Week+Three+5333

=Data Based Decision Making=

In the article by R.S. Thomas, “How to Survive Data Overload,” there are two tools to aid faculty in data analysis of student achievement. One is called “Team Dialogue Guide: Moving From Data to Classroom Instructional Improvement” and the other is a “Reflection Guide”. I could appreciate the Reflection Guide because new employees often are unaware of what questions need to be asked and this tool provides an effective way to assist staff in this process. As instructional staff work through the assessment process, the guide would also serve as a training tool to enable teachers to collaborate and gain new knowledge in order to make necessary changes and adjustments to their instructional practices. I also like the idea of having some type of form to assist staff in evaluating and assessing data although I am not convinced that the format of the Team Dialogue Guide allows adequate room to serve this purpose. If I were a principal I would suggest that staff utilize these tools as a starting point for dialogue and then collectively come up with their own format that would be helpful in the ongoing process of assessing student data.

According to the article, “Perceptions of Professional Learning Communities,” by Jane Huffman and Arminta Jacobson, the collaborative style of leadership is most conducive to the development of learning communities. The author states that “A factor that has impeded school reform is the limited and narrow focus of the administrative leadership in schools. … Today’s leaders must incorporate skills that include all members of the school community and facilitate reaching the identified shared goals of the organization.” In my opinion, the days are gone when the leader of any organization or business can simply come in with his own personal vision and goals and expect to be successful in his efforts to effect positive change. He must be willing to identify a shared vision and work collaboratively with all stakeholders in the organization. The implications that this study has on my personal philosophy of leadership is that I need to continue to work toward developing and enhancing my collaborative leadership skills.

As a new principal, I would use the Data-Based Decision Making: Resources for Educators website to assist me, along with our campus team, by providing technical assistance in using data effectively to guide school improvement efforts. This site provides step by step guidance in developing a school improvement team and guiding them through the school improvement process. The tool, as I understand it, would also enable the work to continue between visits or meetings with technical assistance and school support teams from the state or district. It provides very helpful information for establishing a school improvement team; developing a hypothesis; gathering data to assess needs; using data; developing a data-based plan; and monitoring progress and documenting success.

I agree with the fact that people follow leaders who listen. It doesn't take long for staff to identify a leader as one who is unresponsive to their needs or who is not open to new ideas and methods. It is critical that a new principal or leader set the stage early on by being responsive to the staff he or she serves rather than seeing them as employees who exist to serve him / her. This type of attitude will go a long way in helping him achieve his desired goals. Habit number five of the 7 habits of highly effective people is to "seek first to understand".


 * Targeting and Addressing a Need**

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