This workshop will focus on how the Delta School District uses the Spiral of Inquiry (Halbert & Kaser, 2013) as a framework to engage educators in utilizing important bodies of research: Kenneth Leithwood’s nine characteristics of Strong Districts and Their Leadership (2013), and the OECD’s seven qualities as outlined in What Makes a School a Learning Organization? (2016). Participants will hear how one school district leveraged the work of these researchers to develop district-wide coherence and schools that are becoming professional learning organizations, highly focused on student learning. The session will provide an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their current context and learn from other jurisdictions, while assessing their district or schools through a research lens. This will be an interactive session where participants will engage in individual and group activities designed to extend the knowledge, skills and understanding of school and district leadership in the areas of district and school effectiveness using research as a framework for the focus. Those attending the workshop will begin to develop a plan of action framed around the Spiral of Inquiry and research related to strong districts and strong schools.
