In this tutorial, we'll explore how site-based management can support continuous improvement efforts and how action research and site-based management can impact capacity building, the implementation of initiatives and goals, and the sustaining of initiatives. Let's get started.
The phrase continuous improvement refers to a focus on developing, monitoring, and adjusting action plans in order to achieve the overarching vision and mission and goals of the school and of the district. Continuous improvement efforts include building the capacity of staff to implement and reach goals and the capacity of staff to monitor and sustain effective practices once those practices have been put into place. Not only does continuous improvement focus on building these capacities at the individual level, but it also requires attention to building the capacity of the entire staff to implement and monitor and sustain those goals and the mission and the vision of the larger team, or even the larger school.
So continuous improvement is the primary focus of both PLCs and site-based management, and it requires the collaboration of all of the school stakeholders, including not only teachers and the administrators, but also students and parents. Action research and site-based management have great impacts on many facets of the school environment. One of those areas of impact is capacity building.
Through the process of collaborative action research, teams are able to identify both problems of practice or areas that are going to require some increased attention and focus and areas of needed support or professional development in order for those team members to carry out the identified action steps and to achieve the goals that have been identified. The teams are then able to receive this training and support through collaborative sharing and learning. This increases the capacity of the team by developing the skills and the abilities that are necessary to address the identified problems, and it also increases the self-efficacy of the team members. The result is that the entire site-based team is strengthened. They experience increases in empowerment and in voice and in their self-efficacy.
Action research and site-based management also impact the implementation of initiatives and goals. Not only are team members able to identify those areas of needed support and training, but the process of action research also leads these team members to the development of the specific action steps and the plans that are going to help them achieve their goals. And these goals are often aligned with the larger initiatives of the school or the district.
For example, if a school-wide initiative is to increase the use of vocabulary building skills, then an individual team may decide that they need some additional training in vocabulary strategies that are specific to their subject area. So they would build their capacity by taking part in this training, and then they would also receive the ongoing support that is necessary, and they would monitor their progress in order to be sure that they are implementing those skills and strategies in an effective way.
Throughout the implementation of initiatives and of action steps that are going to help meet goals, the team members are supporting each other through peer modeling and peer observations, through troubleshooting areas of difficulty with one another and through sharing practices. The supports that are made possible through the use of site-based management and PLCs allow for greater success in increased fidelity in the implementation of these new processes and initiatives, and this ultimately results in increased overall continuous improvement at the team level and at the school level.
Finally, action research and site-based management also impact sustaining those initiatives that have been implemented. Sometimes, there can be a tendency to lose focus on initiatives, particularly when a newer initiative has been brought forward. And so PLCs and site-based management can help to remedy that. They create cycles of monitoring and feedback that can help to ensure the continued success of these strategies and the initiatives that were implemented as part of a previous initiative.
Furthermore, these teams can work collaboratively through a focus on feedback and on student data to connect new initiatives to the processes and the strategies from prior initiatives that have been deemed effective in helping teams to reach the vision and the mission of the school. We've seen the impact of action research and site-based management on capacity building, on implementing initiatives, and on sustaining initiatives. So here is a chance for you to stop and reflect.
How have PLCs and site-based management influenced continuous improvement efforts in your school or district? For more information on how to apply what you learned in this video, please view the additional resources section that accompanies this video presentation. The additional resources section includes hyperlinks useful for applications of the course material, including a brief description of each resource. Thanks for watching. Have a great day.
(00:00 - 00:17) Introduction
(00:18 - 01:28) Continuous Improvement
(01:29 - 02:35) Capacity-Building
(02:36 - 04:25) Implementing Initiatives and Goals
(04:26 - 05:22) Sustaining Initiatives
(05:23 - 06:04) Stop and Reflect
Leadership of Inquiry: Building and Sustaining Capacity for School Improvement
This article reports on the findings of principal leaders who build the capacity of their teams and encourage school improvement through the empowerment of site based teams.
http://www.studentachievement.org/wp-content/uploads/Leadership-of-Inquiry-Copland.pdf
Professional Learning Community Capacity Planning Checklist
Solution Tree Press has developed a useful checklist for team planning that focuses on building capacity and continuous improvement. The form is reproducible and can guide important discussion and planning aspects.
https://solutiontree.s3.amazonaws.com/solutiontree.com/media/pdfs/Reproducibles_BPLC/professionallearningcommunitycapacityplanningchecklist.pdf
https://www.sophia.org/spcc/implementing-site-based-initiatives/unit1/study-guide/9550/using-action-research-templates-2
Continuous Improvement: Documents & Templates
This white paper prepared by the Carnegie Foundation discusses best practices for promoting continuous improvement in schools.
https://www.carnegiefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/carnegie-foundation_continuous-improvement_2013.05.pdf