September 2010: Leading Student Achievement: Networks for Learning
In September of 2010, Elementary and Secondary school principals gathered to kick-off the 6th year of the Leading Student Achievement project. Each of the Ontario principals' associations gave a brief introduction to welcome the new participants to the project.
Following the introduction, Eleanor Newman from The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, discussed the Instructional Core, targets, collaborative learning cultures, and the School Effectiveness Framework.
Dr. Ken Leithwood then spoke about the four paths of leadership that influence student learning, and emphasized the importance of the Family Path. He then discusses the recommendations that came out of last year as well as the new recommendations that emerged from the evaluation process.
Lucy West concluded the day with a presentation on effective feedback, and classroom talk.
Eleanor Newman, Senior Executive Officer – The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat
In Eleanor Newman's presentation she emphasizes the importance of focusing on the student, stating that principals should be concerned with student achievement, not just in their own school, but in all schools.
She then directs attention to the Instructional Core, stating that leadership at the school, district and provincial levels needs to focus on this. She discusses the key leadership functions, and the components of the Instructional Core.
Newman also talks about the importance of setting targets with a focus on helping every student move forward, as well as the importance of promoting collaborative learning cultures within school communities.
She then references the use of the K–12 School Effectiveness Framework in providing support for school improvement and student success.
Video Segment:
Meeting the Challenge of Implementation
Dr. Ken Leithwood, Professor Emeritus – OISE/University of Toronto
Dr. Ken Leithwood begins his presentation by discussing the four paths presented in the Theory of Action, and emphasized the importance of the Family Path. He states that it's imperative to reach outside the school and into the home of students in order to influence parent expectations.
Leithwood then describes the evaluation process which tracks achievement of the basic goal of the LSA project and the evolving strategies for its accomplishment. He also describes the recommendations that will continue from last year, and some new recommendations that have emerged as a result of the evaluation process.
Video Segment:
LSA: Moving into the Next Cycle 2010–2011
Lucy West, Education Consultant – M2etamorphosis
Lucy West begins her presentation by talking about the characteristics of effective feedback, the forms of feedback, and the reasons for focusing on feedback. She then links feedback to the notion of talk in the classrooms to engage students. She believes that students need to be involved in deep discussion with one another, and participate in discourse that exposes and deepens their thinking. West then moves on to discuss the importance of listening, listening pitfalls, and moving from a culture of competition to one of collaboration.
Video Segment:
Powerfully Influencing Student Achievement through Effective Feedback
