Capacity Building and AASA Big Ideas

Several months ago, I stumbled on a powerpoint presentation from AASA. It was entitled Big Ideas. Basically the presentation said that the level above enables the level below. If students are not learning then the teacher is not creating capacity for a learning classroom. If teachers are not creating learning classrooms then the principal is not creating a learning school. If the principals are not creating a learning school, then the central office is not creating a learning district. Bottom line is that we need to create capacity rather than be judgmental.

Today, I heard Michael Fullan articulate this concept. He revealed his latest book, "Six Steps to Change." Step #3 is "capacity building trumps judgmentalism." Dr. Fullan was not certain judgmentalism was a word, however, it fit the situation. Dr. Fullan points out that blame, shame, and naming schools, teachers, and students as failures does not improve student learning. NCLB will not improve student achievement by naming, blaming, and shaming schools. The only way we can improve student learning is to develop the capacity of leaders at all levels.

So, as superintendents let us look closely at ourselves and our school districts before we name, blame and shame schools and principals. Let us look to see if we have created the capacity within our school leaders to help them help teachers who in turn will help children.