Week One Assignment, Part 1 – Post SBEC Self-Assessment and Reflection
Please follow the directions for completing the following assessment:
SBEC Superintendent Competencies
Self-Assessment
Directions: Below you will find the SBEC Superintendent Competencies as revised in the Fall of 2010. Each competency is supported by indicators. The indicators are guides to identify knowledge and skills Superintendents should be practicing.
For each indicator, enter S, C, or I. The “S, C, or I” will indicate your assessment of your experience with each indicator.
Key to scoring: S = I consider this a strength, I could lead in this activity.
C= I feel competent in this area of knowledge and skill
I = This is an area on which I would like to focus and improve my knowledge and skill
When you complete the self-assessment, review your responses, compare your responses to your answers in the first course, EDLD 5396, identify your strengths and be sure to include and identify any areas needed for improvement, and include these in your 3 Year Professional Development Plan for Week 5’s Assignment.
Domain I—Leadership of the Educational Community – Competencies 1 - 4
Competency 1 Area:
The superintendent knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner in order to promote the success of all students.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__serve as an advocate for all children.
___S__model and promote the highest standard of conduct, ethical principles, and integrity in decision making, actions, and behaviors.
___S__exhibit understanding and implement policies and procedures that promote district personnel compliance with The Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.
___S__monitor and address ethical issues impacting education.
___S__apply laws, policies, and procedures in a fair and reasonable manner.
___S__ interact with district staff, students, school board, and community in a professional and ethical manner.
Competency 2 Area:
The superintendent knows how to shape district culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the educational community.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ establish and support a district culture that promotes learning, high expectations, and academic rigor for self, students, and staff.
___S__ facilitate the development and implementation of a shared vision that focuses on teaching and learning and ensures the success of all students.
___S__ implement strategies for involving all stakeholders in planning processes and for facilitating planning between constituencies.
___S__ use formal and informal techniques to monitor and assess district/school climate for effective, responsive decision making.
___S__ institute procedures for monitoring the accomplishment of district goals and objectives to achieve the district's vision.
___S__ facilitate the development, use, and allocation of all available resources, including human resources, to support implementation of the district's vision and goals.
___S__ recognize and celebrate contributions of staff and community toward realization of the district's vision.
___S__ maintain awareness of emerging issues and trends affecting public education and communicate their significance to the local educational community.
___S__ encourage and model innovative thinking and risk taking and view problems as opportunities.
___S__ promote multicultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and the appreciation of diversity in the educational community.
___S__ understand and support educational programs for all student populations, including students with special needs.
Competency 3 Area:
The superintendent knows how to communicate and collaborate with families and community members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources to ensure educational success for all students.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ serve as an articulate, effective communicator for the importance of public education in a free democratic society.
___S__ develop and implement an effective and comprehensive internal and external district communications plan and public relations program.
___S__ analyze community and district structures and identify major opinion leaders and their relationships to district goals and programs.
___C__establish partnerships with families, area businesses, institutions of higher education, and community groups to strengthen programs and support district goals.
___S__ implement effective strategies for systematically communicating with and gathering input from all stakeholders in the district.
___S__communicate and work effectively with diverse groups in the district and community; i.e., social, cultural, political, ethnic, and racial group, so that all students receive appropriate resources and instructional support to ensure educational success.
___C__ develop and use formal and informal techniques to gain an accurate view of the perceptions of district staff, families, and community members.
___S__ use effective consensus-building and conflict-management skills.
___S__ articulate the district's vision and priorities to the community and to the media.
___C__ influence the media by using proactive communication strategies that serve to enhance and promote the district's vision.
___S__ communicate effectively about positions on educational issues using effective writing, speaking, and active listening skills to ensure educational success for all students.
Competency 4 Area:
The superintendent knows how to respond to and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context, including working with the board of trustees, to achieve the district's educational vision.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ analyze and respond to political, social, economic, and cultural factors affecting students and education.
___S__ provide leadership in defining superintendent-board roles and establishing mutual expectations.
___C__ communicate and work effectively with board members in varied contexts, including problem-solving and decision-making contexts.
___C__ work with the board of trustees to define and consistently adhere to mutual expectations, policies, and standards.
___C__ access and work with local, state, and national political systems and organizations to elicit input on critical educational issues.
___S__ use legal guidelines to protect the rights of students and staff and to improve learning opportunities.
___S__ prepare and recommend district policies to improve student learning and district performance in compliance with state and federal requirements
DOMAIN II—INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP – COMPETENCIES 5 - 7
Competency 5 Area:
The superintendent knows how to facilitate the planning and implementation of strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; ensure alignment among curriculum, curriculum resources, and assessment; use the current accountability system; and promote the use of varied assessments to measure student performance.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ facilitate effective curricular decision making based on an understanding of pedagogy, curriculum design, cognitive development, learning processes, and child and adolescent growth and development.
___S__ implement planning procedures to develop curricula that achieve optimal student learning and that anticipate and respond to occupational and economic trends.
___S__ implement curriculum design and delivery systems to ensure instructional quality, appropriate depth of learning, and alignment across the district.
___S__ develop and implement collaborative processes for systematically assessing and renewing the curriculum to meet the needs of all students and ensure appropriate scope, sequence, content, and alignment.
___S__ use assessment to measure student learning, diagnose student needs, and determine effectiveness of the curriculum to ensure educational accountability.
___S__ evaluate district curricula and provide direction for improving curricula based on sound, research-based practices.
___S__facilitate the integration of technology into the school district curriculum to enhance learning for all students
___S__ facilitate the effective coordination creative thinking, critical thinking, and problem solving by appropriate school district staff and other individuals involved in curriculum design and delivery.
___S__ facilitate the effective coordination of district and campus curricular and extracurricular programs.
___S__ ensure that staff members have a working knowledge of the accountability system and are monitoring its components to increase student performance.
Competency 6 Area:
The superintendent knows how to advocate, promote, and sustain an instructional program and a district culture that are conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ apply knowledge of motivational theories and strategies to encourage staff, students, families/caregivers, and the community to strive to achieve the district's vision.
___S__ facilitate the implementation of sound, research-based theories and techniques of classroom management, student discipline, and school safety to ensure a school district environment conducive to learning.
___S__ facilitate the development of a learning organization that encompasses high student engagement and learning with academic rigor through the use of effective planning and lesson design.
___S__ facilitate the ongoing study of current best practice and relevant research and encourage the application of this knowledge to district/school improvement initiatives.
___S__ implement and support student services and activity programs to address developmental, scholastic, social, emotional, cultural, physical, and leadership needs.
___S__ establish a comprehensive school district program of student assessment, interpretation of data, and reporting of state and national data results for improvement of student learning
___S__ apply knowledge of special programs to ensure that students are provided with appropriate resources and effective, flexible instructional programs and services.
___S__ analyze instructional resource needs and deploy instructional resources effectively and equitably to enhance student learning.
___S__ analyze the implications of various organizational factors (e.g., staffing patterns, class scheduling formats, school organizational structures, student discipline practices) for teaching and learning.
___S__ develop and use appropriate change processes to improve student and adult learning.
___C__ ensure responsiveness to diverse sociological, linguistic, cultural, psychological, and other factors that may affect student development and learning and create an environment in which all students will learn.
Competency 7 Area:
The superintendent knows how to implement a staff evaluation and development system and select appropriate models for supervision and staff development to improve the performance of all staff members.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ improve teaching and learning by participating in quality relevant professional development activities and studying current professional literature and research.
___S__ develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive professional development plan to address identified areas of district, campus, and/or staff need.
___S__ facilitate the application of adult learning principles to all professional development activities, including the use of support and follow-up strategies to facilitate implementation.
___S__ implement strategies to enhance the expertise and skill of staff at the district and campus levels.
___S__ work collaboratively with other district personnel to plan, implement, and evaluate professional growth programs.
___S__ deliver effective presentations and facilitate learning for both small and large groups.
___S__ implement effective strategies for the recruitment, selection, induction, development, evaluation, and promotion of staff.
___S__ develop and implement comprehensive staff evaluation models that include both formative and summative assessment and appraisal strategies.
___C__ assess and support the organizational health and climate by implementing necessary strategies to improve the performance of all staff members.
DOMAIN III—ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP – COMPETENCIES 8 – 10
Competency 8 Area:
The superintendent knows how to apply principles of effective leadership and management in relation to district budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management, and technology application.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ apply procedures for effective budget planning and management.
___C__ work collaboratively with board of trustees and appropriate personnel to develop district budgets.
___C__ facilitate and evaluate effective account auditing and monitoring that complies with legal requirements and local district policy.
___S__ establish district procedures for accurate, effective, ethical purchasing and financial record keeping and reporting.
___C__ acquire, allocate, and manage resources according to district vision and priorities, including obtaining and using funding from various sources.
___S__ use district and staff evaluation data for personnel policy development and decision making.
___S__ apply knowledge associated with personnel management, including requirements related to certifying, recruiting, screening, selecting, evaluating, disciplining, reassigning, and dismissing personnel.
___S__ manage one's own time and the time of others to enhance district operations.
___S__ develop and implement plans for using technology and information systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of school district operations.
___S__ apply legal concepts, regulations, and codes as required.
___C__ use revenue forecasting and enrollment forecasting to address personnel and budgetary needs accurately.
Competency 9 Area:
The superintendent knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the district's physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.
The superintendent knows how to:
___S__ apply procedures for planning, funding, renovating, and/or constructing school facilities to support the district’s mission and goals.
___C__ implement strategies that enable the district's physical plant, equipment, and support systems to operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.
___S__ apply strategies for ensuring the safety of students and personnel and for addressing emergencies and security concerns.
___S__ develop and implement procedures for emergency planning and for responding to crises.
___C__ apply procedures for ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of district facilities.
___C__ implement evaluate appropriate procedures to ensure efficient, effective district transportation services, food services, health services, and other services.
___S__ apply legal concepts, regulations, and codes as required.
Competency 10 Area:
The superintendent knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to comply with federal and state requirements and facilitate positive change in varied contexts.
The superintendent knows how to:
__S_ implement appropriate leadership skills, techniques, and group process skills to define roles, assign functions, delegate effectively, and determine accountability for goal attainment.
__S_ implement processes for gathering, analyzing, and using data for informed decision making to attain district goals.
__S_ identify, analyze, and resolve problems using appropriate problem-solving techniques and decision-making skills.
__S_ use strategies for working with others, including the board of trustees, to promote collaborative decision making and problem solving, facilitate team building, and develop consensus.
__S_ encourage and facilitate positive change, enlist support for change, and overcome obstacles to change in varied educational contexts.
__C__ analyze and use political influences to benefit the educational organization.
Self-Assessment Reflection: Review your responses to the 10 Competency Self-Assessment, and write a reflection discussing your strengths, areas where you consider yourself competent but not yet a strength, and areas needing improvement. Be sure to reflect on all S, C and I responses because you will be expected to certainly include areas for improvement and competent areas in your Intern Plan. Write your reflection on the next page.
Blog Follow-Up: Be sure to post your reflection to your blog, and read and comment on at least two other students’ assessment reflections.
As I surveyed my responses to the Self-Assessment I realized that the areas I marked competent rather than strengths are areas where I need to show more initiative and stretch myself as I seek experiences that will put me on the Fast Track to becoming strong in all areas. As curriculum, data, and professional development have been my strengths, I remember learning about budget by analyzing that year’s campus budget and personnel allocations. I had worked with the Campus Improvement Plan for years but was not privy to examining the budget, I had to ask probing questions of my mentor and include the statement, “Can you show me?” Before the year was over I was asked to sit in as we met with district leaders to prepare the next year’s budget and given the task of managing a School Improvement Plan (Title I: SIP) Budget of $900,000 over two years. The same approach will have to be followed to improve my knowledge and skills about facilities and meeting with the Board. I must press my way in and just do it to learn. An opportunity presented itself this week as the fire alarm went off in a construction area inside our high school campus. The two assistant principals that normally deal with facilities were supposedly off campus and I was called. As I examined the alarm symbols I found that the plans had an error and that was the reason the Fire Marshall could not find the alarm location. The change on notation was made and we proceeded to the site to identify the problem.
When duties are assigned each year it is imperative that each person fulfills the duties assigned. However we must step outside of that role and learn as much as possible about what others are doing. We must stretch the limits and learn how to do “someone else’s job” as we prepare for the next level as superintendent. As a teacher I recall going to the data controller, attendance clerk and registrar and learning their assigned duties. These skills have enabled me to be informed about PEIMS issues and step in and assist as needed. With that said I must again press my way and improve my knowledge and skills as I continue to serve all students, parent, teachers, staff and stakeholders of the school district. Areas where this act of pressing will produce the greatest benefit are working with the Board, acquiring resources from the community, and maintenance and facility maintenance and planning. I am confident that through this Self-Assessment that I will take the needed steps to master these areas as I stay current on the current trends in finance and school reform.
Week One Assignment, Part 2
As part of the development of your 5 Part Comprehensive Final Report, we begin with Section A.
Section A: Career Position and Leadership Goals Statement (1/2 to 1 page):
Position Goal:
1. Write a brief paragraph describing the career position(s) you would like to pursue.
2. Include positions that may lead to your ultimate career position. For example, you may desire to move up by holding positions such as grade-level or department chair, site council member, assistant principal, principal, and ultimately, superintendent.
3. Include a brief rationale for why you believe it important to move through these positions.
Leadership Goal –
1. Write one or more paragraphs describing why you want to lead. This goal addresses the purpose or motivation for leading versus obtaining a specific position. You should consider the following in developing this:
2. What do I hope to accomplish as a leader?
3. What educational needs underlie my motivation to lead?
4. What personal needs underlie my motivation to lead?
5. How did the accomplishments, during my internship, prepare me to lead school improvement?
Referenced Reading:
Martin, G (2005). School Leader Internship. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education and any other readings completed during your Superintendent Certification Program.
Position Goal: As I consider options within the field of education, I realize I have several forks in the road which I travel. I would like to become a superintendent of a small suburban or rural district, or an assistant or deputy superintendent of a large urban district. My Plan B is to establish a Christian Charter School with Plan C establishing my role as a national consultant/presenter and Plan D would be to serve as a Technical Assistance Provider or Campus Intervention Team member for schools rated Academically Unacceptable for consecutive years. Stepping stone positions could include Principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Executive Director of Maintenance and Facilities. Each of these positions could provide the additional training needed to improve skills in the competencies that I may not have access to in my current position as Assistant Principal.
Leadership Goal: Meeting the needs of students as we prepare them to maximize their potential in our technological society is my primary purpose for serving in positions of leadership. As a superintendent I desire to provide training for teachers and staff that will enable them to meet the needs of our culturally and academically diverse students. I desire to lead and empower teachers, parents and students in preparing for the demands of careers of the future by increasing their marketability with technology and professional development. During my career I have served on Title I campuses that were at the bottom, in terms of district ratings in Dallas. Through professional development, utilization of data and modifying and adjusting instructional delivery to meet student needs I have seen academic miracles as we move to the top and shock naysayers while making the community proud. These experiences are the driving force in my belief that we can accomplish anything with perseverance and high expectations.
The superintendent internship has given me an opportunity to take my experiences to the next level. I have learned how to do a blog, a wiki, the ten steps to preparing for professional development, duties of a superintendent and the board, the specifications for renovations and new construction, the process for preparing for a bond election and how to prepare a district’s budget and District Improvement Plan. I have had one-on-one conferences with my superintendent, director of Human Resources, Director of Student Services, Interim Director of Maintenance and Facilities, and content specialists. I have been able to get the inside view of what operations in my current district look like. These contacts have been the most valuable parts of the internship and have allowed me to form a group of resources.
Week One Assignment, Part 3
Portfolio Review
Students should review key documents and update them in your portfolio. Please indicate your review of the following documents and indicate if you have made any revisions:
· Vita: Minor changes on duties for this school year have been made.
· Intern Plan: Dates have been updated as activities were completed.
· Course and District Supervised Logs: Most activities have been completed. I am still in the process of writing the summaries in the log.
