School Improvement Plan

Improved Essays
School Improvement Plan It is through the development of a collaborative, trusting culture that a school leader will be able to build a school improvement team with all stakeholders being represented. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provides school leaders with six guiding questions to help school improvement teams establish goals, create and implement plans, and evaluate progress. When these questions are answered honestly they are effective tools in planning for school improvement. These questions include:
1. Is there a system within the school that enables the principal to serve as a strong instructional leader?
2. Is there a system within the school that fully ensures school-wide use of data that is focused on school improvement
…show more content…
One way a school leader may do this is through creating participatory action research teams. Gaffney (2008) defined participatory action research as a group of professionals who set out a question of relevance in their current school, and then activities and experiences are designed to reflect upon the issues at hand. Arranging for teachers to reflect upon the school’s ability to answer the above questions affirmatively is an excellent way to evaluate the school improvement plan. The empowerment of all stakeholders in the school improvement process can only improve the school and the community (Esposito & Smith, 2006). Isernhagen (2012) reported on the perceptions that school improvement planning participants had on the process by stating, “Educators emphasized the importance of a collaborative culture to the school improvement process, as it allowed teachers to share resources, cooperate on a more cohesive curriculum, and support each other emotionally” (p.5). Isernhagen further pointed out the need for strong leaders to encourage a change in the school culture in order to facilitate the school improvement …show more content…
As Levenson, Baehr, Smith & Sullivan (2014) pointed out, too often principals and district leaders decide programming changes based on emotions or feelings rather than data. Difficult decisions are sometimes made based on the popularity of a program or how well liked a system may be. They suggested that schools and districts have opportunities to realign resources and reallocate funds to support their comprehensive plans. Levenson et al. suggested that school leaders apply an Academic Return on Investment Philosophy (A-ROI) when it comes to funding programs within a district or school. Bowers (2008) argued that it is essential for leaders in the private or public sector to focus their resources on the system-wide goal, in this case student achievement. Bowers further alluded to the need for organizations to focus on creating an overall systems approach, which motivates employees to reach for a common goal. Levenson, Baehr, Smith & Sullivan (2014) took three questions and transformed them into a formula, which can be used to help principals decide how to best fund programs within their buildings. First, how much are we spending per student on any particular strategy or program? Second, How much learning is being achieved for each dollar spent? Lastly, How does this “learning per dollar spent” compare

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    The distinctive knowledge gained through the shadowing experience and interview with my school 's principal is invaluable and I am grateful for the principal 's graciousness in allowing me the opportunity to explore the complexities of school leadership. I was able to observe the principal 's style of leadership, planning with the school 's leadership team, and collaborative processes. I was also able to indirectly observe, conflict management, application of state and district mandates, and parent and community involvement outreach.…

    • 1180 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Teachers need to believe that the principal has their best interest at heart. Teachers also need to feel that the principal is dependable and has the necessary skills and knowledge to lead the school. “One of the hallmarks of effective principals is how they treat people. Like effective teachers, effective principals treat people with respect,” (Whitaker, 2009). No matter what wonderful programs, textbooks, and activities are established in a school, the success of the school and essentially the students will depend on the relationships, both internal and external, among the stakeholders.…

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    ELAD542 M2 DISC Applying the ISLLC Standards and the 11 Top Ten Most Wanted Strategies for school culture by Sorenson & Goldsmith, to transform the Earl Roloff Elementary School, in Combes Public School System, into a model school using a $150,000 grant will be a worthwhile challenge! When the new superintendent demonstrated a collaborative leadership style by forming a Principal interview team that included both veteran and new teachers to choose the new principal, it well-received; therefore, as the new principal, following through with a similar collaborative style would likely be successful. In my perspective, the principal needs to develop a strategic plan that creates a shared vision and goals with a variety of stakeholders, provides professional development for the staff to achieve those goals, and reaches into the community to develop partnerships and positive relationships.…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Student learning is more data driven and administrators have more workloads and responsibilities. The article addressed the problem with school leaders managing funding and policy changes. The need for shared leadership among teachers and staff is increasing do to the lack of time allowed for the administration to focus solely on data driven learning. Allowing collaboration among colleagues such as PLCs, RTI, and classroom teachers using administrative directed protocol can promote an acceptance of changes because all parties have the opportunity to analyze the data and discuss where the need for change is necessary.…

    • 1173 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Greenville R-2 Case Study

    • 1322 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Kinder has had a tremendous impact on how the Greenville School District operates, before he was hired as a district administrator the schools culture was organized in a traditional top-down autocratic leadership style. The previous administrator made all the decisions with little to no input from the professional staff, parents or community stakeholders. The culture was one of employee disconnect with low rates of job satisfaction, high rates of professional absence and large numbers of employment turn-over each year. Under Mr. Kinder’s tenure the district has initiated professional learning community policies and he has worked hard to establish the collaborative culture now in found within the district. Teachers are not simply told what will be done, but rather they are the ones making the plans and implementing changes from within.…

    • 1322 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    There have been numerous changes at the state and federal levels that have affected Napavine School District. Over the past few years, teachers and administrators have worked long hours to meet the changing demands placed upon public schools. Two school improvement initiatives currently in place at NSD are the Teacher Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP) and our School Improvement Plan (SIP). Our TPEP has been successful because we have had several years to implement the process. We are in our third year with some teachers still trying to determine the best types of assessment and how to tie student learning goals to those assessments.…

    • 1044 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    The wheel of academic achievement at our school has been and will continue to be fueled by data and data assessments throughout its existence. From a representative core of data assessments, we have formed our plan of restructuring. Instructional teacher strategies, teacher and parent developed student safety nets, ramp-up classes along with parental involvement and assisted behavior guide patterns form the bases of our academic progress plan. We expect to elevate our scores to a higher percentage level in each domain of the Criterion Referenced Competency Test. Our expectations are due to our knowledge of deficiencies and effective teaching strategies that will foster growth.…

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In today’s educational setting there are various major issues that constantly need to be addressed and dealt with. Often times these issues are so vast and so severe that the idea of even where to begin is almost unfathomable. These issues range from academic concerns, to financial concerns, and continue with personnel and staffing issues. Many school systems face such dire problems, that it is almost impossible to resurrect their institutions to get them on the right path to success. By possessing the ability to recognize the most pertinent issues facing a school system, administrators can develop a plan of action and then implement that plan to hopefully create positive change that can have a lasting positive impact on the school.…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to the information provided, the school has seen three administrators in the past three years; therefore, the principal must approach his management responsibilities from an Authoritative perspective; however, he must also embody the traits and characteristics of a Transformational Leader. The schools have seen administrator come and go; therefore, it is important that administrators build a consensus among parents, students, and teachers.…

    • 445 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    As an educational leader it is critical to understand that all students have the opportunity to learn, and there is a tremendous growth opportunity due to the descriptive nature at the school. While the achievement scores show underperformance, an administrator with integrity could offer the support to grow a young staff with high morale. Thus, the climate at the school is primed for an increase in capacity and through a strategic plan and development of the teacher and community, the school could be developed to grow learning of students. Reflection – As a superintendent or any leader making decisions, there is a large amount of data and variables that must be analyzed and connected to support the core task.…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Schools today have many external influences from stakeholders including parents, the community, and even the governmental bodies that preside over the school system in its respective state. The Baldrige National Quality Program lists several influences that can create challenges for schools such as changing demographics, increasing and/or decreasing student population each year, appropriation of funds, changing tax base, state or federal mandates that need to be followed, to competition of charter schools, and even recruitment and retention of a qualified workforce (Baldrige National Quality Program, 2007, p. 41). These influences offer several challenges to a school’s principal and staff. The principal and the staff have a responsibility…

    • 1730 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    M8 Discussion In Case Study 1, “Who Needs Lesson Plans” the Buchanan Elementary School, in which almost 90% are students of color, 82% are economically disadvantaged, and the school has the largest percentage of non-proficient students in the district regarding state mandated achievement testing originating from the NCLB Act. The majority of the teaching staff, 11 out of 17, has only taught at Buchanan Elementary, with an average age of 53. Moreover, the energetic superintendent has only been with the district for 5 years, and the current principal of the Buchanan Elementary School replaced their beloved principal, who was coerced into retirement due to his inability to meet performance goals set by Superintendent Mark Simon. As a result, the…

    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Over the course of my seven years teaching high school social studies, I have had the opportunity to learn about the evolving roles and responsibilities of a school administrator from three amazing principals. Henry Kluttz, Kelly Withers, and Angelo DelliSanti have been excellent models for anyone aspiring to be an administrator. Having recently started my own journey towards this leadership role, my knowledge of what makes a great principal has grown exponentially. Having the opportunity to interview a pair of veteran elementary school principals through this assignment has been an eye-opening experience. Having spent the entirety of my teaching career at the high school level has left me with a limited understanding of how an elementary school functions.…

    • 1066 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Importance of Teachers as Leaders In today’s world, there is an ever-present need for restructuring our public school systems, particularly regarding leadership in our schools. “Teacher Leaders” is a term that is becoming more used in today’s educational setting. Teacher leaders, or leaders as teachers, are teachers “who aspire to stretch beyond their classrooms to engage in leadership roles that take many shapes and forms, both informal and formal” (Education Commission of the State, 2010, p.1). This is not a new concept but one that is being tweaked.…

    • 1403 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Collaborative Culture

    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Leaders must know how to listen with empathy, engage in deep conversation, and talk about things that are connected to the future (Senge, 2008). To move teams forward, leaders must test assumptions to ensure the past does not repeat itself. Research shows the positive impact a collaborative culture has on the change process in a school and the indirect effect it has on student achievement (Hollinger & Heck, 2010). Franklin Covey Education has a dynamic school change movement titled, The Leader in Me.…

    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays