Entry Plan

            Failure to adequately manage the organizational transition from teacher to administrator can cause significant human relations issues for the new principal (Neely, Hamilton, Berube, & Wilson 2000). To ensure a successful admission into an administrative position an entry plan will provide guidance to meet the demands and challenges of the new position.

Goal Statement

            My beginning goal would be to utilize the start of the school year to build and establish relationships with students, staff, and community stakeholders. I will listen more than talk so that I can learn much about them. I will take the time to gather input and knowledge from as many stakeholders as possible. I will set objectives to help reach my beginning goal.

            The first objective would be to evaluate the existing culture. I will talk with faculty, community stakeholders, and focus groups created of students that represent all school subgroups. I would create a set of questions and ask both students and teachers. The next step would be to set up informal meetings with parents. From the collection responses and data I would generate my theory of action and update the schools improvement plan.

            The second objective is to look at the data. In looking into the campus data as a principal, all reports need to be studied. Incident reports, attendance reports, discipline reports, and grade reports are a few that will give a great understanding of the campus. In doing so I can start making changes cautiously, relying on the data to provide the direction.

            The third objective is to support professional development. In creating opportunities for ongoing focused professional development for leaders and teachers, I will ensure it remains focused on school and staff member needs. To achieve such objective partnerships will be fashioned with successful campuses to contain campus visits and professional learning communities. 

            My fourth objective is to practice the techniques of a digitally fluent administrator. As a digitally fluent administrator I understand that education contains the same information but needs to be delivered in an updated way. Broadband is available in 70% of Americans home and growing each year. The partnership of learning and technology should not only be utilized on campuses but to be reached into homes for further learning. The implementation of mobile technology would mean more learning could happen outside. With a growth mindset and the ability to stay connected, up to date research can be delivered on a daily basis.

Reference

Neely, R., Hamilton, J., Berube, W., & Wilson, J. (2000, November). The entry plan: A systematic process to facilitate the transition to the new superintendency. Paper presented at the meeting of the University Council of Educational Administrators, Albuquerque, NM.