What does a school principal need to know in order to effectively lead and collaborate with teacher-leaders, staff and school community to develop a successful high-performing school?
Michael Schmoker's research focuses on two essential elements necessary for principals to know. He believes that principals must ensure there is a guaranteed and viable curriculum in the school that allows universal access for all students.
He also believes principals must keep a laser-like focus on improving classroom instruction through team-based, professional learning communities that believe teachers can meet the needs of all students.
Over the last few years, Washoe County School District moved forward to implement this research. We have worked with principals to implement professional learning communities and continuous improvement models in each of their schools by using the following questions and answers as a guide.
The board of trustees believes that this guide gives schools the framework needed for the successful academic and socio-emotional development of each student.
- What do we want students to learn? We expect all of our students to be taught with a rigorous standards-based curriculum that is aligned vertically and horizontally school and district-wide.
- How will students learn it? We expect each teacher to develop caring and supportive relationships with their students based upon high expectations for each student's success.
We expect each teacher to be culturally competent as they positively interact with each student and use differentiated, relevant and scaffolding instructional strategies so that all students will learn.
Professional development at each school site must be customized based upon the needs of the teachers, staff and student outcomes.
- How will we know students have learned it? We expect teachers to collaborate and develop the use of consistent formative and summative assessment practices in each subject during their professional learning community meetings. Teachers must be able to access real time data to determine individual student learning.
- What will we do when students do not learn it? We expect teachers to give students multiple opportunities to learn by providing timely academic and/or socio-emotional interventions.
As the Board of Trustees moves forward with our reform agenda, this essential framework is expected to be smoothly operating in each of our schools. The role of school principals in the successful implementation of this research is immeasurable.
Barbara McLaury is vice president of the Washoe County School District board.
