Creating a District Culture Conducive for Innovation

Creating a District Culture Conducive for Innovation Dr. Kevin Miller - Croswell-Lexington Community Schools Dr. Dave Richards - Fraser Public Schools

Croswell-Lexington • A rural district 20 miles north of Port Huron • Two small cities; Croswell & Lexington • 2,350 students; one high, one middle, two elementary schools; early childhood center • Agriculture, tourism, commuters to Port Huron and beyond (metro Detroit) • Proud people, and proud of their schools • Really don’t know what they don’t know

Fraser • Urban district in Macomb County • 5,400 students with 1,700 being Choice • One high, one middle, 6 elementary, 1 early childhood center • 2 miles X 2 miles • Tremendous Pride in Programs and Traditions

Learning to Change - Changing to Learn “The Death of Education and the Dawn of Learning” - Stephen Heppell

Our New Learning Realities • Teachers are Everywhere • Learning is in Abundance • Students Are Naturally Learning in the NOW • Choice is Driving Competition and Innovation Activity: • Describe today’s learners? • What are we doing to create classrooms and campuses that engage today’s students?

Croswell-Lexington • The district in 2006-07 • Solid fund balance, but declining enrollment • Good schools, old buildings, not innovative or creative • Strategic Plan in 07-08 • Resulted in $20 million bond for new/improved facilities • Resulted in a desire to go from good to great

Croswell-Lexington • Innovation to reach goals • College-ready; Globally-competitive • All goals were student-focused • Started with the end-goal in mind, worked back • Upping the ante in 08-09 • More rigor; no more Val/Sal, went to Senior Scholars • Honors = GPA & ACT • Weighted AP courses • Moved to trimester format to allow students to take electives along with rigor, ACT Prep (Gateway) • Our top students are now are TOP students

Croswell-Lexington • Innovation to reach goals • 9% of Sanilac County residents have a degree • Early College program started in 2009-10 • About 1/5 of each graduating class in the program • Passed $20 million in bonds • Improved facilities for learning • “If you build it, they will come” • Construction 10-11, 11-12 • 1-1 Initiative in 2012-13

Croswell-Lexington • Year-round school July 8, 2013 • Blown away, as 262 register • Agreement to manage a neighboring district, summer and fall of 2013 • BW Virtual School, Fall of 2013 • It’s about opportunities for all kids

Fraser 2005 – • Came to Fraser High School as the principal. • Staff members did not have email or teacher computers at the time • Bond issue had recently passed to renovate the facilities and to add an initial level of technology • Everything was done with paper, pencil, sand tables, abacus, etc. • HOWEVER – VERY STRONG PLC environment and a culture of collaboration

Fraser 2006 – 2008 - principal • Over the course of the next few years, began introducing teacher workstations, interactive white boards, student response systems, etc. 2008 - 2010 - principal • Began important conversations about the need to change our schools and our delivery of instruction. • “Public Schools will be the next “Big 3”” • Began building capacity amongst staff around the need to focus on the 4 C’s in our instruction • Staff requested to begin implementing blended learning at the high school

Fraser 2010 • Became superintendent and immediately began the strategic planning process. • Conducted individual interviews with every school board member - “Vision, agendas, priorities…” • Developed a new mission and vision statement

Fraser 2010 • The Strategic Plan opened the door to a conversation about a need for another bond issue focused on technology ($19.9M with $11M set for tech) • Supt request 4 evaluations per year by Board of Education based on goals set forth in strategic plan – shared vision and shared leadership

Fraser 2011 • Bond issue passes yet we tell the community no devices will be purchased for nearly 1 year while we complete the necessary steps to prepare our staff instructionally. 2011-2012 • Full wireless access in all buildings, athletic facilities and home bleachers of football stadium.

Fraser 2012-2013 – • Began deployment of 1:1 iPads for grades 3 -12, classroom sets for grades PreK – 2. • Over 5,300 iPads deployed in less than 3 months. • Apple TV installed • MacBooks and iPads for all staff

A Tale of Two Districts • What are the common/consistent strategies utilized to build capacity and support?

Driving Forces Activity What are the WHY factors in the need for innovation within your district?

Visioning Activity IF there are no barriers - What would you do and WHY would you do it? DREAM - THINK BIG If you don’t do these things, what will your district look like in three years?

Where Do I Start? • Begin Having Crucial Conversations • Inside-Out • Begin Putting Action to Words • Go Slow to Go Fast – Early Success • Be Consistent, Do A Few Things Well • Begin with the End in Mind • Project Timelines that are Attainable

New Normal Is Innovation

Weebly - Additional Resources www.MASA2013.weebly.com

Creating a District Culture Conducive for Innovation