District Administration - May 2012 - (Page 83)

which all schools grapple every day, to understand the most significant barrier we face, the time has come to look at ourselves and understand that the educational culture we have created may very well be the nucleus of the problem. What Can We Do? Many districts have seen tremendous success in their efforts to engage families. In Toppenish School District in Washington, former superintendent (now the Educational Services District superintendent) Steve Myers boasts of improved attendance and achievement rates among students who traditionally had lagged behind, as well as significantly strengthened relationships with Native American families. As a result of a districtwide commitment to family engagement in the North Penn School District in Pennsylvania, like Knapp Elementary School, students have an attendance rate of 95 percent. Academically, 85 percent of students are proficient in mathematics, and 82 percent are proficient in reading. Attendance has more than doubled at home and school meetings. There is no question that we have many mountains to climb with regard to reforming and improving our public schools. It seems to be a reasonable conclusion, though, that the mountain that is the easiest to climb is the one that convinces parents that we care about their children. Further, doing so is budget neutral. We must build the efficacy of every family by developing strategic priorities centered on a valued partnership. Most importantly, though, is the need for superintendents and system leaders to proclaim families are important to reform efforts and are critical to continuous improvement of our schools. DA Steven M. Constantino is superintendent of the Williamsburg-James City County School District. Constantino is a national thought leader and author of books on family engagement. His third book, Engaging Every Family: The New Standards for Global Family Engagement, will be released later this year. www.DistrictAdministration.com “Best in Class!” Susan Borer, English Teacher at San Leandro High School CLEAREST Optical Zoom! The world’s most advanced document camera features. Clearer Teaching www.MyLadibug.com 888.542.3235 • 5 Year Unlimited REPLACEMENT Warranty • Guaranteed Best-in-Class! • Easiest to use! • Best in Class Picture Quality • Excellent Color Reproduction • Optical Zoom • For MAC and PC • One Touch Audio/Video Recording • 3D ladibug coming soon! May 2012 83 http://www.MyLadibug.com http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - May 2012

District Administration - May 2012
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Sustainability Update
Conversations
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Problem/Solution
Product Focus
Digital Reading Empowers Students
The Critical Task of Hiring a New Chief
Hard Acts to Follow
Leading the Way
Sally Reis & Joe Renzulli
CIO News
Not Your Mother’s Student Information System
Professional Opinion
Noteworthy Books
New Products
Going Mobile

District Administration - May 2012