Week 7 Discussion 1 - Douglass Street Case Study-Summer Work

· What do you think of the decision Principal Brown is making?

I mostly agree with her decision regarding improving test scores at Douglass Street Middle School.  I think that her idea to incorporate multiple teacher leaders is excellent.  This helps get the job completed more effectively and efficiently.  

· If you appoint a committee to do a job, how will you follow up to be sure the job is completed?

The committee would be assigned a chairman/chairwoman that would be responsible for keeping the committee focused and goal oriented.  The chairs of the committee would be the ones that I would meet with to discuss the progress of the group.  In addition, the chairs would be teachers who demonstrate leadership already and are capable of handling this responsibility.

  What might be some ramifications when you assign work to a committee and then you decide to take up the work that the committee left?

There are several things that may occur as a result from this situation.  First, it could lead to burn out on the part of the principal.  Especially if the principal is new on the job or new to the school, this could prove detrimental.  Next, it may also set a bad precedent in the school that may be followed for many years to come.  If committees know that seeing a project through to the end is not important, work may cease long before it should.  

· What would you have done in this case?  

I  would have followed a similar model as Ms. Brown with a few changes.  One change would have been that I may have addressed the situation and plan with the teachers in a better way before school began.  When making plans, especially ones that will require much time, effort, and focus, people appreciate knowing where they are headed.  In addition, I would have attempted to create a better way to help along those teachers who were struggling with buy in.