Innovative leadership and community involvement strategies to create productive learning environments. Join Patrick Malley's blog and inspire meaningful dialogue in education.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and insights on expanding educational opportunities for students at the recent Accelerate ED convening in Houston. It was a deeply rewarding experience to engage with so many attendees who connected with my story. Finding common ground was not expected but quite appreciated!
I’m so thankful to be a part of this vital work and look forward to what’s next for the Michigan Design Team!
“What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must the community want for all of its children. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon, it destroys our democracy.”
Grant Wiggins, writing for ASCD in 2012:
"Decades of education research support the idea that by teaching less and providing more feedback, we can produce greater learning."
And also:
"Although the universal teacher lament that there's no time for such feedback is understandable, remember that 'no time to give and use feedback' actually means 'no time to cause learning.'"
When I was a principal, a parent complained about an art teacher not updating grades often enough. I talked to the teacher, who invited me to observe her class. What I saw sticks with me today. She constantly moved, observed student practice, and gave quick, useful feedback on their work. She wasn't focused on grades because she was helping students improve in real time. I told the parent everything was fine and never questioned the teacher’s grading practices again.
Such practices ought to extend beyond the art classroom.
Pedro & Joaquin Noguera, writing on equity leadership for ASCD:
"Based on our years of experience as researchers and thought partners with district and school leaders, we have found that leaders who have made the greatest progress in advancing equity, and who are best able to withstand political attacks, are those who are able to articulate a clear vision, devise concrete strategies, set measurable goals, and implement an action plan."
A vision for equity is more than a poster on the wall; it's a continuous conversation with the community. Leaders must regularly engage with the entire community to make sure the vision is not only clear but also actionable and aligned with collectively shared values. This isn't just a procedural step during strategic planning; it's the foundation for any meaningful effort to advance equity in our schools.