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This page houses all of the content used during the Kansans Can School Redesign Project Plan Year. As systems continue to engage in the work of continuous improvement, systems, and the schools that create them, will need to intentionally design learning environments and opporunities that will leverage student success and the actualization of our vision for education in Kansas: to lead the world in the success of each student. The content on this page is what the KSDE Redesign Team, in collaboration with our Education Service Centers, used to walk over 190 schools through the transformational Redesign Plan Year. This content is the culmination of 5 years of work and action research. This content represents the best of our learning these last five years regarding what it takes for schools to think differently about how they 'do school'. Are you ready to Redesign? This content is the first step on your system/school's journey to leading the world in the success of each student!
This content should be used by system and/or builidng leaders as part of a strategic and robust plan to lead school(s) through the goal setting and action planning journey. By following the guidance and content, your school will be able to: determine your needs, set goals, investigate strategies, and create a long-term plan for implementation and sustainability, all while actively building a learning culture. This content provides the framework for what a year of intense staff development might look like; but it is up to dedicated system and building leaders to execute the work!
Here are two examples of how districts used this content to Redesign internally:
During the Plan Year, schools (or systems) work through a strategic planning process rooted in Design Thinking and the 4 Disciplines of Execution to: create a shared vision; develop goals; prototype and test strategies; and engage in data collection, analysis, and reflection. The work that takes place is always meant to be done with the authentic engagement and participation of all staff and, on occasion, students and stakeholders.
Redesign is broken into 5 phases: Mission Inception, Building the Launchpad, Designing the Rocket, Building the Rocket, and Show and Launch.
To evaluate if you are ready to lead through adaptive change processes, review this slide deck curated by Dr. Doug Moeckel at KASB.
We know that in order for the work of Redesign to be impactful, the conditions within your school/system must be ready to support change! Utilize the 'Leadership and Culture' slides linked below to help you intentionally focus on leadership and culture throughout each phase of the Redesign Plan Year. Two key activities you will want to incorporate include: Crafting a Why & Shared Vision and estblishing a culture for Inquiry, Innovation, and Exploration. Learn more about how all of that fits together in our presentation titled "Plan Year- Leadership & Culture".
If you want to evaluate if deep learning is happening in your organization, consider using this "Sticky Note Protocol" adapted from The Taking Action Guide on Building Coherence in Schools, Districts, and Systems (Fullan, Quinn, and Adam, 2016).
If you are interested in evaluating if you have a high-trust or low-trust culture, consider using this activity adapted from Culture Re-Boot: Reinvigorating School Cultures to Improve Student Outcomes by Kaplan and Owings (2013).
Complete list of academic references related to culture and climate.
In this section, you will learn about how to set up your organization for Kansans Can School Redesign.
If you need support in turnkeying the Mission Inception powerpoint/content, check out how KSDE kicked off Apollo III here.
Optional Activity is adapated from The Taking Action Guide to Building Coherence in Schools, Districts, and Systems by Fullan, Quinn, and Adam (2016) answering the question "How are you supporting leadership within your organization?" (Part A & Part B)
Optional Activity from Design a Better Business: Team Charter Canvas
Optional Reading from the Center for Educational Leadership: "Principals: Our Advice and Resources for Establishing Instructional Leadership Teams" (UWCEL, 2018)
Additional/Optional Resources regarding Communication & Communication Planning:
During meeting 1, teams are asked to conduct an 'Initiative Inventory' to better understand their current state. Two optional inventories (option 1/option 2) are included in the powerpoint; however, you are free to adjust these as you see fit.
Optional alternative activities for working through the Design Thinking Process: Empathize & Define activity and Ideate & Prototype activity.
Optional reading between Designing the Rocket meetings: "What drives collective efficacy?" (ASCD, 2019)
Optional Reading: The 4 Disciplines of Execution Executive Summary from www.summary.com
Optional Recordings: Design Thinking and the 4 Disciplines of Execution (KSDE)
To see even more examples of Scoreboards, check out this collection of submissions from Fall 2021.
Optional Go for Launch Letter Template and Not Yet for Launch Letter Template
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.