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Quality Quick Takes - February 2022

Facilitating Conversations for Consensus 

Due to multiple crises and current reality, no one in the educational field, including the members of our own Office of School Quality (OSQ) team, has been immune to the state of uncertainty in which we currently live. It has become the norm to repeatedly pivot due to dynamics outside of our locus of control. The educational workplace environment has been unsettling for many and a source of stress and anxiety, causing some to look at alternative employment outside of the education field. Those of us who remain may have found ourselves at the center of equally valid , yet polarizing, arguments about how to navigate our new reality which has left many feeling fearful, confused or even angry in the workplace, in public areas, and in our own homes. 

The most effective leaders throughout the tumultuous times are those who find strength in building and maintaining community which often includes building consensus. Consensus allows leaders to work with their teams to critically solve problems and to provide direction and vision. 

As a leader navigating various situations, particularly, during times of uncertainty and dissenting opinions, it is important to have various tools in the tool belt to help with building consensus. John Kotter (2008), a Harvard University authority and researcher on organizational change, said that in times of lingering crises, effective leaders demonstrate an ability to identify the problem and communicate the urgency of the situation so that everyone understands the necessary direction in which to move organizationally. One general goal of consensus-building is to cultivate an understanding of the issues and to work toward resolutions that include the perspectives of all involved. We often refer to a consensus as making sure everyone is “on the same page.” But when it is facilitated correctly by leaders, it helps to reduce conflict by modeling appropriate strategies for open lines of communication. Furthermore, when modeled effectively, consensus creates a space for equitable consideration of ideas, mutual cooperation, and platforms for respecting the needs of everyone. 

In the difficult time we are navigating currently, and as you continue to build your work community, embed and embrace consensus-building strategies. While, as leaders, we may have very little control over the external circumstances impacting our work, leading through a lens of shared decision-making can help minimize competition, settle uncertainty, and encourage healthier conversations aimed at reaching a common goal of moving the organization forward.

Aurelia Ortiz, OSQ Director 

Support for High-Quality Educational Environments

Instructional leaders that are committed to a shared leadership model to maximize the potential of all members of the team must develop processes and methods to build consensus. Decision-making that is rooted in meaningful consensus and shared leadership has a considerable potential to yield significant results for school success, improvement, and high levels of student achievement. 

This brief from Hanover Research presents secondary literature on the definition of consensus, as well as explaining processes for establishing meaningful consensus, underlying principles, and decision-making models.  Additionally, Hanover Research links external guides and resources that expand on facilitating conversations for consensus, such as this ready-to-use Consensus-Building Workbook.

Needs Assessment Survey for Divisions and Schools:  

The Office of School Quality (OSQ) is conducting its mid-year needs assessment to obtain information about the services we provide in our support model.  It is shorter than the fall survey, and should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.  

Please note the survey’s first question will ask permission for personal information to be collected. The survey is conducted and collected by Hanover Research, and not the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), nor is personal information shared with the VDOE. The Virginia Department of Education will ONLY receive the results of the survey. It will not be possible for the VDOE to match survey answers to participants’ identities.

                                                       Link to survey

The results will assist OSQ to enhance the capacity of each local education agency to provide differentiated resources and training that support deeper learning via robust, rigorous, and relevant instruction. We appreciate your partnership and value your input.

Q-Tip

Instructional leaders have the best opportunity to create meaningful change by establishing an effective team based on a shared leadership model, and using strategies to build consensus in a positive way.  

We have provided you with a one-pager entitled Facilitating Conversations for Consensus. Take a quick look to reflect on the current practices of your team regarding approaches to consensus, decision-making, and communicating decisions to all stake-holders.  

A technical assistance session will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, to discuss strategies for facilitating conversations for consensus. If you are interested in learning more, complete this registration form, TA-Facilitating Conversations for Consensus, by March 2, 2022. This training will include opportunities to reflect on your current practice, and methods to improve your approach to consensus through shared leadership.  

Data Connections

Facilitating conversations can be a difficult task when conducting needs assessments to examine contributing factors and root causes that may be deeply embedded into our practices and structures.  The School Reform Initiative (SRI) provides a tool to support the facilitation of those conversations using a collaborative inquiry approach.  Looking at Data Sets: A Collaborative Inquiry and Problem Solving (SRI, 2021) protocol outlines a process to identify and discuss data. The protocol provides facilitator tips and guiding questions. The SRI offers other tools, including protocols that offer structured processes to support focused and productive conversations, build collective understanding, and drive school improvement. Thoughtful use of these protocols is an integral part of building resilient professional learning communities. https://www.schoolreforminitiative.org/protocols/

Collaboration Corner 

SPOTLIGHT:  Early Childhood Learning

Virginia Preschool Initiative:  The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 2 p.m. to review current legislative proposals and review potential implications for the 2022-2023 school year. This webinar will be recorded and shared in future editions of Readiness Connections. Registration is required.

• Legislative Updates for Pre-K Programs
• February 16, 2022, at 2 p.m.
• Registration

Head Start:  The Office of Head Start Director’s Email Digest has developed resources to assist leaders in making decisions specific to program operations in our Early Head Start and Head Start programs across the state; linked below is a collection of resources as a quick-reference guide. These tools may be used to share resources with your program staff. 

• New Resource Collection! Vaccine and Mask Requirements in Head Start Programs

• Sample Vaccination Policy and Exemption Templates

• A Letter from the Director About the Full Enrollment Initiative

• Office of Head Start Upcoming Events: January–March 2022

• Disabilities Services Newsletter Issue No. 50

Find additional materials on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) website.

Relevant Research and Best Practice Highlights

Best Practice Highlights:  Shared below are a couple of links to research reports designed to provide school leaders information to support communication for strategic planning and strategies for divisions and schools. 

• Strategic Planning Communication Guide  https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/3409306/Strategic-Planning-Communication-Guide.pdf
• Communication Strategies for Districts and Schools  https://fs.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/3409306/Communication-Strategies-for-Districts-and-Schools.pdf

Did you know? 

Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD) Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities:  Below, you will find some updated information about the upcoming opportunities for educators. See VASCD for more information and costs:

• 2022 Whole Child Institute:  Teach Our Children Well:  Strengthening Adult Capacity to Meet Student Needs. New dates and moved to an online event: February 15, March 1, and March 15, 2022. In this session, participants will examine five disciplines—attunement, alignment, perspective, collective efficacy, and organizational learning—key to strengthening educators and schools.
• The Minimalist Teacher. Attend the all-day, in-person session in Roanoke on June 21, 2022, or online on February 24, 2022. Recognizing what teachers face and building capacity through minimalism can help skilled educators remain in the profession. Join ASCD author Tammy Musiowsky- Borneman, who will share ideas about minimalism in education.

Bay Watershed Education and Training Grant:  This funding  is provided through competitive grants that promote Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE). MWEE is a learner-centered framework that focuses on investigations into local environmental issues and leads to informed action. Apply by March 3.  

Reminders

Announcement from The Support Center for Aspiring Leaders of Equity (S.C.A.L.E.) The link provided here offers information on a program to support teacher leaders, school leaders, and division leaders.  These sessions are intended to build content knowledge, engaging strategies, and equip leaders in equitable instructional and learning processes. School Improvement Grant Applications Divisions are reminded that SIG reimbursements must be submitted to OMEGA at least once a month, as this allows the Office of School Quality (OSQ) and the division to monitor the spend-down of the SIG funds. Upcoming Quick Takes Topics: March 2022 - Long Range Data Planning April 2022 - Building a Culture Through Change May 2022 - Data-Informed Decisions June 2022 - Introduction to Actionable Plans

Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated.  If you have a topic you would like to see in a future monthly edition of Quality Quick Takes, contact OSQ at OSQ@doe.virginia.gov.

This monthly communication is intended for school and division leadership throughout the Commonwealth.

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