Rossier School of Education
University of Southern California
Assignment #3: Considering the Need
for a Signature Pedagogy
October 24, 2007
1
How have you drawn from earlier work
of the Carnegie Foundation?
We have focused primarily on other work
in education and business leadership.
 We focus on “leaders of practice” and
ask:

1. What are educational leaders’ goals and
daily tasks?
2. What skills and competencies do they need
to function more successfully in their roles?
2
What are the key components of this
approach?

One model used in two of the four core
courses is “gap analysis” (Clark & Estes,
2002) based on the consideration of
organization and performance goals
3
Rationale for gap analysis
Evidence that people do not analyze the
causes of performance gaps:
 Leaders often fail to have clear goals
before they embark on finding solutions to
problems.
 Leaders often select and implement the
wrong solutions.
 When solutions do not work leaders often
blame the people who have the problem.
4
Why gap analysis?
3 Major causes of performance problems:
1. Knowledge: We don’t know how (why,
where, when).
2. Motivation: We don’t want to do it (or
think we can’t) or don’t value it.
3. Organizational Policy: We are
prevented by policy/procedures and/or
lack of facilities and equipment.
5
What are the key components of gap
analysis?
Answers these questions:
1. What is our performance goal?
2. Where are we now (related to goal)?
3. What is the size of the gap?
4. What is causing the gap?
5. What solutions will close the gap?
6. How do we implement the solutions?
7. How do we measure our progress?
* Gap analysis discussion based on material from Professor Richard Clark,
Professor of Education at USC
6
How are we promoting our signature
pedagogy?
Arrive at faculty-wide agreement on the role
of the model.
 Consider the adoption of additional inquiry
models
 Investigate ways to more fully utilize the
model in the inquiry and concentration
courses.
 Determine how it can serve as a required
central feature in additional capstone
experiences

7