Before we get started, I have two quick announcements

1.     I’ve been hearing a strong interest in how to support beginning teachers. I went into some key practices last year in episodes 214 and 215, so if you are in the mode to think about how to support your BTs (and ECTs), give a listen to episodes 214 and 215

2.     The July 22 episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast we feature a panel discussion with myself and five assistant principals. Some are national/state AP of the Year awardees and others are just wrapping up their first year as assist principals. The focus of our discussion is being a first year AP! We would love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics, advice, or stories, please consider sharing. Please email them to me at [email protected]. I would love to be able to name contributors but will only do so if you explicitly give permission for us to include your name and affiliation. We are recording on July 15, so don’t wait.

Okay, now onto the episode…

Show Notes, Episode 23: Testing Coordination with Carrie Prochaska

About this show:

April showers bring May flowers and May flowers bring…. Testing in schools! Many of the assistant principals I work with also serve double duty as test coordinators. It is a challenging job, but today’s show should contain some tips that make the job a bit easier.

Notable Quotes

Carrie Prochaska

“I think it is super important that we are positive and supportive. We know how everyone feels about testing and we don’t make the rules, but we have to play by them.”

“Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. A lot of the processes we do, work for every test”

“Stay organized and don’t wait until the last minute to prepare”

“Plan time during your workday that is going to be devoted to preparation, where you are not interrupted”

“Give yourself some grace on testing days”

“There is a purpose for this. We aren’t just testing these kids to death for no reasons. We use our state test scores to really delve into school wide strengths and weaknesses, grade level strengths and weaknesses, teacher grades and weaknesses, we use them to set our goals for the schools, teachers, and grade levels.”

“I can’t think of anything that can’t be fixed” 

Frederick

“When we talk about prioritizing purpose over urgency, we are also talking about systems, because without good systems we are trapped on the treadmill of the urgent. Systems allow us to work more quickly and with greater accuracy”

“So many of us are used to multi-tasking and thinking we can multi-task. Multi-tasking erodes your ability to work effectively. If you can talk to your principle and close your door for an hour, hour and a half, you’re going to get three hours of work done.”

“Test coordination is one way that we leverage our skills to help the school”

Links:

Carrie’s email: [email protected]

My email: [email protected] 

The Assistant Principal Podcast website: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/appodcast.html 

Sign up for the daily leadership email: https://mailchi.mp/c15c68e6df32/specialedition 

Website: www.frederickbuskey.com

Blog: www.frederickbuskey.com/blog (reposts of the daily email)