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EDL 685 ARTICLE/BOOK ANALYSIS

FORM
MAGAZINE/JOURNAL:
TITLE:
AUTHOR:
ISSUE:
TODAYS DATE:
NAME:

Educational Leadership
How Good is Good Enough?
Grant Wiggins
December 2013; Vol. 71; No. 4; pg. 10-16
January 28, 2014
Doug Van Pelt

PRACTICUM LEARNING GOALS:


This article addresses the Leadership Engagement component of my
practicum plan by presenting a broad perspective of a topic which is
currently en vogue in our school teaching to mastery. I appreciate the
expressed goal of wanting to improve the rigor through which we are
teaching our students but I have wondered if we are approaching the idea
from the best way. This article presents another consideration that all
educational leaders must consider.
I HOPED TO GAIN:
A better understanding of the concept of reaching mastery. Central City
Public Schools have committed to a district-wide process of improving
reading progress (and scores) through programs such as Reading
Mastery and Corrective Reading. I would like to have a deeper
understanding of where this intervention process should take our
students.
KEY ARTICLE POINTS:
Defining the term mastery = does the key concept relate to acquiring a
technical base of knowledge without the ability to apply the information or does
mastery mean the ability to resolve fluid situations utilizing the knowledge
provided.

The inherent risks of subdividing standards into micro-standards


= suggests the long-standing educational practice of turning curriculum
objectives into smaller pieces might be counter-productive and ineffective.

Establishing criteria for determining how high to set the bar =


discusses the difficulty in determining how to accurately evaluate assessment
scores and suggests a multi-pronged approach of local and national
expectations.

The importance of providing early and frequent feedback to


students = this practice allows for effective tracking of student progress.

IMPACT ON MY LEADERSHIP BELIEFS:


The article helps me evaluate classroom strategies to enhance student
learning through application and analysis. It supports a holistic approach
of combining local classroom teacher expectations and goals with more
national standards-based scores. I dont discount national standards such
as Common Core completely but I do have a great deal of faith in the
ability of our local educators to establish appropriate curriculum rigor.

HOW I BETTER UNDERSTAND MY PRACTICUM EXPERIENCES:


The activities, readings and discussion we have participated have created
new lenses though which to view our local schools. For me, I find myself
looking at all district-wide goals and objectives from a more inquisitive
perspective I want to know why we are proceeding a certain way and
to know if a better practice might be available. I am hearing staff concerns
with different ears and am conscientiously considering alternatives which
I intend to share with the administrative team when appropriate..
EDL OUTCOMES MOST CLOSELY RELATED:
Strategic = this article supports innovations within the school
community, emphasizes the use of data to make informed
decisions, and demonstrates a philosophy of education that
considers both local and national goals and expectations.
Instructional = this article promotes the idea of assessment using a
variety of techniques, and facilitates curriculum which advocates
application and analysis as its ultimate goal for student learning.
WHY I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE FOR COLLEAGUES:
Many schools are incorporating mastery-based programs for
reading and math among other areas. This article discusses the
common practices and suggests a more holistic approach.
This article addresses the concerns of Nebraska educators who are
uncomfortable relying entirely on standardized testing systems
such as Common Core.
Positive suggestions/actions are evident and are based on research
conducted by many other educational leaders
LEADERSHIP ACTIONS AS A RESULT OF READING THIS ARTICLE:
First, I will include this topic as one of my interview objectives during my
school site visits this spring. This will allow me to gain additional
perspective on the subject.
Next, I will consider and develop a personal strategy for leadership that
includes both local and national evaluation methods in determining
student achievement.
Finally, I will continue researching strategies and practices related to
standardized testing and I will continue to study current curriculum and
educational practices incorporating authentic performance objectives.

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