A simulation-based training program for 200 high-school principals to prepare for the expansion of five-unit mathematics studies in their schools
School principals are central to the effort of implementing clinical teaching and expanding the circle of 5-unit mathematics in their schools. They need to define ambitious goals based on data and to mobilize their staff and harness external resources to achieve these goals. They need to help create school-based communities of practice, develop a coherent instructional system and provide the teachers and students with a support network. They must engage in effective relationships with parents, the local authority, the district and the Ministry of Education.
This management process requires knowledge, knowhow and skills, and it involves facing and overcoming conflicts and dilemmas. For example, how should a principal justify the high priority given to mathematics and the sciences, and what should they say to a student that excels in music, and to the civic studies teacher? How could a principal set an example or provide feedback to teachers, when the principal has no academic background in mathematics, nor graduated high school with five-units? How should a principal engage with a parent that insists that his or her child will not study the five-unit track while his teachers believe that he can?
To address this challenge, the foundation approached the Kibbutzim College to develop a simulation course for 200 school principals. The course will be specifically designed to the context of expanding the circle of five-unit mathematics studies in their schools. In recent years, simulations with professional actors have become a widespread practice in the professional development of education staff in Israel. Simulation centers are now operating in several universities and colleges. The Kibbutzim College, a veteran partner of the foundation in the training of new teachers, opened such a center in 2016.
The Kibbutzim College is proposing a program that includes the development of ten scenarios of interaction between a principal and the mathematics teachers, teachers of other subject areas, department heads and parents. The scenarios will be written based on real-life experiences of principals rooted within the context of running the five-unit track in mathematics. Over six months, a development team comprised of experienced school principals and professional writers, will identify conflict situations that principals encounter in their work with 5-unit mathematics programs.
The course will be pilot tested with six groups of principals in order to receive feedback and fine tune the scenarios accordingly. Afterwards, they plan to operate it in a modular manner for groups of ten principals, over one or two four-hour workshops. Each session will comprise three scenarios and will be followed by peer feedback and joint discussion. A grant from the foundation is sought for the development and pilot testing of the course, whereas the Ministry of Education will fund implementation for 200 principals.