Summary of "Implement Site-Based Initiatives"

Video Transcription

Hello! And congratulations on completing this unit. Let's take a quick look back at some of the key learning objectives that we covered when it comes to implementing site-based initiatives. In this unit you were introduced to best-practice strategies, and how to use them when implementing site-based initiatives, within a total quality management framework.

Some of the leadership theories we shared were Albert Bandura's social learning theory. In which he emphasizes the importance of relationships in creating norms. We also talked about Peter Senge's systems theory. His work helps us understand that organizations can be looked at as the sum of the parts. And success of schools are predicated on the five disciplines, they are systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, building shared vision, and team learning. Another theory we explored was Malcolm Knowles's adult learning theory, and his six principles. They are self-concept, experience, social role, time perspective, motivation, and purpose. These and other theories we discussed share many similarities, including ethics, integrity, trust, training, teamwork, leadership, recognition, and communication. This is why you will see them referred to, and used by supervisors and other organizations, including businesses, hospitals, even in restaurants.

We also took a closer look at the implementation of action plans within a site-based management system. We looked at examples related to elementary-grade student achievement, as well as district initiatives. We also highlighted two models that can help to support this work, the Dolan model and the PLC model. Furthermore, we discussed Rick Dufour's three big ideas. And learned that all these models are about continuous improvement and growth that ultimately lead to improved student achievement.

You now know the value of planning, and will be prepared for the inevitable bumps in the road that come with implementation of just about anything. These are skills that can serve you well both inside and outside of school and work.

In this unit we also covered how to choose, and use the right tools for the job. And when it comes to keeping track of progress of a SMART goal, we identified Google Sheets, and smartsheet.com as a great place to start. I encourage you to continue to explore these tools further on your own.

Reflection and revision come up over, and over again throughout this unit for good reason. They are that important. The cyclical nature of reflecting and revising is what leads to improvement. Just ask any author what the most important parts of the writing process is, and they will tell you that it's revision. The very nature of action research can be summed up with the letters PDSA, plan, do, study, act. A plus/minus/delta chart is another tool that can be used to reflect and revise. These and other graphic organizers can be found in classrooms all over, because they are a means to help monitor, and evaluate the progress of any initiative. Google these, or look them up on Pinterest, and you will find hundreds of examples of them.

Let's summarize. The summary, we pulled out, and briefly reviewed for major learning objectives from this unit, best practices, implementation of an action plan, using smart tools, and reflection and revision. In the very first food-for-thought of this unit, I asked you to think about a school-based initiative that you witnessed or were a part of. Knowing what you know now, is there anything about how the initiative was implemented that you would have changed? Once again congratulations. Thanks so much for joining me. We'll see you down the road.