The Entry Plan Network Assistant Superintendents New School Leader Institute Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Why is an Entry Plan so important? Unique ‘Honeymoon’ time when doubt and skepticism are replaced with potential Time of heightened pressure filled with uncertainty of conflicting demands Allows for time to build trust and be thoughtful Allows for time to gain representative and reliable knowledge Allows time for new thinking to create long lasting organizational change

How to Construct an Entry Plan 1. Collaborative Inquiry Model Drafting and testing ‘The Plan’ Generating data systematically Joint sense-making activities Collaborative action planning

How to Construct an Entry Plan 2. Components of a Plan Goals or Purposes Methodology or Sequence of Activities Action Plan Schedules Interview Questions

How to Construct an Entry Plan 3. Balancing the Kinds of Information Information about structure of plan Information about interaction that the Plan aims to produce

How to Construct an Entry Plan 4. The Values and Principles of Entry Planning Openness/transparency enabling trust Trust enabling the examination of practice Examination of practice triggering new thinking New thinking informing improved practice Necessity of confidentiality

How to Construct an Entry Plan 5. A Believable and Trustworthy Voice Produces trust that the writer believes in and can implement the model

Guiding Questions for Effective Entry Plan Have I considered the voice of all audiences in our school community and have I allowed enough time for them to know me and me to know them? Have I allowed enough time to learn the history and norms of our school and how they impact the present and future of our school? Have I collected enough data on student performance and know what we need to do focus on to improve performance in our school Have I set clear expectations for myself and others in my school community? Do I have a good sense of our school’s priorities and have I developed a plan to address them? Have I proposed a plan that will build a strong foundation for connection and communication with my parents? Have I established myself as an interested listener and learner as well as a supportive and assertive leader?