DLP Assignments October 23, 2013 Karen Lea Branch NCSU NELA Cohort III

Assignment 1.1 Assessing and Enhancing Your School’s Identity

Part 1: Assessing & Enhancing Your School’s Identity Area of Assessment Mission Statement West Bertie Elementary will empower all students with academic excellence to become 21 st Century learners fostered by a collaborative effort between school, family and community. Not Demonstrated No evidence of a written statement. Developing Early stages or draft of a written statement. XX Proficient Written statement is in place and used on a periodic basis by the school to lead school improvement ✗ Accomplished A written statement is in place and used on a regular basis by the school to lead school improvement. Distinguished A written statement is in place and used as a central factor in leading school improvement- pervasively known and used throughout the school community.

Area of Assessment Vision Not Demonstrated No evidence of a written statement. Developing Early stages or draft of a written statement. Proficient Written statement is in place and used on a periodic basis by the school to lead school improvement ✗ Accomplished A written statement is in place and used on a regular basis by the school to lead school improvement. Distinguished A written statement is in place and used as a central factor in leading school improvement- pervasively known and used throughout the school community.

Area of Assessment Core Values/Beliefs West Bertie Elementary School does not have a written statement of beliefs. Not Demonstrated No evidence of a written statement. ✗ Developing Early stages or draft of a written statement. Proficient Written statement is in place and used on a periodic basis by the school to lead school improvement Accomplished A written statement is in place and used on a regular basis by the school to lead school improvement. Distinguished A written statement is in place and used as a central factor in leading school improvement- pervasively known and used throughout the school community.

Part 2 Part 2: Referencing the resource monograph, “Developing Your School’s Organizational Identity: Foundation of Collaboration Learning Communities” and the NCSSE Standards 1.a, 1.b and 1.c, provide a narrative justifying your assessment for each of these three components of your school’s identity.

Part 2A: Mission West Bertie Elementary School has a mission statement that was written with input from staff and the members of the School Improvement Team. The mission was written two years ago under previous administration. The mission is posted on the school website. The mission is also posted in the front lobby of the school on large posters. The mission is referred to by the School Improvement Team members when revisiting the SIP.

Part 2B: Vision West Bertie Elementary School has a vision statement and diagram that was written with input from staff and the members of the School Improvement Team. The vision was constructed two years ago under previous administration. The vision is posted on the school website. The vision is also posted in the front lobby of the school on large posters. The vision is referred to by the School Improvement Team members when revisiting the SIP.

Part 2C: Beliefs West Bertie Elementary School does not have written core values and belief statements.

Part 2 Summary The mission and vision statements of West Bertie Elementary were written with input from staff and the members of the School Improvement Team two years ago. The current school staff refers to the mission and vision when discussing the goals for the school, and while developing and revisiting this year’s school improvement plan. The vision and mission of the school are posted on the school website and in the main entrance lobby. West Bertie Elementary does not currently have a core values/belief statement.

Part 3 Using a bulleted format, describe in sequential order from first to last, the 3-5 most important steps you as a school leader would take to improve or enhance your school’s current status of its identity.

Next Steps to Improve School’s Identity 1. First, I would solicit the help of the School Improvement Team (SIT) to facilitate a staff meeting presenting the mission/vision statements to be reviewed for updates/changes if needed. The SIT could provide exemplars of core values and belief statements for all the staff to review. Then, engage the staff in a process to create core values and beliefs based on our mission/vision. To create effective belief statements that will guide the school may take more than one session. I may even include PLC’s in this process. Once the entire staff has had input, I would ask the staff to review the statements created and plan to discuss any needed revisions at our next meeting. After consensus at the next meeting, we would develop SMART goals to help us carry out the statements.

2. For these statements to guide the work of our school, I would make sure that the mission, vision and belief statements are posted in each classroom. I would ensure that teachers shared these statements with students on a regular basis. Every staff meeting would begin with a “Do Now” that required members to list how they are using the statements to guide their plans. I would select and develop a group of student leaders that could explain to visitors how the statements focus our future endeavors.

3. I would present the statements at PTSO meetings to ensure that all stakeholders are familiar with our mission and vision. I would provide examples of how we use the statements to guide our work. Our SMART goals would also be shared. After all, the mission states there will be a collaborative effort between school, family and community.

Assignment 1.2 Applying the PDCA Cycle for Continuous Improvement

Data Data was collected from public listing on the NC School’s Report Card.

Goal Our school’s reading data is well below both the district and state levels in grades 3 and 4. Data is not yet available for the school year. To increase 3 rd and 4 th grade North Carolina reading scores to 70% proficiency by May of 2014.

Plan Identify root causes of current proficiency levels Set SMART goals to address root causes Identify strategies to increase proficiency by implementing the School Improvement Plan action steps.

Do Based on data, I will work with PLC’s to implement best practice strategies (Example: Daily 5). Progress monitor county wide benchmarking and Reading 3-D to ensure learning and to create flexible groups of students based on levels of need.

Check Follow up with PLC’s to ensure continued implementation of research-based strategies. Continue reflection with specifically 3 rd and 4 th grade staff, but also whole school body.

Act Examine what works, what does not and after implementation for 4 to 6 weeks, adjust as needed. Work with District Data Team to secure proven research- based strategies to replace any that are not working.

Assignment 1.3 Submit a written (No more than 250 words) personal reflection, or other creative product your choice, on why the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal (NCPAPA) High Performance Model Identifies Strategic Leadership as the “driver” of the seven NCSSE and what you as a school leader will do to advance your current leadership knowledge, skills, or dispositions in this standard to the “Distinguished” level of performance.

Strategic Leadership is identified as the “driver” of the seven NCSSE standards because leaders must be purposeful in everything they do. A school’s mission, vision and beliefs should be created and used to guide the work of everyday school endeavors. When prepared and implemented correctly these statements can focus all stakeholders on what is needed to move our school forward and to ultimately advance the achievement of all students both academically and behaviorally. To become “distinguished” in the Strategic Leadership Standard, I plan to continue to serve in my role on the Administrative Team, the School Improvement Team, and as the School’s Testing Coordinator at West Bertie Elementary. I plan to learn as much as possible from my principal mentor, my executive coach, and from visiting exemplar schools throughout North Carolina. I will reflect on my observations and experiences to examine what works and what does not. I will continually ask myself “Where are we, and what will it take to get us to where we want to be?”