TACTics Journal

A Publication for and by TOC for Education Practitioners

May 19, 2000

CONTENTS

            NETWORKING

                  (1)     Editor’s Comments, Cheryl A. Edwards

                        (2)     TOC for Education Begins in Caracas, Venezuela, Francis Conde

                  (3)     TOC for Education: Happenings in Texas, USA, Paula Sommer

            SECONDARY TACTICS

                  (4)     An Alternative to Hazing: The Results of an Intervention Activity, Cheryl A. Edwards

            CONNECTIONS

                  (5)     4th Annual TOC for Education International Conference

            QUOTE

                  (6)     Colin Powell

            EDITORS’ NOTE

                  (7)     Kay Buckner-Seal and Cheryl Edwards 

NETWORKING

(1)      Editors’ Note

Cheryl A. Edwards, Director, USA

 

“There is genius in persistence.  It conquers all opposers.  It gives confidence.  It annihilates obstacles.  Everybody believes in a determined man.  People know that when he undertakes a thing, the battle is half won, for his rule is to accomplish whatever he sets out to do.” —Orison Sweet Marlen

 

We love success!  This week’s TACTics is full of just some of the wonderful success stories that are surfacing from around the world.  Many of us, as we strive toward achieving our goal of getting the TOC Thinking Tools into the hands of children, have found that our task is not easy.  Hopefully these stories will give you some synergy to “keep going,” to persevere with determination, knowing that there is (more and more) hope for success.  Thank you, Frances and Paula for sharing the results of your hard work.  Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Frances and to Paula and her Texas team: Dr. Charles Blanton, Dr. James Hughey, and Delores Harris for helping us all to achieve our goal!  Paula, Charlie, Jim and Delores will be giving a presentation regarding their work and results at the 4th Annual TOC for Education International Conference in Monterrey, Mexico.

 

(2)      TOC for Education Begins in Caracas, Venezuela!

By Francis Conde

 

After 5 months of looking for a group of teachers interested in receiving the Thinking and Communication Skills Workshop, the children's home, "Hogar Divino Niño" (Holly Kid Home) finally showed interest.  Hogar Divino Niño is a safe haven for homeless children between the ages of 3 to 15 and are of the lowest social status.

 

The first TOCFE Workshop starts June 10 and continues every Saturday for six Saturdays.  We are going to have six voluntary workers from the directives of the Institution, two psychologists, three home care workers, and four teachers from the public school where the kids attend.  And, as an initiative of the principal of the Institution, they have invited two teachers and two principals from similar institutions, to extend the workshop in the near future to the other 50 homes located in the metropolitan area in Caracas.

 

Local branches of the Lion International Club are going to be the logistic sponsors for the whole program.  The Network of children homes for homeless kids is a non-governmental organization; non-profit oriented, supported by the Lion International Club under the direction of a Catholic Church.  There is a bishop involved as the responsible authority from the church on ethic and philosophical principles.  Each home covers around 200 kids, all of them coming from vacant single mothers or non-formal employers, and all of them are studying in regular schools and living in the Institution.

 

There are two other private schools for kids from social status between lower and middle-class, which are showing interest in implementing the workshop as well as a private high-social class school.

 

We feel that we are doing a better job, now, here in Venezuela.  It hasn't been easy but we know that TOC gives us the tools to make our life's work better.  Rafael shared a proverb with me: "Don't be afraid to go slow, be afraid to stop."

 

(3)     TOC for Education: Happenings in Texas, USA

By Paula Sommer

 

TOC Training for Principals and Teachers

The first series of TOC for Education training in Dallas by The Institute for Standards in Quality Education is scheduled for June 6, June 20, July 25, September 19, and October 17 at the Bill Priest Institute, Dallas County Community College.  The dates of the second series are September 27, October 25, November 15, January 24, 2001 and February 21, 2001.  We welcome all educators.

 

Dallas Independent School District (DISD)

School to Work partners in Dallas, Glenn Bounds and Principal Louise Smith, attended the February TOC training.  As a result, Glenn has recommended TOC training be added to the Chamber sponsored school curriculum.  We are expecting to schedule TOC training for the next 20 partnerships (along with other support people from the schools) once identified.

 Principal Louise Smith (Townview Magnet School, DISD) and Superintendent Annette Griffith, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, have indicated they will be sending participants to the series beginning June 6.

 

Grand Prairie ISD

We are working with the Director of Elementary Education in Grand Prairie

ISD on four projects: 

1.          Improving the Principal Evaluation Process— We began with using the Transition Tree in helping them clarify the gaps.  We plan to use all the tools in helping them revise their process.

2.         Improving the Campus Improvement Planning Process— They are selecting three pilot campuses.  We will use a combination of tools to help them revise their entire planning process.

3.         Improving the District Improvement Planning Process and Integrating the District and Campus Plans— Here again we expect all tools will be taught as we work through the process.  We are awaiting the hand-off of this process to staff since the superintendent has a process for gathering community input well underway before we came into the picture.

4.         Retreat for Principals— This has been delayed while the District prepares for a state audit.

 

Arlington ISD - Hutcheson Junior High (7th and 8th grades)

We are working with Hutcheson as a part of a grant to bring the community and school together in using standards to improve education delivered to around 900 students.  Over 50% are considered economically disadvantaged. 

 

Hutcheson was where I expected to use the new notebook with students.  The

Principal is quite excited about using it.  I used the tools in coaching her as well as helping her resolve a conflict between two students.  As a result of this approach the process has been changed to teaching all of the teachers so that they, in turn, will be able to teach all of the students. 

 

The current plan developed with the principal is to change the beginning of school so that each class does an Ambitious Target aimed at having a successful class with all students succeeding at learning the class objectives and passing the required tests.  The process of redesigning the beginning of school for next year starts with the Site Based Team (May 23) developing their Ambitious Target.  In June, I will meet with the principal (weekly) to lay out all the plans in detail.  When the principal, assistant principals and counselors come back (July 21 and 24), we will teach the tools and fine-tune the materials for delivery at Hutcheson.  We will teach two tools, the PrT and the Evaporating Cloud, to the teachers when they return August 7.  Each teacher will have the training materials needed for use with their students.  Each class will create a PrT on having a successful class with all students succeeding at learning and passing the required tests.

 

The Cloud will be used for three sessions with students to make decisions on:

1.        being successful at school: complete homework / do not complete homework; participate in extracurricular activities / do not participate in extracurricular activities

2.       having a safe school:  speak up/ do not speak up and join a gang / do not join a gang.

3.       making sound decisions: use the cloud / do not use the cloud; use the ambitious target/ do not use the ambitious targets; set goals / do not set goals.

 

Weatherford ISD

We have shown two principals how to analyze their Campus Improvement Plan using the TrT.  This led to them wanting to redo the entire process.  We will teach them the PrT process for working with their Site Based Team.  Both have the workbook and are looking at it for use with their students.  Next meeting is May 30 when we will develop the plan for working with them and their staffs next year.  Our target is to present all of the tools to their staffs next year.

 

Haskell ISD

I just got back from four days in Indianapolis with Superintendent Billie McKeever, Haskell ISD.  We co-presented at the Annual Quality Congress on

"Using Statistical Thinking to Improve Education."  We will work with her using all the tools to accomplish what she desires for her district.  She has the workbook for students and an overwhelming list of possibilities, which I have assured her we can work through using the cloud and the trees.  We have worked for two years laying the foundation of PDSA, profound knowledge and systems thinking with her, her principals and counselors.  What she has done with that information was impressive to the AQC listeners, so I am quite excited about working with her to design an in-depth plan for her district using TOC.  She is planning on being a hub for districts in her area to be trained.  Haskell is three hours west of here in the wide-open spaces of West Texas where rural, small schools abound.  My ambitious target is to guide them in developing and launching a plan for a series in West Texas. 

SECONDARY TACTICS

(4)      An Alternative to Hazing: The Results of A Group

Intervention Activity, By Cheryl A. Edwards

 

Last week, Doug shared his experience using the cloud with high school senior girls who were practicing the demoralizing art of hazing.  After defining the problem, one young lady came up with the following injection: 

            “As seniors we already have seniority.  I could introduce myself to the

            freshman and help them find their way around the building.  We should

            be the people they look up to and admire, not run away from.’

We thought it would be interesting to hear the results of this group intervention activity.  TACTics Journal contacted Doug and he told us that the senior girls created their clouds last September and since then he has had no further referrals regarding this practice.  Great results, Doug!

CONNECTIONS

(5)      4th Annual TOC for Education International Conference

Sheraton Ambassador Hotel

Monterrey, Mexico

August 9-12, 2000

 

Lodging: (*Room rates are based on single OR double occupancy.)

Classic room—   $86(+tax)         For more than two people to a room, there is a $15.00 charge for each extra person.

Executive room—          $116(+tax)        For more than two people to a room there is a $25.00 charge for each extra person.

 

Registration Deadline: (for Conference Rates) July 25.

Make reservations directly with the hotel and identify yourself as a member of TOC for Education.

 

            To make reservations from:

               Mexico — (direct to the hotel)  1.800.832.8400 

                       USA & Canada— (central reservation)   1.800.325.3535

           Nations outside of North America—(switchboard)         1.528.380.7000

 

Airport in Monterrey, Mexico:

            Gen. Mariano Escobedo International Airport (Code is MTY). 

Transportation from Airport to hotel: Cab $15.

Departure Tax: $10.00

 

Returning to the United States: Caution!  Make certain that you can return to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take with you. U.S. law requires that you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity when you reenter the United States.

QUOTE

(6)      “Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” —Colin Powell

EDITORS' NOTE

(7) To our entire TOCFE Family, we would really love to hear your comments, examples and concerns.  Please continue to share so that we all may maintain our POOGI.

 

Send HYPERLINK to:

bucknek@resa.net

redwards@sault.com  NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS!

 

Send mail to:

                        Cheryl A. Edwards

2253 S. Hill Island Road

Cedarville, MI 49719 USA