Collaborative Leadership – Envisioning
(40-59%)
Element: A Shared, Forward-Thinking Vision for Digital Learning
Description: The district recognizes that, to prepare their students to thrive in today’s connected, fast-paced society will require an education that engages students in evidence-based, deeper learning through smart uses of technology and new pedagogies. The district has engaged students, teachers, administrators, parents, and the community in the envisioning of a transformed education system that personalizes learning for all students through the effective uses of technology.
Possible Next Step: The district uses the research and investigations to conceptualize the essential elements of their vision for digital learning. They develop scenarios as to how those elements would be actualized in their district, noting the benefits and consequences.
Element: A Culture of Collaboration, Innovation, Capacity Building, and Empowerment
Description: The District leadership team has established a collaborative culture of innovation in which leaders at all levels are empowered to innovate. The capacity of leaders to innovate is maximized through a culture of trust and respect, providing leaders with the flexibility and adaptability they require to lead. This culture leads to sustainable change, informed by research and facilitated by digital leaders.
Possible Next Step: Based on their research, district leaders have identified the type of leadership that has the greatest potential for transforming the district. The leadership they identified as optimal is collaborative, where leaders at all levels are empowered to act innovatively and creatively, provided such actions have high potential for advancing the district vision.
Element: High Expectations for Evidence-Based Transformations to Digital Learning
Description: Across the district, teachers, administrators, and students are expected to show progress toward the district vision. The district has established metrics for gauging such progress and is working across the district to monitor progress and to use evidence-based decision making to ensure that technologies are implemented in ways that advance the vision.
Possible Next Step: District leaders carefully review the knowledge base on digital learning resulting from their investigations. Based on that evidence, they envision a time when instructional decisions are informed by this knowledge base.
Element: Transformative, Coherent Thinking, Planning, Policies, and Implementation
Description: The district’s forward-thinking vision is advanced through leaders’ transformative thinking. Leaders have ensured that the district’s policies are coherent with the philosophy underpinning the vision (e. g., personalizing professional learning for education professionals, just as they personalize learning for students). They have developed strategic plans that map potential pathways to the district’s preferred future, and have created the tactical and financial plans and dedicated budget necessary for implementation. As they implement they monitor, adjust, build capacity, and incrementally improve.
Possible Next Step: District leaders identify the changes that will be required in their schools in order to attain the vision they have set for digital, 21st Century learning.