MA DSAC Collaboration Institute for Special and General Education Leaders Session 2: November 15, 2011 Focus on Clear and Collaborative Relationships

Agenda  Introductory activities  Review evaluation results from Session 1  More info. on action planning process  Importance of process  Read “relationships” section of WA study  Fishbowl conversation  Presentation/discussion with Nick Hardy  District self-assessment of relationships  Group share-out  Housekeeping/Adjourn

Evaluation Results: Session 1 +- Opportunities to work in district teams Opportunities to work across district teams Review of district data District self-assessment activity District case studies Shorter activities More clarification on the action planning process Better understanding of the various/activities processes used and their importance

Action Planning Process  Teams will complete district self- assessments at each session.  At the end of Session #4, teams will prioritize one finding/area (called a “primary concern”) from their self-assessments.  This primary concern will represent the greatest district need that emerges from their self-assessments.  Teams will then craft an action plan to address the primary concern and improve district results.

Action Planning Process  We will provide teams with a structured action planning process that includes the following steps:  Identification of a primary concern (What is our greatest need?)  Identification of contributing factors (Why are we getting the results we are getting?)  Identification of barriers (Why haven’t we addressed the factors contributing to our primary concern to date?)  Development of action steps (What can we do to remove those barriers and improve our results relative to the primary concern?)

Action Planning Process Next steps…  You have already completed the self- assessment for Session 1 focused on leadership and culture.  We will complete a second self- assessment today focused on clear and collaborative relationships.  You will complete a third self- assessment in January focused on quality teaching and learning.  You’ll choose your primary concern from these three “data sets.”

Action Planning Process  Your team will ultimately develop an action plan designed to address this primary concern that includes benchmark goals and dates, involved stakeholders, resources needed, etc.  These action plans will be shared with the larger group at our final session on May 22.  It is NOT expected that you will have implemented your action plan by that point!

Reflections and Q&A  What are your thoughts or reaction to the action planning process?  What questions do you have about the action planning process?

Task, Process, Relationships

Institute Guiding Question How can we strategically affect practices at the district level to positively impact student results at the classroom level?

Research Framework

Analysis of common themes from across studies clustered into four areas: 1.Effective leadership; 2.Quality teaching and learning; 3.Support for system-wide improvement; 4.Clear and collaborative relationships

Institute Calendar  September 22, 2011: Kick-Off Webinar  October 25-26, 2011: Session #1 (Orientation; Effective Leadership)  November 15, 2011: Session #2 (Collaboration)  January 24, 2012: Session #3 (Quality Teaching and Learning) *Snow date: January 31  February 28, 2012: Session #4 (Support for System-wide Improvement) *Snow date: March 6

Institute Calendar  Between February 28 and May 22:  Districts continue with action planning process. Institute Co-Directors will provide support to district teams during this time.  Series of topical webinars. Dates and topics TBD.  May 22, 2012: Closing Session (Sharing of action plans)

Research on Relationships  Take 10 minutes to read the summary from the WA study on the importance of relationships.  As you read, identify one word, phrase, and sentence that stand out to you. Highlight these.  Then record on three index cards (one category per card):  The key word you selected  The key phrase you selected  The key sentence you selected

Research on Relationships  Now all team members should place their index cards in center of table and organize them by category (word, phrase, sentence).  Discuss your selections:  What are some things that pop out for you?  How might you compare and contrast your individual choices?  What are some relationships between the words, phrases and sentences you selected?  What are some connections you’re making between this text and your own work?

Fishbowl Conversation  We have asked four people to participate in a Fishbowl activity.  They represent various positions and districts.  Will place four chairs in the center of the room for them.  Everyone else form a circle around them.

District Self-Assessment  The self-assessment includes questions related to clear and collaborative relationships.  Using a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), rate the degree to which you agree with each of the statements by placing a vertical hash mark on the line.

District Self-Assessment  You will now share the results of your self-assessment with your team members.  Please take one piece of flip chart paper and write your district name across the top.  Then draw 10 horizontal lines across the page.  Number each line 1-10.

District Self-Assessment  Once the lines have been drawn and numbered, team members should take 10 sticky dots.  Place a dot on each line that corresponds to where you drew a hash mark on your own paper.

District Self-Assessment  Sit back and reflect on your team’s chart.  Respond to the following questions and capture your responses on flip chart paper:  What do you see as your district’s greatest strengths?  What do you see as your greatest challenges?  What is your district’s top priority (or priorities) related to relationships, given your self-assessment results?

Group Share Out  In 5 minutes or less, please share with the large group your team’s responses to these questions:  What do you see as your district’s greatest strengths?  What do you see as your greatest challenges?  What is your district’s top priority (or priorities) related to relationships, given your self-assessment results?

Housekeeping  Q&A  Decide on webinar topics for the spring  Evaluation

Next Steps…  Next meeting January 24 (Framingham Sheraton)  Focus on quality teaching and learning

Thank you! Thank you and see you in November! Karen Mikkelsen (802) ; Susan Hayes (802) ;