Districts in NNPS want to know: How can we organize more effective, goal-oriented partnership programs at the district level and in all of our schools?
NNPS trainings, tools, and materials guide district leaders with this work, but NNPS staff agrees that increased support to district leaders would improve both district and school partnership programs. To meet districts' needs and to reinforce research findings that show the importance of district leadership on partnerships, NNPS announces its District Leadership Campaign. NNPS will offer district leaders a menu of nine services and professional development opportunities as part of the Campaign to help plan their work; guide all schools to organize their partnership programs; evaluate their progress; and improve the quality of family and community involvement from year to year. State and organization leaders who directly assist schools may also request the services.
Planning Support. District members may consult with NNPS facilitators on their annual district leadership plans by requesting planning templates, strategic consulting about program design, and written feedback on draft plans.
Telephone/E-mail Consultations. District members may request telephone consultations with NNPS facilitators to discuss their work, progress, and next steps for their programs at the district level and in their schools. As in the past, this NNPS service will continue as a regular benefit to all school, district, state, and organization members.
District Leadership Institute. District facilitators in the start-up phase of program development may attend an intensive 2-day workshop at low cost. The newly designed Institute prepares leaders to provide direct assistance to schools' Action Teams for Partnerships and to establish a district-wide partnership network. The first District Leadership Institute will be offered June 8-9, 2005, at the Johns Hopkins University campus in Baltimore. Registration information will be sent to district leaders, as well as state and organization partners. NNPS is exploring options to host regional Institutes.
Fall Leadership Development Conference. As in the past, new and experienced district members may attend the annual NNPS conference in Baltimore for all schools, districts, states, and organizations. The District Leadership Institute will replace the Spring Leadership Development Conference. NNPS will conduct its annual fall conference for new and experienced members to advance their knowledge and skills while networking with NNPS members from around the country.
Teleconferences. District leaders may participate in quarterly teleconferences with NNPS staff on key topics for improving family and community involvement. Topics will include challenges in small, medium, and large districts for organizing school teams and helping them plan, implement, evaluate, and sustain their partnership programs. The first teleconference is scheduled for November 2005.
Contracted Trainings and Site Visits. District, state, and organization members may contract with NNPS staff and researchers as consultants, keynote speakers, and workshop presenters, as in the past. These fee-for-service activities are arranged as schedules permit via direct contact with NNPS staff.
NNPS Annual Report. Starting in fall 2005, all NNPS members that return their annual UPDATE survey will receive a summary of the descriptive data for all of NNPS. This will allow district leaders to compare their district and school reports on partnership program development with NNPS as a whole, and with subgroups of NNPS sites in major demographic categories.
Summaries of Your Schools' Partnership Data. Districts with eight schools or more that return 2005 UPDATE may request summaries of their schools' UPDATE data. NNPS will also provide trend data from year to year so that district leaders can document their schools' progress and challenges in developing effective partnership programs.
Customized Report Linking Your Schools' Partnership Data with State Test Scores. Districts or states with 30 schools or more that return UPDATE may work with NNPS researchers to link their partnership program quality with school-level state test scores and related demographic data over a three-year period, starting with 2005 UPDATE. Districts that have this option will be contacted by NNPS about participating in these evaluations.
The District Leadership Campaign will enhance the customary NNPS services and benefits already provided to district leaders and their schools. Simultaneously, the Campaign will increase our understanding of the processes required to scale up the number and quality of district and school partnership programs and their impact on student success. Look for additional information as NNPS rolls out each component of the District Leadership Campaign. Until then, contact Darcy Hutchins at dhutchins@csos.jhu.edu or 410-516-8893 with your comments and questions.