How to Get Where You’re Going (Part 1) Why You Should Use a Logic Model to Translate Your Mission and Vision into a Program Transition from Gladys Pack’s presentation on mission and vision as it relates to theme implementation; later others will present specific strategies for hiring staff, recruiting families, communicating, data-driven decision making Framework integrated approach to program planning, implementation, and evaluation National Institute for Magnet School Leadership Mystic, Connecticut July 14, 2008

A logic model is… …a conceptual framework for describing the relationships between investments, activities, and results. INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES In its simplest form, a logic model is a graphic representation that shows the logical relationships between investments, activities, and results. Sometimes relationship explained with if-then statements if we invest these resources into the program – INPUTS (time, staff, research, technology) then, we can conduct these activities and reach these people: “what we do” and “who we reach”– OUTPUTS and if we conduct these activities and reach these people, then we’ll get these“results” or changes, benefits – OUTCOMES May have seen various examples that get more complicated….for the purpose of this presentation emphasize the various ways to utilize a logic model as a conceptual framework, hpw it is beneficial. The framework supports an integrated approach to planning, implementation, and evaluation by charting your program’s theory of change.

A logic model is… …a road map that shows where you are going, how you will get there, and what landmarks you will see when you arrive. “If you don’t know where you are going, how are you gonna know when you get there? -Yogi Berra

“We build the road and the road builds us. A logic model also is… …a way of thinking, and reflects a process of engaging participants in deep conversation. It is more than completing a graphic organizer. “We build the road and the road builds us. -Sri Lankan saying A logic model guides our collective thinking, and a fundamental belief that by working together can effect change. Think of all the stakeholders involved in creating your school or program, uniting by mission and vision, and then translating into program activities that all fit together. More than the process of filling in a worksheet - a site-based plan with outcomes, a fancy graph. The Sarvodaya Shramadana program begins with an invitation for a village discussion of what is needed and how it can be done to create a self-sustaining economy. Stages of creating a village council, building a school and clinic, setting up family programs, creating economic opportunity so that the village economy becomes self-sustaining, starting a village bank, and offering help to other villages.

Let’s look at an everyday example. Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Program Development and Evaluation H E A D C Get pills Take pills Feel better From University of Wisconsin-Extension, Program Development and Evaluation Let’s take a simple example – one that we can all relate to. How many of us have had a headache at one time or another? (headache – SITUATION) What do we do? Our experience may be that certain pills help So, we need to get the pills (INPUTS), Then we take the pills (OUTPUTS) As a consequence, our headache goes away and we feel better. (OUTCOME) Number of embedded assumption: assumes that we can find/get the needed pills; that we take the pills as prescribed; that the pills lead to improvement – not a stomach ache or other negative side effect. All programs have such assumptions – often the basis for failure or less than expected results But, you can see the logic of the diagram and the end results – the impact that is expected. What really matters isn’t whether we get the pills and take the pills, but whether we feel better as a result. Situation INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES

Let’s try a “simple” logic model for magnet schools. Situation: minority group isolation (MGI); declining enrollment; low-performing staff and students Reduced MGI, increase enrollment Student achievement rises High-performing school Magnet School Program Investments (staff, materials, time, $$, partners) Recruitment Theme-based curriculum Professional development As in the example of the headache, what really matters here is the outcomes. Importance of measuring outcomes and not just the process. Trap of being practitioners being satisfied with evaluating outputs; what seems to be working - not really articulating why it works and whether it really works or not. Need to convince other stakeholders; to what extent can changes be attributed to magnet program; is the program worth the cost? Why should a business or community organization partner with you? Why should the district office support you? Why should a funder? Fully completed logic model - process and graphic - will show the series of connections that is expected to result in achievement of goal INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES

A More Developed Logic Model - Parent Education Program Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Program Development and Evaluation SITUATION: During a county needs assessment, majority of parents reported that they were having difficulty parenting and felt stressed as a result INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES Parents increase knowledge of child dev Assess parent ed programs Parents identify appropriate actions to take Reduced stress Staff Parents of 3-10 year olds attend Parents better understanding their own parenting style Design- deliver evidence-based program of 8 sessions Improved child-parent relations Money Parents use effective parenting practices Again, this is just one example of developed logic model. Not so important what it looks like in terms of graphic, but emphasize the value in articulating assumptions about activities and relationship to outcomes, short term, intermediate, long-term Want to emphasize the work and process of discussing the theory of change, or underlying assumptions, articulating relationship between actions and results is important - not just about completing a worksheet. Developed overtime, with many conversations. NOTE: 60 minute session tomorrow, will start a discussion about assumptions about magnet schools and programs, how implementing theme-curriculum, recruiting, etc. will lead to outcomes Partners Parents gain skills in new ways to parent Research Facilitate support groups Parents gain confidence in their abilities

So Why Should I Use A Logic Model? ACTVITY:What problems can you imagine being addressed with a logic model? Apply the following purpose statements to your own school and district context to understand how a logic model can help your school meet its vision and mission. Can be time consuming; how would I even start? Why? No matter what stage you are in, a logic model can help address a variety of issues you face as a school leader. Just beginning, trying to sustain?

A logic model is a helpful tool for PLANNING… providing a coherent conceptual framework for the program. increasing understanding about the program among all stakeholders. identifying key conditions, not just symptoms of problem(s) being addressed. uncovering assumptions about program activities and their impact. motivating staff. Integrated approach; Later session will focus on assumptions

A logic model is a helpful tool for IMPLEMENTATION… developing and managing a clear implementation plan (the who, what, when, where, how). differentiating activities (“what we do”) from outcomes (“the results we get”). prioritizing the allocation of staffing and other resources. aligning the use of resources across all levels of the program. enhancing teamwork among stakeholders.

A logic model is a helpful tool for EVALUATION… communicating success and increasing resources, opportunities, recognition for the program. identifying gaps in program or areas of need. supporting expansion or replication of program. providing a common language for program staff and program evaluators. identifying outcomes to measure and wisely target the use of evaluation resources. preparing for a rigorous evaluation. In second session will see how evaluation fits into logic model

Breakout session, Tuesday, 10:15-11:15 AM Additional Resources on Logic Models Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide http://www.wkkf.org/Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/Pub3669.pdf University of Wisconsin- Extension, Program Development and Evaluation http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmodel.html Breakout session, Tuesday, 10:15-11:15 AM - practice the thinking process involved in creating a logic model. - feedback from this session will be used to develop an online magnet evaluation toolkit commissioned by the Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. Seewan Eng <seng@wested.org> 415.615.3190