1. Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Jacquelyn Wilson, Ed.D.
Delaware Academy for
School Leadership
University of Delaware
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

2. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Leadership matters
In difficult times, leadership matters even more.
In periods of significant organizational transition, leadership is the major controllable factor in explaining organizational performance.
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

3. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
4. Instructionally-focused and change-
oriented leadership are especially
effective frames for education.
5. Team leadership seems to offer promise
for enhancing organizational performance.
6. Assessment provides a strategic leverage
point for strengthening leadership.
--Joseph F. Murphy, Learning Centered Leadership, Vanderbilt University 2007
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

4. Putting the Pieces Together— A Cohesive System
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

5. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

6. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
Conditions of Work
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

7. Conditions of Work Evaluation Governance Incentives
Assessing School Leader Effectiveness
Evaluation
School Boards and Public Engagement
Governance
Salary, Resources, and Multi-Year Contracts
Incentives
Distributed Leadership, Use of Time, and Succession
Roles and Responsibilities
Continuum from Aspiring to Retiring
Professional Development
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

8. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
evaluation • governance • incentives
roles and responsibilities • professional development
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

9. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
evaluation • governance • incentives
roles and responsibilities • professional development L I C E N S U
R E
CAREER TIMELINE
CAREER TIMELINE
education
preparation
internship
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

10. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
evaluation • governance • incentives
roles and responsibilities • professional development L I C E N S U
R E
CAREER TIMELINE
CAREER TIMELINE
education
preparation
internship
accreditation/
program approval
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

11. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
evaluation • governance • incentives
roles and responsibilities • professional development L I C E N S U
R E
CAREER TIMELINE
CAREER TIMELINE
education
preparation
internship
induction/residency
accreditation/
program approval
professional development
R E L I C E N S U R E
Mentoring
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

12. Principles of Delaware’s Cohesive Leadership System
Delaware School Leader Standards
State and District Policies
evaluation • governance • incentives
roles and responsibilities • professional development L I C E N S U
R E
CAREER TIMELINE
CAREER TIMELINE
education
preparation
internship
induction/residency
accreditation/
program approval
professional development
R E L I C E N S U R E
Mentoring
Mentoring
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

13. From Standards to Improved Teaching and Achievement
Standards (State Role)
Delaware has determined what leaders need to know and do to improve instruction and learning by adopting national standards (ISLLC).
Standards (District Role)
Delaware has set clear expectations, aligned to state standards, of what leaders should do to improve teaching and learning.
Standards
Training
Conditions
State
Role
District
Role
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

14. From Standards to Improved Teaching and Achievement
Training (State Role)
All Delaware training programs are aligned with the Delaware School Leader Standards, respond to local district needs, and reflect the realities of the job.
Training (District Role)
Delaware 1) collaborates with the University of Delaware, Wilmington College, and Delaware State University to provide high-quality, job-relevant leadership prep aligned to the standards and 2) provides continuing professional development and support to new and practicing principals.
Standards
Training
Conditions
State
Role
District
Role
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

15. From Standards to Improved Teaching and Achievement
Conditions (State Role)
Delaware provides the necessary data to inform leaders’ decisions.
Delaware enables flexible use of resources (people, time, money) to meet all students’ needs.
Delaware holds school leaders accountable for student achievement.
Standards
Training
Conditions
State
Role
District
Role
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

16. From Standards to Improved Teaching and Achievement
Conditions (District Role)
Delaware has established hiring, evaluation, and succession policies and practices that reinforce standards and district learning goals.
Delaware has given principals the authority and incentives to be instructional leaders.
More resources are being allocated according to students’ learning needs.
which supports…
Standards
Training
Conditions
State
Role
District
Role
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

17. From Standards to Improved Teaching and Achievement
Effective School Leadership – Principals who…
Establish high expectations for all students.
Use data and other means to diagnose shortfalls in instructional effectiveness and implement plans to strengthen instruction.
Focus attention on improving instruction.
and School leadership teams that… Plan, implement,
and evaluate
improvements in
instruction for
all students.
Standards
Training
Conditions
State
Role
District
Role
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

18. From Standards to Improved Teaching and Achievement
…and contributes to
Improved Teaching and Student Achievement
Significantly improving high-needs schools
Closing the achievement gap
Lifting achievement of all students to meet high expectations
Standards
Training
Conditions
State
Role
District
Role
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

19. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
1. Standards
Delaware’s CLS scaffolds on the ISSLC National
Standards for School Leaders.
Professional growth experiences aligned to the school leader standards and tied to licensure renewal
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

20. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Standards
The Delaware Performance Appraisal System for
assessing school leader effectiveness is aligned
to the Delaware School Leader Standards.
1. Vision and Goals
2. Culture of Learning
3. Management of Learning
4. Professional Responsibilities
5. Student Improvement
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

21. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Standards
State approval of university preparation programs is contingent on the alignment of the Masters and Doctorate in School Leadership Programs with Delaware’s School Leader Standards
University of Delaware
Wilmington University
Delaware State University
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

22. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
2. Developing Policy
Advisory Committees convened to provide input and to make policy recommendations:
Recruitment and Retention of School Leaders
Minority Recruitment and Retention of School Leaders
Working Conditions for School Leaders
Professional Development Continuum for School Leaders
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

23. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
2. Developing Policy
Advisory Committees convened to provide input and to make policy recommendations:
School Leader Professional Development Continuum
National Certification for School Leaders
Career Path for Teacher Leaders
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

24. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Developing Policy
Policy recommendations are shared and prioritized at the annual Policy and Practice Institute
Policy recommendations are provided to the Secretary of Education and to the Executive Director of the Delaware Association of School Administrators to for their legislative agenda
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

25. 3. Engaging the Right People
Bringing the right people together, with a common
vision, focused on specific goals…over and over
and over until the work is done.
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

26. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Stakeholders
Higher
Education
Superintendents
Secretary of
Education
State
Board
Legislators
DOE
Staff
Business
Leaders
Local
School
Boards
Organizations
DASA, DPA,
DASL, DSBA
Principals
Have
Impact
Engaged
Involved
Knowledgeable
Have
Idea
Clueless
PROGRESS CONTINUUM
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

27. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
LEGISLATORS
SECRETARY OF
EDUCATION
HIGHER
EDUCATION
STATE BOARD
SUPERINTENDENTS
DOE
STAFF
LOCAL
SCHOOL
BOARDS
PRINCIPALS
PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS C L U E S
H A V E I D E A
K N O W L E D G A B L E
I N V O L V E D
E N G A G E D
I M P A C T
STAKEHOLDERS
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

28. Putting the Pieces Together to Form DCLS
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

29. 4. Multi-Dimensional Interlocking Pieces
Standards
State and District Policies
Conditions of Practice
Training
Performance Evaluation
Governance
Roles and Responsibilities
Incentives
Career Path
Pre-Service Preparation
Licensure and Certification
Mentoring
Succession Planning
Distributed Leadership
Data Warehouse
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

30. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Career Continuum
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

31. Advisory and Focus Groups
Advisory group that provided recommendations for professional growth including:
Coaching for new principals
Induction years one-three
Incentive for mid and senior career level school leaders
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

32. Principal Focus Groups
6 regional focus groups
School leaders with less than 3 years
School leaders with more than 5 years
Nominated by the superintendent
Purpose: To gather feedback from practitioners to be shared with the Advisory Committee working on recommendations related to the professional development continuum
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

33. District Succession Planning
Appoquinimink
Indian River
Woodbridge
Caesar Rodney
Brandywine
Christina
Laurel
Sussex Academy for Arts and Sciences
Wilmington Charter School
Capital
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

34. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Career Continuum
ASSISTANT
PRINCIPAL
TEACHER LEADER
PRINCIPAL
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

35. District Succession Planning
During the 2006 – 2007 school years, out of the 81 candidates involved in Succession Planning, 11 are now in leadership positions. From June 2007 until January 2008, an additional 6 candidates have assumed leadership positions, either as assistant principals or principals. Of these six, four are minority candidates.
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

36. TEACHER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Delaware is working with a consortium of five states to develop a teacher leadership program that could also become an alternative routes to certification program
Delaware
Kansas
Ohio
Alabama
Kentucky
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

37. Distributed Leadership
Providing opportunities for teachers to share leadership authority and responsibility with a focus on instruction
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

38. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
DL Training
Team Building and Conflict Resolution
SREB Working as a Team
Marilyn Katzenmeyer- “Awakening the Sleeping Giant”
ASCD What Works in Schools
Jim Spillane-Distributed Leadership
Coming Soon- Learning Focused Strategies and Smart Teams
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

39. Distributed Leadership
Appoquinimink
Redding Middle
Indian River
Selbyville Middle
Sussex Central High School
Seaford
West Seaford Elementary
Seaford Middle
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

40. Distributed Leadership
New Castle County Vo-Tech
Delcastle High school
Hodgson High School
Milford School District
Milford High School
Red Clay School District
H.B. DuPont Middle School
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

41. Distributed Leadership
Christina School District
Gauger Cobbs Middle School
Kirk Middle School
Shue Medill Middle
Christina High School
Newark High School
Glasgow High School
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

42. Distributed Leadership
Sharon Brittingham, Coordinator and Coach
Dave Sechler-coach
Sara Wilkerson-coach
Kae Keiser-coach
Linda Rogers-coach**new
Shannon Wilson-facilitator
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

43. Pre-service Preparation Programs
University Programs
Alignment to state standards for school leaders
Monitoring of quality using a “critical friends” model
Advisory meetings with school leadership faculty and school/district practitioners
Training for school leadership faculty
Redesign of programs
Internships with district partnerships and placements
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

44. Revised Licensure and Certification System
License and certification tied to credentialing, mentoring/coaching, performance evaluation and professional development
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

45. National Certification for School Leaders
Incentive for mid-senior level school leaders
High quality professional development
Incentive for performance
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

46. Mentoring & Developmental Assessment Center
A state-funded coaching/mentoring program that includes:
State-funded coaching for new principals
Use of the Performance Planning Worksheet
Training for coaches provided by the New York Leadership Academy
A Developmental Assessment Center for aspiring and new assistant principals and principals
No cost to districts
Simulation, roles plays, post-conference feedback
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

47. Executive Leadership Program-UVA
Collaboration with the Department of
Education and the following district:
Woodbridge
Christina
New Castle County Vo-Tech
Lake Forest
Indian River
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

48. Executive Leadership and the Balanced Scorecard
One of the requirements of participation was the development of a balanced scorecard. In essence, the goal was to develop a systemic approach to taking a usually static strategic plan and turn it into a dynamic plan that becomes a measurement tool, a communication tool, and a strategic management tool. The State, with the assistance and guidance of this partnership, has developed a system that not only transforms a strategic plan into an action based process but connects common measures across the state, district and state. The system is called the Education Success Planning and Evaluation System. This system is web-based and will allow our nineteen school districts and seventeen charter schools to take their current strategic planning document and transform this into a success plan that outlines goal, objectives connected to the strategies and resources that support those activities.
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

49. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Governance
Implication Training for School Districts and Boards
Public Engagement
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

50. Correlates of Achievement
Working with school teams and school leaders to look at factors that influence student learning
Discipline data
Teacher quality data
Access to the curriculum
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

51. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
SAMS Study
Determining How School Principals and Assistant Principals Use Their Time
Management
Instruction
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

52. Vision 2015 Executive Leadership Program
Research
School leaders behaviors
First and second order change
Change leadership
Roles and Responsibilities
Job descriptions
Use of Time
Conditions of Work
Positional model
Allocation of resources
Alignment of leadership responsibilities to influence student achievement
Professional development needs
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

53. Vision 2015 and Executive Leadership Training
The Delaware Academy for School Leadership in collaboration with the DOE provided training to the following districts and charter schools:
Appoquinimink
New Castle County Vo-Tech
Kuumba Academy
MOT Charter School
Indian River
Capital
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

54. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
The Pieces Interlock
Professional development required for license renewal
State-funded mentoring/coaching program aligned to the performance-evaluation system and the professional development continuum
University programs aligned to the standards and district partnerships
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

55. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
The Pieces Interlock
Performance Evaluation System that impacts district hiring practices and succession planning and alignment to mentoring program.
Executive Leadership Training—state to district to school to classroom, all focused on student achievement and sharing progress using a balanced scorecard
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

56. System Continues to Need Work
Coaching/Mentoring Program redesign—based on what we have learned through The Wallace Network
University school leadership programs must continue to evolve and deepen—focus on driver behaviors during internship
Data-informed decision-making—using Delaware’s data warehouse with school leadership teams
Implications of SAM Study—how school leaders are using their time
Districts must strengthen succession planning models
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

57. Leadership For Learning
….leadership is all about organizational improvement; more specifically, it is all about establishing widely agreed upon and worthwhile directions for the organization and doing whatever it takes to prod and support people to move in those directions…..it is very simple, then; it is about direction and influence.”
--Leithwood, Day, Summons, Harris, Hopkins, Successful School Leadership, 2006
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

58. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Alice in Wonderland
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

59. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Would you tell me, please,” said Alice, “which way I ought to walk from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where,” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you walk,” said the Cat. “…so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation. “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.” from Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

60. Delaware’s leadership journey… the road less traveled
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware

61. Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware
Questions
Delaware Academy for School Leadership • University of Delaware