October 2011: Leading Student Achievement: Networks for Learning

In October 2011, Elementary and Secondary school principals gathered to kick-off the 7th year of the Leading Student Achievement project. After a brief introduction from each of the Ontario principals' associations, a video, Voices from the Field, was shown. It demonstrated the impact that LSA is having in schools and in classrooms. Representatives from the three principals' associations and from both elementary and secondary schools presented a number of common themes (e.g., courageous conversations, assessment for learning, etc.).

Dr. Doug Willms then covered a range of topics in his presentation, including the following topics:

  • Achievement Level of Reading of Ontario Students
  • The Characteristics Measured by PISA
  • Reading Facts
  • Student Engagement
  • "What Did You Do in School Today?" (2007–2008)
  • Schema for Student Achievement in "Tell Them For Me"
  • Inclusive Schools
  • Role of School Leaders

In the afternoon, Dr. Ken Leithwood provided recommendations for Year 7 of the LSA project, and gave a brief overview of the changes that are in the process of being implemented in the Ontario Leadership Framework.

Presentations from four different school board representatives or teams which were followed by small group discussions concluded the day.

Voices from the Field Video

Video Segment:


  Student Engagement in Learning

Dr. J. Douglas Willms, Director – Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy, University of New Brunswick

In the video segments below, Dr. Doug Willms speaks about the four drivers of learning and wellness, the levels of social outcomes of those of different socioeconomic groups based on PISA, and the achievement level in reading of Ontario students. He also discusses student engagement and the different types of student engagement as outlined in "Tell Them From Me". He concludes with speaking about inclusive schools, the role of school leaders, and what can be done at various levels within education.

Video Segments:

Part One


 

Part Two


 

Part Three


  Moving Forward in Leading Student Achievement

Dr. Ken Leithwood, Professor Emeritus – OISE/University of Toronto

Dr. Ken Leithwood shares five recommendations based on the surveys conducted during the past school year in the video below. He also mentions that the Ontario Leadership Framework is in the process of being redefined to encompass a richer conception of effective leadership. He states that school-level as well as system-level leadership each receive attention in the areas of personal resources and school/system organizational characteristics.

Video Segment:

Moving Forward in Leading Student Achievement


  Voices from the Field - Four District Teams Share Their LSA Work

In each of the video segments below, a school board representative or team shares their work that their board has been involved in. Each of the presentations were then followed by small group discussions focusing on the following two questions:

  1. What ideas have we heard that we would like to share with our Principal Learning Teams?
  2. How does this connect to Dr. Leithwood's LSA Four Paths?

Video Segments:

Academic Optimism: Creating Effective Learning Conditions


 

Parcours de leadership pédagogique et d'apprentissage/Instructional Leadership Learning Critical Pathway


 

LSA Theory of Action: Academic Press


 

LSA Theory of Action: Organizational Path/Alignment