At the Center of the Storm is a presentation by Dr. Jim Butterworth on the current financial situation facing many school districts. The presentation goes on to discuss these problems, the goals set, and feasible solutions to these problems.
At the Center of the Storm: Greater Demands, Less Funding
1. AT THE CENTER OF THE
STORM: PRINCIPALS
AND TEACHERS
Jim Butterworth
February 9, 2012
2. Fiscal and Policy Forces are Demanding
that Schools Do More With Less:
• Class sizes are up
• District support for instructional improvement is
severely diminished
• Support Persons (Ex. Counselors) are being cut
• Additional Layoffs are predicted
• Rising Accountability Targets must be met with
leaner staff and shrunken budgets
• Teachers are in the middle of the battle without
adequate resources
3. School Principals Must:
• Manage the remaining scarce resources
• Continue to increase the school’s effectiveness
• Maintain morale
• Rally teachers, staff and community around
common goals
4. Teachers are the most important school
determinant of student learning:
• Organizing Instruction
• Communicating Learning Goals
• Assessing Student Progress
• Adjusting the Content and Interaction of the
Classroom
6. Over 25 Years of Research Has
Underscored the Central Roles that
School Leaders Play in Effective Schools:
• Creating Opportunities for Collaboration
(Structures) and Building a Culture of Trust
• Creating High Expectations for Adults and
Students Alike
• Supporting Educator Learning
• Allocating Resources in Support of Learning
7. Leverage Points for Strengthening
School Leadership:
1. Shaping a Vision of Success for All Students Based on
High Standards
2. Creating a Climate Hospitable to Education
3. Strengthening Teacher Evaluation
4. Improving the System of Preparation, Evaluation and
Support for Principals
5. Identifying Models of Effective School Leadership Teams
6. Building a Comprehensive Data System to Guide Policy
and Practice
7. Managing People, Data and Processes to Foster School
Improvement
