Conceptualizing a New Path

by ETS (The Educational Testing Service), The

• ISBN13: 9780131723986
• ISBN10: 0131723987
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Merrill Education and ETS (Educational Testing Service) are proud to bring you Conceptualizing A New Path, by Peter J. Holly (ETS, 2003). The first workbook in the PATHWISE Data-Driven School Improvement Series, Conceptulizing A New Path presents the fundamental arguement that data-based decision making constitutes a valid, alternative method of going about educational change. Through the exercises in this workbook participants acquire the skills and attitudes to become not only better change makers but also better colleagues and more effective team players.

Table of Contents

Introduction	v
Purpose of Workbook One	v
Group Process Guide	vii
Structuring Learning Team Meetings	xiv
The Problem of Change	1	(20)
The Purpose of Chapter One	1	(1)
The Change Wars	1	(20)
Task 1: Alternatives to Change Wars	2	(1)
Task 2: Personal Experiences with Change Wars	3	(4)
Task 3: District Initiatives	7	(7)
Task 4: Categorizing Reactions to Change	14	(1)
Task 5: Setting Change to Music	15	(3)
Task 6: Reflecting on Chapter One	18	(3)
The Seven Elements of School Improvement	21	(123)
The Purpose of Chapter Two	21	(2)
Element One: Getting Focused	23	(14)
Task 1: Applying Focusing Skills	24	(6)
Task 2: Recognizing the Developmental Stages of Change	30	(1)
Task 3: Planning and Sequencing Changes Over Time	31	(2)
Task 4: Clustering Changes	33	(1)
Task 5: How to Say ``No''	34	(3)
Element Two: Creating a Shared Agenda	37	(14)
Task 1: Instant Gardening	37	(4)
Task 2: Relating the Six Factors for a Healthy Life to Professional Situations	41	(2)
Task 3: Creating a Central List of Common Ground Issues	43	(2)
Task 4: Listening to Others' Views and Opinions	45	(4)
Task 5: Rating Your School's Current Approach to Change	49	(2)
Element Three: Follow-Through---Sustaining Changes Over Time	51	(10)
Task 1: Changing Trains---A Metaphor	51	(2)
Task 2: Sustaining Changes Over Time	53	(6)
Task 3: Reflecting on Element Three	59	(2)
Element Four: Grounding Our Change Efforts in Data	61	(14)
Task 1: Action Planning	67	(3)
Task 2: Understanding the Interests of Stakeholder Groups	70	(3)
Task 3: Tracking Student Progress	73	(2)
Element Five: Data Show Our Progress	75	(16)
Task 1: Understanding the Role of Data in School Improvement Efforts	75	(5)
Task 2: Creating Your Local Version of Essential Learnings	80	(2)
Task 3: Constructing a Needs Assessment Tool	82	(2)
Task 4: Identifying Local Keepers of the Vision	84	(1)
Task 5: Completing a Gap Analysis	85	(3)
Task 6: Reflecting on De-Centering	88	(3)
Element Six: Continuous Improvement in the Self-Renewing School	91	(26)
Task 1: Applying the Characteristics of a Learning School	92	(2)
Task 2: Identifying Local External Requirements and Internal Needs	94	(1)
Task 3: Attending to Both External Requirements and Internal Needs	95	(3)
Task 4: Using the Properties of a Self-Renewing School to Complete a Local Assessment	98	(2)
Task 5: Evaluating the Performance of Your School System	100	(5)
Task 6: Understanding the Difference Between Site-Based and Shared Decision Making	105	(2)
Task 7: Integrating School-Based Initiatives with System Coordination	107	(2)
Task 8: Constructing a Decision-Making Matrix	109	(2)
Task 9: Reviewing the Guidelines for Making Good Decisions	111	(1)
Task 10: Composing a Common Public Agreement	112	(1)
Task 11: Understanding the Impact of Voting in the Decision-Making Process	113	(1)
Task 12: Filtering Change	114	(3)
Element Seven: Creating a Data-Driven School Culture	117	(27)
Task 1: Identifying Strengths and Challenges	117	(4)
Task 2: Summarizing Survey Findings	121	(2)
Task 3: Reflecting on Local Efforts in Light of Dubuque Schools' Efforts	123	(4)
Task 4: Reflecting on Data Coach Training	127	(2)
Task 5: Finding Time to Learn From Data	129	(1)
Task 6: Reflecting on Your School Culture	130	(3)
Task 7: Identifying an Effective Leadership Style	133	(3)
Task 8: Rating the Effectiveness of the Site Council	136	(2)
Task 9: Developing an Action Plan	138	(2)
Task 10: Sharing New Ideas with Colleagues	140	(1)
Task 11: Reflecting on New Learning	141	(3)
About the Author	144	(1)
References	145	(4)
Appendix	149