Yes as a result of the experience with the Schlechty Center partnership, we
are constantly looking for other opportunities to work in the same type
of relationship with other groups. I think the way we work with the
architects in the design and implementation phases of our construction and renovation has been shaped in much the same way with a focus on student learning and creating a campus environment that supports our
educational objectives.

Susanne Freeman captured very well the description of a beneficial partnership as she described the relationship to Schlechty Center and the individualized support provided by the Schlechty Center Associate, Ms. Solomon.  The Orange District has and continues to be involved with the Schlechty Center as a partner.  The work we do with their group has “caused us to think” and the thinking has resulted in action, change, improvement and increased collaboration across role groups, often guided and supported by the Schlechty Center.  This partnership has definitely been an “integration into the overall change management” . 

As a result of the experience with the Schlechty Center partnership, we are constantly looking for other opportunities to work in the same type of relationship with other groups.  I think the way we work with the architects in the design and implementation phases of our construction and rennovation has been shaped in much the same way with a focus on student learning and creating a campus environment that supports our educational objectives.

This is a great question.  My inbox is filled everyday with vendors promising silver bullets – - use their products or services and this will be the answer to any issue facing our school system (technology integration, bullying, teacher effectiveness, etc.). However, I really think the best solutions come from within a system – - from those who know the students and the dynamics of the school system.  I do think there are benefits in sometimes having consultants facilitate these internal conversations, sharing from their experiences of working with other school systems, or from their professional expertise. 

We work with the Schlechty Center for Leadership in School Reform.  One of their consultants, Monica Solomon works with our System and School Design Teams.  Her real strength is asking questions that cause us to reflect on where we are as a system and enabling us to create our next steps for improvement. We talk a lot about design – - creating experiences that cause people to be engaged in their learning.  She does not have a packaged approach or a one size fits all; instead, she uses tools and protocols that cause us to think and create our own course of action.  We develop and proudly refer to our work as “The Trussville Way.”  We have ownership over our work, our next steps, and the results that are achieved. 

So I agree that work with vendors and/or a consultant is becoming a partnership as it should be.  Thankfully, the days of fly in, share their recipe for success, and fly out are over.     

I think vendors still dazzle schools with their technical solutions and then when any interest is shown they send in the sales team.  Sales team are then disappointed when they realise school or local authority are years away from making a decision.

Local Authorities and Schools really need to be shown how to take baby steps from where they are now towards a  practical vision of future – the future is never immutable but they do need practical 3 or even 5 year plans for upgrading infrastructure.

Has to be underpinned by good evidence base of how learning technology has improved lives of the learning community in the school.

It would be great to see more schools with wifi allowing learners to arrive with their own devices to connect to the cloud .. To get here some hand holding on grand scale is needed . If this is ok in Starbucks should be ok in a school .. challenges here are about policies and trust rather than just technology.