Understanding the Causal System

PC1: Improvement Science Basics

Louis Gomez & Sandra Park

Our Road Map for Learning

Seeing the System

Understanding the Problem

Effect

Cause Cause

Cause Cause

The Dynamism in the Field: A Sampler

It’s  the  TEXTBOOKS  

We’re  not  aligning  with  students’  ACADEMIC  &  CAREER  GOALS  

It’s  STUDENT  MOTIVATION  

It’s  a  HUMAN  RESOURCE  problem  

It’s  an  INSTITUTIONAL  LEADERSHIP  FAILURE!!  

Open  Source  Materials  

Learning  CommuniMes  

Design  More  Meaningful  Courses  

PD  +  Faculty  Inquiry  Groups  

Leadership  Development  Programs  

What is a Causal Systems Analysis?

An improvement process that helps you identify the initiating causes of a problem.

Tool: Ishikawa Fishbone or “Cause-and-Effect” Diagram

(Basis for developing a Systems Improvement Map)

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BRANCH:  CATEGORY    

BRANCH:  CATEGORY    

BRANCH:  CATEGORY    

BRANCH:  CATEGORY    

PROBLEM    STATEMENT  

BONE:    CAUSE  

BONE:    CAUSE  BONE:    CAUSE  

BONE:    CAUSE  

Activity: What is the specific problem?

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Activity: Identifying Root Causes

Asking “Why?” ! Big ideas—main categories ! Choose one “category”

! Brainstorm potential causes. Ask “why?” three to five times for each of the initial categories.

! Try to focus on finding key system processes you can influence.

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RELATIONSHIP    WITH  PRINCIPAL   FEEDBACK  

HIRING,  RECRUITING    &  PLACEMENT  SYSTEMS  

PROFESSIONAL    COMMUNITY  

PROFESSIONAL    DEVELOPMENT  

HIGH  TURNOVER  RATES  AND  LESS  EFFECTIVE  NEW  

TEACHERS  

WORKING  CONDITIONS  

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RELATIONSHIP    WITH  PRINCIPAL   FEEDBACK  

HIRING,  RECRUITING    &  PLACEMENT  SYSTEMS  

PROFESSIONAL    COMMUNITY  

PROFESSIONAL    DEVELOPMENT  

TURNOVER  RATES  FOR  NEW  TEACHERS  ARE  HIGH  AND  NEW  TEACHERS  ARE  NOT  EFFECTIVE  FAST  

ENOUGH  

WORKING  CONDITIONS  

Lack of attention to relational practices in the induction and

development of principals.

New teachers low priority on principals’ time

Weak or absent culture of trust district-wide

High principal turnover

No common language about good teaching

Not connected to resources to improve

Those giving feedback lack expertise

Feedback is experienced as isolated and/or evaluative events

Mismatch between teacher background

and initial assignments

Lack of clarity around roles and responsibilities (e.g HR, principal, etc.)

Lack of information necessary for good

school-teacher match

Processes not timely

Lack of communication between prep programs

and districts

“It’s not my job” Lack of collective responsibility for students and their achievement Inadequate time,

resources and structures

Each new teacher invents curriculum

No concept of arc of teacher dev

Not connected to student learning

Not differentiated by needs of individual teachers

Lack of coherence

Environment not safe

Facilities inadequate

No breaks

Tips for Crafting a Fishbone Diagram

STAY USER-CENTERED

! Talk to users to get their perspectives. ! See the system from different points of view. ! Solve the problem for users first. ! Be open-minded.

USE DATA WHEN POSSIBLE

! Measure the gap you’re trying to close. ! Test causes against data.

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