Results
Examples of Process Use
Analytic Processes have been used in many different ways to resolve difficult issues and help diverse stakeholders work effectively together. We have included just a few examples of how schools or districts have applied Analytic Process:
—In CA, a district’s superintendent, his team and board, prepared for an upcoming referendum by using analytic process to elicit community concerns and incorporate them into recommendations. The $102 million bond referendum passed with the highest approval rating of any school issue on a county ballot that year. This was especially significant given a long tradition of area voter rejections.
— In CA, an assigned high school book was challenged by an influential parent. The district created a task force of teachers, administrators, parents, and students who then used analytic process to air concerns and reach a conclusion all stakeholders were willing to support.
— a district used analytic process to successfully address concerns about declining enrollment and a growing socioeconomic imbalance between schools.
— A WI district was forced to make significant budget cuts. A committee used Analytic Process to determine where those difficult cuts should come from. Recommendations were approved by the board and supported by faculty, union, and community.
— a large urban district used analytic process to engage parents, staff and others when emotions and anger directed at a school principal finally spilled over. At a meeting held for over 100 concerned parents and others (including members of the media), facilitators applied analytic process with small groups to identify and clarify issues. Tensions subsided as parents knew they had been heard and district leaders better understood their issues.
— a high school used Analytic Process to prepare to implement a controversial new closed campus policy. Despite protests and threats from students, faculty concerns, and some parental and community objections, the plan went off without a hitch thanks to careful preparation and involvement of critical stakeholders.
— a Louisiana curriculum coordinator used Analytic Process to gather and analyze relevant data relating to a high percentage of “unsatisfactory ” math scores on state tests by 4th grade students. The coordinator was able to identify the cause for these declining scores and take effective action.
What Leaders Are Saying
We surveyed over 350 school and district leaders several months after their introductory APSL session.
- 90% had used one or more of the analytic tools on a school or district issue
- A majority identified the following top benefits of using process:
- Higher quality solution/resolution
- Greater commitment from those involved
- Others better understand and/or accept the solution
- Increased confidence in the end result
- Make better use of data or information
- Better handling of conflict and/or involvement of others
- Provides a record of why decisions were made
A sample of issues they had applied analytic process to include:
School improvement
Budgeting
Staffing/hiring
Student discipline/behavior management
School attendance
Addressing low morale/discontent
Building initiatives
Curriculum
Overcrowding
Participants of our workshops have said the following:
- “Excellent, career-changing stuff”. . .
- “Outstanding learning experience—increased my leadership capacity”
- “Very effective, worthwhile learning experience”
- “Excellent fit for leaders of any organization”
- “Great process—applicable to every day life and to all jobs!”
- “Essential leadership tools—don’t go to the office without them!”
- “Finally giving me a logical methodology to address the “how” of going about achieving all the “whats” that we become committed to.”
- “A way to structure rigorous thinking in a very focused way”