The Twins Case Study

Background
Mrs. Janet Rivington, the current principal of Oren

Elemtary School, is at loss with how to face a simple problem that has escalated to every school principals

nightmare.
Two fourth-grade teachers are separately teaching twin

sisters :Tanya and Teresa

Discrepancies in teaching and grading practices between

Gr.4 teachers have resulted in one twin failing.

 Mrs. Rivingtons supervisory decisions and ideology on

how to deal with Gr.4 teachers and a very involved parent (Mrs. Boyd)backfires and reveals gaps in the formers role as a supervisor.
Upon investigation, Mrs. Rivington finds that the mothers

accusations of having one twin failing unfairly have some truth in them.
Mrs. Boyd, Gr.4 teachers, and the central office are

demanding that Mrs. Rivington take an immediate action

to solve this issue

Ms. Rivington believes in taking a non directive supervisory

approach with her teachers. She believes in the professionalism of teachers . She allows instructional freedom in order to improve learning.

She does not check up on teachers work( lesson plans, tests,

grades, etc) regularly.

Lack of communication of expectations Assumptions Irregular supervisory monitoring Unprepared prompt group meetings Using wrong supervisory approach in specific situations fragile collegial atmosphere Discrepancies among all grade level teachers in

grading , testing, and classroom policies.

Deal with the problem as a whole and not just an isolated event Mrs. Rivingtons should address negligence in her technical tasks as a supervisor Deal with the inconsistency in applying standard school policies among all grades Set things right with Tanyas grades

Prepare for a group meeting with a clear task and purpose with all heads of departments in order to ensure grade level consistency among teachers. Prepare for a whole staff meeting with teachers with an agenda of clearing up facts regarding the twins case in order to stop the rumor mill.

Provide direct assistance to Ms. Dary and

change supervisory approach to a more directive

one. Monitor Ms. Darys implementation of the supervisor-teacher plan.

Review personal plans and assess time management in order to supervise staff effectively (administration and teachers)

including regular checking on grading system

and testing procedures so that teachers will not

be on the defensive side when Mrs. Rivington

checks their lesson plans, tests, or grade book.

As for the immediate problem of handling Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Rivington should check Ms. Darys grading book and tests given in social studies

and deal with the issue promptly if she finds

evidence of unfair grading.

Reflections
A successful supervisory approach should

address the needs of everyone and not just

those of complaining parents. A supervisor

sees a whole picture comprised of teachers,

parents ,community , and students.