Foundations of Strategic Thinking
Post-Secondary•2020 minutes•PROFESSIONAL LEADERS STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HEAD (Standard Name, Purpose Statement, and Indicators) MISSION FOR LEARNING The Head of an International School leads mission aligned teaching and learning and ensures equitable access to the learning INDICATORS a) Energizes the school community with a clear, contemporary and contextual mission to build understanding and commitment for high expectations. b) Uses a definition of learning, developed from the school’s shared culture and context to guide curriculum planning, instruction and assessment so that classroom practices align with research. c) Ensures a coherent curriculum rooted in best practice and derived backwards from agreed upon student outcomes to ensure that all students progress to the highest possible standard. d) Builds organizational structures and fosters practices for collaboration that increase teacher effectiveness and have the optimal impact on learning. e) Develops, implements, and monitors data-based actions to ensure systematic student progress and program improvements. f) Advances the development of intercultural competencies in the school for students and staff to gain insights about themselves and others, build connections and demonstrate respect and empathy and celebrate the richness of diversity. g) Communicates regularly the achievement of the school’s mission and vision to provide evidence of measurable gain, celebrate student progress and to use the information for further improvements. GOVERNANCE The Head of an International School actively nurtures a collaborative working partnership with the governing body or owner that has ‘accountability’ for student learning at the core of decision making. INDICATORS a) Supports the governing body in their development and revision of policies that work in tandem with operational procedures for student well-being and responsible management of the school. b) Ensures that the Board is well informed about measures of student performance and strategic issues so that they can best establish priorities and direction. c) Forms a united team with the governing body, each respectful of the roles and responsibilities, to work and learn at a higher level for the benefit of students and to uphold the mission. d) Promotes the professional growth of the governing body so that the school can benefit from their strategic and generative leadership. e) Works in tandem with the Board to hold one another accountable to the mission and vision, fully aware that together they are ultimately responsible for the performance and sustainability of the school. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE The Head of an International School enacts legal and ethical practices to safeguard students’ and adults' well-being and ensure an inclusive and safe organizational culture. INDICATORS Ensures that recruitment and retention practices are in alignment with the school’s mission, vision and values and reflect the school’s unwavering commitment to child protection. Provides, participates and personally leads, professional development guided by principles of learning so that staff continue to develop their knowledge and skills, working together to improve student learning. Utilizes performance standards for staff with ongoing coaching, mentoring and feedback to evaluate impact on learning. Build a school of empowered leaders and develop diverse and ethical leadership pathways. Creates a climate that supports collaboration, respect, trust, and builds an organizational culture used for improving learning. Energizes staff to examine practice and innovate to maximize the effect of their teaching on all students. Creates a diverse, high-performing, collaborative leadership team in order to make good decisions and advance the student and staff wellbeing and the mission and vision of the school. OPERATIONS & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The Head of an International School provides effective management of school operations and resources. The leadership encompasses financial management, facilities management, and the overall operational efficiency of the school; including legal and ethical practices to safeguard students’ and adults' well-being and ensure an inclusive and safe organizational culture. INDICATORS Strategically aligns fiscal resources to support the mission and vision. Seeks avenues for raising additional resources to support the mission and create opportunities for students and staff. Manages and monitors facilities, grounds and equipment to provide equitable access to an optimal learning environment. Oversees the admission of students to the school, guided by integrity regarding the programs and fees to ensure alignment with the family and the school’s mission. Enforces legal requirements and regulations of the host country for the sustainable development of the school. Establishes effective procedures for student behavior and school safety that ensure an environment where learning is paramount. Supports operational functions with data and communication systems that allow for efficiency and goal attainment. SCHOOL-HOME-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS The Head of an International School develops partnerships and networks within and beyond the school community that support student learning. INDICATORS Builds connections between the home and school, intentionally promoting inclusivity and a culture that provides support for students to flourish. Empowers parents to make meaningful and valued contributions in the school, building on the strengths and assets of a school’s diverse communities, knowing that parental involvement is key to student success. Communicates effectively with the community, utilizing formal processes and informal exchanges, to build positive partnerships that benefit students. Utilizes the external environment as a resource for learning, engaging individuals and organizations in promoting high standards that advance the mission. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT The Head of an International School models behavior consistent with the school values and inspires continuous professional growth and care for the wellbeing of self and the school community. INDICATORS Handles conflict directly and respectfully, honors commitments and is honest about expectations, creating a climate of trust and informed evidence-based professionalism. Demonstrates organizational and self-management skills to focus on the priorities of the school. Ensure a focus on wellbeing towards self-care of self and members of the school community. Seeks and uses critical reflection as part of continual improvement and sustainability of own and school’s performance and to ensure high quality teaching and learning. Uses data to support changes and effectively leads innovations that result in improved learning. Builds external relationships and networks outside of the school for support and improvement as well as to contribute to the future of learning and leading. Demonstrate a passion and energy for improving learning that can be seen in actions, decisions and student learning gains.
Learning Objective
I can analyze how an organization's mission, values, and core beliefs inform strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. Define strategic thinking as presented in the video and explain its importance for both individuals and organizations.
2. According to the video, what is the crucial difference between strategic thinking and strategic planning? Provide an example to illustrate this difference.
3. The video mentions "iceberg insights." Explain what these are and why they are valuable to an organization.
...and 9 more questions
Educational Video
What is Strategic Thinking? The Deep Dive Strategic Thinking Framework
Rich Horwath