Student Engagement
I have previously mentioned the classic text for school and school district leaders, Future Search in School District Change — Connection, Community and Results.
One area that the book focuses on is student engagement. Three case studies are talked about.
- In Santa Monica, California School District, student voices were heard, student leadership was acknowledged, and the issue of equity and equality for all students shifted in a positive direction. Students took it upon themselves to focus on closing the achievement gap.
- In the Novato, California, School District students were involved in creating and sustaining a safe, just and respectful learning environment after racial incidents tore at the school community.
- In the Lester B. Pearson School District, Montréal, students formed a council that has become an official consultative group to the school board while another group is busy helping create a flexible timetabling for the high school.
More on each of these case studies will be covered in future posts.
School Culture Survey
In our experience, many schools and school districts struggle with creating a positive culture.
How important is it?
Well here is what noted US education expert Thomas J Sergiovanni says in The Lifeworld of Leadership when considering the basis for a school’s success.
“Most successful school leaders will tell you…it’s getting the culture right.”
So much for the focus that most schools give to teaching and learning. Don’t get me wrong, having a focus on teaching and learning is key. But don’t forget that you are not just a school but also an organisation –- and subject to all the same issues as any organisaton.
What Segiovani is saying is that if you get the culture right the rest will follow.
If you would like some objective indicator as to your current school culture, take our free survey — and consider having the courage to ask other school community members (including staff, parents and students) to take it also.
Finding Common Ground in Schools and School Districts
In an earlier post, we referred to the idea of finding common ground amongst school and school district communities -– and the concern that this can cause leaders who cannot guarantee what other stakeholders (eg staff, parents and students) will say.
Here is what one lot of case studies found were commonly the common ground areas in school districts:
- Student-centred curriculum
- Meeting the needs of all children
- School community partnerships
- Abundant resources
- Technology — expansion and integration
- High-quality staff
- Safe schools
- Readiness to learn — access to early childhood education
In our experience, similar issues also form the focus of common ground at the school level, although we would add in Faith/Values for those schools who have a focus on same.
It may seem strange, but when other stakeholders are engaged in the appropriate manner, people put aside their own individual prejudices and concerns and arrive at common ground which is readily agreed by school and school district leadership.
Shared Decision Making and Opening Up the School System
The term ‘opening up the school system’ is a term school facilitators and consultants use for the idea of involving the school community (including staff, parents, students and others) in the school’s decision making.
It is an approach which naturally causes trepidation amongst school and school district leaders out of concern for what will be revealed and what will come out of it.
But here is what Rita Schweitz and Kim Martens say about it in their book Future Search in School District Change – Connection, Community and Results:
“… the principles and practices of future search address some of the limitations of previous planning models, particularly those involving outside stakeholders. Future search addresses administrators’ fear of opening up “their” systems by clearly delineating the boundaries and responsibilities of all stakeholders. Community stakeholders play a vital role in shaping and implementing the future direction of the district or school. However, they do not write action plans for other groups, nor do they tell them what to do… The trust that’s developed as people work together and appreciate their similarities and differences is the basis for positive change.”
Done properly, it is the best way we know of for simultaneously creating a great school culture and great school community. Come to think of it, it’s the best way we know of for creating a great school!
Integral Education — Holistic Education Network of Tasmania
In an earlier post, I referred to Integral Education. For anybody who has an interest in Holistic Education and Integral Education, I highly recommend the Holistic Education Network of Tasmania.
Great Schools Australia Internet Radio Show
We know how tough it is being a school leader, teacher and parent.
So, to make it a little easier, we are proud to announce the coming of what could be a world first -– our Great Schools Internet Radio Show.
The show will begin in Spring 2008 and will bring you leading lights in education, individual and professional development, child and youth development, and more for 30 minutes on most school weeks.
Topics will include school culture, school strategic planning, school meetings, school leadership, school change and building school communities.
Let us know if you are interested in being kept informed.
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Coming 2009!
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News and Events
Advanced Meeting Leadership Workshop for Leaders and Consultants, with internationally renowned US authors and consultants Marv Weisbord and Sandra Janoff of Future Search fame. Sydney. October 2008. Large discounts for first 20 registrants!
Download Brochure
