Kent County schools are determined to prepare scholars for the real world.

However, to capitalize on these strengths and address challenges, leaders understand that they must meet students’ holistic needs, optimize and value all school options, ensure equitable access and outcomes, enhance curriculum and program opportunities, cultivate a more engaged, impactful, and diverse workforce, and create a culture of trust, collaboration, and stewardship.

The Challenge

Data and evidence indicate a critical need for intervention in Kenowa Hills (3,110 students) and Kelloggsville Schools (2,238 students). Last year, state benchmark scores revealed alarmingly low reading proficiency across Kent County, with only 50% of students demonstrating literacy proficiency.

At the school level, school principals predominantly assume managerial roles, raising a need for a shift in focus and skills needed to be more of an instructional leader providing feedback and development to teachers. Principals need help to do this work.

The Solution

Leading Educators is partnering with Kenowa Hills and Kelloggsville Schools to establish principal and district/school leader professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on instructional leadership, equity, literacy practices, and sustainable systems.

• We also provide collaborative observational walkthroughs with school leaders to ensure teachers can access calibrated observations and instructional feedback.
• We design and facilitate dedicated professional development days for staff to enhance literacy instruction while coaching and supporting school leaders to build their capacity as instructional leaders.

If these behaviors take hold and outcomes are reached, the systems will build institutional knowledge and skills, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes far into the future.