The Executive Educator, EDL 640 Western Illinois University Spring 2015 Quad Cities, Grayslake, Macomb Sandra Watkins, Ph.D. Professor Department of Educational Leadership 18-H Horrabin Hall Macomb, Illinois 61455 Meeting Dates: Class Schedule: Work (309)298-2297 Home (309) 836-2060 E-mail: SG-Watkins@wiu.edu Fax: 309-298-2080 Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:30-4:30 p.m. Before and after each class session January 24 & 25,. 2015, Saturday & Sunday – February 21 & 22, 2015, Saturday & Sunday – March 28 & 29, 2015, Saturday & Sunday – Saturdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; Sundays 8-1:30 Catalog Description: EDL 640, The Executive Educator – (Three Semester Hours) Theories of organizational leadership and their relevance for, and application to, schools and school districts; structural, human resources, political and symbolic approaches to leadership and change; and the development of interpersonal competence. Prerequisite: EDL 600, or permission of the instructor. Purpose: The focus of this course is executive leadership. Executive leadership promotes the success of all students and staff by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the entire school system and community. The issues and problems facing the superintendent and executive staff have made a recent shift in focus to accountability and results for student achievement. The clarion call today is ensuring that the needs of all students in the school district will be met! Stakeholders are requiring districts to provide learning experiences that will produce students who will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform in a global society. Educational reform initiatives now take front and center stage in the business of education. This course will address current and future challenges of district leadership. Areas of major focus include developing a vision, mission, core values and SMART goals for the district. Additional areas include the following: analysis of organizational culture; navigating change; identification of technical and adaptive challenges and change; analysis of school board research and current district practices; how to create a sense of urgency; listening to the public via opinion polls; analyzing district tests scores and current intervention practices; making the leap from good to great; gaining an understanding of the importance of emotional intelligences in leadership; interpersonal competence and public relations tools and techniques. It is my intent to make this course practical, interesting, challenging and relevant to your everyday experiences in the school district. This graduate course is extremely valuable for you to achieve success as a superintendent or central office administrator in the 21st century. 1 Course Objectives: The graduate students will be able to: 1. Design and communicate the vision, mission, core values and SMART goals for a PreK-12 school district and understand the leadership processes necessary to implement and obtain support from all stakeholders. 2. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate data and translate data into research based instructional strategies aligned with the vision, mission, core value and SMART goals of the district. Evaluate PreK-12 data in a school district and present on a Data Dashboard. Illustrate your interpretation of data as well as the interventions needed to be employed to catapult student learning and student achievement. 3. Articulate the theory and research related to organizational leadership and effectiveness and apply this knowledge through the evaluation of their current district. Recommend strategies for improvement. 4. Apply the knowledge of the “Iowa Lighthouse Study” and the “School District Leadership that Works” research to their current board of education. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of your current board of education. Make recommendations for change to enhance organizational effectiveness. 5. Demonstrate the ability to align, and as necessary, redesign PreK-12 school district administrative practices to enhance the overall organizational effectiveness of the district. Utilize the concepts in “Creating Innovators” to speak to the essential skills needed in the future. 6. Articulate the importance of a “Sense of Urgency” in the change process and be able to apply Kotter’s eight steps in the change process to a local school district. Utilize international and national assessments (PISA, PIRLS ,TIMSS and NAEP) to establish a sense of urgency. 7. Identify the difference between adaptive and technical changes that challenge school superintendents. Articulate the barriers that will surface as a result of making adaptive changes. Articulate the key findings of the latest research in Illinois and Minnesota on the superintendency. 8. Communicate the necessity of establishing core values at the district level in collaboration with school board members. Describe the importance of adherence to these values along with a process to address noncompliance. Understand conflict resolution techniques and the importance of listening skills as spelled out in current research. 9. Articulate the areas of emotional intelligence related to social competencies and personal competencies. Conduct self-assessment of emotional intelligence. Become aware of the reasons for derailment in the superintendency. Assess your specific vulnerabilities and how they are related to emotional intelligence. 10. Identify the strategies of taking a school district from “Good to Great” and be able to cite the characteristics of a Level 5 Leader. 2 Textbooks: All of the textbooks are required reading as designated. These books could be on your superintendent’s reference shelf, at a local ROE/AEA, or in your local library. You will need these books as a member of the executive staff in the central office. Required Textbooks: Title: Author: Publisher: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive Patrick Lencioni Jossey-Bass Inc. Title: Author: Publisher: A Sense of Urgency John Kotter Harvard Business Press ISBN 1-4221-7971-0 ISBN – 0-7879-5403-9 Title: Author Publisher Creating Innovators-The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World Tony Wagner Scribner: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4516-1149-6 Title: Author: Publisher: Leadership on the Line Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky Harvard Business School Press ISBN 1-57851-437-1 Title: Author: Website: The Lighthouse Study The Iowa School Board Association www.ia-sb.org/asseets/FADFDF72-BE9D-4807-8CF9-19B823FOCDA1.pdf Title: School District Leadership that Works: The Effect of Superintendent Leadership on Student Achievement – A Working Paper Tim Waters and Robert Marzano Authors: Website http://www.mcrel.org/pdf/LeadershipOrganizationDevelopment/4005RR_Superintendent_Leadership.pdf Access: Eric Database – ED494270 on Western Illinois Library Website Supplementary Textbooks Title: Author Title: Author: Publisher: Good to Great and the Social Sector Jim Collins Great By Choice Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen Harper Collins ISBN 978-0-06-212099-1 3 Title: Author Publisher Good to Great Jim Collins HarperCollins Publishers ISBN 0-0-06-662099-6 Title: Author: Publisher: Reframing Organizations (Artistry, Choice, and Leadership) 3rd Edition Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal Jossey-Bass ISBN Title: Author: Publisher: The Key Work of School Boards-Guidebooks Katheryn Gemberling, Carl Smith and Joseph Villani National School Boards Association ISBN 0-88364-242-5 Title: Author: Publisher: The School Superintendency M. Scott Norton, L. Dean Webb, Larry L. Dlugosh, Ward Sybouts Allyn and Bacon ISBN 0-205-15933-8 Title: Author: Publisher: The Superintendent’s Fieldbook – A Guide for Leaders of Learning McCabe, Cunningham, Harvey and Koff AASA and Corwin Press Title: Author: Publisher: Primal Leadership Daniel Goleman, McKee, and Boyatzis Harvard Business School Press ISBN 1-27851-486-X (alk-paper) Title: Author: Publisher: The Superintendent as CEO Hoyle, Bjork, Collier, Glass AASA and Corwin Press ISBN 0-7619-3168-6 Title: Author: Publisher: Working On the Work: An Action Plan for Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents Philip C. Schlechty Jossey-Bass ISBN 0-78796165-5 Title: Author: Publisher: The Five Temptations of a CEO Patrick Lencioni Jossey-Bass Title: Author: Publisher: Listen Up Leader: Pay Attention, Improve and Guide David Cottrell The Walk the Talk Company Title: Author: Publisher: Managing By Values Ken Blanchard and Michael O’Connor Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. ISBN -13: 978-1-57675-274-6 4 Title: Author: Publisher: How The Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In Jim Collins HarperCollins Publishers Inc ISBN 978-0-9773264 1-9 Title: Author: Publisher: The Truth About Leadership James M.Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner Jossey-Bass ISBN 9780-470-63354-0 Title: Author: Publisher: Derailed Tim Irwin Thomas Nelson, Inc ISBN 978-1-59555-274-7 Bookstore: To order books from the WIU bookstore, call the telephone numbers listed below. Books will be shipped ASAP when charged to credit card. If paid by check, books will be shipped upon receipt of check. The bookstore telephone numbers are: (800)339-6369 or (800)298-1931. Course Outcomes/Standards/Assessments Elements ELCC 1.1a Candidates develop and demonstrate the skills needed to work with the board of education to facilitate the development of a vision, mission and core values for a school district that promotes the success of all students ELCC 1.1b Candidates base development of the vision on relevant knowledge and theories applicable to school-level leaders applied to a school district context ELCC 1.1c Candidates used data-based research strategies to create a vision that takes into account the diversity of learners in the district. ELCC 1.1d Candidates demonstrate knowledge of ways to use a district’s vision to mobilize additional resources to support the vision ELCC 1.2a Candidates demonstrate the ability to articulate the components of this vision for a district and the leadership processes necessary to implement and support the vision. ELCC 1.2b Candidates demonstrate the ability to use data-based research strategies and strategic planning process that focus on student learning to develop a vision, drawing on relevant information sources such Assessments Papers on The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, Creative Innovators, Leadership on the Line, Iowa Lighthouse Study – School Board Assessment, and Simulation Presentation of Visionary Dashboard to School Board and Members of the Community Reflection paper on The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, Creative Innovators, Leadership on the Line, Evaluation of school board based on the Iowa Lighthouse study and Evaluation of district office leadership on The Four Obsessions Instrument Visionary Dashboard/PowerPoint presentation Visionary Dashboard/PowerPoint presentation Reflection paper on The Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, presentation of visionary dashboard. Visionary Dashboard/PowerPoint presentation Textbook: Creative Innovators 5 as student assessment results, student and family demographic data, and an analysis of community needs. ELCC 1.2c Candidates demonstrate the ability to communicate the vision to school boards, staff, parents, and community members through the use of symbols, ceremonies, stories and other activities. ELCC 1.3b Candidates design research-based processes to effectively implement a district vision throughout an entire school district and community. ELCC 1.4a Candidates demonstrate the ability to align and, as necessary, redesign administrative policies and practices required for full implementation of a district vision. ELCC 1.4b Candidates understand the theory and research related to organizational and educational leadership and engage in the collection, organization, and analysis of a variety of information including student performance, data required to assess programs toward a district’s vision, mission and goals. ELCC 1.5a Candidates demonstrate the ability to bring together and communicate effectively with stakeholders within the districts and the larger community concerning implementation and realization of the vision. ELCC 4.1b Candidates demonstrate ability to use public information and research-based knowledge of issues and trends to collaborate with families and community needs. ELCC 4.2c Candidates demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with individuals and groups that reflect conflicting perspectives. ELCC 5.1 Candidates demonstrate a respect of the rights of others with regard to confidentiality and dignity and engage in honest interactions. Presentation of visionary dashboard/PowerPoint, papers on The Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive and Leadership on the Line Visionary Dashboard/PowerPoint presentation with district data, current strategies and future strategies for improvement. Papers on The Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive¸ A Sense of Urgency¸ evaluation of school board-moving/stuck, evaluation of district office based on Lencioni Instrument. Assessment: Visionary Dashboard, Papers on Creative Innovators, Leadership on the Line, The Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, A Sense of Urgency, Evaluation of School BoardMoving/Stuck, Evaluation of District OfficeLencioni Reflection papers on Vision, Mission, Core Values as well as presentations. Read paper on Listening Skills and participate in group activities. Assessment: Participation in Class Discussion on Future Trends and Opinion Polls. Read Creative Innovators and understand implications for students and families. Assessment: Reflection paper on Leadership on the Line. Assessment: Emotional Intelligence, Group Discussion on School Board research. 6 Tentative Class Schedule, Expectations, and Assignments January 24 & 25, 2015 Learner Focus: Vision, Mission, Core Values and SMART Goals – the Upper Loop of Performance Gallery Walk on Vision, Mission, Core Values and SMART goals Vision Assessment Importance of Vision in an Organization Video and PowerPoint on Vision International Assessments and the National Assessment: TIMSS, PISA, PIRLS, NAEP The Superintendent: Are you an Extraordinary Executive? The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive – What are they? The State of the American School Superintendency – A Mid-Decade Study and Decade Study Illinois (2011) Study and Minnesota Study (2010) on the Superintendentency Assessment of District Office Leadership – Are they Extraordinary Executives? “McREL Study on School District Leadership That Works” Review Creating a Sense of Urgency: Why is this important and where do you start? Video: John Kotter--Change Change and the Change Process Student Expectations: Required Read: “School District Leadership That Works: The Effect of Superintendent Leadership on Student Achievement – A Working Paper” – Read full text and download either from Western Illinois Library – Eric Database or at http://www.mcrel.org/pdf/LeadershipOrganizationDevelopment/40005RR_Superintendent_Leaders hip.pdf. Come to class prepared to discuss the status of your district as it relates to this article Read: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive Write a speech on how you, as the superintendent of schools, will utilize the major concepts in this book in your school district. The speech will be given to your administrative staff and the school board your first week on the job. Several students will be picked to present in class. Remember: The major concepts will serve as your “Standard Operating Procedures with your Administrative Staff.” Read: A Sense of Urgency Create a colorful “Book Talk” based on the major concepts in this book. Your goal is to sell it to the board and to your administrative staff with an attractive handout outlining the key points in the book. Use at least 4 of the following: white spaces, visuals, bullets, and numbers. Bold sentences or statements and break-up long text. Limit the document to no more than two pages back to back. The district has been in a ‘status quo” mentality for over a decade and it is your job to establish a sense of urgency. You will want to generate enough excitement about the book so board members and the administrative staff cannot wait to read it. Think about what tools, techniques and strategies you will want to accomplish in the coming school year. Write a scenario that you have witnessed that caused an extreme challenge for a superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate or assistant superintendent in a school district. The SCENARIO will be Page 1. On Page 2, write (a) how it was handled and (b) how you would handle it. Please follow the exact directions! 7 February 21 & 22, 2015 Learner Focus Creating a Sense of Urgency for Creative Innovation. Moving a School District from “Good to Great”: What is your plan? Video: James Collins—Moving from Good to Great Review of Good to Great in the Social Sector, Good to Great, Great By Choice- How does this happen? Future Trends and Global Leadership The Iowa Lighthouse Study School Board Governance- Dr. Dean Langdon, Deputy Director, Illinois Association of School Boards Effective Governance Targeting Student Achievement: Role of School Board Student Expectations: Required Read: Creating Innovators. School board members returned to your school district in November, 2014 excited about the speech Tony Wagner gave on creating innovation at the Triple I school board conference in Chicago. They want you, Mr/Mrs. Superintendent, to facilitate a “book study” on his most recent book: Creating Innovators. The board retreat will occur on the second week of February and will be with your administrative staff and all of the school board members. Selected community business leaders will also be invited to attend. You will be graded on how effectively you APPLY the concepts to the vision, mission, and core values of the school district as well as your process in facilitating the book study. Review: Good to Great in the Social Sector/Good to Great/. ( A presentation will be conducted on this material as well as a review of the latest book, Great by Choice, author, James Collins) Read and summarize, (no more than one page) the major findings of “The Lighthouse Study: School Board/Superintendent Behaviors in School Districts with Extreme Differences in Student Achievement” by the ISBA to be handed in. Access on the Web: www.iasb.org/studentachievment/LighthouseProjectOverview.pdf Write an evaluation of your local school board in relationship to the seven topics that are addressed in the Lighthouse study. Be sure to indicate if your school board is MOVING or STUCK on these issues along with your rationale for your position. Then write recommendations for each of the seven areas as to how you will assist school board members and staff to move to exemplary status. Staple your summary of the study to this evaluation document! SEVEN TOPIC AREAS Moving or Stuck 1. Shared leadership 2. Continuous improvement 3. Ability to create and sustain initiatives 4. Supportive workplace for staff 5. Staff levels present 6. Support for school sites through data and information 7. Community involvement Rationale Recommendations 8 March 28 & 29, 2015 Learner Focus: Identification of Adaptive and Technical Change Challenges Six Secrets of Change Emotional Intelligence and Executive Decision Making Self Assessment of Emotional Intelligence The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Visionary PowerPoint/Dash Board Presentations with District Level DataDerailed—The Red Flags Searching for a Superintendent Position- Mr. Tom Leahy, Search Consultant, Illinois Association of School Boards First 100 Days Resiliency Data Dashboard Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution Communication Skills: Superintendents focus on Listening Skills- Student Expectations: Required Read: Leadership on the Line. Write a reflection paper ( no more than 3-5 pages) on the key concepts of this book. Your staff has experienced a great deal of conflict in the past two years because of the many changes that have come down from the state and federal governments. The executive staff and administrative staff have been targets for some of this displaced aggression. This organizational leadership book was recommend to you by a highly respected superintendent in the state. Think about how you will share the major concepts of this book with your executive staff. Be sure to explain to them with examples of technical and adaptive changes/challenges. Final: Visionary Data Dashboard Presentations. Class members will act as school board members and community members as you present your Visionary Dashboard in class. Class members will evaluate your presentation on the visionary Data/Dashboard and your overall performance during this activity. Your instructor will also evaluate your presentation on the visionary data dashboard and your overall performance on this activity. A template is provided in Appendix A for initial guidance. Please be as creative as you like with this assignment! Vision and Mission Statements for the Department and College Department of Educational Leadership Vision Statement: The department will be one of the premiere educational leadership programs in the nation. Teacher and Professional Education Program Vision Statement: Our graduates will be empowered educational professionals deeply committed to continuous learning and the empowerment of all learners. 9 Department of Educational Leadership Mission Statement: The mission of the Department of Educational Leadership is to prepare transformational leaders who cultivate exemplary learning organizations. Teacher and Professional Education Program Mission Statement: The WIU Teacher and Professional Educational Program empowers candidates to become educational practitioners who engage in informed action that is grounded in knowledge and reflection; who are deeply committed to the highest standards of professional practice; who are able to adapt to emerging social, economic, and cultural landscapes; who are skilled in the use of technological tools that promote teaching and learning; and who are committed to empowering all learners. Policies and Expectations APA FORMAT: All papers prepared by students in the Department of Educational Leadership must follow the guidelines of the Sixth Edition-Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Students will follow this manual unless the instructor makes explicit written exceptions in the course syllabus. ATTENDANCE POLICY: In 600-level classes if a student is absent for more than 50% of a scheduled day of a weekend academy, the instructor may assign an Incomplete (INC) and require that the student make up the appropriate day the next time the course is offered. Under rare circumstances, the instructor may elect to assign the student additional activities to demonstrate that the student has accomplished the course outcomes missed in class. If this option is chosen, then in advance of completion, the instructor will report to the Chair the name of the student, time missed, and a summary of the work assigned as make up. AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT: In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor’s attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512 for additional services. INCOMPLETE POLICY: An incomplete (I) is given under extreme extenuating circumstances. Although students are expected to complete the course requirements before the end of the term, in some instances, it is recognized that students may not be able to do so because of factors beyond their control. In such instances, and upon written permission of the instructor, a temporary grade of “Incomplete” may be given to permit the student more time to complete the course requirements. In the event that the faculty member initiates a grade of “I”, a letter will be sent to the student from the faculty member explaining the reason for the “I” and outlining what must be done to remove this grade. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Graduate Student’s file. A student must satisfy the course requirements during the next semester that the course is taught or they will be awarded a grade based on the work that was completed. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY Western Illinois University is dedicated to the discovery and communication of knowledge. The University can best function and accomplish its objectives in an atmosphere where high ethical standards prevail. For this reason, and to insure that the academic work of all students will be fairly evaluated, the University strongly condemns academic dishonesty. The most prevalent forms of academic dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism. Dishonesty of any kind with respect to examinations, course assignments, alteration of records, or illegal 10 possession of examinations shall be considered cheating, but also avoid making it possible for others to cheat. Any student who knowingly helps another student cheat is as guilty of cheating as the student he or she assists. The submission of the work of someone else as one’s own constitutes plagiarism. Academic honesty requires that ideas or materials taken from another course for use as a course paper or project be fully acknowledged. Plagiarism is a very serious offense in whatever form it may appear, be it submission of an entire falsely represented as the student’s own, the inclusion within a piece of student’s writing of an idea for which the student does not provide sufficient documentation, or the inclusion of a documented idea not sufficiently assimilated into the student’s language and style. See: http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity/php. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBLITIES POLICY- See: http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students HOT WEB SITES www.mcrel.org www.ascd.org www.naep.org www.nassp.org www.aasa.org www.nsdc.org McRel Organization American Association for Curriculum Development National Association for Elementary Principals National Association for Secondary School Principals American Association for School Administrators National Staff Development Council CLASS REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENT AND ASSIGNED POINTS Visionary Data Dashboard/Final: vision, mission, core values and SMART goals for your district. (100 points) Devise a written scenario of an extreme challenge for a superintendent, deputy, associate or assistant superintendent in a school district. (25 points) Written Paper: Leadership on the Line to facilitate discussion with executive staff. (35 points) Written Speech to Executive Staff and School Board: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. (35 points) Written Paper: Creating Innovators – Application of Principles to School Districts. (35 points) Book Talk: A Sense of Urgency – Tools, Techniques and Projected Strategies. (35 points) Summary of Key Concepts and Evaluation of local school board status on the Lighthouse Study criteria. (35 points) Extra Credit for reading bestselling business books such as The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,, Freakonomics, Breakout Nations, The Reinventors, House of Cards, Blink, Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything (See instructor for specifics) Grading Points Format A=280-300 B= 259-279 C= 238-258 D= 217-237 F= 216 and below 11 Appendix A Directions to Future Superintendents On the last day of class you will present a “Visionary Dashboard” to demonstrate your understanding of how to design, steward and implement the vision, mission, core values and district SMART goals. The Visionary Dashboard will include the vision, mission, core values and district SMART goals and achievement scores for a K-12 school district. On the back of the board you will list the Vision, Mission, Core Values and district SMART goals along with your detailed explanation of the process and procedures (how you involved staff and community) in the process. You will also address how you will communicate the vision, mission, core values and SMART goals of the district. On the center panel of the dashboard will be the district’s performance data for the past three years. A written analysis/explanation of the scores will follow the assessments. On the left side of the panel will be the current strategies (2014-2015) being used to garner student achievement to achieve the District’s SMART goals. On the right side of the panel will be the research based instructional strategies for 2015-2016that will catapult students’ cognitive and affective achievement. Students must use a PreK-Grade 12 school district for this assignment. A model will also be presented the first day of class as to how this will look when it is completed. 2013-2014- Current Strategies Performance Data- 2006-2013 Future Strategies -2014-2015 12