Comprehensive Report

Domain I—Leadership of the Educational Community – Competencies 1 - 4

Competency 1 Area:

The superintendent knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner in order to promote the success of all students.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

29a Obtain a copy of the job description and evaluation instrument used for the position of study. Analyze the correlation between the requirements listed in the job description and the performance standards of evaluation.

31a Draft a list of guiding principles for ethical behavior that you currently employ.

31c Meet with a representative group of students. Solicit their beliefs about and experiences with ethical practices in the school or classroom.

Competency 1 addresses the issues of integrity, fairness, and ethical practice, three important traits of a leader. The superintendent is required to meet with various administrative leaders, board members, and community members. A person in this position must act with integrity and fairness when dealing with various issues. For this competency, I incorporated four activities. These activities allowed me to research various areas that involve the superintendent. My first activity required me to analyze the correlation between the requirements listed on the job description and the performance standards of the evaluation. It was very interesting to see the requirements and expectations of the superintendent’s position.

For the second activity, I interviewed the Director of Human Resources, a Superintendent, and a local business leader to solicit the ethical principles that they employ in their positions. It was intriguing to see the similarities they incorporated. All three leaders incorporated integrity, respect, and accountability. Both educational leaders also incorporated kindness and compassion. This was great to see how ethics in applied in education and business.

The third activity required me to meet with a representative group of students on my campus. During this meeting I was able to ask the students about their experiences with ethical practices in the school. I gained a great deal of insight from the activity.  The majority of the students believed that their teachers were ethical and fair. Some students reported unethical behavior from other students on campus.  The students stated that they enjoyed their experiences at Cain Middle School. I believe that it is necessary to get the students’ perspectives on school issues. Their inputs are valuable.

My fourth and final activity concerns my involvement with the Rockwall ISD Ethics Committee. I was asked to join the ethics committee as an administrative representative. The goal of the committee was to review issues pertaining to the district’s strategic plan. The committee decided to address the issue of reporting unethical behavior of district employees. The committee researched many businesses and school districts to the systems that were in place.  My experiences with competency 1 were valuable.

Competency 2 Area:

The superintendent knows how to shape district culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the educational community.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

1a Analyze the school’s vision/mission statement as it relates to the school’s master schedule.

1c Review and compare two different district/school vision statements. Note strengths and weaknesses of each.

2b Review the strategic plan for your district.

2d Compare and contrast strategic plans from your district and another district.

3c Review the ways in which assessment data are used by the following: board of education, superintendent, faculty, staff, and community relations department.

5a Review the board policy/administrative regulations. Assess the leadership culture in the district.

6a Observe a district cabinet or school administrative team meeting. Observe the leader’s behavior in outlining goals, seeking information, and providing information.

The experiences for Competency 2 were insightful. The activities that I selected required me to analyze district data and documents such as the district strategic plan, a middle school master schedule, and board policies. From these activities, I gained insight on the importance of developing, implementing, and guiding the vision of a district. A district’s strategic plan should be all encompassing, precise, and clearly defined. The Rockwall ISD strategic plan was very detailed and provided precise goals that the district wanted to accomplish over a five year period. The plan entailed many areas such as ethics, diversity, communication, safety, facilities, funding, and technology. When comparing the Rockwall ISD strategic plan with other districts’ strategic plans, the RISD plan was very thorough and addressed specific goals. Depending on the vision and direction of the district, these factors guide the strategic plan.

Another activity for this competency was analyzing my school’s mission statement as it relates to the master schedule. I am responsible for creating the master schedule on my campus. Reflecting on this activity, I believe that the master schedule does reflect the goals of the school’s mission statement. I feel that it is necessary for a school to review the mission statement periodically. Sometimes the goals of the campus and district are not always aligned with the mission statement. All school activities, programs, and classes should support and reflect the mission statement, not only for the campus, but the district.

The activities of my internship have reinforced the importance of creating and supporting a vision for a district and/or campus. The ultimate goal of the superintendent is to have a plan that drives the curriculum and other programs. It takes careful planning and collaboration to have a successful plan which will lead to successes throughout the district.

Competency 3 Area:

The superintendent knows how to communicate and collaborate with families and community members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources to ensure educational success for all students.

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The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

4f Review and critique the processes used by the district/school to monitor ongoing communication between the district/school, faculty, and parents.

25a Interview a person involved in district public relations.

26b Examine the current policy and procedures for parent involvement in the school/district.

27* Attend an APOYO meeting. Interview parents and students to determine if the meetings promote cultural diversity.

28a Compile a list of social agencies that are available to support the students, faculty, and administration.

Effective communication is very important to an organization. Competency 3 addresses the issue of communication and collaboration with families and community members. I feel that I have grown in this area; in fact this was an area that I wanted to improve. I had five activities planned for this competency. The first activity required an interview with the Rockwall ISD Communications Director to discuss district public relations and review the processes used by the district to monitor on going communication between district/school, faculty and parents. This activity was interesting and I realized the importance of the Communication Director’s role. Sheri Fowler is the Communications Director for the district. She stated that her department is the public information office and custodian of records. All public requests, documents such as child custody and subpoenas, media relations, email requests, and district events are a few examples of the responsibilities handled through this department. From this interview, I was able to have a clearer understanding of communication. It is imperative that school leaders must communicate to all stakeholders.

I was able to attend an APOYO meeting for another activity. APOYO in Spanish translates to support. This is actually what this group is about. The APOYO meetings are designed to address issues and educate Hispanic families of Cain Middle School students. Most members of the group have limited English skills. The APOYO group has increased over the past three years. Through this group, communication has improved with Hispanic families. The level of trust has increased over the past few years. This experience has made me realize that the superintendent and district must communicate with all members of the community. Sometimes this means thinking outside of the box to accomplish the task. Sometimes community members and families have wants and needs that need to be addressed. It is crucial that relationships must be created in order to have trust and respect. In today’s society, school must be more proactive with their goals and plans, in order to help all students.

I was very pleased with my experiences within Competency 3. I level of knowledge in this area has increased. I feel that I am competent in this competency.

Competency 4 Area:

The superintendent knows how to respond to and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context, including working with the board of trustees, to achieve the district's educational vision.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

30c Review past school board agendas, reports, and or minutes.

32a Select from a list of interpersonal skills that you would like to develop.

When leading: Encourages others to participate, Attempts to resolve conflicts constructively.

33b Attend school board meetings

33c Review the board training requirements and the role of the superintendent in this process.

33d Interview a board member or central office person experienced in the board process.

33e Interview a board member to discuss establishing positive relations with the superintendent.

34a Meet with special education director to discuss responsibilities of principals in meeting the guidelines.

35a Choose a current issue at your district/school. Find at least two persons on either side of the issue. Devise a resolution and meet with both sides to reach a consensus.

The superintendent must be able to influence and promote the district vision. This is a challenging role of the position. The superintendent must work closely with board members on a variety of issues such as personnel, social, economic, and legal. I learned that the superintendent spends a vast amount of time with board members. During my interview with Jeff Bailey, the Rockwall ISD Superintendent, I was made aware of the amount of time and meeting that takes place on a daily and weekly basis. Mr. Bailey is in constant contact with board members. In order to influence, a person must establish trust and build relationships. This was an important fact that I learned.

I also attended board meetings and workshops throughout the year. Board meetings have a variety of issues on the agenda. The main topic that was discussed in several board meetings pertained to the budget. The board members must be well versed in many areas. Their decisions impact the district. One of the most interesting meetings that I observed was a board workshop over technology integration and facilities improvements. This was an informative meeting, because board members had many questions that pertained to funding. This forum allowed board members to ask questions about specific areas of the topics. The board members were trying to make decisions that would have a great impact on the district.

I interviewed the district special education director. This was an interesting interview. The director explained her roles and responsibilities for the position. She also explained the roles of the principals pertaining to IDEIA.  I was able to understand the processes for grievances and complaints. This made me realize that as a superintendent it is challenging to always move forward to successfully accomplish the district’s educational vision. There are many distractors within the system. A good superintendent will be able to respond to issues. The superintendent will work hard to establish relationships that will lead to student success.

DOMAIN II—INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP – COMPETENCIES 5 - 7

Competency 5 Area:

The superintendent knows how to facilitate the planning and implementation of strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; ensure alignment among curriculum, curriculum resources, and assessment; use the current accountability system; and promote the use of varied assessments to measure student performance.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

7e Interview a person with experience in the textbook selection process. Evaluate criteria used.

8d Observe the opening week of school or district activities and cite issues and or goals for these activities.

9a Conduct an audit to determine the degree to which the school or district has incorporated brain-based learning theory into the instructional program.

13d Meet with a group of students to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of co-curricular activities.

Competency 5 is an area in which I want to continue to become more knowledgeable. Curriculum is a very important area. As an assistant principal, I am exposed to limited areas due to the nature of the position. My campus is structured based on professional learning communities. I get the opportunity to meet with the professional learning teams regularly. Through this process, I am being exposed to more curriculum based conversations. This forces me to focus more on curriculum. For my internship plan, I wanted to be exposed to areas that pertain to curriculum. I selected activities that I would not normally be exposed. An example would be selecting textbooks for a particular core area such as math or history. I believe through this process, I was able to understand why a particular textbook was selected and what criterion was used in the selection.

Another activity was to conduct an audit to determine if the school incorporated brain-based learning theory in the instructional process. I feel that it is important to use research based strategies in the classroom. This would allow teachers to reach all students and recognizing the vast learning styles in the classroom.

Student input is very valuable and often is not factored in when dealing with student achievement. I was able to meet with a group of students to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the co-curricular activities at Cain Middle School. The students were very open with their responses. The majority of students that were interviewed enjoyed their co-curricular programs. The students gave insight about the programs.

Finally, I was able to observe the opening week of school activities. I talked to several teachers and students concerning the opening week of school. It was interesting to get both perspectives on this issue. As a member of the campus leadership team, I will use this information to improve for the upcoming school year. I feel that my experiences have improved my knowledge in the area of curriculum and instruction. I will continue to improve in this competency.

Competency 6 Area:

The superintendent knows how to advocate, promote, and sustain an instructional program and a district culture that are conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

10a Review methods used to encourage student motivation. Read two articles from refereed journals on motivation strategies, and discuss readings with selected administrators and faculty.

11d Observe the use of technology in the library and /or computer lab. Discuss strengths and weaknesses of technology use in these areas with the librarian and/or lab supervisor and several students.

12e Randomly select a group of students and elicit their recommendations for how to improve preparation for tests.

It is important that a superintendent must establish, promote, and sustain effective instructional programs. The programs must be supported by all stakeholders. The schools should offer a variety of course offerings to meet the needs of the students. The instructional programs must incorporate effective delivery methods and strategies. The most challenging part of effective instruction is student motivation. Students should be motivated to learn and take part in the learning process. It is sometimes difficult to gain the interests of all students, but that is the challenge for all teachers and administrators. When students have interests in a subject, the students typically excel in these areas. The superintendent and school leadership must develop a plan to improve the quality of teaching in all schools. Now more than ever technology plays a major role in education. Teachers must be trained to integrate and incorporate technology into the classrooms.

One of my activities required me to observe technology use in the computer lab and library. After observing these areas, I met with the librarian and lab supervisor to gain their input pertaining to computer use in their perspective areas. I also talked to students to get their input on the topic. Technology integration is a challenging task for superintendents and districts. The costs and ever changing technology equipment, makes it difficult to address all needs.

Superintendents have a difficult role when it concerns instruction and technology. I believe that there should be a balance between effective instruction and technology integration and usage. Students are technology natives and they use it on a daily basis. Teachers and administrator are mainly technology immigrants for the most part.

Competency 7 Area:

The superintendent knows how to implement a staff evaluation and development system and select appropriate models for supervision and staff development to improve the performance of all staff members.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

14b Gather, from written evidence or from someone responsible for staff development, the yearly district/school staff development plan. Analyze the plan with respect to school mission, student achievement, and teacher evaluations.

23a Interview the district personnel director. Discuss major requirements and issues such as planning, recruitment, selection, induction, compensation, and dismissal of personnel.

Competency 7 is an important area for a superintendent. This competency addresses the issue of staff evaluation and staff development to improve the performance of all staff members. The most important focus should be hiring and maintaining quality teachers and staff. I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Michael Copeland, the Director of Human Resources for the Rockwall ISD. During the interview Dr. Copeland explained the planning process that the district uses to prepare for the upcoming school year. He also pointed out the importance of recruiting. He discussed the dismissal process and the reasons why employees leave districts. This was a great learning experience for me. This is an area I needed to improve due to the fact that I had limited knowledge in this area. I feel that I am competent in this area.

The second activity for this competency required me to gather information pertaining to the district/school staff development plan. The focus of my district has been professional learning communities. The district has also partnered with Dr. Robert Marzano to strengthen classroom instruction.  The teachers worked with the Marzano group to conduct teacher observation rounds. This practice has improved instruction on my campus. This is a prime example of selecting appropriate model for staff development to improve performance of all staff members. I believe that effective and meaningful staff development is the key to effective teaching and instruction. This activity has reaffirmed that belief. I believe that I am competent in this area. Working on both activities has expanded my knowledge base in this particular competency. The superintendent must identify areas that need to be addressed and develop a plan that improves instruction. The superintendent is often faced with challenges in this area. It is important that all staff members are well trained and the training will be long lasting.

DOMAIN III—ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP – COMPETENCIES 8 – 10

Competency 8 Area:

The superintendent knows how to apply principles of effective leadership and management in relation to district budgeting, personnel, resource utilization, financial management, and technology application.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

18e Review the policy and budget for administrative technology. Evaluate the policy and resources.

19a Review the policies for district operations pertaining to the budget process. Evaluate the budget process

24b Interview the district finance director. Discuss administrative responsibilities, guidelines, training, and other concerns.

37b Visit the website of NAESP or NASSP, and compile a list of services and information available to the principal.

38a Compile a list of books, publications, training manuals, and district or state publications used or recommended for the superintendent position.

Budgeting is a major issue for all superintendents. Now more than ever, school districts are forced to be efficient and operate with a smaller budget. While legislation is calling for more accountability for school districts, schools are faced with the task of improving instruction with fewer personnel. This is a challenge that all schools are facing. Districts are being forced to think outside of the box to address all issues that result from fewer dollars from the state.

Technology improvements are also a challenge for districts. The costs of technology are increasing and it is necessary to have current technology in the schools. The Rockwall ISD is investing five million dollars over the next three to five years. The district plan is to update technology in every school at several phases. The district is implementing a plan that allows the district to improve technology across the district with current technology. As technology changes, the district will gradually introduce it so that the district is ahead of the technology curve. Unfortunately, not all districts can implement technology across the board. There lies the challenge.

 I considered this competency to be area weakness, because of my limited knowledge of the district budget and the budgeting process. I gain new knowledge concerning the budget through my internship experiences and superintendent course 5342. Interviewing the CFO for the Rockwall ISD was a valuable assignment. I learned about the budgeting process and the procedures that occur while the budget is being developed. I was also made aware of the CFO’s responsibilities and training.

Competency 9 Area:

The superintendent knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the district's physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

19b Meet with the district attendance officer. Discuss rules, procedures, and ramifications of attendance on law, finance, and school/district operations.

20b Meet with the director of maintenance to review job responsibilities and schedules for staff.

21a Interview the director of transportation to discuss current issues and needs for transportation.

22a Interview the district food service director to discuss the current requirements, concerns, and issues of the program.

The superintendent’s role is very challenging. He or she must be the instructional leader for the district and within the role, the superintendent must plan and manage district facilities and support services. Curriculum and staff development are important components in organization, but support services also play a significant role. Support services such transportation, food services, and maintenance, all provides services that support education. I enjoyed the activities for this competency. I was able to interview the director of transportation, the director of food services, and the director of maintenance and facilities. Through the interviews, I have deepened my knowledge in these areas.

My interview with the director of transportation was very informative. The transportation department plays a significant role in any district. First, the department provides transportation for student to and from school. Students participating in extracurricular activities are transported to events. Safety is very important, when transporting students. All buses are inspected and fifteen percent of the transportation budget is associated with maintenance. All drivers are trained to meet the latest safety standards.

Child Nutrition is another department, which plays an important role in the school system. Students must receive well balanced meals, such as breakfast and lunch. Like the transportation department, the food service staff must be trained for safety. All departments must be in compliance with all state and federal guidelines. All campus kitchen employees must take food safety and sanitation training.

The meeting with the Director of Maintenance and Facilities was interesting. This department is responsible for maintaining all buildings and facilities. The department consists of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, construction, and lawn care. At any given point, maintenance staff is working throughout the district. Currently, my district is breaking ground for new construction of an elementary school.

I believe that support services play a vital role in school district’s operation. The services they provide help insure that all students have safe and effective learning environments. I believe that I am very competent in this area. This was a great learning opportunity for me.

Competency 10 Area:

The superintendent knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to comply with federal and state requirements and facilitate positive change in varied contexts.

The activities that I selected to improve in this competency are the following:

15b Meet with current leader involved in implementing a district/school change. Find out why change was made and what steps were taken to make the change.

17c Interview a school nurse to discuss the major requirements, concerns, and goals for the school health program. Address issues such as abuse, sex education, and any other current issues.

35b Select a current issue within the district. Special Education conflict process for complaints and grievances.                            

      

I am fortunate to work with a principal that has implemented change. It is very challenging to meet all federal and state requirements. It is also difficult to lead change within a school. Over the past three years, my campus has made changes to the daily school operations. The focus has been on student success and improvement. The principal along with the support of the staff, has implemented student intervention time during the school day. This intervention time meets the requirements for level two of the RTI, Response to Intervention. This plan has been very effective and students are mastering objectives successfully.

Decision-making and problem-solving are skills that are required of the superintendent, school leaders, and teachers. I interviewed the Special Programs director for the Rockwall ISD. The interview pertained to the conflict process for complaints and grievances. This process is in place because two parties cannot agree on a decision made in the best interest of a student. I gained valuable knowledge concerning the grievance process for special education.

The superintendent has the difficult role of making decisions for the district and student interests. Not all stakeholders will always agree with the decisions that are made. The superintendent surrounds himself with a knowledgeable staff that he will rely on. It is the responsibility of the district to comply with all federal and state requirements.