0.2 Integrative thinking practice field activity

Integrative thinking practice field activity

The Virginia Department of Education has scheduled the Writing Standards of Learning Assessment to be administered on March 2. Due to abnormally extreme winter weather across much of the state, schools have missed many days of instruction during January and February. The VDOE has suggested that the date may be moved to March 16 and want input from school divisions.

Consider your school – teachers, students, parents, curriculum, instruction – and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of the two alternatives. Now, write a letter to the VDOE suggesting something other than administering the assessment on March 2 or 16. Suggest something that is superior to either of these two alternatives.

You will have ____ minutes to plan and compose your letter. Write appropriately for your audience. Support your recommendation. Take some risks.

Standards to be demonstrated through this activity

Standard 6: An education leader promotes the success of every student by understanding, responding to, and influencing the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

• Advocate for children, families, and caregivers,
• Act to influence local, district, state, and national decisions affecting student learning,

Assessment rubric

For this practice field activity, you will assess yourself. You should demonstrate skill in the three areas noted below. (For each bulleted item, rate yourself from 1 to 5 with 1 indicating no skill demonstrated and 5 indicating skill demonstrated in an outstanding manner .)

Written Communication

• Clarity
• Conciseness
• Appropriate for audience
• Grammar

Integrative Thinking

• Integrated elements of multiple alternatives in a fashion superior to any individual alternative.

Decision-making

• Provided clear rationale for decision

Reflection

Answer the following questions to reflect on this activity. Then, pair up with another aspiring principal and share your letters with each other. Share your reflections with each other. Prepare to share some thoughts with the whole group.

• What skills were required of you to complete this activity?
• What was most difficult about this activity?
• What additional resources would have been helpful in completing this activity?
• After talking with your partner, what additional insights/perspectives do you have regarding this activity?