Quality in Education

Can real change occur in the District, school or classroom if the climate and culture doesn't change?  The answer to this question is- NO!  Real change that can be sustained over time requires a deep-rooted change in culture, in attitude and in paradigm.  What kind of culture change is needed to implement continuous improvement?

What does the term "culture" actually mean?  Webster defines culture as: "the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations; b : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; c : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes a company or corporation."

Steven Covey refers to organizations developing a "changeless core".  This changless core is intended to anchor organizations in the tides of turbulent waters and never ending change.  In short, a changless core is simply... strong vision, mission, core values and goals that guide an organization.  It is important to note that it isn't the strategic plan or the words on paper that change the culture of an organization... it is living out what you profess to believe.  The way we act speaks volumes to what we believe.  If we are to embrace continuous improvement, we must embrace the culture change that accompanies it.  Here in lies the challlenge.

What happens to organizations that try to change behaviors or practices without changing the culture?  Can deep-rooted change occur without changing the culture?  What is the culture in your classroom, school or district?  Have You Created a Culture of Continuous Improvement? 

Jay

Posted by Jay Marino at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

As summer vacation draws to a close, many educators find themselves focusing their attention on a new school year, a fresh group of students and a new start.  Over the summer, there's been time to think, plan and prepare for our customers... the students. 

Think of the responsibility and opportunity we have to impact the lives of students.  Take a moment to read "Overworked and Under appreciated: A Tribute to Teachers" and the quote by Dr. Ivan Fitzwater- "The future of the world is in my classroom today."  The article also refers to a powerful quote by Haim Ginott...

I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis
will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized.

How can continuous improvement impact the lives of your students this year?  Best of luck to each of you as you start another continuous improvement journey!

Jay

Posted by Jay Marino at 07:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How do effective organizations maximize their results?  They align their resources, budgets and people to their vision, mission and goals. Often, attempts are made to align school improvement plans (SIPs) to District strategic plans with little impact on the bottom line- student achievement. 

A missing link in the alignment process is the connection of the work being done in classrooms to the school improvement plan.  One method that schools are utilizing is the creation of classroom SMART goals aligned to the SIP.  To take it a step further, students are maintaining student data folders that are aligned to classroom SMART goals.  This is how good organizations become great organizations.

In essence, effective organizations are aligned from top to bottom.  Ideally, student goals and data folders are aligned to classroom SMART goals that are aligned to School Improvement Plan goals that are aligned to the District strategic plan. 

Are your school goals aligned to the District plan?  Are your classroom goals aligned to your school improvement plan?  Do your students have their own personal academic goals that are aligned to your classroom goals?  What happens to systems that are not aligned?

Jay

Posted by Jay Marino at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Recently I had an opportunity to complete the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence award application (the State of Iowa version of the Baldrige Award).  Although it is an intense process, there is much benefit to working through the 7 Baldrige categories to thoughtfully describing processes and results within your own organization. 

What can be an even greater learning experience, is becoming an examiner for the quality award in your State.  I've had the opportunity to both write applications and become an examiner for State quality award programs in two different states.  Being involved in a State quality award program not only provides a deeper understanding of the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, but strengthens your understanding of your own organization (its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).

Many organizations utilize the State quality award program in their state as they begin their continuous improvement journey.  Over time, some organizations apply for the National Quality Award Program.  I encourage you to see if your state has a quality award program that your organization could become involved with (either as an application and/or as an examiner).

How do you "sharpen your saw" for quality and continuous improvement?  Does your state have a quality award program?  How do you use the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence to drive improvements in your organization?

Jay

Posted by Jay Marino at 07:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)