First, the Principal Left: Sustaining PDS Work by

Establishing a Portable Model

Nancy ProsenjakPaul Graber

Debra Patterson

The Revolving Door

High School Principal left for district position during planning phase

District Superintendent was displaced during redistricting

New District Superintendent left for another position after 1 year

High School Site Director reassigned 3 Elementary Assist. Principals

reassigned University Provost retired

The Teachers For a New EraPartnership

Large comprehensive urban university 32,000 students; 2500 candidates

Large urban school district 721,000 pupils in 8 mini-districts A network of 3 schools: elementary,

middle, high school in feeder pattern

Incompatible Calendars

Year-round, 3-track high school beginning July

Traditional, 1-track middle school beginning September

Year-round, 4-track elementary school beginning July

Traditional, 2-semester university beginning August

Other Constraints

Time-consuming work Multi-track creates changing

groups Teaching schedule mismatch Nay sayers—don’t want change So large percentage of staff

involved remains low

Roles and Responsibilities

Each has a written job description: Site Director at each school

School faculty serve as halftime directors

Site Liaisons for each school CSUN Arts and Sciences Faculty CSUN COE Faculty

Network Coordinator from university Site Administrators active

Communication Structures Bi-monthly Network meeting with

Coordinator, Site Directors, Site Liaisons, Building Administrators

Site Leadership Teams meet 1- 4x per month University Steering Committee meets

monthly On-site course faculty meetings Regular reports on agenda for staff meetings Established Personal relationships

The Good News!

Committed faculty and administrators

Grant funding Support from university and sites Opportunity to think outside the box Innovative programs are emerging Systemic renewal of professionals