A Reader Writes... Consolidation - Part 2

In response to the 4/24/2012 post, “The Superintendent’s Corner: Consolidation,” a reader writes:

SC,

I grow weary of the leadership in Texas, and a majority of politicians, touting the saving of money by consolidating small school districts while they continue to provide the means to create small charter schools. If there is an economic disadvantage to small districts, why would you continue to create small districts? There is never a mention of consolidating small inefficient charter schools.

SC Response

An excellent observation and one that Dr. Mike Seabolt and I have been discussing recently.  There have been two major thrusts of our rhetoric.

1. As you reference, if small is monetarily inefficient is one setting, the same holds true in similar settings.  From a policy standpoint either small is good, small is neutral, or small is bad.  Make the choice, set a direction and go forward.  Unfortunately, this is seemingly beyond our current political leadership.

2. The far right has both made political hay and justified their defunding of public education with the idea that school districts are top heavy with overpaid administrators, facts be damned.  However, the worst offenders, in terms of the number of administrators versus the number of certified teachers have been charter schools. And the worst offenders, in terms of the amount of administrator salary per student, have been charter schools.  Yet these offending charters (note: Not All Charters) essentially get a free pass from the far right. Could it be that there is some sort of anti-public school agenda in play?

Understand that this is not an anti-charter school position.  This is the recognition that those who want to dismantle public education have no problem playing fast and loose with the facts.  And even when their arguments make sense they will abandon that logic at any time it is contrary to their agenda.

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

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

A LYS Principal Asks... Team Planning

A new LYS Principal asks the following:

SC,

What template do you suggest for a team planning agenda / method?

SC Response

Entire books and training seminars have been devoted to your deceivingly simple question.  Though well meaning, the advice given in most of those are woefully out of touch with the reality of running a successful campus in a rigorous accountability environment. So forget what you have read, heard or been told, here is the LYS protocol.

Most teachers don’t mind team planning as long as it is productive. But since most team planning isn’t productive, teachers rightfully view it as an infringement on their already busy day. 

Productive team planning does not occur by accident.  It takes preparation, leadership, monitoring and follow-thru.  In other words, work. Thus, the rampant lack of productivity.

So hear is a good five-step process that does not squander teacher collaboration and time.

1. Have a set cycle for planning meeting topics. For example:

  A. Curriculum Preview

  B. Assessment Development

  C. Lesson Development

  D. Intervention Identification

  E. Data Analysis

2. Have a set time and day for team planning.  It should occur at least once a week.  For example, every Monday.  I can tell yo that that once a week is probably not often enough.  In an informal poll of the best LYS Principals, their teachers almost always meet twice a week.

3. Have an agenda and use a 30-minute meeting format and planning tool. Every time!

4. Leadership must participate in the planning sessions.  That doesn’t mean that the Principal sits in every meeting.  But that does mean that there is either a Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean, Instructional Coach or Counselor at every meeting. And for those who claim that this is unrealistic, I ask the following questions, “Name one thing on your campus more important than teaching and learning. Do you think great instruction, at scale, occurs by accident?”

5. Monitor and measure what is supposed to occur, based on the planning meeting. Report this at the beginning of the meeting the next time the topic is addressed in the Planning Meeting cycle.

Run with this and send me a status report towards the end of the Fall semester.   

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), 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 August 5, 2012

I recently read an article addressing some of the problems associated with bootleg technology in the classroom. In the article a teacher points out that with I-Pads, students quickly get off task.  It seems that every time the teacher turns her back, the students start playing games on the device.

And there is the rub, bootleg technology is not the cure to poor teacher practice. In fact, the last thing a weak teacher needs is one more distraction in the classroom.  But sadly, most school policies and practices are designed to minimize problems instead of maximizing opportunity. This effectively insulates the suspect performer while simultaneously hampering those who are more skilled and creative.  The “No Bootleg Technology Use” policy is just one example of this. 

If you have struggling staff, work with them, coach them, make them better. That is what an instructional leader does.  But when you enforce a policy that is designed to cover up the real problem, you might be managing, but you aren’t leading.

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 5, 2012.

1. In the last 2 years...1,243 pieces of legislation added to "improve" education. How many actually funded? Just 2. (By @cheadhorn)

2. "High standards" folks don't mind low standards of funding fairness. (By @johnkuhntx)

3. There is no substitute for experience. Problem is, experience gives you the test first and the lesson later. If you reflect enough to learn. (By @txschoolsupe)

4. Just walked through the Fun 5 Plans app! Wow! How convenient! Thanks for making common sense teaching EASY!! Fab Fun 5! (By @jenniferzsch)

5. Nice observation that our own ‪#nisdadmin2012 is implementing the Fundamental Five through our PD today. (By @cheryljhunt)

‪6. ‪@rufusotis following the Fundamental Five during PD. ‪#doingwhathepreaches (By @Tagurit72)

7. Being visible all over the campus is one of the most important things admin can do during the first days of school. (By @jachson_carrie)

8. It is easy to identify a problem. Be solution oriented! (By @NavySEALPTTest)

9. Drill and kill was very effective for TAAS, less so for TAKS, and will likely be of little use with STAAR. (By @txschoolsupe)

10. Never forget that the World plays defense. Prepare, but don't fall into the trap of “planning paralysis.”

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: Comal ISD, Leadership Team Kickoff, 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), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

The Reference - Part 4

As reported earlier, it’s that time of year again.  The time when districts look at what their campuses are doing and then look at LYS campuses and decide that they need to make a run at those campus and district leaders.  In the course of the recruitment dance, the interested district always wants a to hear from a reference or two.  Do you want to know why the LYS Leader is different?  Here is an excerpt from a reference that I just completed.

With great enthusiasm and conviction, I recommend (MASKED NAME) for the position of Superintendent in (MASKED) District.

Like all top-tier principals, (MASKED NAME) works tirelessly to ensure that her campus is positioned for success.  Her thirst for knowledge and her personal commitment to seek out new ideas, experiences, strategies and practices are commendable.  But what separates (MASKED NAME) from her peers is her commitment to the professional growth of her staff.  She already has the Superintendent’s understanding that the key to improving student performance is to train, monitor and support staff in the acquisition of skills that directly improve the quality of instruction.  But most importantly, she brings the working experience of insuring that this actually occurs, with both urgency and fidelity.

As with any first-time superintendent, there may be aspects of the job that are new to (MASKED NAME), but she is a quick study and has never been shy in seeking out the expertise of others when the situation warrants.  However, (MASKED NAME) will be able to offset any initial learning curve with her dignified, mature, and collaborative leadership style. 

It is my opinion, the district that selects (MASKED NAME) as its next Superintendent will immediately be better off due to that decision.

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), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Writes... Consolidation - Part 1

In response to the 4/24/2012 post, “The Superintendent’s Corner: Consolidation,” a reader writes:

Louisiana has county (parish) school districts. Should we aspire to have as dysfunctional a system as theirs?

SC Response.

Dr. Seabolt was making the case that a county-wide system is not an improvement over the current situation.  In the case of Louisiana, I would argue that there are two primary reasons why the quality of schools is generally better in Texas.

First - Accountability.  For over ten years, Texas has had an accountability system that requires identified at-risk student populations to be taught at a required level.  There are repercussions when schools and districts fail at this.  People lose jobs (frequently) and schools are closed (infrequntly).  In short, there is a greater disincentive to performance failure in Texas than in Louisiana.

Second – Racism (both overt and covert).  In Louisiana, it is more socially acceptable (and easier) to segregate student populations and underfund minority schools and districts than it is in Texas.  Over time, this has increased the education gap between minority populations in the two states. 

What frightens me is that our current generation of right and far right political leaders in Texas seemingly prefers the underfunded school model.  It’s up to you to decide if their motivation has a racial bias.      

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), American Association of School Administrators Conference
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation