week three

  

Week Three – Part C of the Final Report: District Improvement and Recommendations

Overview

Welcome to Week Three of your Capstone Course. This week we are asking you to review your intern plan, identify any experiences focusing on district or campus improvement plans or any aspects of an action research plan, and offering recommendations based on your review of improvement efforts.

During this week, we will urge you to schedule an appointment with your District Site Supervisor to discuss his or her Superintendent/Supervisor Internship Summative Evaluation (SISE), (see Resource Section). In the Weekly Overview for this course, all students have been informed that their District Site Supervisor will be asked to complete a SISE for each intern, and by the end of this course, have a conference reviewing the SISE. We encourage students to use the results of the SISE to address any recommended areas for improvement in the students’ Three Year Professional Development Plan.

Learning Outcome

Ø  Understand the importance of improvement initiatives and generating recommendations based on your internship experiences

Ø  Evaluating lessons learned from the Superintendent/Supervisor Internship Summative Evaluation (SISE)

Performance Outcomes

Ø  Describe improvement initiatives and use a model for building on lessons learned from the improvement initiatives using the CARE Model

Ø  Writes a summary of recommendations and lessons learned from experiences with the District/Campus Improvement initiatives

Ø  Post a reflection on your improvement initiatives and comment on the reflections from at least two other students on their blogs

Ø  Schedule an appointment with the District Site Supervisor to discuss the intern’s SISE

Rubric

Use the rubric below to guide your work.

Tasks 	Accomplished The evidence suggests that this work is a “Habit of Mind.” The educator is ready to mentor others in this area.	Proficient The evidence suggests that performance on this work matches that of a strong educator.	Needs Improvement The evidence does not yet make the case for the educator being proficient at this task.	Unacceptable There is no evidence of the candidate being proficient at this task.
Review of District and/or Campus Improvement Initiatives during internship using the CARE Model	Student reviews his or her intern plan, identifies any experiences focusing on District or Campus Improvement Plans, or based on any action research plan, and uses the CARE Model and identifies three responses to each of the four CARE elements.  CARE: Concerns – student lists at least 3 concerns identified from experiences with the District/Campus Improvement Initiatives or action research; Affirms – student affirms or identifies at least 3 actions that must be sustained and supported to achieve the District/Campus improvement initiatives Recommendations – students describes at least 3 recommendations you would make regarding the District/Campus Improvement plans or action research plans Evaluate – Student identifies at least 3 strategies for evaluating the improvement plans or recommendations 12 Points Total	Student reviews his or her intern plan, identifies any experiences focusing on District or Campus Improvement Plans, or based on any action research plan, and uses the CARE Model and identifies two responses to each of the four CARE elements.  CARE: Concerns – student lists 2 concerns identified from experiences with the District/Campus Improvement Initiatives or action research; Affirms – student affirms or identifies 2 actions that must be sustained and supported to achieve the District/Campus improvement initiatives Recommendations – students describes 2 recommendations you would make regarding the District/Campus Improvement plans or action research plans Evaluate – Student identifies 2 strategies for evaluating the improvement plans or recommendations 8 Points Total	Student reviews his or her intern plan, identifies any experiences focusing on District or Campus Improvement Plans, or based on any action research plan, and uses the CARE Model and identifies one response to each of the four CARE elements.  CARE: Concerns – student lists 1 concern identified from experiences with the District/Campus Improvement Initiatives or action research; Affirms – student affirms or identifies 1 action that must be sustained and supported to achieve the District/Campus improvement initiatives Recommendations – students describes 1 recommendation you would make regarding the District/Campus Improvement plans or action research plans Evaluate – Student identifies 1 strategy for evaluating the improvement plans or recommendations 4 Points Total	Student demonstrates no effort to complete this activity. 0 Points
Summary of Recommendations and Lessons Learned from District/Campus Improvement Initiatives	Student writes at least one page thoroughly describing recommendations and lessons learned from experiences with the improvement initiatives or action research plans. 10 Points Possible	Student writes less than one page describing recommendations and lessons learned from experiences with the improvement initiatives or action research plans. 7 Points Possible	Student writes less than a half page briefly describing recommendations and lessons learned from experiences with the improvement initiatives or action research plans. 4- 5 Points Possible	Student demonstrates no effort to complete this activity. 0 Points
Blog Comments	Student follows directions and posts his or her reflection on the Post Assessment and comments on at least two other students’ assessment relfections. 6 Points	Student follows directions and posts his or her reflection on the Post Assessment and comments on one other students’ assessment relfections 4 Points	Student follows directions and posts his or her reflection on the Post Assessment but doess not comment on other students’ assessment relfections 2  Points	Student fails to post reflections to his or her blog. 0 Points
Scheduling a Conference with the District Site Supervisor to review the SISE	Student schedules an appointment with his or her District/Site Supervisor to review the Superintendent/Supervisor Internship Summative Evaluation  2 Points Total			Student does not complete the task. 0 Points
Assignment Mechanics	Responses are relevant to course content; no errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. 3 Points	Responses are relevant to course content; few errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. 2 Points	Responses do not reflect knowledge of course content, lack clarity and depth, and/or include multiple errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 1 Point	Student does not follow the proper assignment mechanics. 0 Points

Week Three Assignment, Part 1 – CARE Model Analysis of District/Campus Improvement Initiatives or Action Research Plans

Please review your intern plan. In the first course, students were encouraged to engage in some action research, or participate in district or campus improvement initiatives. Each of you has had some experiences with such initiatives or action plans. Please review those experiences and complete the following analysis:

Concerns – Review your participation in improvement initiatives or efforts to engage in action research, and list at least three concerns that you have identified from these experiences – a concern may be any matter that engages your attention or interest.

1. I am concerned that our facilities are going to get in disrepair due to funding decreases.
2. We have computer labs that belonged to different programs (CATE) that are no longer being funded so the equipment isn’t being used and is being wasted. 
3. We have cut our drama programs in our district and we have a brand new drama room that has never even been used.  We tend to start things but don’t think things through carefully enough. 
4. We were working on becoming an IB district and we spent a lot of money getting everyone trained in the IB program but then decided that we couldn’t afford it so it was dropped.
5. Our school board is still promoting a negative imagine because they are negative and support things for their own children rather than looking at the district as an entity that serves all children.

Affirmations - Review your participation in improvement initiatives or efforts to engage in action research, and affirm or identify at least 3 actions that must be sustained and supported to achieve the District/Campus improvement initiatives.

1. We now have a superintendent that will listen and do something about the concerns that we have.
2. I am going to meet with him monthly so that we can discuss current issues and the climate of our school district.
3. Our climate has already improved tremendously since our new superintendent started. 
4. Our climate has to change from a “I gottcha way”  to “let’s work as a team”.  It is slowly getting better every day.

Recommendations - Review your participation in improvement initiatives or efforts to engage in action research and describe at least 3 recommendations you would make regarding the District/Campus Improvement plans or action research plans.

1. We need to show that we value one another no matter what the person’s position.  Our custodians and our principals are all valuable and should be treated as equals.
2. Our superintendent needs to continue training our school board in how to promote a positive perception.  He needs to have them listen to their audio from the meeting and evaluate the tone that is transmitted.
3. Our school district personnel needs to make decisions that are best for the students.  Many decisions are still being made out of fear because of the previous climate.

Evaluate - Review your participation in improvement initiatives or efforts to engage in action research and identify at least 3 strategies for evaluating the improvement plans or recommendations.

1. I am going to do my dissertation on how school climate affects job satisfaction so I will be able to be actively involved in measuring and improving the climate in our school district.
2. Since I am meeting with our superintendent monthly I will be able to learn methods of improvement from him. 
3. I will listen to the board audio when I’m unable to attend the meetings to see if the interaction is improving so that I can share that information with my superintendent. 

Week Three Assignment, Part 2 – Part C of the Comprehensive Final Report

Describing Recommendations and District/Campus Improvement Initiative/Action Research Lessons Learned

Review the above analysis, and write at least one page thoroughly describing recommendations and lessons learned from experiences with the improvement initiatives or action research plans.

One of my weakest areas from my surveys was facilities management so I decided to tackle this area to try to get some improved facilities.  I would typically put my assistant principal in charge of any type of maintenance issue but I wanted to be in direct contact with the appropriate personnel so that I could learn from the experience.  I met with our superintendent last week and we discussed the fact that my school needs some updating and I took him on a tour to show him areas that need repaired or updated.  He sent one of our Assistant Superintendents, our Facilities Director and our Director of Maintenance to meet with me.  We decided on the following:

• Plexiglas is installed in area in hallway – you can’t see through it very well because it is so old and scratched –Solution: although it was quite pricey we were able to replace it with regular glass for most of the wall.  Only the bottom part stayed as Plexiglas and we painted it maroon.  That area was in danger of getting broken when staff is weed eating the area.  It looks so much nicer now and we now have a great view of our patio area.
• The roof from the gym to the building leaks when it rains.  Of course, we wish we could get some rain about now but we know it may be awhile.  The area where the cover extends from the gym to the building has a gap that causes the rain to flow through. – Solution:  Our Assistant Superintendent, Facilities Director and our Director of Maintenance agreed to have the roof repaired to prevent the leaking from occurring
• The art room has a kiln that gets up to 500 degrees but it isn’t covered or concealed in any way.  The students have direct access to it in the classroom so it is a safety issue.  Solution:  I met with our Assistant Superintendent, Facilities Director and our Director of Maintenance to discuss this issue and they agreed that they would build a half wall around the kiln.  It was too difficult to move it to another area because of the air flow that is needed around it
• Our cafeteria has four basketball goals that are unneeded and have become an eyesore. We built a competition gym a few years ago and already have a practice gym so we don’t use the basketball goals in the cafeteria.  Solution:  We are taking down the main structure of the goals and only leaving the very top metal structure and painting it white so that it isn’t noticeable.  We are leaving that part up in case we ever need to reinstall the basketball goals again.
• Fifteen years ago we were given the used boys dressing room lockers from our high school.  Unfortunately, they are in poor condition.  Many of them are jammed and don’t work anymore.  We also don’t have enough lockers for the football player’s equipment and shoulder pads.  Solution: I am meeting with our athletic director on Monday to complete a special request to get these replaced.
• We are short four cafeteria tables in order to make our lunch run as smooth as possible.  We run five lunch shifts that overlap in order to get all of the students through the lunchroom in a timely manner.  We have one shift that is so packed that there isn’t enough room for all of the students and it gets quite rowdy during that time.  Solution:  Our superintendent agreed to purchase the four needed tables for us.

Blog Follow-Up: Be sure to post your above reflection on your Recommendations and Lessons Learned to your blog, and read and comment on at least two other students’ assessment reflections.

Week Three Assignment, Part 3 - Scheduling a Conference with the District Site Supervisor to review the SISE

Please schedule a conference with your District Site Supervisor between now and Week 5 to review the Supervisor’s SISE (Superintendent/Supervisor Internship Summative Evaluation). To confirm this scheduled conference, please describe your efforts below –

My superintendent is going to meet with my monthly so that we can discuss issues in our school district and possible solutions.

this may include “sending an email request for a scheduled conference, visiting with the supervisor to schedule a conference, or any other efforts describing your efforts to schedule this conference.”

Reminder regarding the parts of your Comprehensive Final Report

Part A of the Comprehensive Final Report: Career and Leadership Goals

Week Two – Part B of the Comprehensive Final Report: Summarizing Leadership Experiences in each of the SBEC Superintendent Competencies

Week Three – Part C of the Final Report: District Improvement and Recommendations

Week Four – Part D of the Final Report: Reflections on Reflective Leadership

Week Five – Part E of the Final Report: Three Year Professional Development Plan

The Educational Leadership faculty has developed a template for each candidate to develop a three year professional development plan. Based on the lessons learned during their internship, the candidates are asked to complete the following Template:

Goal

TExES Competency and Domain

Objective (What do you want to improve?)

Course Work/Book/ Workshops (How do you want to improve?)

Mentor Professional Support (Who will help you improve?)

Date of Completion

Evaluations (How will you know you have improved?)