Do you ever feel like you’re just moving from one meeting to another? Do you ever wish that you could plan in advance for key events. For these reasons, we all need a 10,000 foot view of our year. Life happens, but it tends to favor minds that are prepared.
Image from Flickr Creative Commons http://bit.ly/2cr6wjr
For schools implement a multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), such as schoolwide positive behavior support (SWPBS), having a-year-at-glance outline can be useful. It allows teams to keep track of key and reoccurring events. David Allen, in his book Getting Things Done, refers to this as having a tickler file. A year-at-a-glance is a way of reminding yourself of key tasks that will occur in the future. These should include the systems, practices, data, and outcomes you want to address that year.
Systems – These involve the infrastructure that supports everything you do related to MTSS. Questions you can ask yourself include: “When are our key meetings? When are we scheduling our training for our staff?” For meetings, the more of a routine you can create the better (e.g., schoolwide team meets on the second Tuesday of the month).
Data – This is the information that drives your schedule. You should ask questions like, “When will we look at data, and what type? When will we collect fidelity, screening, and outcome data? When does our data say our students need more support (e.g., re-teaching)? When does our staff need more support (e.g., booster training on acknowledging students)?”
Practices – These include what you do and are driven by your data. Based on your data, you should ask questions including, “How will we ensure everyone is on the same page at the beginning of the year? How will we refocus our students and staff on our efforts after the holiday break? Are there certain types of problems behavior that are more problematic in certain months? When do we need to focus on teaching our expectations, re-teaching, acknowledging student and staff performance?”
Outcomes – These are related to why you are doing what you are doing. Questions to help you schedule your outcomes tasks can include, “When and to whom will we present our current data ? How will we celebrate our successes and communicate our next steps for improvement?” John Kotter, in his article Leading Change, Why Transformation Fails, says this step allow leaders to connect staff behaviors with corporate success. It also empowers you to use your credibility to leverage further improvements.
While not perfect, this is an example of one high school’s year-at-glance for implementing SWPBS. Notice it fits on one page!
As you prepare for your new year, try to keep your key actions related systems, data, practices, and outcomes in one place. We all need a view from the mountain top. I wonder in what ways you keep track of key actions for your school or team. Please leave a comment on my website.