Student critiques of Module 8 assignment

I just finished reading the critiques and I appreciated the time that you put into giving thoughtful, productive input to your classmates.  You should have received my input, also.

Several things I wanted to address:
-- There are 5 areas that the site based decision making teams in Texas are charged with, and one of them is input into the budget.  The days of administration making the decisions and teachers doing the teaching are pretty much gone.  The "buck" always stops with the principal, but a wise principal will solicit input from everyone affected by the decision.  When I was a principal, I found that the decisions I made unilaterally, because of time constraints or whatever, never turned out as well as the decisions that were thoroughly vetted by the staff.  There are three basic reasons for soliciting input:  1) many heads are better than one; 2) it builds a cohesiveness and collegiality on the campus; 3) it's the law via TEC.  Keep in mind that the faculty is advisory only in every area except staff development.  The principal still makes the final call.  The process of discussion, giving input, hearing other opinions, etc. however, is as important as whatever the bottom line turns out to be.
-- The scenario given stated "Because of the downturn in the economy and the shrinking resources in the district," ... etc.  It would be a "given" that cuts would be necessary under these circumstances.  80% - 85% of a district's budget goes to personnel.  Significant savings cannot be realized without impacting personnel.
-- A good administrative rule of thumb is to ease into a difficult situation gently.  As Blanchard said, you want to give information, honor the feelings of your audience, and talk about implementation.  These three steps can be carried out very specifically or very generally.  The better part of valor is to be as general as you can, be as positive as you can, and be as inclusive as you can.  The first mention of this budgetary crisis is just a head's up to the faculty.  Those of you who mentioned committees to examine the situation were "right on."  It empowered the people to have some feeling of control over their lives.  It is best not to give specifics, such as pay cuts or not renewing probationary teachers, until you know that is absolutely what has got to happen.  String it out, continue to talk about the problem, give the people multiple chances to give input and discuss.  It's time to pull the trigger when 1) the deadline for contracts arrives; 2) central office demands answers; 3) the uncertainty of not knowing becomes worse than knowing.  The people weren't ready, at the first mention of the budget problems, to absorb much more than a briefing.  Time will allow them to think through issues, make personal plans, even do some grieving.  The principal's job is to provide that "psychological safety net" and give them time.

If you have not yet emailed your critiques to your classmates, please do so asap.

Use the rubric, please

I am looking forward to viewing your SOMs--if not later today, then tomorrow.  I wanted to call to your attention that the assignment was to use the rubric included in Module 8 to structure your feedback to each class member.  Then you were to email it by attachment to that particular student.  I'd like to be copied on it, also.
Thanks!
Dr. O

Module 8

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cXeu0GoTE

Module 8

Here is the link to my SOM presentation. I had a hard time keeping it under 5 minutes. You guys did a great job being to the point and keeping it simple. Any positive or negative feedback would be great. I think I get lost in trying to be personable and trying to make a connection with the faculty. http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cXetrxo3w

Module 8

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cXet2Pora

Module 8

Here is the link to my screen cast for module 8.
Screen Cast

http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cXeOePoqr

The link to my speech for Module 8 is in the title above. For some reason I could not paste it in the main body part of a post. Sorry for any confusion.

School Board Meeting Reports

I truly enjoyed reading your board meeting reports.  To the casual observer, a board meeting is just a nice meeting of community and school individuals who want to make a good school for kids to learn in.  However, board meetings are district politics at their finest!  Every action, word, or gesture has political ramifications, just beneath the surface.
--What does it mean when two board members continue to hold a side conversation, complete with laughter, during the entire board meeting?
--What does it mean when one or a few board members seem to dominate?
--What does it mean if the board cuts the superintendent out of the discussion?
--What does it mean if there is a lot of community discussion and input?
--What does it mean if there is no community discussion or input? (remember the dangers of a closed decision-making system? --a video I posted awhile back)
--What does it mean if the meeting is extremely formal...or informal?
--What does it mean if legalities are ignored?
--What does it mean if the superintendent appears to be the "producer of information" instead of part of the Team of 8?
--What does it mean if the educators who present reports to the board are challenged, received collegially, ignored...by the board?
--What does it mean if a board member challenges a presenter, and the presenter must defend himself/herself without the assistance of an assistant superintendent or superintendent?

The health of the district, the longevity of the superintendent, the working conditions for teachers and principals---all these can be discerned with careful attention at the board meetings, but it takes practice!  Attend as many meetings as you can and you'll learn lots.

And have a great weekend!
Dr. O

Problems with blog?

Is anyone besides Mika having problems with postings disappearing from the blog?  If possible, I'd like  to get through this assignment as stated...and then in the future we'll use the WebCT discussion board.
Sorry it's being problematic!  If there are lots of difficulties, we'll change mid-stream.  Let me know...

Job opportunity

Tarrant County Community College contacted us for possible applicants for an open position they have. If you are close to the end of your master's program, or you know someone who has a master's and could  use this information, please see the URL below:

https://jobs.tccd.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=138833

Crisis Plan

I will be analyzing the Crisis Plan for Scotland Park Elementary.

Students--here is the blog assignment for Module 7 (see previous blog posting).  Please have it completed by Sunday night, midnight.  Use this original posting to begin your comments.  Remember to follow the rubric!

Chapter 12 contains much information concerning power…theoretical concepts, processes of implementation, how power is used in the context of educational leadership.  Your discussion should center on the types of power and how each could legitimately be used in the principalship.  Use examples from your own experience, from the additional resources listed at the end of this lesson, or from the case studies on pages 292-296.  Please review the rubric carefully to see how this assignment will be assessed.  The requirements are more stringent than some blog assignments have been in the past.  There is no assigned number of original posts; use this opportunity to show your knowledge and put forth thoughtful opinions backed by evidence.  In the real world of administration, you will be the judge of what length you should talk and when you have said enough.  A good rule of thumb is to measure your output against what others are doing.

Module 12--Capstone Assignment

I have completed and posted on WebCT the Module 12 assignment.  This is the capstone assignment for the course; you will have three weeks at the end of the semester to complete it.  The material will be presented to the class on May 12 (instead of a final exam).  It counts 35% of your grade.

I would recommend that you open and read over each piece of the assignment so you can start thinking about it, even if you do not begin the work at this time.

This is the first time I have used this particular assignment, and there may be "glitches."  Please let me know immediately if something is unclear or seems contradictory.

Thank you!

NCATE visit

You have probably heard College of Ed faculty "stewing about" our journey toward NCATE accreditation.  It has been a long and laborious trip, but we are almost there.  The NCATE visit is scheduled April 2-6.  We know they will be catching students and asking them about their knowledge of the West College of Education conceptual framework.  Since you are distance students, you should be safe!  However, if you are on campus for another class, please familiarize yourself with the information below:

Motto: “Let Knowledge Open Doors”

WCoE values and promotes the following traits and dispositions in our Conceptual Framework:

1.      Mastery of both content knowledge and content pedagogy.

2.      Embracing and celebrating diversity of ideas, culture, and individuals

3.      Teaching that is active, student centered, experiential, collaborative, reflective, engaged, contextual, grounded in theory, and research based.   

4.      Systematic, ongoing assessment, employing multiple measures and modes of measurement.

5.      Teachers who exhibit and promote self regulated, ethical behavior.

6.      Effective written and oral communication skills.

7.      Continuous learning including professional development and the sharing of knowledge and expertise.

Thanks!

Dr. O

Please answer the survey

Dr. Redmon is conducting a research project on reasons for going to graduate school.  Please fill out his survey at the following URL:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LRGVN5Y

It will only take a couple of minutes of your time.

Thank you!