4 System Capacity4 System Capacity

• Vision• Alignment and Planning• Ensuring Capacity (Funding & Building Support)

• Leadership and Systems Thinking

VISIONVISION

• Forward thinking• Developed with stakeholders• Learner-centered• Publicly acknowledged &

supported• Embraced by educators and

staff

Leading with VisionLeading with Vision

“Vision: a compelling…• learner centered• reflective of contemporary

society

picture of the future…• forward thinking• clearly articulated

for the common good”*• developed with and

communicated to all stakeholders

• broadly embraced

* Leadership Challenge (Kouses & Posner)

1.Provide basic access for all

2. Create models

3. Build infrastructure

4. Expand targetaccess

Bring every teacher into the conversation

Paint pictures of the future

Build bridges to the future

Make the future possible for all

Vision

Alignment and PlanningAlignment and Planning

• Integrates learning with school improvement plans

• Translates vision into practice• Integrates the Seven Dimensions• Identifies necessary system

changes• Timelines of expected results

Alignment and Alignment and PlanningPlanning,, cont’d.

• Data-driven decision making• Fully funded and resourced

Alignment and Planning: Alignment and Planning: Funding the PlanFunding the Plan

1. Provide Basic Access• Use existing funds if possible:

– District budget or surplus– Capital projects budget

• Tech. levy or construction bonds

• Grants and foundations

3. Build Infrastructure• Make technology a budget priority

in curriculum, training, communications and support

• Join consortiums (K-12, Higher Ed.)• Partner with community colleges• Use infrastructure grants (E rate)

2. Create Models• Use special purpose funds:

– Local foundations & service clubs– State/Federal model program

grants– Corporations

• Special programs (Gates Teacher Leadership Project)

4. Expand Target Access• Develop campaign for special

funding– Technology levy– Non-voted debt with shared repayment

(corporations & foundations)

• Use of anything and everything else you can think of

Alignment and Planning: Alignment and Planning: Campaign for Instructional Campaign for Instructional

TechnologyTechnology1. Provide Basic Access• Begin building a case for

instructional technology• Focus on equity• Use parent support for

outside pressure

2. Create Models• Use special funding to

differentiate• Begin to articulate the vision

for target technology access

3. Build Infrastructure• “Why Technology” project• Build corporate and

foundation support

4. Expand Target Access• Run full campaign

Communication Vehicles• Develop a Web site and feature answers to “Why

Technology”• Write articles for district & school newsletters, and

local newspapers• Write a regular newspaper column• Bring in business & education speakers • Let students tell their stories• Use videos for fundraisers• Develop brochures

“Why Technology” Project

• Feature local success stories• Partner with University for evaluation• Get teachers & skeptics involved

Alignment and PlanningAlignment and Planning Leadership: Creating directed change Planning

• Use the Seven Dimensions to:– Assess situation– Describe the vision

• Integrate new capabilities into every area of the plan

• Use zero-base budgeting (re-justify everything)

• Create projects of one year or less in duration

• Engage teachers in planning and projects

• Update plan at least annually

Vision

Plan

Redesign

Alignment

Investment

Technology enabled future

Effective school models

Technology integration

Policy & Practice

Improved access

Ensuring CapacityEnsuring Capacity

• Models and prototypes• Set incremental milestones• Use information, research

and exemplary practice• Manage change• Develop local expertise• Provide support systems

Ensuring CapacityEnsuring Capacity

• On-going growth opportunities• Leveraging economies of scale

Ensuring CapacityEnsuring Capacity• The vision alive with models

and prototypes• Milestones are aligned with

the vision and regularly evaluated

• Information, research and best practices are provided to stakeholders

• Systemic change process is initiated and successfully managed

• Local expertise is developed with opportunities for growth

• Support systems are provided for curricular, instructional, and technical leadership

Propagate models throughout the system

Use discrepancy model to identify projects

Launch a local “Why Technology” project

Support school-wide designs

Hold a “Teacher as Architect” conference

Build “on-demand” training & support

Leadership/Systems Leadership/Systems ThinkingThinking

• Envision possibilities• Plan systematically• Ensure sustainability• Strategically alter the system• Secure agreement on

accountability• Align policies and practices

Systems ThinkingSystems ThinkingElements of Systems

Thinking*• Personal Mastery: model it• Mental Models: balance

inquiry and advocacy to shape stronger models

• Shared Vision: enroll yourself, keep it simple and honest, let others choose to enroll

• Team Learning: suspend assumptions, act as colleagues in the spirit of inquiry

• Learning Organization: leaders are designers, stewards and teachers

* The Fifth Discipline (Senge)

How to Promote Systems Thinking:• Read and think• Share wide ranging books & articles• Bring the outside in (guest speakers,

visitors, advisory boards)• Take field trips to see a variety of

well run organizations• Encourage dialogue; be vulnerable

with your staff• Reformat your meetings to focus on

team learning not administrivia• Schedule brainstorming sessions• Take a risk, learn from failure • Keep a journal

“It is less important…to produce perfect plans than to use planning to accelerate learning as a whole.”

We plan for whole system improvement

Systems ThinkingSystems Thinking

We see a new world of possibilities

We know that students can learn faster

We know it will change everything

We are in this for the long run

We hold ourselves accountable

We will make it work, together