a number of years and the dropout numbers are dropping.  Which means that, "yes," we do have some control over the dropout decision.  The main way being that we tear down the hurdles and roadblocks that we have built over the years to sort the easy to teach into academic pathways and the difficult to teach out the door. 

I know that sounds harsh but it is a truism.  In my own experience the switch to dropout accountability occurred right after I became a Principal.  This forced me to re-think and re-design how my school and I intervened with difficult students. You see, even though I considered myself an enlightened educator, as an Assistant Principal I was lauded and rewarded for my ability to convince “trouble makers” to just leave. To go and “enroll” at a campus where they wouldn’t be watched and hassled for not engaging in the academic program.  Did I make the decision for the student to withdraw? No. Did those students enroll in other schools? No.  Am I responsible for those dropouts? Absolutely. 

Dropout accountability forced me to change my professional behavior many years quicker than my conscious would have.  And for that I am grateful and more importantly hundreds of students now have a better adult life due to completing their high school education.

So my advice to those educators facing this new reality. Embrace the challenge.

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: LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote); The 2016 Texas Charter School Conference (Multiple Presentations); The 4^th Annual Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

One Chance Left - The Leadership Academy

This weekend, 100 instructional leaders gathered in San Antonio to hone their craft. Covering topics from communication to system design to decision making to coaching, it was a non-stop leadership fest!  As a testament to the power and value of the event, numerous participants signed up additional members of their leadership teams to attend the TASSP / LYS Leadership Academy on Frisco, Texas on September 25 and 26.  There are still about 20 slots left.  Come learn and grow with us in North Texas!

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: LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote); The 2016 Texas Charter School Conference (Multiple Presentations); The 4^th Annual Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of September 11, 2016

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of September 11, 2016 when they were first posted.  And if you are on Twitter, you might want to check out the Tweeters who made this week’s list.

1. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically – not merely parrot random facts.” (By @DrRichAllen)

2. Objective truths are established by evidence. Personal truths by faith. Political truths by incessant repetition. (By @neiltyson)

3. The Framing the Lesson (Fundamental 5) strategy helps me guide my class in the direction that I intended. Thank you. (By @987Margie)

4. When school choice only works for those with time, resources, and savvy, what kind of a choice is it? (By @elizwgreen)

5. Register to vote by October 11. Elections matter! (By @TXeducatorsvote)

6. “Great teachers inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a life-long love of learning.” (By @DrRichAllen)

7. 80% of the questions teachers ask, they themselves answer. Who is doing the thinking in our classrooms? (By @wesgodsy)

8. Observe and give feedback - What is your focus today? (By @Principal_Coach)

9. Trust cannot thrive in an environment where we preach teamwork and cooperation, but seldom recognize or reward it. -Wayne Bills (By @DailySuccessQ)

10. "You have to execute the plan rep after rep after rep with that "why" in mind!" (By @UHCougarFB)

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: LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote); The 2016 Texas Charter School Conference (Multiple Presentations); The 4^th Annual Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook