Politics Will Get You Fired Quicker Than Declining Test Scores | Dr. Thomas L. Shortt
Program Description
Are you as a school leader aware of the hidden agenda of local politics and politicians? Do you engage in an ongoing mental exercise of conducting a political survey of your school/community? Let's face it - on a daily basis, school leaders face the unknown saboteur who lurks in the hallways of their school, the grocery store, the beauty salon, the local "hangout", and in the hearts and minds of those who have always done it this way. Hidden rules and agendas created from previous actions (history), community mores, expectations, traditions, and relationships that impact providing effective leadership for a school while surviving in a politically charged school community are the major topics for this program.
Materials include copies of the updated version of the ISLLC and the Virginia Standards as well as the Virginia standards for professional performance evaluations and samples of the School Leaders Licensure Assessment. Additional materials include excerpts from the presenter's forthcoming book on the ISLLC Standards and a Tool Kit for assisting in the implementation of the identified standards.
Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Professionalism (ISLLC standards 5 & 6)Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will:
- Demonstrate the ability to deal with the political culture of a school community by identifying hidden agendas and the members of the school community who drive these agendas.
- Be able to demonstrate that they understand the uses of symbolic leadership by diagnosing the organizational culture of their school community and implementing strengthened/streamlined processes and procedures for bringing the issues to the table.
- Be able to demonstrate that they can manage conflict by practicing and modeling methods of defining and defusing potential political conflict situations.
Program Format
The provider will share a commonsense approach to dealing with the politics and the hidden agenda that school leaders are faced with regardless of the demographics of a school community. Real-life scenarios will be offered by the experience of the provider while serving as a teacher, a principal, a central office staff member, an Assistant Superintendent for Policy for the State Department of Education, and a lobbyist for an education group. Special tips for avoiding meltdowns caused by unintended, political involvement will also be shared with the audience through interactive lecture, discussion, questions, and handouts. Participant will identify a politically charged issue in his/her school community and bring about a successful resolution to the issue.Target Audience
All building level leaders K - 12, aspiring principals, as well as central office personnel responsible for training and assessment of building level leaders.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
No/yes. Any designation of individuals or groups with specific performance expectations that match the intent of the standards is adequate.Duration of Program
One full day of 6 hours or one-half day of 3 hours.
- The time allocation is designed to address particular issues that surround the political nature of a school community. The first session of the program offering will be an overview of the characteristics that are consistent with identifying a politically charged issue within a school community and the consequence if not handled in a professional and diplomatic manner.
- The second program session is how the principal models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions when dealing with politically charged issues.
- The final time allocation allows the receivers to become participants by identifying politically charged issues in the community and designing acceptable solutions.
Outcomes Measured
A written documentation of the participants' knowledge base of the intent and use of the system for identifying and resolving politically charged issues.
- Resources provided for participants for future resolution of these issues.
- Participants' analysis - role playing for addressing leadership issues critical to the success of providing a school community conducive to teaching and learning.
Program Evaluation
Participant evaluation forms and a follow-up survey at the end of six months to determine the use of the knowledge acquired during program participation.Contact Information
Dr. Thomas L Shortt
1805 Chantilly Street
Richmond, Va. 23230
Phone: 804.355.6791
Email: tshortt@vaesp.org