another. A recent review of the midyear prog- ress report at Monterey Ridge revealed each grade is on target to meet year-end goals. Also revealed were specific areas that needed additional support. This became a topic of conversation at a Professional Growth Day, thereby connecting and aligning the work within, and across, grade levels. We have all, at one point in time, had our child come home from school and answer
The fact that our students and staff need to be able to set tangible goals that connect to a related purpose is key.
the question, “What did you learn at school today?” with an emphatic “Nothing!” Little
can be more discouraging to a parent or teacher than hearing these words. In many ways, however, it makes sense that students share these thoughts because often the work they are doing does not feel connected to their real lives. Ask any child playing a video game what
they are playing, and they can probably tell you with intricate detail about the activity in which they are engaged, including the names of every character, obstacle and event. The child knows exactly what he is trying to ac- complish and where he is trying to go in the game. Similarly, once students set a goal di- rectly connected to their current work, they know exactly where they are heading. Formulating goals changes the conversa-
tion not just within the school, but outside as well. Once parents are made aware of their children’s goals, they become more engaged and able to help their child by asking ques- tions that connect to their child’s learning.
Finding the right path The path each school takes to the prom-
ised land of student achievement is often very different. One element, however, binds each school – demystifying the work we un- dertake each and every day to ensure each child’s success. By setting goals across the school and providing students and parents an invitation to own a piece of the respon- sibility, we ensure a deeper level of under- standing of the complex work that is taking place across the school community. Every- one can clearly see the path upon which they are about to embark.
The immediacy of success We set goals in schools for a simple rea-
son – to know what we are trying to achieve, and to be explicitly clear about our path toward success. Video games offer us a few important strategies to think about in terms of learning. They give students information “on-demand” as the need to develop certain skill becomes necessary, and the informa- tion is given in the context of the game being played, where it applies directly to the play- er’s purpose and goal, and makes sense for achieving success. While the immediacy of success in
Continued on page 38 16 Leadership
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