A joint project involving the Kern Family Foundation, grants, Indiana Department of Education and Marian University will be trying to train administrators so they can turn around at-risk schools.
Low-Income Schools Seek Reform-Minded Principals
Research is beginning to emerge on how to effectively turn around schools in trouble. There seem to be some basic concepts that are beginning to surface as necessary for success. Principals must go back to basics:
- Learning how to supervise employees,
- Use data to guide decisions,
- Recognize good teaching.
Lindan Hill, dean of Marian University’s school of education, says, "The new initiative will be unique in the way it offers courses with national experts and then provides the two years of mentoring support. These school leaders are going to have to know what superior teaching looks like and understand it thoroughly. They’re going to have to be able to sit down and have difficult conversations." [1]
Five Major Focus Areas to Save Schools
The Marian Academy is focusing on five key concepts:
- Systems thinking and authentic leadership. Principals must have problem solving skills to meet the challenges that can surface on a daily basis: crises management, setting policies, planning for the future, assessing personnel challenges, and identifying marginalized students. Strong leaders see each challenge as part of the puzzle that fits into a successful school.
- Culture of high-performance schools. Schools have unique cultures. Successful schools have a culture of high expectations and strong leadership strategies. A strong leader knows what needs to be in place to turn a school with few expectations into a school with a culture of high standards for students, teachers and parents.
- Teacher performance and student learning. An effective leader knows what good teaching is and what poor teaching is. Principals will be trained to recognize the 49 techniques teachers should use in classrooms to be effective. Each principal would have an obligation to train teachers in these methods.
- Statistical analysis for teacher performance and student learning. Principals will be trained to gather data and conduct research. Policies will be based on significant data gathered to determine changes.
- Literacy leadership. Knowledge of literacy is crucial. Principals attending Marian Academy will be trained in literacy to emphasize science, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership techniques. [1]
If turning schools around were easy, everyone would be doing it. Even after training and mentoring periods, administrators have the monumental task of bringing everyone on board with them. Some staff members will embrace the changes and some will not. Many do not want to stir the pot with more innovations. A creative leader must determine how to assess each situation and how to solve the problem that will best serve their school.
[1] Gammill, Andy. "Teaching principals to save schools: Marian University’s new academy will receive funding from the state to educate a generation of leaders," The Indystar, July 14, 2010.
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
