External Context and Policy
CAPE 6 states that educational leaders influence political, social, economic, legal, and cultural contexts affecting education to improve education policies and practices. CAPE 6 has two sections: “6A: Understanding and Communicating Policy,” and, “6B: Representing and Promoting the School.” New administrators should be aware of the important role education policy plays in shaping the learning experiences of students, staff, families, and the larger school community. Administrators must facilitate and lead discussions among staff and the community about aligning mandates and policies with staff and student goals for continuously improving instruction, learning, and well-being.
Understanding policy has been something that I have had to learn from scratch while being a part of the administration program. It allowed me to understand why administrators have to make certain decisions which ultimately at times is out of their control. As a teacher this isn’t something we work with or have experience in. As a future leader, it is necessary for me to know the protocols and process of school and district policy. It would be my job one day to have policies in place that will help serve the needs and well-being of my staff, students, and community.
Another area of reflection for me is the opportunity I had to learn well what is LCFF and LCAP. Through university projects it allowed me to sit down with our district assistant superintendent of Ed. Services to discuss how the LCAP for our district was put together, who were the stakeholders involved, and what we are doing to help support all students in our district. Such an great eye opening experience to see how things are determined and what next steps should be taken.
Personnel Evaluation Process
This research paper on Personnel Evaluation discusses the procedures of two different school districts evaluation processes. This helps understand and analyze the policy systems of the school and districts administrators which is in direct relation to CAPE 6.
Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan
One of the things that I have learned throughout this program and in particular with CAPE 6 is stepping out of my comfort zone and begin to improve my public speaking skills. I have always been very shy and quiet, and CAPE 6 has allowed for me to have a opportunities to be the spokesperson for my department and teams that I am a part of more frequently. With this activity I had a chance to learn about the impact COVID had within our district and what the state of California did to help. The California Department of Education announced a plan for school to complete the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan to prepare for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. With my group we compared three school districts and how they were affected based on stakeholder engagement, continuity of learning, and pupil learning loss.
