Dr. G. Thomas HoulihanExecutive Director

Council of Chief State School Officers

Dr. G. Thomas HoulihanExec Dir- Education Leadership

Institute

21st Century Leadership-

Using Data to Drive Decisions

2007

A National/International Perspective

(what I’ve learned)

Current IssuesLessons Learned

LESSON #1

The Constant Tension Between State and Federal Control

• Who pays for what

• Is funding enough?

• Constitutional questions

LESSON #1

The Constant Tension Between State and Federal Control

THE REAL ISSUE IS WHO CONTROLS CREATIVITY OF OUR SCHOOLS– 21ST CENTURY IMPLICATIONS!

LESSON #2

• “We are different”

• “You don’t teach our kids”

• “Our kids have too many problems”

Educators have a difficult time believing in schools they haven’t seen.

(Just can’t grasp)

LESSON #3

• NCLB - The tip of the iceberg• Bill Gates - NGA Summit• Global Issues - China, India, European Common Market* Partnership for 21st Century Skills

The Growing Consensus for HS Reform!

LESSON #4

• “As the teacher goes, so goes the classroom”

• “As the principal goes, so goes the school.”

• “As the superintendent goes, so goes the district.”

• Single biggest obstacle in education- leadership ability to lead change!

Leadership Matters!

21st CENTURY ISSUES

Research on attitudes towards high schools

Alliancefor Excellent Education

A Presentation of Survey Research on the Public’s Views on Public High Schools (2005-2006 results)

Views Toward High School

For the first time high schools top people’s concerns

48%

43%

43%

20% 45%

76%

79%

83%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Colleges andUniversities

ElementarySchools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Extremely urgent

Very urgent

Now I am going to ask you some questions about different types of public schools. For each one please consider everything you know or have heard about public education and tell me how urgent you think it is to improve this kind of school. Here’s the first one ___ __(read

item). Is it extremely urgent, very urgent, somewhat urgent, a little urgent, or not at all urgent to improve ___item?

The American public feels the most urgency to improve high schools, but they see room for

improving all levels of education.

Across demographic groups the public sees more urgency surrounding high schools.

The public thinks the percentage of students attending college, followed by drop-out rates and the percentage of students getting jobs are the best indicators of

how well a public high school is doing.

56%

47%

39%

35%

47%

43%

43%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

% of students attending college

Drop-out rates

% of students who get jobs

Performace in sports/arts

Test scores

How happy students seem

What parents say

4 to 5

For each of the following please tell me how good an indicator it is of how well a public high school is doing. Using a scale of 0-5, where zero means it is not a very good indicator and 5 means it is the best indicator ?

Mean

3.7

3.4

3.2

3.4

3.2

3.3

3.1

Defining the Problem

Preparing for Jobs

48%

65%

31%

48%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

No it doesn'tprepare kids

Yes itprepares kids

No it doesn'tprepare kids

Yes itprepares kids

Do you think a diploma from America’s public high schools prepares graduates to get a good-paying job?*

Do you think a diploma from America’s public high schools prepares graduates to succeed in college?*

*Split sampled questions

Given the goals they see for high schools- preparing for jobs and college- Americans do not see high school living up to their goals.

No demographic group thinks schools prepare graduates for jobs. More educated people also think schools do not prepare for college.

Solutions for Success

Americans believe improving reading and writing is key

78%

48%-22% 77%

87%

-38%

-8%-11%

-50% 0% 50% 100%

Now I am going to read you some pairs of statements. As I read each pair, tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes closer to your own views – even if neither is exactly right.

*Split-sampled questions

Improving reading comprehension and writing is not the most important factor to increasing

the graduation rate

Improving reading comprehension and writing is the most important factor to increasing the graduation rate

By increasing and overwhelming margins, Americans believe that improving reading and writing is the most important factor to

increasing the graduation rate.

All demographic groups side with this statement.

2004

2005

When you think about students who do not do well in high school, do you think by the time they get to high school it is too late to turn them around and help them succeed or do you think students can

still get the help they need to succeed?

13%

85%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Can still get help

It's too late

Americans are not ready to give up on our high school students and they strongly feel that poorly-performing students can still get the

help they need to succeed, rather than thinking it is too late.

There is little difference across racial groups

33%

34%

35%

36%

37%

64%

65%

64%

66%

70%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Rigorous core curriculum requiring 12th grade skills tograduate

Provide students with essential resources

High schools should guarantee a safe learningenvironment, prevent bullying

Every teacher have at least college degree in subjecttaught

Serious academic support system to get kids up to speed

Extremely willing Very willing

Now I am going to read you some strategies that some people believe are the building blocks to help every high school student to succeed at college or in life. For each item please tell me how willing you would be to pay more in taxes to make

that item happen – extremely willing, very willing, somewhat willing, a little willing, or not at all willing?

When asked which of several factors they would be most willing to pay more in taxes for, they pick these top priorities.

16%

21%

69%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Somewhat

A lot

Somewhat

A lotImpact of high drop-out rate on nation’s economy*

Impact of high drop-out rate on America’s ability to compete in the global economy*

The public sees the high drop-out rate as having an impact on the nation’s economy and ability to compete in the

global economy.SSA: What impact does a high drop out rate have on the nation’s economy, does it have a lot of impact on the economy,

somewhat, a little, not at all or will it make no difference on the economy? SSB: What impact does a high drop out rate have on America’s ability to compete in the global economy, does it have a lot

of impact on global competition, somewhat, a little, not at all or will it make no difference on America’s ability to compete globally?

*Split sampled question

91%

92%

21st CENTURY ISSUES

The ability (or inability) of schools to embrace change

Ready or Not . . .The World is Different

• Work is different ...• Tools are different ...• Communication is different ...• Information is different ...• Kids are different ...• Learning is different …• Teaching must be different ...

And Leading must be different!

Expectations have changed20th Century 21st Century

1 – 2 Jobs 10 – 15 Jobs

FlexibilityAnd

Adaptability

LifeLong

Learners

Mastery ofOne Field

SubjectMatterMastery

# ofJobs

JobRequirements

Teaching Model

Who would you hire?

Someone who could· master a core subject

Someone who could: · master a core subject· effectively communicate· effectively collaborate· be a self-directed learner· be creative· be information/media literate· be a critical thinker· be a problem solver· be accountable and adaptable· be socially responsible

2007

How do educators move forward- 21st Century

skills?

DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING +SYSTEMS THINKING!!

CHARACTERISTICS: MODEL SCHOOLS

• Laser-like focus on data- assist classroom teachers

• Use of teacher knowledge• Wide variety of data collected• Only essential data collected

ALL LEADING TO……………………………

THE DRIVING FACTOR: DATA

In school after school, the key for all data is in making appropriate instructional

decisions……………and to inform students, parents and others on an ongoing basis!

KEY ISSUES- USING DATA

#1 Issue- Data rich, analysis poor

WHY- THE EPIDEMIC OF IMMEDIACY IN US

Questions;

** Do we sometimes confuse achievement and learning?

** Do we teach skills or develop skills?

KEY ISSUES (#1 cont);

• Do we really know what data is saying?

• Do we really understand the powers and limits of data?

• Do we make guesstimates based on data?

• Do we use data to ‘sort and select’ or to guide continuous improvement?

KEY ISSUES (Cont);

#2 Issue- Balancing Data

• Hard data- test scores, drop-out rates, ADM, etc.

• Soft data- case studies, student morale, and faculty attitudes

KEY ISSUES (#2 cont);

In many cases, hard data is the total focus at the exclusion of soft data.

This is often a short-term fix but a long-term mistake!!!!!

KEY ISSUES

Issue #3- The Systems Factor

SYSTEMS THINKINGAny system is designed to produce exactly what it produces!

To change performance we must change the SYSTEM, and this requires new approaches and a new way of THINKING and DOING

KEY ISSUES (#3 Cont);

• We often make decisions using data and don’t factor in the systems perspective.

Most common examples- Drop-outs, student achievement………………….

KEY ISSUES (#3 Cont)

• Student Achievement Data-

Do you know if data really means improvement, statistically?

Do you know the trends over time and statistical significance?

Does this data guide long-term planning?

KEY ISSUES

Issue #5-

“Doing your best isn’t good enough if you don’t know what your doing.”

-- W. Edwards Deming

Higher performance at a later time period

60

63

66 6664

67

55

60

65

70

75

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

NCLB IS NOT BASED ON Traditional Improvement

A positive trend in performance from year to year

60

63

6667

6869

55

60

65

70

75

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

NCLB IS BASED ON Continuous Improvement

Significant performance improvement of a system’s indicator value over time

72

76

7980

82

85

70

73

76

79

82

85

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

THE KEY TO NCLB: Breakthrough Improvement

BREAKTHROUGH IMPROVEMENT

Based on the use of Statistical Process Control:

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Performance Over Time

UCL

LCL

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

• Good data should result in two actions: classroom action and public action

1) Classroom action- appropriate action school practitioners take after

reviewing data that is relevant and meaningful - modify instructional practices

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

2) Public Action- social consequences that occur after the public reviews the data regarding the school

21ST Century Issue;Good is the enemy of GREAT.

We don’t have GREAT schools, principally because we have

good schools.

21ST Century Issue;Good is the enemy of GREAT.

High Schools;

• Athletics

• Other Extra-curricular activities

• Cultural impact of high schools

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

1. Core Subjects

* Global Awareness

* Financial, Economic and Business literacy

* Civic Literacy

3 Key Elements- 21st Learning;

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

2. Learning Skills* Communication skills* Thinking and Problem-Solving skills

* Interpersonal/Self-directional skills* ICT literacy

3 Key Elements- 21st Learning;

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

3. Assessments * Measure mastery of 21st cent. skills* Diagnose interventions

* Demonstrate proficiency- multiple ways w/ multiple assessments using

technology

3 Key Elements- 21st Learning;

Apple 60 GB iPod with Video Playback

• Have you seen THIS?

• For Spanish . . .

• click above to download Spanish learning programs for your Ipod NOW!

• What about THIS?

• For Mandarin . . .

• Results 1 - 10 of about 1,010,000 for learn Mandarin iPod. (0.20 seconds)

• June 18, 2006

• Results 1 - 10 of about 4,440,000 for learn Chinese iPod

• July 13, 2006

• “When the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is in sight.”

• -- Jack Welch, CEO General Electric

• “The very thing that frightens us today, the change curve, the phenomenal rate of change is an ally.

• It’s not a change curve, it’s a possibility curve. The times of most change always hold the most possibility.”

• DeWitt Jones

REMEMBER PERSPECTIVE!!

1. We have the best K12 system in the world!

-- skill levels

-- rate of innovation

-- taking risks

-- self-confidence

2. With learning and sharing, we can be so much better!!!

- Katty Kay, CCSSO Leg Conference

REMEMBER PERSPECTIVE

“ The more I travel, the more I find that most heated debates in many countries are around education. And here’s what is really funny- every country thinks it’s behind.”

- Tom Friedman, 3/25/06

International Herald- Tribune

REMEMBER PERSPECTIVE

• Tony Blair- Innovative charter schools• Singapore- obsessed with math scores• US- K12 math/science• Japan/India/China/- liberal arts

concerns

- Tom Friedman, 3/25/06

International Herald- Tribune

THE FUTURE??“My guess is that we are at the start of a

global convergence in education. China and India….inspire more creativity. America…more rigorous in math and science.. A great win-win.”

- Tom Friedman, 3/25/06

International Herald- Tribune

THE FUTURE??“It’s a win-win. But some will win more

than others- and it will be those who get this balance right the fastest.”

- Tom Friedman, 3/25/06

International Herald- Tribune

THE SECRET

The genius of America’s success is that the US is a rich country with many attributes of a scrappy, developing society- open, flexible, adventurous and hard working!!

- Newsweek (6/12/06)

WHAT WE MUST DO…..

We cannot compete in some areas (cheap labor), but what we can do is take the best features of the American system- openness, innovation, and flexibility- and enhance them to respond to new

challenges.

- Newsweek (6/12/06)

WHAT WE MUST DO…..

Embrace (and lead) change. A future of slow, steady decline or a willingness to embrace change and move forward?

That is the question….

-Newsweek (6/12/06)

WHAT WE MUST DO…..

Transforming the high school is ‘like herding elephants with a toothbrush’.

-NC educator

-Newsweek (6/12/06)

WHAT WE MUST DO…..

Transforming the high school is ‘like herding elephants with a toothbrush’.

-NC educator

-Newsweek (6/12/06)

WHAT WE MUST DO…..

Look beyond political labels- real engagement of government, business

and educators- only way to get transformational change.

-Newsweek (6/12/06)

WHAT WE MUST DO…..

Finally- Be Scared!!!

We must not underestimate how fast the rest of the world is catching up!!

-Newsweek (6/12/06)