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While most school districts have visions of student success, they often struggle to execute those visions. When challenges arise, how can schools close the gaps between strategy and execution?

Throughout the edLeader Panel “What High-Performing Districts Do Differently: How to Turn Strategy Into Results,” Christian Lehr, former educator and current Managing Director at Tyton Partners, Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, Superintendent of Fox Chapel Area School District (PA), and Dr. Gene Kerns, former educator and current Chief Academic Officer at Renaissance, discussed the barriers districts face in executing Portrait of a Graduate frameworks and how to move forward with implementation.

What Makes a Successful Framework?

Nationwide, districts are at different stages of their Portrait of a Graduate framework development. Some are still defining student success and determining desired student outcomes, while others have created frameworks and have clear goals, but struggle with consistent execution. A few have even delivered strong frameworks with clear definitions and consistent implementation.

Execution stalls when the framework is vague and hard to define. When people don’t clearly understand it, they can’t follow it. Keeping it clear and simple allows for better implementation and enables leaders to make it the focal point of the organization, building the organization’s mission around it.

Frameworks should be flexible, adjusted in response to new research, emergencies, and other developments—high-performing districts understand that nothing lives in a vacuum. Last, a successful framework needs to be codified in a way that is easily remembered and communicated.

From Data Analysis to Action

Most districts have a solid foundation for data-driven instruction, but teachers are often limited in their ability to act on student data due to time constraints, lack of training, or discomfort with interpreting data. They may also feel they don’t have the flexibility needed to shift or adjust based on student needs. Teachers end up spending time examining and trying to understand data, instead of acting on it. To help with this, schools can appoint select individuals to understand and explain data so teachers can spend more time on action rather than analysis, and use the data in purposeful ways.

A Less-Is-More Approach

Coherence is key for student success. A coherent framework means resources and support consistently reinforce what’s happening in classrooms. A “less-is-more” approach is essential here. Rather than poorly executing lots of programs, districts can successfully execute just a few programs. A simplified approach helps keep operations clear—streamlined paperwork and consistent terminology and procedures across schools and districts help stakeholders better understand what’s asked of them. It becomes easier to discuss and implement ideas because there’s less noise drowning out what’s important.

In addition, a coherent framework centered around whole-child education means addressing the mental-emotional needs of students and integrating wellness and life skills into curricula. Again, simplicity is key. Coherent, consistent practices across all levels have led to reported student growth at all levels.

Program investments alone cannot produce better practice. Strong infrastructure is required for effective delivery. Connected layers of accountability and support across all district levels ensure teachers have the professional development needed to consistently implement programs. When leadership focuses on solid execution of plans, they can ensure that teachers and staff understand how to follow the framework and have the resources to do so. Proper training ensures that teachers understand desired outcomes and can adjust their practice based on individual student needs.

AI also has the potential to be a useful tool for delivering on student success, but studies show it’s not quite there yet. Educators should be open to what AI offers, but it will take time to find the best ways to use the technology.

High-performing districts follow a consistent Portrait of a Graduate framework with a clear vision in mind. Leadership communicates goals clearly and simply, making plans easy to understand and follow. Mission statements are connected to daily practice, teachers are given professional development that centers on practice, and investments are evaluated against the set standards laid down by the mission statement. Have a straightforward, consistent plan that can be implemented at all levels to see students succeed across the board.

Learn more about this edWeb broadcast, What High-Performing Districts Do Differently: How to Turn Strategy Into Results, sponsored by Renaissance.

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Article by Jon Scanlon, based on this edLeader Panel