March 2, 2023
"Feedforward"
I love this word as used in a new article, "Using the Lens of Continued Growth to Strengthen the Head of School Assessment Process" by Anne-Marie Balzano, Ed.D. and Jerry Larson, Ed.D.
Both Anne-Marie Balzano of Mission & Data and Jerry Larson of Educational Directions have presented to ISCA members in the past and have valuable guidance when it comes to governance. In this article, they explore the topic of HOS assessments and share some very useful takeaways.
A couple things that stood out to me include the common practice of conflating three important and distinct things that Heads need:
Appreciation
Coaching
Evaluation
The article explains the importance of each and how to differentiate these in practice.The second nugget that stood out was the concept of 'feedforward."
“Feedforward” is a proactive, future-oriented suggestion around important issues where an idea or suggestion from
a trusted advisor would guide an individual toward greater success.
And finally they provide a template 3-year assessment cycle for the HOS:
"In year one, an assessment might include the board and the head, and perhaps some members of the school leadership team with a broad focus on leadership and organizational effectiveness. In year two, the head may wish to focus on a particular set of skills, such as emotional intelligence, communication, or fundraising, that would include a specific professional development agenda. In year three, there would be a comprehensive 360° assessment, with the groundwork established at the end of year two or at the beginning of year three."
In the end, they reiterate that regardless of the process ultimately adopted, there needs to be transparency and a process that ultimately "truly informs the work of the board, the leadership team and the school."
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