John, Great question! I see several challenges: too little training, principals who are overwhelmed with issues unrelated to classroom instruction, large class loads, too much whole group instruction, etc. More generally. I am reminded of the principal in Austin who told me he had 600 children with academic, attendance, and/or discipline challenges. His desperate comment was that he didn't know where to start... the challenges were so large. I will get to all those challenges in future newsletters. Thanks, Bill
Hey Bill! Curious as to how you view the supports students need to achieve academic success and through the MTSS system. I know those supports are part of the continuum (and you know) but wondering how you will address this with your overarching proposal “how to fix our city schools”. So glad you are doing this!!!
Tammie, Thanks for the question. It sounds like that should be the focus of the next edition of the newsletter. Of course, as soon as we start talking about more resources, people assume we are talking about more and more money. As you know, while more money is always welcome, I am a realist. If we want more resources for classroom teachers (including more time), we must be able to find them within the current school day and current budget. Once we demonstrate success, then, perhaps in the future we can ask communities for additional support.
Great points, Bill [and the sports analogies & quotes were a nice bonus].
I am curious to hear more of your thinking related to RtI implementation barriers and your expanded description of effective "instructional leaders" [have a funny feeling I might know where you are going with this].
Take care, Bill. And good to hear Blaine chiming in.
Agree!!! There is really not a lot of incentive to change in the public school system as far as I have seen. Revenue money keeps flowing next school year regardless of results from the previous one. It has been my experience in all facets of human endeavors there must be an incentive to foment us to seriously change our habits. Great article!!!!
John, Great question! I see several challenges: too little training, principals who are overwhelmed with issues unrelated to classroom instruction, large class loads, too much whole group instruction, etc. More generally. I am reminded of the principal in Austin who told me he had 600 children with academic, attendance, and/or discipline challenges. His desperate comment was that he didn't know where to start... the challenges were so large. I will get to all those challenges in future newsletters. Thanks, Bill
Hey,
I would love you to do a podcast with Stacey on your book and your ideas on what kids need, especially marginalized populations. Let's talk.
Hey Bill! Curious as to how you view the supports students need to achieve academic success and through the MTSS system. I know those supports are part of the continuum (and you know) but wondering how you will address this with your overarching proposal “how to fix our city schools”. So glad you are doing this!!!
Tammie, Thanks for the question. It sounds like that should be the focus of the next edition of the newsletter. Of course, as soon as we start talking about more resources, people assume we are talking about more and more money. As you know, while more money is always welcome, I am a realist. If we want more resources for classroom teachers (including more time), we must be able to find them within the current school day and current budget. Once we demonstrate success, then, perhaps in the future we can ask communities for additional support.
Great points, Bill [and the sports analogies & quotes were a nice bonus].
I am curious to hear more of your thinking related to RtI implementation barriers and your expanded description of effective "instructional leaders" [have a funny feeling I might know where you are going with this].
Take care, Bill. And good to hear Blaine chiming in.
Agree!!! There is really not a lot of incentive to change in the public school system as far as I have seen. Revenue money keeps flowing next school year regardless of results from the previous one. It has been my experience in all facets of human endeavors there must be an incentive to foment us to seriously change our habits. Great article!!!!
Thanks Blaine. I look forward to your comments and ideas. I always gained from my visits to your school and your insights and ideas. Bill