Reframing+Plus

__**//This Reframing Plus page has been created to provide supplemental reading and viewing material for Bolman & Deal's text Reframing Organizations.//**__

How we see things depends on the frame through which we have the tendency to view them.




 * Structural Frame -** Rick Hess' Commentary in the 11/10/10 issue of Ed Week summarizes the argument he makes in his new book, [|The Same Thing Over and Over Again], namely that efforts to reform education are not really new or adequate but rather based on out of date, structural conceptions. (Very worth reading.)


 * Structural Frame -** The Nov. 2011 issue of The Kappan has several articles that discuss "unbundling" the current structures of schools and the possible new varieties of structures through which education will be delivered. Here is one [|interesting article]. And, a [|second interesting article.]

This article summarizes the results of a major study of the relationship between principals' work and student achievement. How should principals spent their time to be effective instructional leaders? Some surprising recommendations.
 * Structural Frame - "[|New Thinking About Instructional Leadership]" (Kappan, Nov. 2010)**

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/104461348.html
 * Structural Frame -** Take a look at the structure of this HS charter school, the first to combine an online curriculum with an office-format providing opportunities for face-to-face teacher contacts.

[|Larry Cuban], always worth reading, chimes in on this structural change in his blog.
 * Structural Frame -** What if teachers ran the school? It's already happening some places and planned in others. Detroit PS for example will have a [|teacher-operated school]. A recent interview published in Ed Week (11/10/10) presents the views of two men who run a MN think tank that is promoting [|teacher-led schools].


 * Structural Frame - In response to President Obama's call for a longer school year, Cobert had a guest "expert", 6th grader, [|Andy Gellman], share his commentary on lengthening the school year. **


 * Structural Frame -** More schools are moving to[| year-round schedules].


 * Structural Frame -** An article in [|e-School News] worth reading describes a school that mixes on line and face-to-face lerning.

media type="youtube" key="CReDRHDYhk8?fs=1" height="385" width="480"
 * Structural vs. Human Resource -** Charlie Chaplin's famous movie, Modern Times, depicts the structural frame vs. the human resource frame.

media type="youtube" key="4wp3m1vg06Q?fs=1" height="385" width="480"
 * Structural vs. Human Resource** - A more recent depiction of this classic "conflict" was the famous candy wrapping conveyor belt scene from TV's I Love Lucy.


 * Human Resource Frame - ** If an organization changes the structure, in this example the technology, there is a need to also view the change through the HR frame and meet the needs of the people within the organization, not just the needs of the organization itself.

media type="youtube" key="pQHX-SjgQvQ?fs=1" height="385" width="480"


 * Human Resource -** [|Myers-Briggs] is a personality type inventory. Take a few minutes to take this on line version and then explore the information provided.

This recent Ed Week article argues for the importance of the **[|HR Frame]** in any effort to turn around a failing school.

Here is a great example of the political frame at work. I saw Waiting for Superman 10/8/10 at the Royal Oak Main. Upon entering the lobby, I was asked by one of a group of people wearing white t-shirts reading "We're Done Waiting" to sign up for communications from an organization called [|DoneWaiting]. This is a new coalition of organizations. Click on Partners or just scroll to the bottom of the home page to see and access the growing number of partner organizations. (Bolman & Deal address the realities of the political frame and discuss the importance of understanding the power of coalitions.) Upon purchasing my ticket, I was given a pre-paid $15 gift card to use on [|DonorsChoose.org]. (If you are not familiar with this resource for teachers, please check it out.) The gift card was made possible by a philanthropic organization, [|OMIDYAR NETWORK]. United Way for Southeast Michigan was also present inside the theater with volunteers who distributed literature explaining its 10 Things We Believe About Education and seeking volunteers to sign up to help support public education in a variety of ways. Sitting next to me was a Macomb Co. teacher who informed me she was attending in spite of "the teacher union's request not to support this film". All this interesting "stuff" before the the documentary even began! I recommend that you go see this documentary. As an educational leader, you should be able to discuss it with others. As a film, it has high production values and is technically well crafted. Its messages about the challenges faced by public education and the potential remedies are yet another issue. In spite of its shortcomings, it is still a "must-see" in my opinion. I suggest you see it with other educators and follow up with a discussion of what you learned, what you'd change in the film's message, etc. BC 10/11/10

More on the political frame.
It is my opinion that we educators are weak in our understanding of the political frame. We hold rather negative thoughts about the role of politics in organizations. We say things like,"It's all politics!" Well, it may not be __all__ politics, but it is important to understand the realities of organizations as viewed through the political frame.

Here is one example. A big part of what the Michigan Education Association does, as an organization of and for teachers, involves understanding the political frame.

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Education Association spent nearly $292,000 on lobbying in Lansing in the first seven months of 2010, up 22 percent from a year ago, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. The release said that the teachers union was the top-spending interest group.
 * MEA Tops Lobbyist Spending List [|TOP]

Multi-client lobbyist firms, such as Governmental Consultant Services Inc., spent more overall, but are not required to report how much they spend on individual clients, the release said.

Reports do not indicate which legislation, spending or regulations each lobbyist is trying to affect, according to the news release. Lobbyists also are not required to report expenditures that directly benefit officeholders unless that spending meets threshold requirements, the release said.

For example, loans or sales between lobbyists and officeholders do not have to be reported unless they exceed $1,100, according to the Campaign Finance Network, and travel and lodging provided to officeholders for “official business” doesn’t have to be reported unless the value exceeds $725.

Source: Michigan Campaign Finance Network, “Lobbyists report spending $17.8M through July,” Oct. 7, 2010 Further Reading: Michigan Capitol Confidential, “Lawmaker lobbies against lobbyist,” Aug. 12, 2010 ||  || Related to both the political frame and the symbolic frame is this MEA video. The **MEA** has this advertisement running at movie theaters to **combat the anti-union message** of Waiting for Superman.

media type="youtube" key="jNFtKp_lsTc?fs=1" height="385" width="640"

Continuing in the **political frame,** the current, popular message seems to be "teachers good, teacher unions bad". Here is a very interesting take on that message published in [|American Prospect], Oct. 13, 2010.

Sec. of Ed, Arne Duncan, has announced plans for a [|national summit] on union/district collaboration for sometime in early 2011.


 * Political Frame - ** On Sun. Oct. 13, 2010, an [|education manifesto] was published in the Washington Post newspaper by a number of influential school district superintendents from across the country. Please read it carefully, noting that it represents the free-market approach to improving public education. Reflect not only on their recommendations but also on the basis for them. Then, read a response by education historian, Diane Ravitch published in her blog, [|Bridging Differences], that appears regularly through Education Week Newspaper. As an educational leader, __where do you stand__ in the major debate over how to improve public education?


 * Political Frame - ** Ed Historian, Diane Ravitch, has written a [|review of Waiting for Superma]n. It includes her view that Superman is part of a larger political agenda.


 * Political Frame - ** [|Alexander Russo] has a national blog published by Scholastic. His short blogs are usually quite informative. This one shares info on $$$ spent during this election (Nov. 2, 2010) by various education coalitions, including the teachers' unions.


 * Political frame - ** This article in the [|LA Times] questions the influence of teacher unions.


 * Political Frame - ** One professor begins her view of education, "[|Education is all about politics]". Read why this observer believes the reforming of public education will never end. Bobby Starnes writes in the Nov. 2010 issue of the Kappan. Another commentary in the same journal is by author Thomas Toch. He explains why on the one hand everyone praises the success of Geoffrey Canada and the Harlem Childrens' Zone, on the other hand President Obama's proposal for funding the expansion of that total child approach to other sites around the country has been thwarted in the political realm. Read, "[|The Plight of a Good Ide]a".

Before you view this 28 minute video, look over Exhibit 18.2 in the //Reframing// book. Using the four frames and Kotter's Stages of Change, watch this case study with a critical eye. How could those responsible for the success of this much needed change have been more effective? After viewing, post your comments by clicking on the Discussion tab at the top of this Reframing Plus page. Make a minimum of a one more visit to this discussion and post an entry commenting on the posts of one or more of your fellow cohort members. The title of this discussion stream will simply be Waters of Ayole. Do not rename the discussion. Please complete your postings by 12/01. Identify yourself by including your first name in parentheses at the end of your posts.
 * Reframing Change - The Waters of Ayole **

media type="custom" key="7592291"

Each person at your table on 11/22 is to select one of the following articles to read for a jig saw activity on 11/29. Note the number of your selected reading. 1.
 * Reframing Change**

2.

3.

4. [|Peter Senge] interview "Why change is so challenging for schools".