Transcript Slide 1

Breaking Ranks: The Comprehensive
Framework for School Improvement
NASSP:
Patti Kinney, Middle Level Services
[email protected]
John Nori, Program Development
[email protected]
Breaking Ranks: A Dynamic Framework
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The Breaking Ranks Framework
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Why does your school need to improve?
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What needs to improve?
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How do we improve our school?
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Who? Do YOU and YOUR TEAM have what
it takes to create a culture for change?
The WHY of
School
Improvement
What is school culture?
“The way we do things
around here.”
“Culture eats strategies for breakfast.”
Peter Drucker
Changing culture is the only
road to significant and lasting
school improvement.
Power of School Culture
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A sense of community increases student
performance and engagement.
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A positive culture increases the staff’s
sense of efficacy and engagement in
teaching & learning.
~Bill Simmer, Independent School Management
The Layers of Culture
Observable
Staff handbook, logo, types of meetings,
grouping of students, daily schedule,
celebrations, signs, announcements, public
roles.
Values & Beliefs
Vision, what we believe about teaching,
learning, schooling, education, children and
parenting expressed in what we say and do.
Collective Assumptions
Taken for granted understandings about what’s
worth doing; the hidden psychological level.
*Greatest leverage for change is here
Re-culturing
A change in beliefs and a willingness to
rethink old beliefs and assumptions that
underlie stuck behaviors.
A shift in point of orientation from outward
to inward.
The creation of new mental models that
serve us better.
Structural Change
≠
Cultural Change
Structural Changes
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RTI
Advisories
Detracking
Flexible Grouping
Inclusion Classes
Flexible Schedules
Interdisciplinary Teams
Ninth-Grade Academies
Common Planning Time
Small Learning Communities
Elementary Departmentalization
Professional Learning Communities
Cultural Changes
 Common Set of Beliefs
 New Ways of Interacting
 Heightened Expectations
 Honest Examination of “reality”
 Shared Mission, Vision, Values,
and Goals
Culture
Mindset
By Carol Dweck
The WHAT of
School
Improvement
The “WHAT” of the Breaking Ranks® Framework
Core Areas
Cornerstones
Leadership
Curriculum,
Instruction &
Assessment
Collaborative
Leadership
Equity
Recommendations
Assessment
12 recommendations
9 recommendations
Improved
Student
Performance
Culture
Relationships
Instruction
Personalizing your
School Environment
Curriculum
8 recommendations
Professional Development
Organization
An integrated approach…
Leadership
Collaborative
Leadership
Equity
9 recommendations
Curriculum,
Instruction &
Assessment
Assessment
12 recommendations
Improved
Student
Performance
Culture
Relationships
Instruction
Personalizing your
School Environment
Curriculum
8 recommendations
Professional Development
Organization
The How of
School
Improvement
Change
“The only person who
likes change is a baby
with a wet diaper.”
- Mark Twain
TRADITION
There is Light at the End of the
Tunnel
A
Process
Circle
for
Guiding
Change
Change
“Insanity: doing the same
thing over and over again
and expecting different
results.”
- Albert Einstein
The Who of
School
Improvement
What skills do
school leaders
need?
Identified Weaknesses
1.
Setting Instructional Direction
2.
Developing Others
3.
Written Communications
The Breaking Ranks Framework

Why does your school need to improve?

What needs to improve?

How do we improve our school?

Who? Do YOU and YOUR TEAM have what
it takes to create a culture for change?
Interested in learning more about
NASSP programs, products and
services?
Please fill out and return the
NASSP Request Form
and we’ll be in touch!
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