I know that the evaluation of principals needs to shift from operations to instruction. Management, organization, and finance are important but only secondary to learning and teaching. Until principals know that they are going to be measured on things like classroom learning walks to collect data about effective instruction, it doesn't get done. Therefore, this is a paradigm shift in our school district because of the role that principals have had to play for so many years. By setting goals and conducting 360-degree feedback sessions, we will start to recognize a shift to the following:
- Ambitious goals for student learning
- Challenging academic content and effective classroom practices that maximize learning to all students
- A school environment where student learning is the focus
- Linking to families, businesses and higher education
- Accountability for themselves and their staff (individually and collectively) for achieving high standards
- Articulating a shared direction
- Engaging people
- Promoting the diverse needs of students
- Effectively communicating within and outside the school
- Systematically collecting and analyzing data to make judgments that guide decisions and actions for continuous improvement
District 742 is on the right path as we continue to explore ways to impact instruction through evaluation. I believe that the best way to systemically make change district-wide, for the benefit of children, is through effective supervision and evaluation of programs and people. I also believe the principals of any district should be the most influential leaders in the organization for making those changes.
