Improvement Leadership Education and Development (iLEAD) Research-Practice Preparation Partnership: George Mason University and Fairfax County Public Schools

• In Event: Bridging Institutional Divides for Continuous Improvement: The Improvement Leadership Education and Development (iLEAD) Network

Abstract

George Mason University’s Education Leadership (EDLE) program has a long-standing relationship with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Over the last decade, hundreds of FCPS educators have earned their administrative endorsement through the EDLE program. In the summer of 2018, we began a new phase of our partnership with EDLE joining FCPS in the iLead initiative.

Objectives
The mission of the EDLE-FCPS iLead Partnership is as follows, “The partnership, through professional learning experiences, will increase educators’ knowledge and analysis of problems of practice by understanding and applying principles of continuous improvement and evidence-based practices that advance the academic success of K-12 students.” By integrating improvement science (IS) principles into EDLE courses, we will train future FCPS leaders to advance school improvement planning and assessment in the following ways (1) make problem identification more data driven, client focused, (2) align solutions with the root causes of these problems, (3) utilize continuous improvement and measurement to assess the effectiveness of solutions using plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, and (4) create network improvement communities (NICs) to learn from others in the EDLE program and across FCPS.

Current Accomplishments and Challenges
Two cohorts of EDLE students, one cohort of FCPS educators (Fairfax 12) and the other having the majority of students being FCPS educators (Region North 19), were part of our initial phase-in of IS into EDLE coursework. Fairfax 12 as the pilot cohort had a more informal introduction to IS with instruction on a variety of IS tools in fall 2018. This cohort also examined the application of IS principles through coursework on supervision and evaluation of instruction in spring 2019. The Region North 19 cohort had a formal IS course requirement in which they completed NIC Charters in small groups, a compilation of documents intended to guide school improvement planning using IS. Throughout both semesters, the FCPS team has been instrumental in helping to design and facilitate the IS content by visiting each of these classes on several occasions to lead workshops on IS.
We face several challenges as we approach the upcoming academic year. The EDLE program has not formalized a process for integrating PDSA cycles into coursework expectations, although we are working as a team to address this gap. The EDLE program also has the challenge of training adjunct instructors to understand and teach IS principles.

Significance
While the EDLE-FCPS partnership is not new, the iLead initiative has allowed the EDLE program to advance pedagogically by integrating IS into course work for FCPS educators. As leadership preparation programs nationwide consider how to help future school leaders develop evidence-based practices for improving teaching and learning, we believe the use of IS principles will help us to increase positive outcomes in a systematic manner. Our partnership is facilitating leadership preparation through a continuum of supports that bridge selection, graduate studies, induction, and ongoing professional development.

Authors

• Samantha Viano, George Mason University

• Claire Silva, Fairfax County Public Schools