Sean Kershaw's Weblog
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October 20, 2006
"InterCity" Visit to San Diego:
Every year since I've been on the job, I've taken part in the "InterCity Leadership Visit" trips sponsored by the Minneapolis Regional and Saint Paul Area Chambers of Commerce. The trips are ostensibly to learn how other cities and regions are addressing problems like education and transportation (and ballparks). They turn out to be rare opportunities for leaders here to spend large blocks of quality time together -- which can be very useful in addressing these policy issues at home here.
The first year I went (2003) I couldn't have been more clueless, but it gave me a chance to build relationships that continue today. And it's comforting and encouraging to see people who might disagree with each other here have a good time and great conversations together when removed from the spotlight.
This year's trip was the best for me in terms of policy ideas. The stand-out experiences were visits to two charter schools.
Both were great examples of the potential for real school reform if students, school leaders, teachers and parents have the leadership skills and the opportunity to create schools from the ground up that are designed to meet the needs and skills of particular groups of students. The common-sense "ah ha" moments were many.
Peter Bell, Curt Johnson and Eric Jolly were subjected to several conversations with me regarding the policy conditions that allow each school to succeed. Some quick thoughts.
- In each school, the students and staff were motivated to be there for the same reasons. Each group catered perfectly to a specific category of student. Each had highly-motivated staff (and lotteries to become a student), and a focused curriculum.
- At Preuss, they simply spent more time on task. More hours and days in class.
- Strong and sustainable leadership and accountability strategies for staff and administrators.
- The bureaucratic freedom to adapt quickly.
- Strong external partnerships.
More on this later I hope.
Posted by Sean Kershaw at October 20, 2006 7:46 AM
Comments
Over on the policy blog, I posted a response about whether organizing schools around specific categories of students is a good idea. I'm agnostic on the idea - but I think it needs to be talked about.
Here's the link:
http://citizensleague.net/blogs/policy/archives/2006/10/20/boutique-schools-or.php
Posted by: Victoria Ford | October 20, 2006 3:04 PM