edna.edu.au
This is a great resource that I recommend all Australian school leaders check out.
It is run jointly by the Australian state and federal governments and has lots of, dare I say, ‘great’ ideas.
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.
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.
Growing School Community Partnerships — Some Case Studies
I previously mentioned the book Future Search in School District Change -– Connection, Community and Results.
One of the foci of the case studies in that book is School Community Partnerships including:
- In the North Platte, New England School District, the community agreed to focus on “schools as centres”. The participants mobilised the community, established the program, and received over $1.5 million in federal and foundation grants.
- In Deauville, Illinois, stakeholders built community collaborations to support quality education and succeeding in passing a school referendum that had previously failed.
- In both Sander Gabriel, California School District and Minneapolis, Minnesota School District with the community focused on health care with the belief that healthy students make good learners. Both districts built coalitions with the local government, health-care professionals and local hospitals to increase health services to students and their families.
We will feature each of these case studies in future posts, but if you want to find out more now, get the book.
Integral Education
The emerging approach for how everything exists was uncovered by leading philosopher Ken Wilber. He coined the term ‘Integral Theory’ to refer to the theory which integrated all other theories and practices.
It is an approach which can be applied to any field of human endeavour including Integral Business, Integral Medicine, Integral Politics –- and, of course, Integral Education.
For a starting point to better understanding this theory, read A Theory of Everything by Ken Wilber.
Although we don’t call it that, the work of Great Schools Australia is largely based on Integral Theory.
-
School Parents
-
Case Studies
-
Testimonials
“I can now honestly say that I have never seen such an approach produce such positive outcomes, goodwill and energy.”
– Deidre Anderson, CEO, U@MQ, Macquarie University
“An exciting and inspiring approach to tackling deeper systems transformation.”
– Professor Michael Fullan
“The Future Search conference encouraged me to take risks. When I heard about TIMMS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study), I went back to my colleagues and said, “I think we can do something with this. We finished 1st in Science and 6th in Maths.”
– Pat Franzen, Science Teacher, Naperville Community School District
“These exemplary principles for facilitating group process have helped us create the space where individuals can take responsibility for their own learning and act upon the decisions they make.”
– Deborah B Reeve EdD, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
"The average scores for youth apprenticeship students went up 200 points on the Statewide standardised tests and enrolments increased by 300%. Today there is a waiting list!"
– Mike Erwin, Principal, North Montgomery County Technical Career School
“I was very impressed with the Future Search approach and have used aspects of it in my own school.”
– Richard Morgan, Principal, The Pittwater House Schools