I have been using my "Quality Educational Partnership Triangle" for over 10 years. It becomes handy when I talk to teachers and most importantly when I talk to parents and educators about educational change and what is need to help their child succeed in school.
It is a very simple concept that relies on each corner (Administrators, Parents, and Teachers) of the triangle to be working together. In the main three groups of the triangle are revolving around the student rather than teachers, parents or administrators.
I talk to parents and teachers about changing our methods from the one size fit assessments (i.e. tests) all mentality to one that uses whatever instrument it takes to know if the student is learning. For example, what is wrong if the student orally explains to you the subject or knowledge you are trying to transfer as opposed to writing or guessing it on a Test. Why can’t a journal be kept that takes the subject matter and is applied to one’s everyday life? If we talk and listen to the student we will know as educators if our concepts are being transferred.
Means of learning is most often an individual event for students and it should be our (all groups mentioned in triangle) responsibility to customize learning to fit each student’s mode of learning.
We may have moved into the Digital Age but our education and teaching methods are still based in an Industrial Age mode that teaches the mass-production ways of learning that one size fits all. Nothing could be further from the truth.
It bothers me very much that states (Michigan) are increasing the amount, requirements and level of Math when for years we all know that a majority of students are not grasping math concepts. So instead of trying new methods and concepts we trudge along with an instructor lecturing and writing on the blackboard and then using worksheets as the main means of digesting the subject matter. These type of decisions make no sense and are made by narrow short-term thinking individuals who have no concept or business making these type of self-serving decisions!
The state has set up our students to fail and they are failing. Not just in grades but in self-esteem and self-worth. Not just the students who are struggling but for the students who do excel in math because many of the schools are dumbing down math and science classes so students can still graduate.
We must start with a simple concept like the Educational Triangle and build our new system with all the groups and technology supporting and revolving around our students. When one side or group fails it is the student who takes the brunt.
I. WHY We Need to Change
School changes will require the desire and passions to come from leadership and at least an enthusiasm of others to be led — to change what currently exists. Leaders, administration and staff must accept change as a team and challenging rather than intimidating and threatening to those who look to us for guidance and leadership.
As I traveled back and forth across the country when I worked for a major corporation I wanted to know if it was a local problem or more systemic across the country. Talking with peers in different regions of the country I found them all to have the same problems as we faced in the central region (MI, OH, Il, IA, Wisc). In fact I did a study based on what I saw in North Carolina and determined that our reading and writing level was at the 8th grade level for many of our employees (including some that attended college).
While on the road I often attended local high school board meetings in different states to listen to what was going on in their schools, looking for ways they were preparing their students for the future. I found some good ideas for the times but mostly the common thread that most had in common were the problems they faced. For example these were the most prevalent between 2000 and 2004:
· Lack of funds
· Overcrowded classrooms
· Discipline problems
· Federal and State Laws and Regulations (NCLB)
· Lack of synergy between teachers, grade levels and schools
· Rapid changes in the digital world
· No synergy between parents, teachers and administrators
· Our Educational System is falling behind the rest of the world
I have worked both in the Private and Public School System for the past five years and I would still say the problems I found eight years ago still exist today with the exception of the last one because we are now behind many nations of the world in our educational policies
I have been known for many years as a Systems Thinker who challenges “Conventional Wisdom”, the “Status Quo” and the “Balance” within a system. I ask many questions.
We educators have to understand that what exists in schools today needs to be updated to keep pace with the local, state, national and global societies. We need to recognize that students, admin and teachers must continually learn new things and that some of the skills we teach and use today will soon be as outdated as the technological and social skills continue to change for our students to be successful citizens and life long learners.
Changing the Paradigm
I have often stated that our schools follow an agricultural calendar and was designed for the industrial age of the mid 1800s that has created a poor match with preparing students for the technological digital age. In many districts, schools are not designed to deal with today’s technology, the global and media-driven world we live in, or the equity issues facing education. The rules and regulations under which these schools operate are held over from a time that has passed.
Why do we need grades? Education is a gift that we should all share and to limit one's learning by labeling that person through grades is ridiculous.
Why not change the Paradigm and say:
Did Not Capture Content
Captured Content
Mastered Content
The Onus of learning is shifted back to the instructor/teacher. If the teacher can not transfer knowledge then that person must be moved to a more appropriate educational position.
Ask this question. Is Teaching a Profession or a Privilege? Hopefully it is both, but some believe/act as if it is only a profession.
When will some Administrators realize that just because a teacher knows and can teach a subject it means nothing if the teacher can't teach a student? In other words, it is not what we teach, but how we teach the subject material to the student.
Teachers/Professors who take “Pride” in having a high failure rate for tests and grades should remember that Pride is one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Plus you are an asshole!
I say when it relates to education “Pride is the extreme belief in one's own abilities that obstructs with the individuals recognition of others and the way they learn.”
II. Determining WHAT Changes Need to be Made
Creating the Change
An awareness package needs to be developed, presented and shared with all involved in the School System. The awareness must explain the educational, economic and social reasons why education programs must change, the schools must use that knowledge to develop a student-focused dream (vision) and common focus that helps to identify what changes will be needed (data collection techniques to be developed). The dream helps create a mutual spirit among school and parish communities. The purpose of the school has to be clearly defined. Priorities will begin to appear and roadmap action plans will guide the changes for the school.
Today, there is common agreement about four roles of education:
1. Fostering academic (thinking) development
2. Preparing students to be informed, caring, and productive citizens of society
3. Preparing students for higher education
4. Preparing students for the world of work.
Nice words and found in many schools vision and mission statements. However, what does not exist is the means of how to bring these words alive, to make them real, to internalize them into the day-to-day learning’s of the school. It cannot be done without “active” leadership and the plans with associated measures to monitor progress.
III. Determining HOW to Change
Schools that have first gone through a process of discovering why they must change followed by an analysis of data which identifies what they must change are far better positioned to determine how they need to change.
Creating an environment in which educators at every level and students feel safe in questioning current practices and procedures is an important component in the processes that the successful schools use to stay on a path of continuous improvement.
I have found in my work and studies that found that change leaders look at the process of how to change quite differently from many other leaders. These leaders are willing to take risks as necessary because they believe there is no choice but to change
(Dr. Deming – “No one has to change, Survival is optional”). They understand that playing it safe is more dangerous than taking a risk and that there is no protection from the wave of changes facing our students today and tomorrow. Consequently, they take control and lead example with humility and confidence, rather than simply trying to hang around.
Warning/Danger to educational administrators and teachers at all levels
It is best you start to understand that you serve the student and his/her parents. They pay for your salaries. You will not survive if you continue to resist change (i.e., special education, hours of operation, my way is the best way,etc…). You are not just an administrator, or just a math teacher or an English teacher you are part of the whole system within your school.
Regardless of what you think you are in the service industry. Unfortunately you were trained and brought up in an antiquated educational system that is rapidly changing. Get on board or get out of the way. That means you too Will Robinson!
The following diagram is used quite often in Business for explaining change. I have "Changed" it to reflect "Change" in Education.
Click on Picture To Enlarge:
WIIFM = What's in it for Me; Is wrong! It should be
WIIFTS = What's in it for the students/school.
Creating the Plan
My experience in Change and Creating Action Plans for transformation in business and education comes with the realization that leaders in the high-performing (Baldridge Results) schools and businesses seem to recognize that if they wait to get everyone on board and fully accepting of all requirements of a school improvement plan, they will never move forward. So instead, many accept the concept that one-third of the faculty and staff will be excited about a new plan, one-third will be watchful but somewhat open-minded, and one-third will say, in effect, “any changes will be made over my dead body.”
One approach I have found through painful experiences is that everyone needs to understand through open and honest communication (i.e., awareness package – to be developed) that any plan laid out is not perfect and that, moreover, there is no perfect model or plan. Any plan will need evaluation and adjustment constantly. The admission up front that the plan will need to be personalized as the school moves forward is critical to bringing the mindset of nay Sayers and those who like to sit on the fence and fall which ever way the wind is blowing.
Another hurdle that many schools and businesses I have worked with and for are the problems of dollars and time. Funding will always be an issue; but one must ask what is the cost of not doing changes, can we put a price tag on making sure our students are prepared for the environment they face after high school?
The biggest single deficit schools face is lack of time, how do we fit another project or effort into an already crowded workday. Everyone has their own priorities as to how things should be done; everyone protects “What’s in it for me,” instead of “What’s in it for the good of the whole school.”
Above all it must be "Systemic Change"
SIPOC + CCCC FOR EDUCATION by qualityg
In order for the whole system to change one must identify the end-to-end systemic relationship of the School System in question.
For example:
The diagram below explains what I am trying to say. Think of 1-10-100 as dollars; now visualize each student going through the process and the cost that will be associated trying to solve the problem at the end. The worst scenario are those that do graduate with no skills, there cost is unknown because they have left the system and are now part of societies cost structure.
Click on Pic to Enlarge
Click on Label Below this post (Sipoc Analysis for all my posts on SIPOC + CCCC)
Managing Change
By nature, many of us are not risk takers. Therefore, we want to make sure that any change being contemplated is well thought out, carefully planned, and clearly better than what currently exists. In effect, we will not change unless the pain of not changing is worse than the pain of a new change (like losing a job).
If we don’t, as a team believe that the present system can be changed for the better it will be a long haul. However, I believe the haul can be fun and it can be exciting to lay the groundwork and build what others are afraid to do. I have found since I retired when I look back and see what was, it makes me feel old. However, the way to feel young and invigorated is to look forward and to “Dream” for a better future through hard work and a passion for educational excellence.
To manage change in a school system with entrenched traditions and well-known fear of change requires a team of special and charismatic leaders. We as leaders need to recognize that avoiding dreams, passions and risks actually puts our school and students in greater risk of not succeeding than not attempting change at all.
A Transformation is required and we can no longer wait for someone or the government to come up with the ultimate plan. In order to compete, and bring balance to our academic successes along with our athletic successes, we must Dream and build a plan for today and tomorrow.
Dr. Deming said
“No one has to Change. Survival is Optional.”
How about starting with this suggestion - If a student can not read at the appropriate grade level in grades one through five he/she must be retained for remedial help until he/she passes. If you can't read you will not be able to do any subject. Process changes that will provide improvements comes up front in the process.
