According to Ubben, Hughes, and Norris (2016), when a shared vision and purpose is present it is the one bond that holds everyone together. The purpose of a vision and mission statement is to provide a sense of direction for all teachers and staff before improvement can take place. Alice in Wonderland said it best, “If you don’t know where you are going, it doesn’t much matter what you do” (Ubben, Hughes, and Norris, 2016, p.56). If leaders do not have well-defined goals, it will be very difficult to begin the process of school improvement, because bringing about change includes implementing a plan and getting everyone involved in the process. In order for leaders to effectively improve the school’s culture, it is very important that data
This combined with the achievement related goals and social values become the basis of the schools mission statement.
To promote a positive ethos in the school through encouraging a shared understanding of the values which underpin our school ethos
Tim Tyson (2010) discusses how educators must ask hard questions in order to move students from the low-level mind-set of making good grades to experiencing the personal gratification and excitement that is the core of learning (p. 119). He details how the teachers and instructional leaders at Mabry Middle School formed a team that met consistently to choose what was and was not working at the school. The team formed the following mission statement to evaluate every action taken by the school: “Maximize student achievement in a culture of caring.” (Tyson, 2010, p. 120). Worksheets, class activities, and administrative actions were all measured against this mission statement. Compare Mabry Middle School’s mission statement to the one at your school (or a school where you would like to
During the months of July and August, I established a task force team, involving all stakeholders, in our school reform and prepared a 3-year action plan to turn around our school. As the principal of High Stakes High School, my team and I shared the action plan report, based on the school data and our research in education reforms, with the superintendent. Subsequently, the team shared the findings at the first faculty conference, at the Parent Teacher Association meeting in September, and with our students during the Welcome Back to School orientation session. The report identifies the three most important steps to promoting a positive school culture and planning change. In alignment with “Competency 2—School Culture and Learning Environment to Promote Excellence and Equity Performance Expectations” (Appendix B) for New
1- Clear and shared mission and vision: define clear and vital mission and vision are the initial step for starting a school. Moreover, most schools have a mission statement for twenty years or more. The vision leads the school to set their goal and the goal will be measured outcomes in increasing student achievement. The goal most be created in measurable format. For example, specific, achievable, reviewable
The vision was not created in isolation by key players within the school but it was a shared vision created by all staff members. So many times educational leaders create school vision’s in isolation and then try to sell their vision to school stakeholders and it doesn’t work well. By creating the shared vision it gave each faculty member a voice in the process. The members of the staff have a sense of ownership to this vision and are more likely to believe it and live it and help sell it to the students. The community stakeholders also share in this vision because they had a voice in the process of selecting a vision for the school as well. Each school is different in student make up, staff members, school leaders, community partners and a pleather of other features but each schools vision must be learning centered with the 21st century workforce as a driving factor in its
Student achievement is the goal and having clear communication with all leaders can help achieve this.
Their vision statement is to prepare all students to meet the academic, creative, and social challenges and responsibilities of our society. Their mission statement is to provide the students with learning environments that are safe and conducive to learning, and to embrace school and community partnership. The core values and beliefs of the school is that every individual is entitled to an emotionally and physically safe and respectful learning environment. Schools that stimulate progress will produce students who will become great critical thinkers and problem
The ISLLC standards provide high-level guidance and insight about the traits, functions of work, and responsibilities expected of school and district leaders (ISLCC, 2008). Their main purpose is to increase understanding of how educational administrators can enhance teaching practices and student learning. As future school leaders it is imperative that we use these standards as tools in assisting us when making a decision regarding our stakeholders. However, applying the ISLLC standards in a school setting does not guarantee success for a school leader, but it does facilitate the process in creating a positive school culture in a learning
In this assignment I will be exploring what missions statements are, ethos and the values the schools set to reflect their vision. Mission: this means that is it a statement of what an organisation is focusing on and why they want to do it. An example of a mission statement; “Our vision is to create a school community where children participate, excel and are proud of their achievements…” set by Round Hill primary school. Schools create mission statements in order to set themselves a Goal to reach for, a goal in which everyone will learn from it and gain an experience, because the statement they have set is creating them a vision to aim for.
The strategic plan of the school supports and emphasizes student learning in many ways. The strategic plan provides a synopsis of the school goals and school improvements. Parents and community members are invited to the school to see this plan. They can provide their insight and input on this plan as
Taking a look at standard 1, a leader has to focus on creating visions and goals for students to be successful. One of the challenges I see is that a vision and goal is very important and having to create a vision and goal that can be attained by every student isn’t as easy as
With the many standardized tests, it would be very difficult for leaders to abolish numerical goals. In addition, when teachers and leaders use data to monitor students’ success and drive instruction numerical goals are vital in education. It is also essential when creating the improvement plan for a school. According to Gorman (2015), collecting student data is key in student achievement and school success. Leaders and teachers at Covington High school do a good job using numerical data to monitor the success of the students and the school scores a 10 in this area. Slogans in education would be the vision, mission statements, and core values. In order for leaders to be successful, it is vital that leaders have a clear vision, mission
A vision to what will be is vital to mapping out where one is going, what goals to set, and what priories to consider. Bolman and Gallos (2011) write that an effective symbolic leader knows the importance of “a clear vision and mission that excite and energize constituents at the same time that they guide decision making” (p. 125). While the university has a very well understood and accepted mission, the vision is not as clear. This then trickles down to the student affairs department. Perhaps this lack of clearly defined and agreed upon vision is due to the common confusion of mission vs. vision. For most individuals would say the vision of the university is the same as its mission, perhaps with a bit more desire for esteem (becoming the best). It is thus a recommendation that the University review and work to express its vision so the vision is as well known as its mission. With this comes also the student affairs department also reanalyzing its vision and perhaps mission. Through this process both the university and the student affairs department will find it easier to set goals, priorities, and navigate as it evolves and
In light of accountability requirements, fear of not meeting AYP (Annual Yearly Progress), and required school improvement plans, often the idea of “school improvement” is considered a negative attribute. Obviously schools do not want to be singled out or identified as in need of improvement. Teachers often take the same view towards the idea of improvement. We as teachers take very personal that concept of improvement; we often parallel the need for improvement to failure. However my belief is that effective schools are always in a school improvement process and effective teachers too also are constantly adapting their practice in a culture of continuous improvement and growth. Therefore it is important as an effective leader to build a community of trust and collaboration. I quote “We are all in this together. Once we know that we are, we’re all stars and we see that we’re all in this together.” (Disney High School Musical, 2006) These lyrics from a popular Disney movie put to light exactly the school culture where the goal is not personal but as a community to use data driven and research based approaches in reflection and growth that assist all stakeholders.