Problem-Based Learning Project

EDA 6061November 14, 2009

Team Heron

Summary of Problem

Hickory High school is faced with multiple issues on administrative, staffing, and student performance levels

Superintendent is to ensure that Hickory High staff develop a plan of action with a common direction, work together in a supportive manner, with the time and power needed to develop reforms and deliver on plans

Crucial Issues in Reform

School Climate Building Relationships The Change Process

Leadership Response

Superintendent creates district level team including Director of Curriculum and Staff Development and Director of Technology

Collaborative decision is made to implement Professional Learning Communities district-wide

Hickory High school will be pilot site

Addressing School Climate

Why Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)? Key research points here

Key Components of PLCs

Guided viewing of non-example and example of PLC planning meeting

While watching the video, note ideas that you:

Steps Toward Shifting Thinking

Principal O’Connor’s move toward excellent leadership as a motivating force for his staff begins with his buy-in, which will be fostered by the District Leadership Team through: Notoriety of selection as pilot site National Training for Hickory High PLC

Leadership Team Implementation fully funded and supported by

district and university affiliation

Steps Toward Shifting Thinking

Recognition via: presentation to school board press conference use of pilot model data to drive district’s

5-year plan for total implementation of PLCs

The Change Process

Educators will change the way they view leadership when engaging in practices such as collaboration, distributed leadership, and participatory decision-making (Doyle, 2004)

Collaboration

Well-balanced school leadership team to include new and veteran teachers from each subject department

Attending national training will foster bond of shared experiences to build foundation of respect and collaboration

Distributed Leadership

Loss of control and excess uncertainty as a reason for resistance to change (Kanter)

Leadership Team will share collective wisdom with all staff

Roles as leaders will include acting as liaison between subject departments and administration

Participatory Decision-Making

Leadership Team: Determines best method to present

change to staff Creates school-wide training Selects meeting schedule and level of

support

Conditions for Change in School Climate

Open Communication More people tune into the

environment when they are aware that they can: Communicate regularly Have access to answers Feel safe questioning decisions made

(Kanter, Change Toolkit)

Addressed at Hickory High by . . .

Clearly communicated procedures for addressing issues within PLC structure Begin with PLC team leader, if not

resolved, he/she goes to school leadership team for recommendations

For school-wide issues, faculty will collaboratively decide how to address issue using the leadership team’s recommendations

Conditions for Change in School Climate

Loss of routine – people will resist change when they feel that they are losing their routine and more work has been added (Kanter)

Addressed at Hickory High by . . .

PLC model lessens workload: Formerly separate meetings are

combined (grade levels and departments together)

Meetings have clear purpose and outcomes

Building Relationships

The key to building relationships is recognizing each other’s expertise and how it can help to build a community

Symbiotic relationship where everyone contributes and everyone benefits

-Doyle

Building Relationships

School-wide training by leadership team 1 week before contract (details of that plan)

Break into department teams – analyze data, discuss needs, decide on path

Create collaborative atmosphere – each PLC group posts lessons

on sharepoint

Building Relationships

Incorporate lessons in PLC that utilize technology effectively

High School classes should focus on use of internet for research and presentations (cite tech book)

Building Relationships

Plan for Participation – Implement PLCs, increase comfort

level, determine new school vision