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Systems thinking. Little panthers preschool. Demographics OF THE KCSD. Located in Knoxville, Iowa, 30 miles south of Des Moines. District is made up of roughly 1,800 students from preschool-12 th grade, 141 teachers, and 130 non-certified staff members.
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Systems thinking Little panthers preschool
Demographics OF THE KCSD • Located in Knoxville, Iowa, 30 miles south of Des Moines. • District is made up of roughly 1,800 students from preschool-12th grade, 141 teachers, and 130 non-certified staff members. • There are five school buildings within the KCSD: • West Elementary: preschool-1st grade • Northstar Elementary: 2nd-5th grade • Knoxville Middle School: 6th-8th grade • Knoxville High School: 9th-12th grade • GOAL Alternative High School: 9th-12th • Stepping Stones Early Learning Center: Preschool community partner
Background of the lpp • Four-year-old preschool grant was approved for 2010-2011 school year. • Grant was written for 100 four-year-old students to receive free preschool. • Stepping Stones ELC was named the district’s community preschool partner.
System flaws • Differences in the two programs has caused parent confusion and teacher turmoil. • Due to requirements set by the private center, the groups of students at each building are very different from one another causing discrepancies of scores.
Systems Connections • Shifting the Burden: In attempt to solve the morale “problem,” the administrators required ample meeting time to compare data and plan. However, the comparison of the data has only provided more controversy. • Success to the Successful: Since each building receives equal amounts of funding, SSELC, who has been established for years spent the money on games, technology, and additional resources. West Elementary, a brand new program, spent their funding on curricular resources, building maintenance, and furniture. • I am Position:Administrators of both buildings place blame on others when interviewed about the issues at hand. Each claimed it was “out of their hands,” or “not their responsibility.”
potential SOLUTIONS • As administrators, dig into root causes and offer solutions. • Demonstrate the ways in which each decision is affecting the other parties involved to all staff. • Eliminate guidelines directly affecting students in a negative manner.