Top LYS Tweets From the Week of September 7, 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 September 7, 2014.

1. Instructional leaders never forget that your attitude is contagious. Infect everyone with hope and optimism. (By @LYSNation)

2. Ended a SUPER week implementing Fundamental 5 practices – Thanks, Barbara Fine!! (By @Crysrommuel)

3. I cannot be any more direct than this. If the staff does not model the student dress code, don't have a student dress code. (By @LYSNation)

4. Looking at common assessment results. Making adjustments in a timelier manner and with a much clearer purpose. (By @vhsaldana)

5. Today's Quote:  "A good education is another name for happiness." (By @DrRichAllen)

6. If we are sending kids home with loads of homework because there wasn't enough time in class, then we need to re-evaluate what we are focusing on. (By @justintarte)

7. "If it is important, meaningful or critical... Grab a pen and write it down." (By MagnoliaJrHigh)

8. Grades for parent signatures equals grade inflation. (By @TinneyTroy)

9.  “Dan Patrick’s record is very clear on this—He voted twice against our kids.” By (@leticiavdp)

10. Just notified that West Texas A&M University is using The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) as a text in the College of Education! (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 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

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

A Reader Writes... Getting Rid of ISS - Part 6

In response to the 10/22/2013 post, “Getting Rid of ISS – Part 4,” a reader writes”

“Academic issues are not our primary goal, but, developing good citizens is.” 

Where is the line drawn? 

Our young people are still young enough to be influenced, and they need to be taught boundaries, so dress codes are needed.  They are not college students, and many still need developmental skills in college, because they are not college material.  Conduct, appearance, behavior, manners are MORE important than academics.  The reason we have so many UN-developed students showing up at college is because we have continuously dropped our standards of what is required from students, so anything goes. 

Many unshaven students in middle and high school have facial hair growth that outdoes the male teachers.  No matter how we have "given in" to student-parent demands for "whatever goes," it has NOT upgraded student educational growth. 

ISS, at least, sends SOME message.

SC Response

Each campus has to define its line.  On my campuses (inner city, high poverty student populations) the line was delineated as, “Preparation for higher education and successfully navigating the middle class dynamic.” 

Meaning my staff understood that our students needed as much education they could get AND middle class social skill competence if they were to have a fighting chance to improve their station.  We knew to the core of our being that we were the nexus to the middle class and that it was our calling to change lives.

What (and who) exactly is college material?  And who are you (and me) to decide that someone is or is not? 

Our job in PK-12 is not to sort students, which so many in our profession want to do.  Our job is to elevate every student to expand his or her opportunity set.  One of my favorite stories is of John Montelongo’s first year as a principal.  The year prior to his arrival at his campus, 12% of the graduates enrolled in post high school education programs (military, trade school, community college, 4-yr college).  The very next year, over 80% of the graduates enrolled in post high school education programs.  The student body didn’t change. It was adult attitude, practice, and expectation that changed.  And the students responded in a positive manner.  

Academics and the behaviors that support academic success are paramount, but you do not build this in the student body thru intimidation and punishment.  I remind everyone, if punishment worked, recidivism would evaporate.  But I have yet to observe that phenomena in a punishment environment.  You build positive behaviors and outcomes by modeling the expected behaviors, coaching the expected behaviors, rewarding the expected behaviors and remediating deviations from the expectations. Is this more difficult than covering content and blaming students? Yes.  Does it work? Absolutely!

If I’m reduced to sending my message thru ISS, then most likely the only message I’m communicating is, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Trust me, too many of our students get that message all day, every 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: NASSP National Conference; The 21^st Century High School Conference  
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Superintendent Writes... Getting Rid of ISS - Part 4

In response to the 3/26/13 post, “Getting Rid of ISS – Part 2,” a LYS Superintendent writes:

LYS Nation,

First, if you truly believe in keeping children in the classroom, do it.  There is nothing stopping you.  

Second, I virtually eliminated ISS on two high school campuses and now in my district.  The result of this work has been two-fold: it works for kids; most teachers hate it.  Now let's explore a couple of ideas.

As you indicated children spend a whole lot of time in ISS for dress code and other trivial violations.  I would ask you these questions.

What are you trying to accomplish with your dress code?  

Is your academic program so strong you have time and resources to devote to dress code enforcement and other trivial issues?  

Can a child still learn with an earring?  

This is where Cain and I differ: I think dress code is largely a waste of time, for more than one reason.  

Cain will say dress code is important to teach children an expectation of middle class life.  That may certainly be true.  However, there is something between high school and most paths to the middle class life style, and it is called college.  I have taught at universities, and I can tell you student dress is an absolute free for all.  So for me, I see little value in the idea of holding the line in public schools on an issue that has dubious (zero?) academic benefits and is an absolute non-issue at every university I have ever seen.

Also, dress code and other trivial concerns are not really discipline issues, they are nuisances.  Some teachers like to call them discipline issues for a variety of reasons.  Some teachers can't separate the issues of discipline from the fact they have no guarantee or right NOT to be annoyed by children.  Children CAN and WILL be annoying.  Other teachers know they can get administration concentrating on the petty things children do, and then leadership has no time to concentrate on meaningful adult issues, like improving teachers and instruction. And there is an unfortunate group of teachers who use the perception of discipline as a weapon against administration.

The old model was that if the child annoyed the teacher, the teacher got a three-day break from the child via ISS.  I had mentor principals who advised me to do just that.  And principals, don’t try to fool yourself into believing that staffing ISS with a certified teacher makes a difference.  There is simply no way a single teacher (particularly at the secondary level) can effectively teach a child all subject areas.  Are you committed to staffing your ISS with a full team of instructional core teachers?  I will bet your superintendent isn't ready for you to do that.  

Keep in mind the idea of student discipline being out of control is universal and largely a myth.  Do the following Google search, "teacher student discipline perceptions."  You will find teachers all over the world identify nuisances as discipline problems.  Even in the stereotypical "well disciplined" Asiatic countries you will find articles concerning teachers' perceptions of student discipline problems.  I find that simply fascinating.    

SC Response

First let me clarify my position on dress code.  If you have one, it should be:

1. Designed to further something the organization values.

2. Universal

3. Modeled by the adults in the organization

4. Enforced

If you will not, there is no cannot in this case, meet all four requirements, then don’t have a dress code. So in summary, model and enforce what you believe in or don’t be a hypocrite.

Second, if used correctly, dress code builds esprit de corps and provides children a model of purposeful dress.  The dress codes on my campuses were designed to give my students a model of (and a closet full of) appropriate job interview attire.  We dressed for success and for the job we wanted, not the job we had.  That is a life skill, not an academic skill.

I like your point about the three-day break.  I briefly worked for a Superintendent who told me to back off my no-expulsion, no-suspension, and no-ISS polices because my staff needed respite.  No mention that no one could match my campus for safety and performance.  I was faced with a classic, “If you and your boss have a problem... it is your problem” dilemma.  So I ignored his “Couldn’t be more wrong” suggestion and polished my resume.  If you are not willing to face the consequence of your convictions, then you don’t have any.  

I have to second your observation about the universal belief that student behavior is always getting worse. I recently spent a number of days assessing a large district.  One of the primary complaints from teachers was that discipline was out of control, which was creating a detrimental effect on instruction.  Here is what I observed after 24 hours of in-class observation on seventeen campuses. Only four instances of disruptive student behavior.  But the kicker was this; in all four cases the teacher was the antecedent.  In each case, poor or lazy adult practice set up a student to fail. And in each case, the teacher wanted something done to the student.  So maybe ISS is student respite from adults.  Something for me to consider.

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: NASSP National Conference; The 21^st Century High School Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Readers Write... Administrator Dress Code - Part 1

In response to the 8/15/12 post, “A LYS Reader Asks... Administrator Dress Code,” two old school LYSers weighed in, one male and one female.

From the male LYSer,

SC,

I often wear slacks and polo style shirts to work, especially in school colors.  I keep a sports coat in my office that I can don for any unexpected need.

SC Response

That’s exactly how I was trained and what I did.  Using this strategy at times you may be just a little over-dressed, at other times a little under-dressed.  But you will never find yourself inappropriately dressed for any work related function.

From the female LYSer,

SC,

There are awesome administrators who disagree with your position!!  :-)

SC Response

Any woman who is getting fashion advice from me has definitely come to the wrong source.  It is a much more complicated question with endless options and variables. As such, I have no problem deferring the question of female administrator professional dress to those more qualified than me; top-tier female administrators.

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: Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (Keynote), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Asks... Administrator Dress Code

A reader asks the following question:

SC,

This may be this is a silly question, but I understand that actions are important. What are your (and other LYSers) thoughts on administrator’s dress? And what constitutes professional dress?

SC Response

This is a great question and one that we seem to address once every 6 months or so on the LYS blog, so let's hit it again.

First a quick review on my position with student dress codes.

A. A dress code for students is important, up until it is not.  Meaning that campuses that use dress codes to build esprit de corp, build pride in self, and/or to give their students the advantage of a good first impression have a much easier time implementing and maintaining a dress code than the campus that uses a dress code to control, punish and/or segregate students.  But for the campuses using a dress code for the right reason, at some point esprit de corp, pride and competitive advantage no longer has anything to do with dress.

B. Regardless of the reason for the student dress code (to build or punish), if staff does not model the expectation, drop the code.  The most effective way to teach skills and behaviors is to model them. So if staff isn't modeling, they are teaching ineffectively.  If something is important to teach, effective instruction must be the expectation.  If it is not important to teach, then why are you doing it?

Now to address the specifics of your question, what about administrator dress?

I have a simple rule, a campus leader must ask him or herself these questions every morning.  

1. If I get an unexpected call to meet with the Superintendent or the Board today, am I presentable? 

2. If I have to fill in for the Superintendent at the Chamber of Commerce meeting (or similar group) today, am I presentable?

3. If the media shows up with cameras at my campus today, am I presentable?

If the answer to any of the above question is "No," change clothes.

Some will point out, "But today is Field Day, or Pep Rally, or…."   

My response, "Exactly. That's when the unexpected happens." 

I hope this helps.

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: Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of May 20, 2012

I just came across an app that allows the to student alert the teacher if he or she is confused or needs some assistance. Seemingly a great use of bootleg technology and a tool that makes the teacher more efficient. Except that it isn’t.  

The power of bootleg technology isn’t its ability to replace good teaching practice (the teacher in the Power Zone, making micro-adjustments to instruction based on real-time formative assessment).  The power of bootleg technology is that it places the depth and breadth of human knowledge in the palm of your student’s hand.  Beware of the app and the degradation of teacher practice that makes your live classrooms more like an impersonal virtual classroom.  

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 May 20, 2012.

1. The change in adult practice is the leading indicator. The change in student performance is the lagging indicator.

2. The deeper the deficits in student knowledge, motivation, and courage, the longer they have to be exposed to better instruction to improve.

3. Let me sum up your STAAR data analysis: "We know we have a lot a work to do. Now let's do it."

4. Remember, until we see disaggregated statewide data, your STAAR test results are just raw info. Good and bad are relative terms.

5. $30 million to administer the STAAR? What budget crisis? (By @cheadhorn)

6. And now the uncomfortable reality of sole teacher accountability for test results begins to set in.

7. THE critical factor in the pursuit of greatness is pain threshold. Good rarely hurts.

8. Life is a contact sport. Buckle your chinstrap and have fun!

9. Before you debate the merits of a student dress code, ask if the adults are willing to model the code. If the answer is "No," drop the issue.

10. Bigger classes, lower-paid teachers, public money diverted to private schools, $1 billion to Pearson. If you aren’t standing up now, when will you? (By @johnkuhntx)

Vote. Vote. Vote.

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/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• 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: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of August 21, 2011

In response to the Top LYS Tweets post from 8/14/11, a reader tweeted:

LYS Nation,

Nice post, and you are right about school technology. But how do you address network security if students bring their own e-devices?

SC Answer

My assumption is that a "guest access" feature, similar to what is available in a hotel would work. You can still limit who is a “guest,” and you still can provide some filtering. Hopefully, your technology department can provide some more specific direction.

On a somewhat related note, I was recently visiting with a LYS principal. She has some teachers that are fired up to embed a little bootleg technology usage in their classrooms so they requested increased Wi-Fi speed and coverage. She told me that the cost to do so was around $1,500.00. Her campus would be considered above average in size and it is old, meaning fallout bunker-style construction. So for the cost of purchasing two to three laptops – Wi-Fi enabled phones, laptops, tablets and e-readers now work everywhere in the building. The time is now to embrace the power, flexibility and engagement of bootleg technology.

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 August 21, 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse.

1. Observing a student sneak texting in class. The technology and tools are there, we just have to allow our students to use them in the open.

2. If your campus does not allow students you use their cell phones, answering yours in the middle of class is exceptionally bad form.

3. If you are chastising your students for not tucking in their shirts while your shirt is untucked - You are being a hypocrite.

4. Just observed a herd of hypocrites discussing students not tucking in their shirts. How about using modeling as a teaching strategy?

5. Tonight’s Run Thought: The principalship is to school leadership as combat is to military leadership. Avoid it and your credibility is suspect.

6. Principals are effective when they observe and engage with staff. Improvement initiatives that ignore this are a waste of time and energy.

7. In an environment absent of feedback, people invent their own.

8. Instead of simulations to help principals improve their people skills, why not just spend more time observing and talking to your people?

9. Tonight’s Run Thought: A lot of adult learning occurs while you are sorting through the messy details of "process."

10. A compilation of what I observed across the state during the first week of school. I want to give a big thanks to Governor Perry and the Republican Legislators. Without you, the following observations would not have been possible.

A. Just observed 35 students in a 3rd grade reading class.

B. Just observed 46 students in a HS science class.

C. Just observed 30 students in a 5th grade math class.

D. Just observed 30 students in an 8th grade history class.

E. Just observed 31 students in a 6th grade math class.

F. Just observed 37 students in a 7th grade science class.

G. Just observed a 7th grade math class with 36 students.

H. Just observed 39 students in a 7th grade history class.

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/4ydqd4t

Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Asks... Modeling Examples

A LYS Teacher asks a question concerning my comments concerning schools that model expected behaviors:

SC,

I would love for you to share some examples of modeled student expectations you have seen and liked.

SC Response

This is a great time to answer this question. Here are a couple of examples that I observe every time I’m at a Game On! school or Estrada Academy.

1) Model the student dress code. If there is an expectation that students adhere to a dress standard, then one of the most powerful practices a staff can do is to model that expectation. First, this act says that the dress expectation is important. Second, this act says that the campus family is one, staff and students. But most importantly this act separates you from every other adult in the life of the student. This act says, “Do as I do,” instead of “Do as I say.”

2) Be prepared for every class. We have the expectation that students be completely prepared for every class, every day. We should model that. Which means when the bell rings, we start instructional activities right then.

3) Say “ma’am, sir, please and thank you” to students. If we want students to speak respectfully to us, and others, then we need to show them the same respect and make sure they are over-exposed to the language of respect. We have our students for eight hours a day. To overcome the toxic language of media and pop culture, as a staff we must speak with one, respectful voice.

4) Never yell, never threaten, and never be sarcastic to any student. But even more importantly, do not tolerate this from any adult on campus. Address it and support your peers on the rare occasions they have reached their breaking point.

5) Join your students at breakfast, lunch, and PE. Relationships are not built during the delivery of instruction. Relationships are built in the margins of academic activities. Students know that you care about your content area. What they don’t know is that you care about them. They find that out when you show up where you are not expected and engage with them.

What better time to begin these practices than at the start of school.

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/4ydqd4t

Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of April 17, 2011

I'll keep it short and to the point today. Bootleg technology is the real answer to 1:1 computing, stretching limited budget dollars, and keeping classrooms relevant in an ever-changing world. Now for the LYS’ers in Texas, go kick the last TAKS week square in the teeth.

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using 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 April 17^th 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse.

1. Fifth classroom in a row hitting 3 out 5 of the Fundamental Five! And every classroom so far is clean, organized, and purposeful. Great job, SMTC teachers!

2. Watching 150 hospitalized students line up quietly, get their lunch & converse politely in small groups while they eat. Kids will meet modeled expectations.

3. Congratulations to LYS Principal, Suzy Meyer (Crockett ES, Grand Prairie ISD) for being named a TEPSA distinguished principal finalist!

4. Run Thought - Part 1: If your early TAKS results are good, remember the immortal words of Han Solo, "Great kid! Now don't get cocky!"

5. Run Thought - Part 2: If your early TAKS results were not good, remember your Churchill, "We shall fight...we shall never surrender!"

6. I visited three schools today. One school had adults that modeled student expectations, two did not. Guess where I observed the most teaching & learning?

7. Tonight’s Run Thought: If you punish students for not following a dress code that you yourself do not model - you are a hypocrite and a bully.

8. Increasing class size without increasing support and training is a sure way to increase teacher stress and decrease the quality of instruction.

9. Tonight’s Run Though: I can't wait for the Republican primary. Then I get to vote against all the incumbents that refuse to support public education.

10. The question is how did attending private school influence current education reformers? Easy, they have confused peer groups and resources with teacher quality.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

Follow Sean Cain at www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Coming Soon! "The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction" www.TheFundamentalFive.com

Plan to attend the LYS presentations at TASSP and TASB in June

A Reader Writes... (Who are We Letting In - Part 1)

In response to the post, “Who are We Letting In,” a reader writes:

“I have to say that I agree with at least 80-85% of LYS. Sometimes more, depending on the time of the year. I wish our district would bring you in but that would mean everyone above us would also have to focus on improvement.

I cheered when I saw your responses to the dress code issues and realized that you have mellowed somewhat in your stance. Always professional and always willing to listen and accept differences. I always knew where I stood with you whether we agreed, or agreed to disagree.

I love my LYS koozie. I may have used it too much recently to chew on to keep frustrations down. Better than chocolate (not really) and definitely less calories. It is a great tool also to throw against the wall on those days when I question why I do what I do (it keeps from chipping the paint). All I have to do is roam the halls and talk with the kids and teachers who are committed to kids and I re-center. I look forward to this school year for many reasons and will use many examples from your comments as well as other members of the LYS Nation to kick the year off.”

SC Response
I remember when I was in college and one of my professors contradicted the text book (which he wrote). When I asked him about it, he said, “Just because I wrote the book, doesn’t mean that I give up the right to change my mind when new facts emerge.”

I find it humorous when people believe that we all have to agree. Systemic group think easily stifles more creativity than it encourages. On the other hand, I do believe that it is critical that we agree on our mission, vision and goals. After that, let the best idea win. In fact, knowing your experience and skill set, the 15% that represents the areas where we don’t agree is where I believe our real innovative thinking will emerge.

You are right about the dress code. When I was younger, I wanted to “save” students. I saw dress code as a way to shift student expectations. Now I see dress code as a teaching tool. Use the tool appropriately if it supports the mission and vision of the school and the district. Quit using the tool if you lack the will to use it appropriately or it does not support the mission and vision of the school or district.

Good luck with the start of school and don’t fret about me not being there. Your daily actions and examples are much more powerful than a few hours of me talking.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Dress Code Yet Again - Part 3)

In response to the post, "Dress Code Yet Again - Part 2," a reader writes:

“I'm with you! But I do believe that colleges need to insist to our future teachers that following sexy or messy clothing fads is inappropriate while at work. The school teacher needs to be dressed with closed toe dress shoes, not only because these shoes will protect your toes if you get stepped on (and you will), but it looks more professional. And your tops need to cover all of you. Think “modesty”. Your skirts or shorts need to be at least knee length, you are working, not trying to get a date. As you dress, actually use your judgment. Remember you are supposed to be a college graduate, dress like one.”

SC Response
Now I feel old. When it comes to professional dress, I don’t blame the colleges, I don’t blame the employee and in most cases I don’t even blame leadership. I see professional dress as functions of local culture and the willingness to modeling expectations. If the culture of the community is to wear jeans and t-shirts, and the staff gets the job done, and there is not a more strict appearance expectation for students, I don’t have a problem with staff in jeans. Granted, that is a lot of “if’s.” Now if one of those “if’s” is askew, I do have an opinion and as many of you know, I am not shy in sharing it.

Dress and appearance can be a powerful tool if purposefully managed. But that is a much longer conversation. In general, here are my starting rules of thumb for staff dress:

1. Campus leaders should dress so that in any room they are in, they are either just a little overdressed, dressed just right, or just a little underdressed. For a man (ladies, you tell me), khakis, a collared shirt and an available blazer meets this standard.

2. Teachers should dress so they look both sharp and ready for action. You never know when you might have to move some room furniture or chase down a student. Your dress should reflect that reality.

3. If there are specific standards for students, staff must meet or exceed those standards.

I will close with this. I have observed high performing / value adding campuses that have no staff dress code. I have observed high performing / value adding campuses that allow casual dress. I have observed high performing / value adding campuses that have strict dress codes. However, I have never observed a high performing / value adding campus that had a sloppy looking staff.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Dress Code, Yet Again - Part 4)

In response to the post, "A Reader Writes... (Dress Code Yet Again - Part 2)..." one of the cooler heads in the LYS Nation writes:

“SC, you rock, as always. I am encouraged by your continued efforts to see that we, as educational professionals, move forward in positive ways to see that students are the focus of our behaviors.

Now, about dress code; this always leads to a vigorous discussion, whether it is about student dress or professional dress. Since retiring from the big chair, I am now a university supervisor of student teachers. It is interesting to watch each new group of student teachers. No matter how much professional dress is stressed, the student teacher will MODEL what their mentor wears. So, if a mentor is wearing jeans everyday the student teacher feels that they can do the same. I believe that it is all about professional dispositions, which are: values, commitment, professional ethics and organization. It is about meeting a standard of excellence or at least attempting to adhere to the standard through continuous growth in our personal professional goals.....which we hope all of us have no matter where we are in the work.

The question becomes then, "How can we expect our students to adhere to our classroom standards, when we do not adhere to the campus, district or state standard, whether it be dress or otherwise?"

What message do we want to send? What message is then received? I was on a campus this past semester where the culture was to yell at students because "it was the only way to get their attention". It was chaos all the time. I could hardly sit in the classroom. Think about that message.

So, our dress does send a message, and our attitudes about dress also send a message. Hopefully this teacher is still learning and has good role models. I do understand that secondary is much different than elementary, however, professionalism is the same. It only takes the administrator going into a classroom one time to say privately, "You are not dressed appropriately. I will keep your class, while you go home and change" to send the message about dress. The few times I had to this, solved any dress code question or problem with that particular teacher, forever. Administrators have the responsibility to see that everyone succeeds on a campus. Professionalism is set at the top and dress code is part of that.

And just for the record.....we did go through college for someone to tell us how to dress. It is part of the Code of Ethics, Standard Practices for Texas Educators. TAC-Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 247, Rule 247.2. Just look on the back of your Texas Educator Certificate."

SC Response
Ditto.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...