In the blog posts thus far, we have focused on the first two layers of the J2E Framework—Missional Outcomes and J2E Principles. The content of these two layers serve as throughlines for the remaining layers, providing vertical as well as horizontal alignment. In this post we will focus on Layer 3—Continuous School Improvement (CSI) Cycle.
The vehicle for meaningfully embedding the Missional Outcomes in practice during the Journey is the CSI Cycle, a research-based tool that uses data analysis to drive staff engagement for improvement. In the J2E Framework, the Cycle is divided into four parts with accompanying guiding questions:
· Mission—Why do we exist?
· Data Analysis/Vision—Where are we now? How did we get to where we are? Where do we want to be?
· CSI Plan/Implementation Strategies—How are we going to get to where we want to be?
· Evaluation—Is what we are doing making a difference?
We’ll examine each of these parts in more detail in future posts.
The Cycle facilitates the transition from seeing school improvement as an “event” or based solely on compliance and accountability to a commitment to a shared vision that is inclusive of both student achievement and faith identity, and the evidence created can be used to satisfy external functions such as the accreditation process.
Excellent schools are not produced by chance or as the result of a single change event. Excellence is about building a culture that encourages continual, planned improvement. With renewed purpose; effective plans for improvement; and innovative, research-based practices; a quality educational product will emerge that is focused on the relevancy of teaching and learning for the 21st century.
