According to Stephen Covey (2004), "we live in a constant, churning, changing environment.  In turbulent white water, every single person must have something inside them that guides their decisions.  They must independently understand the purpose and guiding principles of the team or organization" (p. 105).  K-12 education is changing at a rapid pace.  The demands for increased rigor and relevance continue to impact teachers and administrators. Student demographics are changing in schools across the United States.  State accountability tests, state mandates and NCLB have brought benefits to students and increased challenges to educators.  As the world continues to change and educators seek to prepare students for life and work in the 21st century, educators must take time to ask "Is our school district prepared for Permanent White Water?"

Questions for K-12 Educators to Address:

1.  Create a list of things or people that are changing at a rapid pace in your
     school district.  (i.e., Teaching Staff (retirement), Student Demographics,
     Central Office Staff (Revolving Door), Use of Technology in the Classroom,
     State Standards, State Assessments, State and Federal Mandates, etc.).

2.  How can teachers and administrators work together to keep the main thing
     (student achievement) as the central focus during times of constant change?

3.  How does permanent white water impact K-12 curriculum and instruction
     decisions?

4.  What can educators do to increase communication in times of constant
      change? (i.e., Blogs, Email, Online Curriculum Maps, Professional Learning
     Community, Common Planning Period, etc.)

5.  Covey wrote, every single person in an organization "must independently
     understand the purpose and guiding principles of the team or organization" 
     (p. 105).
     
     What are the guiding principles for your school?
    
     What are the guiding principles for K-12 curriculum decisions in your 
     school district?

Reference:
Covey, S.R. (2004). The 8th habit: From effectiveness to greatness. New York:
          Free Press. 

 


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