The School Improvement Specialist Field Guide

Debra L. Page - President, Willing Learner
Judith A. Hale - President, International Society of Performance and Improvement

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Other Titles in:
School Change, Reform, & Restructuring | Training Strategies & Resources

November 2012 | 256 pages | Corwin

As expectations and accountability for student learning and performance have risen over the last decade, a new educational role has evolved: the School Improvement Specialist (SIS). The School Improvement Specialist Field Guide is designed to support and guide school improvement practitioners in effectively facilitating school improvement while meeting the ten standards established by The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). This book helps new school improvement specialists:

-Hit the ground running

-Improve the effectiveness, quality and efficiency of their work

-Increase their confidence in their professional practice

-Understand the steps and knowledge needed to become a certified school improvement specialist

Whether you are a consultant, administrator, coach or teacher leader, this book helps you improve organizational processes and staff performance at your school site, ultimately raising student achievement.

Preface

Audience for this Book

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction

Applying Human Performance Technology to the Certification of School Improvement Specialists

How the Certification for School Improvement Specialists Evolved

How this Field Guide is Organized

The Ten Standards

Standard 1: Analyze and Apply Critical Judgment

Standard 2: Facilitate Deriving Meaning and Engagement

Standard 3: Focus on Systemic Factors

Standard 4: Plan and Record

Standard 5: Organize and Manage Efforts and Resources

Standard 6: Guide and Focus Collaborative Improvement

Standard 7: Build Capacity

Standard 8: Demonstrate Organizational Sensitivity

Standard 9: Monitor Accountability and Adoption

Standard 10: Implement for Sustainability

Application for Certification

CSIS Performance Foundations

Mission

Vision

Values

Performance Criteria

1. Analyze and Apply Critical Judgment

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 1

Standard 1: Analyze and Apply Critical Judgment

Facilitating the Collection and Interpretation of Data

Demonstrating Deep Knowledge

Presenting Evidence That Supports Conclusions

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 1

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 1

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

2. Facilitate Deriving Meaning and Engagement

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 2

Standard 2: Facilitate Deriving Meaning and Engagement

Creating Meaning

Identifying Systemic Performance Factors

Categorizing Performance Factors

Comprehending Implications

Building Supportive Relationships

Establishing Norms

Developing Agendas

Facilitating Group Communication

Building Commitment

Using Stories

Gaining Commitments

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 2

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 2

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

3. Focus on Systemic Factors

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 3

Standard 3: Focus on Systemic Factors

Identifying Systemic and Interdependent Factors

Selecting a Suite of Aligned Interventions

Building Higher Order Skills

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 3

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 3

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

4. Plan and Record

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 4

Standard 4: Plan and Record

Recommending What Works

Developing the Plan

Communicating the Work Ahead

Documenting the Decisions

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 4

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 4

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

5. Organize and Manage Efforts and Resources

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 5

Standard 5: Organize and Manage Efforts and Resources

Chunking the Work into Manageable Steps

Distributing the Work

Coordinating and Orchestrating

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 5

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 5

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

6. Guide and Focus Collaborative Improvement

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 6

Standard 6: Guide and Focus Collaborative Improvement

Starting with Your Inner Circle

Reaching out to a Wider Circle

Aligning Performance Foundations and Targets

Providing Relevant Information

Modeling the Right Behaviors

Taking on the Hard Decisions

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 6

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 6

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

7. Build Capacity

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 7

Standard 7: Build Capacity

Using Effective Adult Interventions

Coaching and Giving Feedback

Asking Questions

Facilitating Study

Facilitating Sharing

Facilitating Adoption

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 7

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 7

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

8. Demonstrate Organizational Sensitivity

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 8

Standard 8: Demonstrate Organizational Sensitivity

Establishing Credibility

Following Accepted Rules

Demonstrating Professionalism

Valuing Others’ Positions and Views

Keeping People Engaged

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 8

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 8

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

9. Monitor Accountability and Adoption

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 9

Standard 9: Monitor Accountability and Adoption

Paying Attention Purposely

Taking Corrective Action

Addressing Underperformance

Recognizing and Communicating

Aligning

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 9

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 9

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

10. Implement for Sustainability

Real World Challenge -- Bailey’s Story Part 10

Standard 10: Implement for Sustainability

Ensuring Continuity

Transferring Ownership

Facilitating Evaluation

Gaining Commitment

Improving Continuously

An Example of an Effective Application of Standard 10

An Example of a Less Effective Application of Standard 10

Reflection

Power Points

Summary

Appendix

Readiness Assessment

References

Resources

Index

Supplements

Companion Website

"Purposeful, intentional facilitation of the school improvement process builds a school staff's capacity and skills for continuous improvement that lasts beyond the consultant or leader. The School Improvement Specialist Field Guide provides a framework, tools and strategies for effective facilitation."

Bess Scott, Director of Elementary Education

Lincoln, NE

"In The School Improvement Specialist Field Guide, there is an abundance of ideas from which an Improvement Specialist could develop and implement a successful school improvement process. It was great to see facilitation strategies as part of the resources provided."

Gayle Wahlin, Educational Consultant

DuPage Regional Office of Education, Downers Grove, IL