Planned Gradualism

I am not sure where I first learned this term, but I think it was during middle childhood training in my early years as a teacher.  As I became an administrator and gained experience, its importance became clear.

Planned Gradualism refers to the transition of expectations, policies, procedures from one grade level to the next and from one programmatic level to the next.  Let's look at a typical high school configuration as an example.  For a high school that encompasses grades 9 through 12, it is appropriate to expect the same thing from a 9th grader as we do for a senior?

As a middle school principal, I kept a chart of transitions by grade, topic, subject and continued to develop the plan over time.  Teachers and other members of the school community were supportive of the effort and offered support and suggestions.  It helped us build a team spirit as we focused on supporting and frontloading student success.

Some examples of topics and activities to consider include academic schedule, lunch schedule, proximity of team to main office, study skills lessons, career portfolios, community service projects, disciplinary interventions, technology project, morning arrival schedule, and much more.  The overall school counseling plan should also be articulated across grade levels and based on student needs.  A new student plan should be in place .  For example, all incoming 6th graders in a 6-8 middle school are new and need specific programs and procedures in place for an effective transition.  Keep other new student in mind as well - what happens to support a new 7th grader who arrives in mid-year?

Focus on student success.  What else can we do to make our school better for kids?

White Flag

As we prepare to start training new leaders, I am thinking of a favorite new leader memory. 

Scenario:

• My first job as principal
• Not really familiar with certain aspects of school office procedures
• Made a mess of something because of a decision I made
• Realized I made a mess from the secretary/accountant's facial expression....

So what did I do?

I asked her what happened.  She explained the extra work involved because of the decision I made, but  that she would work diligently to make the changes.

Since it was a decision that was based on lack of knowledge and experience, and not a necessity, I rescinded the decision and made a simpler, more informed choice. 

In order to work things out and make up for my error, I found a white shirt in the "lost and found" and stuck it on the end of a yardstick.  I went back to the office and stuck the "flag of truce" through the office door.  The laughter that followed told me everything would be alright.

A sense of humor certainly helps in this crazy job.   I was also willing to learn from someone who knew more than I.  We are friends to this day.