Context School Case Study
Problem Context School is in an impoverished neighborhood in inner city Chicago 87% African- American Teachers are mainly white Demographics of neighborhood is changing because of high end housing developments Strong teacher union presence (union leader has admit. Leadership degree) Parents complain about lack of communication regarding academics and behavior Local school counsel has power to hire and fire principal (4 yr. Entrant) Principal has authority to hire staff Board make-up is: 2 teachers, 6 parents and 2 community members Board was encouraging more minority parent involvement in the overall decision making of school policy Two main board members are minority and ran on a platform to create more Afro-centric curriculum There was tension because even though the majority of the student population is AAA, only one teacher attempted to focus on AAA history Teachers do not support or trust parents and visa-versa Teachers do not like the clientele of the school Diversity issues, racial issues, community relations issues, safety issues and ethical Issues Neighborhood demographics are changing; teachers are mainly white, impoverished neighborhood in inner city Chicago, lack of trust, racial issues.
Problem statement(s) rhea school principal is faced with multiple, sensitive issues that have the potential to become significant on many levels. The local school council, who also has an agenda, is demanding changes from the principal and the staff in order to make the school more parent and community friendly. The teachers are not vested in school, the community or the students. There is a powerful teacher union and teachers are threatening to file grievances. The union gave the principal five days to solve the problems. Principal is faced with multiple sensitive issues that have the potential to become significant; teachers are not vested in the school, community, and students.
Exploratory questions that the author is investigating How do principals negotiate the demands of parents and teachers? How do you balance increased parent participation and decision making when teachers don’t ‘alee their input and/or don’t want them on campus? How do you provide estate and security when the issues of class and race complicate matters? How does a principal satisfy the needs of multiple stakeholders that have a singular focused agenda and re only interested in having their own needs met? How do you provide safety and security when the issues of class and race complicate matters? Step 2: Summary of the Case Summarize the critical issues of time.
The critical issues facing Thomas Payne Elementary are parent and teacher tension, racial tension, safety issues, principal community relationship, lack of leadership, lack of diversity, lack of control. Focus on understanding/stating the problem problems. Powerful teacher union, file grievances, change in demographics, change n cultural Briefly summarized the main points Racial tension, disrespect, lack of training. Interpret critical details rhea school is at a critical crossroad.
Lack of trust between principal, teacher union, staff, parents, board and community. Community involvement is getting stronger, although not necessarily a good thing, and the staff is unsupported. School is at a critical crossroad, diversity training, culture training.
Step 3: Framework for Analysis Identify possible frameworks from which to analyze the case Apply theory, research, course Readings, other concepts For students to learn what their teachers have to offer, they must feel fully appreciated as individuals within the context of their own distinctive ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and with their own particular genders, sexual orientations, and sensory and physical abilities. Cultural proficiency is a model for shifting the culture of the school or district; it is a model for individual transformation and organizational change.
If teachers and administrators have not been prepared to teach, lead, or work with people who differ from them, then the educational leader must take the initiative and create a learning community so that hey can master these skills on the Job Cultural proficiency: A Manual for School Leaders. Tepee 4: Recommendations – Is, Challenges, Potential Outcomes, and Consequences Use theory and research to make recommendations Discuss ethical considerations Teachers are not following teacher educator best practices Principal has been minimizing problems Principal is taking the hands-off approach because he thinks he can’t fix something that has been in existence for years. The problem appears to be larger than Just Nothing the school walls. Board is overstepping their bounds in suggesting curriculum hanged Principal has been minimizing problems, teachers are not following best practices, and board is overstepping their bounds in suggesting curriculum changes. Project potential outcomes Principal gets fired Principal solves problems Teacher union files grievances Teachers quit A major safety incident could occur without an immediate solution School gets unwanted negative publicity in the media.
Anticipated challenges Principal has a short five day timeline to make changes that appears unreasonable for the magnitude of the problems How do change the habits and philosophy of a Taft that seem unwilling to change their mindset? How does one person change long-standing racial tensions in a community and be the lone person held accountable for change? Principal has five days to make changes that appears unreasonable for the magnitude of the problems, How does one person change long- standing racial tensions in a community and be the lone person held accountable for change Include recommended goals and outcomes of the situation Make an immediate plan to promote and ensure safety on campus for all stakeholders. Provide diversity training for staff and hold them accountable for reading everyone with respect.
Better communication between home and school. Make a plan to promote and ensure safety; provide diversity training, better communication between home and school. Include intended/unintended consequences Intended – the school would become a safe and friendly environment and teachers Mould care about all students and parent communication.
The principal would also get to keep his Job. Intended: the school would become a safe and friendly environment, principal keeps his Job. Unintended – Principal loses his Job, racial tensions do not improve and could possibly get worse. Board and parents could become too powerful. Unintended: principal loses his Job, racial tensions become Norse.
Predict leadership challenges See above Action steps Principal and leadership team should identify the main problems Create an immediate action plan for all identified problems including a timeline and accountability measures.
Implement immediate safety plan Meet Witt tactual, express support and snare wit n them that en understands their concerns and is committed to quickly doing something about them. Share the action plan with the local council and ask for their complete support with the public. Safety plan, identify the main problems, create an immediate action plan. Principal needs to set up an individual conference with each teacher to improve staff communication.
Principal needs to set up a faculty meeting to extensively discuss the new safety plan and action plan. Step 5: Leadership Lessons Include 3-5 leadership lessons from the case study Individual applications How does it relate to your own school? Principals cannot ignore problems.
Principals must hold staff accountable. Can’t ignore problems, must hold staff accountable. School needs more informal leaders. How does it mirror your own school practices? Confront problems before they escalate. Maintain good dialogue and establish relationships with community stakeholders and teacher union.
Staff needs some form of diversity training before the school year has begun. How does it challenge you?
Reminds us that racial tensions and social class issues are still prevalent and having diverse staff that attempts to mirror the school population can improve the school to community relationship. Safety is always first and being proactive is the key. A principal can eliminate a lot of future problems by simply being on the same page Math his/her teachers. Racial tension and social class issues still exist, safety is always first. How would you move forward? Meet with faculty, express support and share with them that he understands their plan with the local council and ask for their complete support with the public.
Set up a diversity training immediately that is taught by experts from the district. Staff meetings, safety plan, and action plan.
System applications “hat have you learned overall that you can apply? Alluding relationships with community and your staff is critical. How quickly something can turn from bad to ugly. He best way to avoid a lot of problems is to be proactive about them.
What have you learned specifically that you can apply to your school setting? Confront problems as they occur. E aware of community concerns. Communicate expectations clearly to all stakeholders. Successful staffs must hold one another accountable and not rely on only formal leadership. Apply to your district or state setting? E aware of racial tensions in differing communities across the district/state.
Be mindful of political agendas from all stakeholders. E aware of racial tensions in differing communities, be mindful of the political agendas from all stakeholders What are your questions? How long has Douglas been at the school? Have the issues been in existence before Douglas was appointed principal? How much control does the School Council have over curriculum decisions? Did anyone report the parent threat against the teacher to the police? If not, why? How long has Douglas been at the school? Reflective Conclusions Reference to Florida Educational Leadership Standards (FEELS) Professional and Ethical behaviors- Domain 4 Standard 10 Faculty development- Domain 2 Standard 4 rhea Learning Environment -Domain 2 Standard 5
Decision Making -Domain 3 Standard 6 School Management- Domain 3 Standard 8 Communication – Domain 3 Standard 9 Describe personal learning insights As a school leader you have to be mindful of the culture of the staff and community- {oh can’t ignore unpleasant situations. As a school leader you have to be willing to tackle the difficult topics. As a school leader it is important to understand the school and community culture. Be mindful of the culture of the staff and community. Include personal take-sways Personally it reminds me of the importance of hiring the right kind of teachers for Our school.
It also reminds me how fragile the relationship between school and community can be if everyone does not share the same values. Personally it reminds me of hiring the right kind of teachers for a school and the fragile relationship between school and community.
Articulate leadership lessons to guide your own practice One leadership lesson is to be mindful of the fragile relationship between all stakeholders. Quality hiring practices are critical to the success of a school. Proactive security measures are necessary in all aspects of a school. Proactive security, quality ring practices, relationship between all stakeholders What does it mean to you? Same as above Neat are you going to do with it? Use it as a constant reminder about safety, community relations and staff accountability Use it as a reminder about safety, community relations and staff accountability.
How does it mirror your own school practices? rhea safety of the school campus is a top priority. Safety of school is top priority. How does it challenge you?
This challenges me to examine school practices and look for racial tensions that may be brewing and seek ways to value all stakeholders opinions. This challenges me to lettermen it security procedures are being mentored and are adequate. Examine school practices, are security procedures being enforced How would you move forward? If I were Mr.
. Douglas I would prepare a security plan, and share with the staff immediately. I would also hold some community meetings to share the new security plan and get community support. I would meet with the School Council to determine plan for curriculum as it follows the state guidelines. Prepare a security plan, hold community meetings, and meet with school council.
