2010 NASSP Convention Wrap-Up Video, Courtesy of SchoolTube
Our friends at SchoolTube created this montage of the 2010 NASSP Convention. Enjoy!
March 24, 2010
March 16, 2010
Executive Director's Address: All Models in New ESEA Proposal Will Send Principals Packing
Sometimes the future is plain to see. When NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi addressed the 2010 NASSP Convention last Friday, he sounded an alarm to principals that the Obama administration had invested so much money and political capital in four misguided school improvement models--all of which call for the principal's termination as a first step--that it was inevitable that those models would appear in their ESEA blueprint proposal.
The very next day, ED issued its blueprint, and--sure enough--there the models were. If you didn't hear Dr. Tirozzi's address, it's worth 15 minutes of your time.
And please make your next stop the Princpal's Legislative Action Center, where you can, as Dr. Tirozzi encourages, "educate your members of Congress" on what these models will really mean for schools.
Marzano Sends Attendees Home Inspired
Although Bob Marzano claimed that he wasn’t a keynoter when he took the stage at the closing general session of NASSP’s convention, the audience certainly responded as if he was, staying completely engrossed as he gave them the basics of his latest book, Supervising the Art and Science of Teaching.
Marzano first qualified two common beliefs: that frequent observation is good for teacher development and that focusing on high yield strategies makes it easier to recognize good teaching. He reminded attendees that frequent feedback is good only if it’s accurate and high yield strategies are useful only if the observer is aware of where the teacher is in the scope of the lesson.
Bottom line: There are no perfect strategies. School leaders can’t use a checklist approach to observing teachers and providing feedback. It requires a comprehensive model that acknowledges the segments that make up a lesson. It isn’t possible to walk into a classroom and get a full perspective from a little slice of teaching unless you know exactly what is happening and which segment is occurring.
Marzano confided that he has sat in the back of a classroom and thought, there’s a symphony going on and I’m the only adult seeing it. That, he says, has to change for teaching to improve. A comprehensive observation method includes teachers’ self-reflection, walkthroughs and formal observations by principals and peers, and instructional rounds led by teachers. The goal, Marzano said, is for feedback to be part of the culture of the school. Teachers should be able to get better at their craft of teaching just from being in your building.
March 14, 2010
2MinuteTakeaway: Kipp Rogers
Check out Kipp Rogers, principal at Passage Middle School in Newport News, VA, as he discusses his informative session on how administrators and teachers can use cell phones and other mobile devices as a tool to support learning.
For more 2MinuteTakeaways, visit NASSPtv, and go to EdReadySearch.org to purchase a podcast of Kipp's session.
March 13, 2010
2MinuteTakeaway: Ethan Yazzie-Mintz
Check out Ethan Yazzie-Mintz, director of the High School Survey of Student Engagement at Indiana University, in his 2MinuteTakeaway discusing his session "Leading for Engagement," which featured some great information on how to make sure your students are connected to the classroom, the curriculum and the school environment.
For more 2MinuteTakeaways, visit NASSPtv, and go to EdReadySearch.org to purchase a podcast of Ethan's session.
Thinking Big with Ben Carson
It's been a busy day here in Phoenix, and it's a little late to be posting this. But I definitely wanted to put up a quick word about the great Second General Session this morning.
Dr. Benjamin Carson (at right), author and chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, gave an amazing and inspiring presentation called "Think Big." His story is daunting to say the least. Carson's mother was one of 24 children. She was only able to read at a third-grade level when Carson was growing up. But his mother knew that education (and literacy) was the key to success. Carson was required to submit weekly book reports, and even though she couldn't read them, she marked them up anyway!
He doesn't pull any punches, and he is not afraid to tell it like it is. "We are a pinnacle nation," he said, "but we have forgot the fundamentals." We have forgotten how to maintain those high literacy rates that made us such a success. The question is, can we learn learn from our mistakes? Can we avoid the pitfalls of the pinnacle nations that came before us?
According to Carson, one of the keys is understanding that young people are different, and they learn differently. Understanding that THEY are the ones responsible for their education. We need to create a paradigm where educators become more like "education coordinators." Everybody needs to get involved. It's too hard for one group to know everything. The whole community needs to be a part of the process. And teachers and administrators must lead the charge in enacting this change!
So many great ideas. I can't possibly can't list them all here. But I heartily recommend checking out his book "Think Big," available in the NASSP Convention Bookstore. A great read by an inspiring man.
Pam Salazar Honored for Distinguished Service to NASSP
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Pam, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at UNLV, has served NASSP in many capacities over the course of many years. Her career in education spans three decades of experience as a public school teacher and principal before her recent move to higher education, and she helped influence the development and piloting of the initial leadership training for Breaking Ranks: Changing an American Institution in 1996.
Her involvement in the association includes judging NASSP Convention program proposals, serving as a member of the NASSP Principal Preparation Task Force, and representing the association on several groups and boards, including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Unit Accredidation Board. Pam was also selected to represent the association on the Standards Committee for the Advanced Certification of Educational Leaders.
Most recently, Pam has taken on the role as editor of the NASSP Bulletin, an award-winning scholarly peer-reviewed journal published quarterly in cooperation with Sage Publications. Salzaar has been and continues to be an unwavering advocate for NASSP and the programs and services that NASSP provides to members and to the profession.
I can't think of a more deserving candidate.On behalf of all of us at NASSP, Pam, congrats on the award and thanks for all you've done for NASSP and for administrators both in Clark County and across the nation.
2MinuteTakeaway: Barbara Blackburn and Ron Williamson
Two of the most popular sessions during yesterday's concurrent sessions were Barbara and Ron's sessions on rigor in the classroom and effective leadership tools. There is no doubt that rigor is a hot topic right now! Check out Ron and Barbara's 2MinuteTakeaway to learn more about what made their sessions so interesting.
Also, you can visit NASSPtv for more 2MinuteTakeaways from Friday's session presenters. And if you'd like to purchase a podcast of either of Barbara and Ron's sessions, visit EdReadySearch.org.
Mobile Devices in Instruction
I'm a little late with this entry, but I want to share a bit about the Mobile Learning Institute held Thursday before the Convention. NASSP teamed with the Pearson Foundation to invite about 30 school leaders to Phoenix a day early to discuss options for integrating cell phone technology in instruction--both inside and outside the classroom.
First, I want to thank and congratulate the principals, APs, and teacher leaders who joined us Thursday. While most schools still focus on how to keep students from using their technology in schools, these leaders took a step to see what the othe possibilities are. Some already have some pretty intensive technology programs in place, some are just getting started, and some are just figuring out how to start, but all contributed to an engaging discussion of how we can get students more engaged in their own education by allowing them to use their own technology.
Thanks also to the Pearson Foundation who brought series of terrific presenters to Phoenix to lead the discussion, including VA principal Kipp Rogers, TX teacher Matt Cook, CA teacher Judy Pederson, and Pearson's Nancy Cho. Elliot Soloway joined us via Skype.
A couple of observations from the day:
- Kids are capable of extraordinary things when they're engaged. If you let them use their own technology, you break through the engagement barrier and kids give you permission to teach them.
- Unlike most technology discussions, we heard very little about technology being blocked in any of these initiatives. (IT directors, don't get any ideas.) Of course. mobile devices allow you to take learning outside the school.
Find out more about what students are doing with mobile devices at www.mobilelearninginstitute.org.
Congrats to Nathan McCann, the 2010 NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year
Nathan McCann, assistant principal at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, AZ, has been named the 2010 NASSP-Virco National Assitant Principal of the Year.
Nathan, along with all of the 2010 NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year finalists, was honored this morning during the Second General Session. Visit the news release section for more information on Nathan!
The Second General session also honored the 2010 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year finalists and winners. More information on the 2010 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year program.
Photo courtesy of Lifetouch
March 12, 2010
Eating lunch raises test scores
What does it take to leave no child behind? Pedro Noguera (at right) answered that question for attendees at the NASSP convention. I can’t capture all of it in a short note, but a brief outline will do. It’s not radical or even new. It is, fact, quite common sensible. What’s the most important thing principals can do? Support professional development in the classroom. Look at what the students do.
Engage parents. Noguera used PS28 in Brooklyn, NY, as an example. In a school where 40% of students are homeless, performance is high and part of that is attributed to the fact that parents are also in the school, perhaps to learn English or study for the GED. Teachers are in workshops to learn how to deal with stressed-out students and their own stress. The principals makes great use of data, to personalize and support student learning, but it’s the swimming lessons, the music and art, and the socioemotional learning, and more that are really remarkable.
Remember that although assessment is a tool, when misused it can distort the whole purpose of education. When a recent report that found eating lunch is good for test scores, as amusing as that “revelation” is, it actually leads to another key: kids need well-rounded education. Art, recess, music, Noguera reasons, are then also good for test scores. No student ever got smarter by being tested.
Personalize learning for every single student. Know students and meet their needs, otherwise, it’s guess work. Challenge students no matter how privileged. Identify the problems instead of just the symptoms and understand the difference. Dropping out is a symptom. Look for the cause, the reason why students are dropping out. If you are responsible for discipline, find out the problem behind the discipline. Hire another social worker to do case work.
Change the kind of instruction students are getting. Why is it that the number one student complaint is that school is boring? Maybe it’s because too much instruction follows the cemetery method: Line em up in rows and keep them as quiet as possible. Noguera urged principals to be instructional leaders and ensure that instruction is meaningful and relevant.
Use your best teachers to help others who are struggling. As a nation, we can’t afford to waste more money on reform, we have to build capacity. Understand student needs, understand staff needs. Maximize resources. Create a culture that is aligned with goals. Engage parents as partners.
We need a bolder and broader approach to reform because pressure and humiliation haven’t reformed schools. Provide early childhood education universal access. Expand healthcare. Expand learning time. Our future as a nation will be determined by the quality of our schools.
MetLife Survey of the American Teacher
This year, MetLife is releasing its renowned annual Survey of the American Teacher in three parts, and we’re pretty excited that they chose the 2010 NASSP Convention to release part 2 of the survey on student achievement.
If you’re not familiar with the survey…
Every year since 1984, MetLife has explored teachers’ opinions and brought them to the attention of the American public and policymakers. And then they put their money where their data is: Many projects in education supported by MetLife Foundation are developed based on the survey’s findings. We at NASSP can testify to that as we’ve been proud to team with MetLife Foundation on the selection of Breakthrough Schools for the past several years.
The latest round of research includes the views of teachers, principals, and students on student goals and aspirations, the influence of teacher expectations, and factors educators believe would improve academic success. Here are the highlights:
Large majorities of teachers and principals believe strongly that high standards and high expectations for all students will improve achievement
- Most teachers (86%) believe high expectations for all students would have a major impact on achievement.
- Teachers (77%) and principals (82%) strongly agree that most teachers in their school hold high standards for all students.
- Most teachers (64%) and principals (69%) strongly agree that it is important for all students to have one year or more of postsecondary education after high school in order to be prepared for work or a career.
- Secondary school principals are more likely than their elementary school colleagues to strongly agree with this view (77% vs. 65%).
Standards and expectations for all students are not always very high.
- Fewer secondary teachers than elementary school teachers (67% vs. 83%) strongly agree that most teachers in their school hold high standards for all students, and fewer secondary principals compared to elementary school principals strongly agree (74% vs. 86%).
- Teachers and principals in schools with high proportions of low-income students are less likely than those with lower proportions to strongly agree that most teachers in their school hold high standards for all students (teachers: 71% vs. 81% ; principals: 78% vs. 91%).
- Most teachers (84%) believe they can enable all of their students to succeed academically, but only 36% of teachers say that all of their students have the ability to succeed.
- Half of teachers (51%), including most secondary teachers (71%), say students in their school only do enough work to get by.
- Teachers expect that an average of 50% of their students will attend a two- or four-year college after high school.
Many students believe their schools and teachers fall short.
- Fewer than half of secondary school students (44%) strongly agree that all of the teachers in their school want them to succeed, compared to 66% of elementary school students.
- Half of secondary students (50%) believe their teachers very much encourage them to do their best compared to 72% of elementary school students.
- Nearly half of all students (45%) agree that many students in their school are promoted to the next grade level without really being ready.
- Over one-third (36%) of students agree that they only do enough work to do as well as they need to get by in school. Elementary and secondary school students do not differ in this regard. However, boys are more likely than girls to report this (41% vs. 31%).
For us at NASSP, the report underscores the importance of collaborative leadership, one of the three pillars of the Breaking Ranks framework. But take a look at the report and draw your own conclusions. ETA for part 3: March 24.
Welcome to the 2010 NASSP Convention
The 2010 NASSP Convention has begun!
The festivities kicked off last night with a fantastic reception for attendees in the exhibit area. Many thanks to event sponsor Jostens for their generous support.
NASSP President Steve Pophal (right) and Bob Jaronczyk cut the ribbon to officially open the 2010 NASSP Convention. Everybody enjoyed some good food, friends and great conversation.
Today's session have been jampacked, and we are all looking forward to Pedro Noguera's General Session at 4:30. Come early, seating begins at 4:00 pm. And don't forget to stick around afterward for Pedro's book signing from 6:00 to 7:00.
Amazing Principals of Amazing Schools
It's hard to not be impressed by the remarkable stories of the 2010 Met Foundation-NASSP Breakthrough Schools. I've been hearing the stories for months, but they take on a new power when I hear them directly from the principal--which isw exactly what I'n honored to be doing at this 2:30 session.
Pretty neat format for this session. We just heard from Judy Marty, principal at Mater Academy Charter School in Florida. The theme--high expectations for students, for teachers, for parents, for everyone involved in the kids' education. After the brief presentation, we do 15 minutes of table talk around the theme with a Breakthrough principal at each table. It's going over big. Principals have a chance to engage in genuine professional conversation with their peers across the nation. And from the sound of things, the principals are getting a lot out of it.
SchoolTube did a great video on these schools.
March 11, 2010
Official Convention T-shirts=Going Fast
Have you picked up your official 2010 Convention t-shirt yet? Better hurry because they are flying off the shelves. The NASSP Convention Bookstore officially opened at 3:30 pm today, and they were selling like hotcakes.
I'm not really surprised though. As you can see, it's a good looking T-shirt, and our model Mark (right) is super stylin'. As always.
Be sure to stop by the NASSP Convention Bookstore soon and say hi to Mark and pick up your official 2010 Convention T-shirt before they are all gone. And while you're at it, check out the other NASSP merchandise, such as convention posters, hats, mugs, and much more.
School showcase
Seventeen schools shared the secrets to their success with hundreds of highly motivated educators as principals, teachers, assistant principals, and students spent the day learning from one another about what made their schools successful. The session with Brockton (MA) High School, which really has made achievement for ALL students a reality, made me wonder why it--or another of the showcase schools--wasn't singled out as an example of the US school system instead of the Rhode Island high school where the entire staff was fired. The success of a school like Brockton, which has 73% poverty, high diversity, and a history of poor performance but has made remarkable improvements using literacy and writing as a lever, is worth talking about. Brockton has made AYP for several years and is matching or exceeding the state average on the MA tests; what's happening there really does contains lessons about how schools can go through the process of change that makes them successful.
Long after the school showcase sessions ended, participants remained clustered together in spontaeous groups talking about standards-based grading, the power of collaborative teaching, and many more topics.
Maybe using the lessons from such schools would make it possible to do something more constructive in the way of improvement than firing a school full of educators.
The NASSP Convention Bookstore is now open!
After you register, take a moment to swing by the NASSP Convention Bookstore to check out some great deals we have for attendees! The NASSP Convention Bookstore is located in Halls C-E in the Phoenix Convention Center, next door to the registration area. For example, NASSP's newest publication, 10 Skills for Successful School Leaders, is available at a special convention rate of $10. Also, the official 2010 NASSP Convention T-shirt is available for $8 (sizes S-L) and $10 (size XL).
Browse from a wide range of titles addressing such topics as: Administration, Assessment, Character Development, Curriculum, Diversity, Discipline, Leadership, Learning, Principalship, Professional Development, Teaching, Teambuilding, Technology, and many many more.
You can also browse through titles from many of the featured speakers at the 2010 NASSP Convention. Don't forget to check the Convention Update each morning for information on book signings with your favorite keynote speakers in the NASSP Convention Bookstore. Our first keynote signing will be tomorrow from 6:00-7:00 pm with Pedro Noguera.
And of course, the NASSP Convention Bookstore has all your favorite NASSP merchandise, ready for purchase!
The wait is almost over!
The 2010 NASSP Convention is almost upon us. We'll be warming up on Thursday for the big event with two big pre-events:
The Breaking Ranks Schools Showcase. We've assembled 17 schools from across the country that have achieved some great results by adopting the Breaking Ranks school improvement framework. Those schools' leadership teams will present a mini-conferenceand have some frank discussions about what it really takes to improve a school.
The Mobile Learning Institute. NASSP has teamed with the Pearson Foundation to spark a discussion of how cell phones and other mobile devices can be used creatively in schools to improve instruction. We'll hear from several teachers and principals who are doing remarkable things to enhance instruction with mobile devices. And the day will be keynoted by Elliot Soloway who will join us via Skype.
Principal Leadership Editor Jan Umphrey will be blogging from the Showcase, and I'll submit an entry or two from the Mobile Learning Institute. Hope you can follow along with us for the next few days!
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Recent Posts
- 2010 NASSP Convention Wrap-Up Video, Courtesy of SchoolTube
- Executive Director's Address: All Models in New ESEA Proposal Will Send Principals Packing
- Marzano Sends Attendees Home Inspired
- 2MinuteTakeaway: Kipp Rogers
- 2MinuteTakeaway: Ethan Yazzie-Mintz
- Thinking Big with Ben Carson
- Pam Salazar Honored for Distinguished Service to NASSP
- 2MinuteTakeaway: Barbara Blackburn and Ron Williamson
- Mobile Devices in Instruction
- Congrats to Nathan McCann, the 2010 NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year
Copyright 2010 National Association of Secondary School Principals