Getting Serious About the System

A Fieldbook for District and School Leaders
D'Ette F. Cowan - Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
Stacey L. Joyner - Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
Shirley B. Beckwith - Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
Getting Serious About the System
June 2012 | 160 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452283753
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781452205113
Available from January 0001

Description

A focused approach to raising student achievement

For many districts, the improvement process can seem like trying to nail Jello to the wall. This fieldbook shows how to avoid a haphazard approach by focusing on all aspects of the system and specific issues that have most impact upon student achievement. This multidimensional process also entails increasing the competencies of everyone involved and implementing solutions districtwide. The authors outline a proven framework and offer step-by-step guidance for addressing the essential components and competencies of the local educational system. Key strategies include:

  • Concentrating on aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment to state and Common Core State Standards
  • Working on the underlying issues and people that impact the system
  • Garnering support from all staff members to maximize time, resources, and energy

Included are vignettes for each phase that illustrate how the work might play out in typical districts and schools. Hands-on tools include an extensive Facilitator Guide with PowerPoint slides, handouts, and a companion website with online resources. A separate volume provides a brief overview of the process for staff and teachers that provides a brief rationale based on research, explains what it means to work systemically, and outlines the phases.

There is no "quick fix" for boosting school performance, but Getting Serious About the System will help district and school leaders set priorities, break the gridlock, and reap sustainable results.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction to Systemic Improvement

  • Systems Thinking
  • Systems Thinking in Education
  • Working Systemically: A Process Grounded in Research
  • Testing and Refining the Working Systemically Approach
  • The Working Systemically Approach: Levels, Components, and Competencies
  • What It Takes
  • Summary
  • References
  • 1. The "Works" of Working Systemically
  • Levels of the System
  • Components of the System
  • Competencies for Working Systemically
  • The Working Systemically Approach in Action
  • 2. Phase I: Understanding Systemic Improvement
  • Step 1. Study the Approach
  • Step 2. Collect and Analyze Preliminary Data
  • Step 3. Present the Approach at the School Level
  • Step 4. Commit to Systemic Improvement
  • 3. Phase II: Analyzing the System
  • Step 1. Form the District and School Leadership Teams
  • Step 2. Begin the Comprehensive Needs Assessment
  • Step 3. Conduct a Gap Analysis
  • Step 4. Begin the Process at the School Level
  • Step 5. Formulate Problem Statements
  • Step 6. Describe the Ideal State
  • Step 7. Review System Initiatives
  • Step 8. Continue the Process at the School Level
  • 4. Phase III: Planning Action
  • Step 1. Investigate Research-Based Practices
  • Step 2. Explore the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC)
  • Step 3. Review Progress Made to Date and Existing Plan
  • Step 4. Develop a District Improvement Plan
  • Step 5. Formalize and Communicate the District Improvement Plan
  • Step 6. Develop School Improvement Plans
  • 5. Phase IV: Taking Action & Monitoring Progress
  • Step 1. Implement and Monitor the Improvement Plans
  • Step 2. Provide Continuing Leadership for the Improvement Work
  • Step 3. Address Unique Challenges as They Arise
  • 6. Phase V: Assessing & Reflecting on Outcomes
  • Step 1. Analyze and Reflect on Evidence of Implementation and Impact
  • Step 2. Decide on a Focus for Continuing the Improvement Work
  • Step 3. Recognize Work, Progress, and Accomplishments

Bibliography Matrix

Bibliography Matrix

Index

Index

Resources

Description

A focused approach to raising student achievement

For many districts, the improvement process can seem like trying to nail Jello to the wall. This fieldbook shows how to avoid a haphazard approach by focusing on all aspects of the system and specific issues that have most impact upon student achievement. This multidimensional process also entails increasing the competencies of everyone involved and implementing solutions districtwide. The authors outline a proven framework and offer step-by-step guidance for addressing the essential components and competencies of the local educational system. Key strategies include:

  • Concentrating on aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment to state and Common Core State Standards
  • Working on the underlying issues and people that impact the system
  • Garnering support from all staff members to maximize time, resources, and energy

Included are vignettes for each phase that illustrate how the work might play out in typical districts and schools. Hands-on tools include an extensive Facilitator Guide with PowerPoint slides, handouts, and a companion website with online resources. A separate volume provides a brief overview of the process for staff and teachers that provides a brief rationale based on research, explains what it means to work systemically, and outlines the phases.

There is no "quick fix" for boosting school performance, but Getting Serious About the System will help district and school leaders set priorities, break the gridlock, and reap sustainable results.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction to Systemic Improvement

  • Systems Thinking
  • Systems Thinking in Education
  • Working Systemically: A Process Grounded in Research
  • Testing and Refining the Working Systemically Approach
  • The Working Systemically Approach: Levels, Components, and Competencies
  • What It Takes
  • Summary
  • References
  • 1. The "Works" of Working Systemically
  • Levels of the System
  • Components of the System
  • Competencies for Working Systemically
  • The Working Systemically Approach in Action
  • 2. Phase I: Understanding Systemic Improvement
  • Step 1. Study the Approach
  • Step 2. Collect and Analyze Preliminary Data
  • Step 3. Present the Approach at the School Level
  • Step 4. Commit to Systemic Improvement
  • 3. Phase II: Analyzing the System
  • Step 1. Form the District and School Leadership Teams
  • Step 2. Begin the Comprehensive Needs Assessment
  • Step 3. Conduct a Gap Analysis
  • Step 4. Begin the Process at the School Level
  • Step 5. Formulate Problem Statements
  • Step 6. Describe the Ideal State
  • Step 7. Review System Initiatives
  • Step 8. Continue the Process at the School Level
  • 4. Phase III: Planning Action
  • Step 1. Investigate Research-Based Practices
  • Step 2. Explore the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC)
  • Step 3. Review Progress Made to Date and Existing Plan
  • Step 4. Develop a District Improvement Plan
  • Step 5. Formalize and Communicate the District Improvement Plan
  • Step 6. Develop School Improvement Plans
  • 5. Phase IV: Taking Action & Monitoring Progress
  • Step 1. Implement and Monitor the Improvement Plans
  • Step 2. Provide Continuing Leadership for the Improvement Work
  • Step 3. Address Unique Challenges as They Arise
  • 6. Phase V: Assessing & Reflecting on Outcomes
  • Step 1. Analyze and Reflect on Evidence of Implementation and Impact
  • Step 2. Decide on a Focus for Continuing the Improvement Work
  • Step 3. Recognize Work, Progress, and Accomplishments

Bibliography Matrix

Bibliography Matrix

Index

Index

Resources

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Getting Serious About the System

A Fieldbook for District and School Leaders

D'Ette F. Cowan , Stacey L. Joyner , Shirley B. Beckwith
Cancel Print

June 2012 | 160 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 28/04/2023 9781452205113 $39.95
Lifetime 28/04/2023 9781452283753 $36.00

A focused approach to raising student achievement

For many districts, the improvement process can seem like trying to nail Jello to the wall. This fieldbook shows how to avoid a haphazard approach by focusing on all aspects of the system and specific issues that have most impact upon student achievement. This multidimensional process also entails increasing the competencies of everyone involved and implementing solutions districtwide. The authors outline a proven framework and offer step-by-step guidance for addressing the essential components and competencies of the local educational system. Key strategies include:

  • Concentrating on aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment to state and Common Core State Standards
  • Working on the underlying issues and people that impact the system
  • Garnering support from all staff members to maximize time, resources, and energy

Included are vignettes for each phase that illustrate how the work might play out in typical districts and schools. Hands-on tools include an extensive Facilitator Guide with PowerPoint slides, handouts, and a companion website with online resources. A separate volume provides a brief overview of the process for staff and teachers that provides a brief rationale based on research, explains what it means to work systemically, and outlines the phases.

There is no "quick fix" for boosting school performance, but Getting Serious About the System will help district and school leaders set priorities, break the gridlock, and reap sustainable results.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction to Systemic Improvement
  • Systems Thinking
  • Systems Thinking in Education
  • Working Systemically: A Process Grounded in Research
  • Testing and Refining the Working Systemically Approach
  • The Working Systemically Approach: Levels, Components, and Competencies
  • What It Takes
  • Summary
  • References
  • 1. The "Works" of Working Systemically
  • Levels of the System
  • Components of the System
  • Competencies for Working Systemically
  • The Working Systemically Approach in Action
  • 2. Phase I: Understanding Systemic Improvement
  • Step 1. Study the Approach
  • Step 2. Collect and Analyze Preliminary Data
  • Step 3. Present the Approach at the School Level
  • Step 4. Commit to Systemic Improvement
  • 3. Phase II: Analyzing the System
  • Step 1. Form the District and School Leadership Teams
  • Step 2. Begin the Comprehensive Needs Assessment
  • Step 3. Conduct a Gap Analysis
  • Step 4. Begin the Process at the School Level
  • Step 5. Formulate Problem Statements
  • Step 6. Describe the Ideal State
  • Step 7. Review System Initiatives
  • Step 8. Continue the Process at the School Level
  • 4. Phase III: Planning Action
  • Step 1. Investigate Research-Based Practices
  • Step 2. Explore the Professional Teaching and Learning Cycle (PTLC)
  • Step 3. Review Progress Made to Date and Existing Plan
  • Step 4. Develop a District Improvement Plan
  • Step 5. Formalize and Communicate the District Improvement Plan
  • Step 6. Develop School Improvement Plans
  • 5. Phase IV: Taking Action & Monitoring Progress
  • Step 1. Implement and Monitor the Improvement Plans
  • Step 2. Provide Continuing Leadership for the Improvement Work
  • Step 3. Address Unique Challenges as They Arise
  • 6. Phase V: Assessing & Reflecting on Outcomes
  • Step 1. Analyze and Reflect on Evidence of Implementation and Impact
  • Step 2. Decide on a Focus for Continuing the Improvement Work
  • Step 3. Recognize Work, Progress, and Accomplishments
  • Bibliography Matrix
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

The book was less about systems theory than I hoped.
Dr Cade Spaulding, Communication Division, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
“The authors provide decades of high-quality professional development and hands-on work with schools and school districts. I appreciate and applaud their efforts to translate research on data use, professional development, leadership, and collaboration into tools and processes useful to educators.”
Victoria Bernhardt, Executive Director, Education for the Future, California State University, Chico
"This book is a critical roadmap to district and school transformation. It takes the guess work out of determining where improvement is needed."
Freda Hicks, Assistant Principal, Grady Brown Elementary School, Hillsborough, NC
"The working systemically model provides a research-based approach to school improvement. The clearly defined step-by-step approach will assist any school or district in its improvement efforts. My professional practice has been significantly changed as a result of my direct experience implementing SEDL’s working systemically approach."
Sally Bennett, Curriculum Coordinator, East Poinsett County School District, Lepanto, AR
"This book not only describes processes and strategies but provides the tools needed for those leading the process. This is a process that a campus or district leader could use that would examine and use the resources they already have and is not another program they need to buy."
Cynthia Stone, Director of School Improvement, South San Antonio ISD, San Antonio, TX

Recommendations