TL;DR: Having productive debates and conflicts can help teams move beyond the status quo. This can be difficult because, unlike the corporate world, teachers have little time within the day to collaborate. Constructive collaboration is necessary to move teachers forward rather than avoiding conflict because it is easier. Show me which topic or issues cause your school staff to “Circle … Read More
Moral Imperative: Is Your School Team Clear About What Must Be Done?
TL;DR: School teams work together and set goals for improvement. A school’s moral imperative should be discussed and clarified as a part of school improvement. School teams often discuss test data, learning targets, standards, lesson plans, and school culture. When was the last time your school team discussed its moral imperative or purpose? In the fall of 2021, the total … Read More
What Do High-Performing School Teams Embrace?
TL;DR: High-performing schools use the talents, strengths, and knowledge of their staff to continue to improve and grow. Progress should be monitored with various scoreboards to see if the efforts for improvement are effective. High-performing schools embrace a mindset that focuses on what could or should be different, rather than hoping for improved outcomes. There are two types of schools. School … Read More
Episode 41: Outliers in Education with Erich Bolz and Eric Price
What causes some schools to outperform other schools with very similar demographics? CEE set out to find out through their Outliers in Education research project. The data they have gleaned has changed the school improvement process in the state of Washington, and might change how you see it. I sat down with two of their researchers to learn about this … Read More
Using the Expertise of Your School Team
TL;DR: Maximize the impact of school decisions. Have clear communication, an open mind, and a shared vision. Collaborate with others to solve problems, and involve staff, stakeholders, and students. Reach beyond your school for additional ideas and support. Erik joined Dave Schmittou on the Daily Drop In to talk about using the expertise of your school team. Click here to … Read More