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Knowledge is Power, or so the familiar axiom states. If,
through knowledge, educators could evaluate the past and
current performance of a school relative to its potential
and, with more knowledge, reveal how to improve learning
for the future, then, knowledge could very well be power.
Knowledge could well be the power that guides school transition—away
from past performance and towards its potential success.
In working through the Immediate Results section of this
module, faculty will acquire knowledge in two areas.
The first area is assessing the current status or performance
of the school. The collection of school and classroom data
is a reality check that allows for identifying where resources
may best be focused.
The second area is development of goals. This involves, first,
creation of overarching Strategic Goals by the Leadership
Team and next, development of corresponding Action Goals by
the Learning Teams. The Strategic Goals are the broad, end
results that align performance with Vision—they answer
the questions:
- Where do we want to be?
- How are we special?
- What distinguishes our school?
In this phase of the change process, building knowledge through
teamwork, goal setting, and classroom data acquisition will
pave the way for action. However, this action should be measurable
and directional, by contributing to the schools Strategic
Goals. With Learning Teams sharing their acquired knowledge
and asking the question "What is working?" teachers
are collectively in charge of the success of school improvement
as well as their own personal and professional successes.
Richard Sagor describes this process as learning from "the
knowledge that informs practice".
It is worthwhile to introduce the idea of study groups to
your Learning Teams. The purpose of which would be to read,
reflect, and share thoughts on new and/or interesting research,
journal articles, and/or books. A recommended starting point
for this process is Mike Schmoker's book Results—The
Key to Continuous School Improvement (1999) ASCD.
The activities in the following section will facilitate
faculty efforts to build and share knowledge to support data-driven
decision making. Three critical steps in building knowledge
for immediate results are:
- Collect Schoolwide and Classroom
Data
- Form Measurable Goals: Strategic and Action
- Post and
Publish Results Monthly
Next:
1. Collect Schoolwide and Classroom Data
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