What+do+I+want+in+a+education+program?

=What do I want from an education program?=

Resources
Knowledge, skills, professional library, people/organizational contacts, mentors, advisors, brainstormers, other toolkits
 * Leadership, persuasion
 * Personnel/Volunteers/Parents - Staffing, payroll, motivation, evaluation, communication, planning/goal setting/task management, professional development, getting the most productivity from people
 * Sources of funding, finding and succeeding in getting grants, donations, gov’t support, enrollment
 * Marketing and communications (enrollment, funding, public support, needs)
 * Budgeting, collections, ordering
 * Law, licensing
 * Physical/mental/brain/health/social development (ages, needs)
 * Curriculum – selection, implement, evaluate, coordinate
 * Data and assessments – collection, management, communication
 * For example, what assessments does our district do (RtI and Special Education tests -- and what does a principal need to know about today's cognitive assessments, how student's process information?
 * Programs/strategies for family and children’s needs - RtI, Special Education, CPP, Head Start
 * Physical plant, transportation, safety/security

To make our plan work

 * Infants, toddlers, preschool, afterschool, K-6
 * All students ready for next level of learning
 * All students at least 1 year growth
 * Those behind become proficient by 3rd and 6th grade (and K?)
 * Students enjoy learning, have assets to succeed
 * Have skills they need (reading, writing, math, science/inquiry, job, geography/history/cultural knowledge, 21st century, social, emotional, physical, health, creative, community, problem solving)
 * Music, Art, PE, stepping out, technology/media center
 * Committed, creative, engaged employees, leadership, and volunteers
 * Strong, continuous, effective leadership and teaching
 * Strong parent and community involvement

Big questions to answer

 * What are the magic keys to optimal learning -- from infants to adult teachers (and myself)?
 * What is the optimal mix and time for a student to accomplish what we want them to accomplish (how much art, music, exercise, recess, water, nutrition, sunshine, money management, life skills, social-emotional work in addition to reading, writing, math, social studies, and science -- but how much of those too)? Or is this just a matter of opinion?
 * How do I create and share a vision effectively and still take in to account individual needs, thoughts, ideas?
 * How do I gather input and meet the needs of the stakeholders and not feel overwhelmed, separate fact vs. opinion, and provide a fair resolution to issues that are in the best interest of the children?
 * How do I balance the needs of most of our students with individual student needs?

Small questions to answer

 * Can I take one class to see if I like the school/program in something that I really need help in (teaching based on child development/adult needs)?
 * How much does this cost/financial aide/grants available?

Personal

 * Persuasion, confidence, handle conflict better
 * Leader (marketing to publics)
 * How to create healthy conflict in an organization?
 * Renew teacher license, get principal license, director license?
 * With all the different information out there, how to wade through it effectively and get knowledge that us effective and usable
 * Effective use of time and resources

Examples and notes for what I want to see in a program

 * Support the time needed to accomplish GCS plan. That is a higher priority than the program itself. May need time to think, incorporate, and do what is necessary.
 * Have assignments that tie into creating and implementing the plan to have the best school possible.
 * Example of a discussion/assignment on this page http://rickwinter.wikispaces.com/ADHD. Go into depth in the discussion. Instead of a whole long list of what we should do is take one point ADHD and look at all angles. Sort of what standards are moving in for Science -- less content, more in-depth so can get at critical thinking.
 * Action oriented. Background knowledge OK as long as can lead to something that will further the plan.
 * For example, could I get resources from the program to help me implement a performance system? See discussion of The Widget Effect. Performance systems not well done throughout the country (it is not just me).

Options

 * University of Denver
 * [|CU Denver School of Education and Human Development]
 * Walden University
 * University of Phoenix
 * [|CDE Alternative Principal Licensure Program]
 * Metro State College
 * Adams State College
 * (Applied) Cognitive Science
 * University of Colorado at Boulder Institute of Cognitive Science
 * [|List of universities with degrees in cognitive science]
 * [|University Guelph] (Canada) of [|Guelph Graduate School in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science]

Rick Winter - Latest revision 6/8/09