Why all this change?

There is so much going on in public education these days. Each item seems like a major initiative. Because in the old, unconnected world each would be a fad initiative.
Teachers have SMART goals? We have done goals for years.
Change the teacher evaluation system? Yep, done that too.
Analyze student data through collaboration? Yes, some of us in Math and Language Arts have done so since ISTEP.
Realign curriculum? We just finished doing that last year or was it last decade?

So why does change feel different this time? Because this time it is a reform movement. A national movement. A connected movement. A movement connected to money and results. One meant to finally eliminate fads and really improve student achievement, sustain that improvement, and reestablish ourselves as the way to educate a 21st century society. Whether you agree with the reform movement or not should be a subject of civil comment in coffee shops, polling places, and on social media.

Here I am trying to answer two simple questions for our staff and community.

WHY ALL THIS CHANGE AT LAKELAND? WHY CAN"T WE FOCUS ON ONE OF THE THINGS LISTED ABOVE?

The simple answer is they are interrelated. History has shown one initiative at a time doesn't work. It doesn't give the teachers and support staff all the tools for success. Goals, curriculum, working in teams, data analysis, improved instructional strategies, improved student learning outcomes, remediation, and acceleration. The list goes on and on. ALL of these interrelate to student growth. So the staff started September with SMART goals. There is a rhyme and reason for that. Please watch this video to see if you begin to envision why we are all working on so many initiatives at once.

http://www.10rulesforsuccess.com/         Okay, your turn. Comments?

Thanks for all your hard work staff. Together we will do this! Let us know how we can help. Blog me and welcome to October!!!