How do you measure progress?

I'm a school principal.  After ensuring my school is safe for everyone, my #1 priority is to make sure students learn.  It's no secret I love my job, but I do occasionally get frustrated when the "system" hyperfocuses on test scores, school rankings, or a narrow-minded view of what kids should be learning.

I'm not saying schools should not be accountable for teaching to high academic standards.  I don't shy away from that accountability, but what about the myriad of other--extremely important--measures of progress?

I consider it progress when:

  • A child learns to solve his or her problems with other children with words rather than pushing or shoving
  • A group of kids decide to pick-up trash on the playground to keep our school cleaner
  • A student volunteers to welcome a new student to our school even though that may mean not being able to play with his or her friends at recess
  • A student who is selectively mute enthusiastically helps with morning announcements
  • A student goes out of his or her way to pick up a mess that they did not make and does not expect any recognition
You know where this list is going.

Our school's vision statement is "Novi Woods...Growing Great Leaders."

This statement is intentional.  It does not say to just grow great readers, or mathematicians, or scientists.  Rather, our staff has committed to helping our students be more than great book learners or test takers.  We strive for them to become leaders at school, on the bus, at home, and in their community.

Recently several of our students had an authentic opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned at school and at home.  After two houses burned in their neighborhood, a group of students and families from our school decided to host a bake sale and lemonade stand.  They have currently raised over $2800!  I spoke with two of the parents and some of the students, and what was so impressive to me was the students' genuine caring and sincerity for helping the families whose houses had burned.


I want to offer huge, huge "kudos" to these students' parents for raising their children to be who they are, and I'm grateful that at our school we measure progress by more than just test scores.  Our families partner with us in so many ways to make sure that their children are achieving high academic standards.  More importantly, our students are learning how to be great leaders of their lives.  Now, more than ever, that's what we really need.


Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 1, 2016 at 5:30 AM

    As always, beautifully written and spot on. C-h-a-r-a-c-t-e-r always brings forth improvement in every walk of life. The video was beyond precious. When it comes from the heart - as it did with these students - the tentacles of encouragement reach farther than even the stately sum of money can. Happy summer to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 7, 2016 at 8:00 PM

    I am honored to be a member of our Novi Woods community!

    ReplyDelete

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