A Reader Asks... Checkpoint Data

A LYS reader asks the following:

SC,

I have a question for you. This summer I heard you say in a presentation that teachers should not use checkpoints to sort students.  So, what should we use to decide who should go to remediation?

SC Response

I didn’t exactly say that (though it takes a while to complete the thought).  Here’s the complete explanation:

Sorting students is a by-product of the assessment process. Yes, we all do it. But if that is all you do with your assessment data, the only guaranteed result is that the group of students who struggle will increase.

Adult practice drives student performance. As such, the primary purpose of student assessment data should be to inform us on the quality of the adult practice and help us decide what we will do to improve that practice.

Let me know if you want more details.

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

Micro-managing and the Concept of Loose / Tight Leadership

Micro-manager! 

Is there a worse thing?  

Employees throw the name at bosses as an insult.  Leaders will disengage in fear of being labeled. 

I say embrace it.  Because the label simply describes a set of practices... Being present and visible. Observing. Monitoring progress. Being aware of the details. Steering. Pushing. Supporting. Leading.

I’m going to micro-manage, because to not do so is to rely on hope and luck. “I hope my staff is doing the right thing and if we’re lucky we’ll succeed.”

Careers and students get crushed by hope and luck, so I’m not a fan. 

Micro-managing is the science... Loose and tight leadership is the art. 

If things are working and improving, the leadership is loose.  I’m encouraging, connecting, suggesting, providing, pushing, protecting and promoting.

If things are not working and improving, the leadership is tight.  I’m training, scripting, problem-solving, directing, pulling, rallying, communicating, assisting or replacing.

Don’t apologize for being a micro-manager, work at 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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: TASSP Aspiring Principal Workshop (Multiple Presentations) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of January 29, 2017

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of January 29, 2017 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. "School choice” vouchers do only one thing: subsidize the private education of families affluent enough to send their children to private schools. (By @pastors4txkids)

2. Education Week gives Texas an F on School Spending, a D on Finance. How about we get those grades up before we slap bad grades on schools? (By @jWashtxlawdawg) 

3. Don't be confused - public education funding does NOT keep pace with inflation; not even close. (By @ChandraKus)

4. Vouchers segregate kids between those that can afford the extra money needed for private school and those that can't. (By @mgshearon)

5. If you long for someone to fail, what path have you taken? (By @TinneyTroy)

6. Vouchers will seriously damage Texas public schools. (By @TXParentPac)

7. Invented claims – like the myth of massive voter fraud – are usually used to undermine the advancement and enforcement of voting rights laws. (By @civilrightsorg)

8. "School choice" should be changed to "School's choice" since it is the school's choice whether or not they take your kid! (By @Coalition4TxEd)

9. Using the term “authentic” doesn’t make you authentic any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a car. (By @Leadershipfreak)

10. Success leads Morale! (By @MshiMCavazos)

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: TASSP Aspiring Principal Workshop (Multiple Presentations), Learning for a Change Spring Summit (Keynote and Multiple Presentations) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook