The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement

1. CREATIVE LEARNING ENTERPRISES, INC. The Mid-Atlantic Equity Center Promoting the Achievement of Students of Color: A Practitioner’s Approach April 20, 2007 The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement Dr. Rita L. Robinson National 4-H Conference Center 7100 Connecticut Avenue – Chevy Chase, MD 20815

2. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement • We will review what the research says about the achievement of students of color. • We will discuss the role of the administrator in promoting achievement in students of color. • We will discuss how policies and procedures impact and promote achievement in students of color. • We will discuss how attitudes and expectations of administrators impact achievement in students of color. • We will discuss strategies for identifying and promoting achievement in students of color. OBJECTIVES

3. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement • We will review what the research says about the achievement of students of color. • We will discuss the role of the administrator in promoting achievement in students of color. • We will discuss how policies and procedures impact and promote achievement in students of color. • We will discuss how attitudes and expectations of administrators impact achievement in students of color. • We will discuss strategies for identifying and promoting achievement in students of color. OBJECTIVES

4. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement AGENDA • Findings from Research • Role of the Administrator • Implementation of Policies and Procedures • Attitudes and Expectations of Stakeholders • Strategies for Promoting Achievement in Students of Color • Summary

5. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement • Intercultural communication. • Prejudice Reduction. • Establishing culturally supportive learning environments. • Designing curriculum and instruction for education that is multicultural and accelerating minority achievement. • Test, management, and assessment of achievement equity. RESEARCH FROM FINDINGS Five core competencies are essential to success in effectively teaching minority and low-income students.

6. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR • LEAD BY EXAMPLE Personal: Know and Monitor Cognitive: Openness for Learning Social: Communicate and Interact

7. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR • POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Personal: Learning and Examining Cognitive: Revising and Reviewing Social: Opportunities for Growth

8. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR • ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS Personal: A Shared Vision Cognitive: Communicate Expectations Social: Feedback Sessions

9. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement PROMOTING ACHIEVEMENT IN STUDENTS OF COLOR • Eliminate cultural conflict between home and school environment by improving communications. • Develop communication channels for minorities to voice concerns. • Participate in professional growth activities, attend professional meetings, read professional journals, take classes, or attend seminars on relevant topics. • Provide in-service training for teachers to increase their effectiveness in working with students of color.

10. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement PROMOTING ACHIEVEMENT IN STUDENTS OF COLOR [continued] • Review and monitor educational programs to ensure that they meet various students needs. • Implement programs to provide additional instruction to students who do not pass minimal competency tests. • Monitor the racial/sexual composition of student groups and the compliance of the school with the provisions of Title IX. • Identify and observe teacher behaviors that increase students’ willingness to take intellectual risks and develop self-efficacy in academic achievement.

11. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement SUMMARY In summary, the administrator is a major stakeholder and cheer leader in promoting student achievement. Teachers, parents, community leaders, school boards, are also essential players. However, there are five steps of continuous improvement that have great potential for facilitating the achievement of students of color. • Strong committed effective leadership • School community of core beliefs and shard vision • Effective use of data for determining gaps between shared vision and reality. • Relevant innovations that will improve instruction. • Implement, monitor and evaluate action plans.

12. The Administrator: Key Factor in Student Achievement REFERENCES • ETMA Network (2005), A Practical Guide to Accelerating Student Achievement Across Cultures: Strategies for Administrators, Teachers, Students and Parents. Baltimore, Maryland: Maryland State Department of Education. • Glanz, Jeffrey (2002), Funding Your Leadership. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervisions and Curriculum Development. • National Association of Elementary School Principals (2001), Standards for What Principals Should Know and Be Able to Do: Alexandria VA • Smith, Wilma (1989), Instructional Leadership: How Principals Make A Difference. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervisors and Curriculum Development. • Zamuda, Allison (2004). Transforming Schools: Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervisions and Curriculum and Development.