August 2006: Leading Student Achievement: Our Principal Purpose Symposium

In the August 2006 Symposium, principals were involved in an interactive presentation by Carmel Crévola. She discussed the principles from her book, Breakthrough, a collaborative project with Michael Fullan and Peter Hill. She noted that preliminary results of the project show growth toward understanding of PLCs and their impact on student achievement; increasing use of meaningful data; moving from surface collegiality to a more intense culture focused on student outcomes; understanding the role of the principal as an instructional leader; and applying S.M.A.R.T. goals. One of the key note speakers, Patricia Manson, a Director at the Durham Catholic District School Board, spoke about the impact of the LSA project on the principals and staff on her board. Sandra Pupatello, the former Minister of Education, stated that her government aims to reach every student, raise student achievement, lower the drop out rate, and reduce class size to 20 or less in the primary grades. She also outlined actions and the five goals on the education agenda of the current government.

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Carmel Crévola is an independent international literary consultant, author, and researcher who works extensively in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Carmel Crévola's video presentation, is based on the material in Breakthrough, the book detailing the work she has undertaken with Michael Fullan and Peter Hill. The presentation provides guidelines for developing assessment processes and instructional practices that increase the levels of student learning and achievement. Crévola begins by highlighting the purpose and results of the Ontario project Leading Student Achievement: Our Principal Purpose. She then outlines the guiding principles at the centre of Breakthrough thinking, describes the Breakthrough framework, and stresses the importance of moral purpose in education. From there, she explains the 'Triple P' Breakthrough components: personalization, precision, and professional learning. The video segments are accompanied by a facilitator's guide available in PDF format to help you explore the key ideas of the segments.

Video Segments:

1. Introduction (Length: 7 minutes)
2. LSA Project – Purpose and Results (Length: 6 minutes)
3. Guiding Principles of Breakthrough (Length: 9 minutes)
4. Breakthrough Framework (Length: 19 minutes)
5. Moral Purpose (Length: 30 minutes)
6. Personalization (Length: 17 minutes)
7. Precision (Length: 31 minutes)
8. Sample Assessment to Illustrate Precision (Length: 3 minutes)
9. The 'Walk-Through' Process (Length: 3 minutes)
10. Instruction Versus Teaching (Length: 9 minutes)
11. The 'Critical Learning Instructional Path' (CLIP) (Length: 1 minute)
12. Professional Learning (Length: 8 minutes)
13. Conclusion (Length: 1 minute)

Additional Materials:

1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Facilitator's Guide PDF

Hon. Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Education, Ontario Ministry of Education

The Minister states that her government aims to reach every student, raise student achievement, lower the dropout rate, and reduce class sizes to 20 or fewer in the primary grades. Pupatello acknowledges that in the education system, the people are the key players who make a difference for students. After outlining a number of specific actions being undertaken by the current government of Ontario and listing the five goals on its education agenda, the Minister concludes by opens the floor to questions from participants.

Video Segment:

1. Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Length: 30 minutes)
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2. Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Length: 30 minutes)
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