L EADERSHIP : Contributions to Student Outcomes

Context: Michelle White, FLPBSClark Dorman, FL PS/RtI

Context: Workgroups Secondary Coaching Program Evaluation Data-Based Problem-Solving (DBPS) Leadership/Teaming Family and Community Engagement

Rationale: SAPSI Data PS/RtI Contact Survey Data Coach Interview Data Self-Report from Workshop Participants All confirming- Importance of District Leadership in Systems Change

Workgroup Goals: Evidence based definition of Leadership empirically linked to improved student outcomes Provision of support to districts to realize the components of the definition

Definition: Effective district leadership is evidenced by teams or individuals who: Establish a vision with a sense of urgency for change, maintain focus and deliver a consistent message over time Focus on schools (districts are successful when schools are successful) Create relationships with stakeholders based upon mutual respect and shared responsibility Engage in expert problem solving Invest in professional development (Leithwood, 2010; Barnhardt, 2009; Crawford & Torgeson, 2007)

Definition: Establish a vision with a sense of urgency for change, maintain focus and deliver a consistent message over time – Is it a living aspiration to work towards? – Need guiding questions, checklist and/or module to aid development/refinement of vision – Need task analysis to communicate the sense of urgency – Conduct permanent product reviews and surveys

Definition: Focus on schools (districts are successful when schools are successful) – Help principals become stronger leaders, improve classroom instruction, and access to data management systems that facilitate effective, timely data-based decision-making – Are current data systems meaningful and integrated? – Need improved problem-solving skills for accurate and efficient data-based decision making – Need PD for improved instructional practices

Definition: Create relationships with stakeholders based upon mutual respect and shared responsibility – Engage parents and other community stakeholder in the “turnaround efforts” – Leadership depends on “collective capacity” so these relationships are critical, not optional – Need template/module to guide/build stakeholders

Definition: Engage in expert problem solving – Identify the correct problem efficiently and effectively – Engage in good problem analysis with an understanding that there are many causes for school underperformance – Know that there are several identified strategies for school improvement and apply appropriate strategies based upon school-specific needs – Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies

Definition: Invest in professional development – Building a comprehensive system for delivering meaningful PD of staff must be considered a major priority for the great majority of district leaders – Need training and technical assistance that is job embedded, ongoing and sustained aimed at building capacities directly related to turnaround challenges – Need District Needs Assessment with Action Planning Template – Need technical assistance provided to model skills

Crosswalk: Florida’s Leadership Standards FAC 6A Evidence Based Leadership Definition Effective district leadership is evidenced by teams or individuals who: Establish a vision with a sense of urgency for change, maintain focus and deliver a consistent message over time Focus on schools (districts are successful when schools are successful) Create relationships with stakeholders based upon mutual respect and shared responsibility Engage in expert problem solving Invest in professional development

Crosswalk:

Discussion: As you return to your districts and engage in continued planning for MTSSS Implementation: – Is Leadership a component of your plan? – Are the Florida Leadership Standards used to guide leadership implementation? – What supports can we provide?

Our Plan: Way of work with districts – Learn more about your needs for support through needs assessment and DAPP protocol via our District Support Personnel – What Input do you have for us? – What Questions do you have for us?