4 System Capacity Vision Alignment and Planning Ensuring Capacity (Funding & Building Support) Leadership and Systems Thinking

VISION Forward thinking Developed with stakeholders Learner-centered Publicly acknowledged & supported Embraced by educators and staff

Leading with Vision “Vision: a compelling… learner centered reflective of contemporary society picture of the future… forward thinking clearly articulated for the common good”* developed with and communicated to all stakeholders broadly embraced * Leadership Challenge (Kouses & Posner) 1.Provide basic access for all 2. Create models 3. Build infrastructure 4. Expand target access Bring every teacher into the conversation Paint pictures of the future Build bridges to the future Make the future possible for all Vision

Alignment and Planning Integrates learning with school improvement plans Translates vision into practice Integrates the Seven Dimensions Identifies necessary system changes Timelines of expected results

Alignment and Planning, Alignment and Planning, cont’d. Data-driven decision making Fully funded and resourced

Alignment and Planning: Funding the Plan 1. Provide Basic Access Use existing funds if possible: –District budget or surplus –Capital projects budget Tech. levy or construction bonds Grants and foundations 3. Build Infrastructure Make technology a budget priority in curriculum, training, communications and support Join consortiums (K-12, Higher Ed.) Partner with community colleges Use infrastructure grants (E rate) 2. Create Models Use special purpose funds: –Local foundations & service clubs –State/Federal model program grants –Corporations Special programs (Gates Teacher Leadership Project) 4. Expand Target Access Develop campaign for special funding –Technology levy –Non-voted debt with shared repayment (corporations & foundations) Use of anything and everything else you can think of

Alignment and Planning: Campaign for Instructional Technology 1. Provide Basic Access Begin building a case for instructional technology Focus on equity Use parent support for outside pressure 2. Create Models Use special funding to differentiate Begin to articulate the vision for target technology access 3. Build Infrastructure “Why Technology” project Build corporate and foundation support 4. Expand Target Access Run full campaign Communication Vehicles Develop a Web site and feature answers to “Why Technology” Write articles for district & school newsletters, and local newspapers Write a regular newspaper column Bring in business & education speakers Let students tell their stories Use videos for fundraisers Develop brochures “Why Technology” Project Feature local success stories Partner with University for evaluation Get teachers & skeptics involved

Alignment and Planning Leadership: Creating directed change Planning Use the Seven Dimensions to: –Assess situation –Describe the vision Integrate new capabilities into every area of the plan Use zero-base budgeting (re- justify everything) Create projects of one year or less in duration Engage teachers in planning and projects Update plan at least annually Vision Plan Redesign Alignment Investment Technology enabled future Effective school models Technology integration Policy & Practice Improved access

Ensuring Capacity Models and prototypes Set incremental milestones Use information, research and exemplary practice Manage change Develop local expertise Provide support systems

Ensuring Capacity On-going growth opportunities Leveraging economies of scale

Ensuring Capacity The vision alive with models and prototypes Milestones are aligned with the vision and regularly evaluated Information, research and best practices are provided to stakeholders Systemic change process is initiated and successfully managed Local expertise is developed with opportunities for growth Support systems are provided for curricular, instructional, and technical leadership Propagate models throughout the system Use discrepancy model to identify projects Launch a local “Why Technology” project Support school-wide designs Hold a “Teacher as Architect” conference Build “on-demand” training & support

Leadership/Systems Thinking Envision possibilities Plan systematically Ensure sustainability Strategically alter the system Secure agreement on accountability Align policies and practices

Systems Thinking Elements of Systems Thinking* Personal Mastery: model it Mental Models: balance inquiry and advocacy to shape stronger models Shared Vision: enroll yourself, keep it simple and honest, let others choose to enroll Team Learning: suspend assumptions, act as colleagues in the spirit of inquiry Learning Organization: leaders are designers, stewards and teachers * The Fifth Discipline (Senge) How to Promote Systems Thinking: Read and think Share wide ranging books & articles Bring the outside in (guest speakers, visitors, advisory boards) Take field trips to see a variety of well run organizations Encourage dialogue; be vulnerable with your staff Reformat your meetings to focus on team learning not administrivia Schedule brainstorming sessions Take a risk, learn from failure Keep a journal “It is less important…to produce perfect plans than to use planning to accelerate learning as a whole.”

We plan for whole system improvement Systems Thinking We see a new world of possibilities We know that students can learn faster We know it will change everything We are in this for the long run We hold ourselves accountable We will make it work, together