3 part assignment

Strategic Problem-Solving Activity – Establishing and Aligning Measurable Goals - (It is critical to read the instructions and grading rubric . You cannot do this activity without reading the Resource Packet . It is in the assignment section of Blackboard along with the instructions and rubric. Lastly, it is also critical to have watched the Strategic Problem-Solving Video Series introduced in Module I.)

I. Memo #2 – (Prior to starting this you need to read the Resource Packet. The Resource Packet contains the same documents each week. In the Resource Packet, the superintendent shares a letter of concern and you are provided a lot of other data regarding the campus. The directives in this assignment are related to the issues found in the Resource Packet.) Here are the instructions:

* Share strategies or changes needed/implemented to attain measurable goals;

* Identify efforts to build the capacity of the instructional team;

b. Use the building blocks identified in this week’s resource packet as the base for each paragraph of the memo. Here is the focus of each paragraph based on the building blocks –

*Paragraph three – Built capacity of instructional leadership

*Paragraph four – predicted needed resources including personnel, supplies, facilities, and others.

Consider these options

Paragraph one - Ensured alignment of activities/actions.

* How would you ensure alignment of activities/actions?

Some options – share some specific goals that align with identified needs and actions taken to address the challenges. This might be a good spot to share how two measurable goals and benchmarks were developed to answer your root cause.

Paragraph two – Identified and recommended changes in practice, procedure, and policy needed to support improvement efforts

* How would you identify and recommend changes listed above?

Some options – be creative, I am sure you can recommend a couple of changes in practice, procedure, and/or policy. Several could be identified in this scenario. The initial superintendent memo has identified many issues. Work on a couple…you cannot eat the entire elephant at one time.

Paragraph 3 – Build capacity of instructional leadership

* How would you build capacity?

Some options – this could include some professional development, team building activities, distribution of responsibilities, sharing of authority etc. Be sure to share data/observations/information that was used to identify needs.

Paragraph 4 – Predict needed resources including personnel, supplies, facilities, and others

*How would you predict future needs?

Some options – this could include needs in staff development, additional personnel, supplies, facilities, or any other justifiable need. To support your request, identify data used from the resource packet or data retrieved from another hypothetical resource.

REMEMBER – YOU MUST ADDRESS THE DIRECTIVES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT SOMEWHERE IN THIS MEMO OR DOCUMENTATION. BE CREATIVE! IT WILL BE FUN FOR US TO SEE HOW YOU ADDRESS THIS.

II. Documentation – (You are allowed up to two pages of documentation.)

Possible examples -----hypothetical enrollment figures, growth in participation, list of new course offerings, professional development certificates, budget requests, letters from the community, teacher observation notes, curriculum changes and many more items could justify or support your memo.

Remember----the documentation can assist with demonstrating you met the directives of the superintendent. I suggest documentation to support all four of them. Here they are again –

* Describe how different types of data were used to formulate two (2) measurable program goals with semi-annual benchmarks that are aligned with a root cause analysis;

* Share strategies or changes needed/implemented to attain measurable goals;

* Identify efforts to build the capacity of the instructional team;

* Justify a request for a future need (this could include staff development, additional personnel, supplies, facilities, or any other justifiable need.)

IDEA – try using PowerPoint for your documentation. You could create a “notes” slide that would allow you to post three documents on one page with written notes beside them. You may use other types of software also.

III. Reflection – Do not underestimate the importance of the reflection. Specific questions have been provided in the instructions. You can use the questions that frame the reflection to advocate for all points in the rubric. Of course, this will require you to read the rubric carefully and respond to each component somewhere in the assignment. This is an opportunity for you to connect the dots for your IA. Use it!