Category Archives: Value

“Go fund me, fair and equitably,” says the public schools of Mississippi…

05 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Accountability, Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Fair and Equitable Education, Funding, Leader, Leadership, Legislators, Teachers, Value

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Let’s get ready to rumble…? HB1453, INSPIRE (The Investing in the Needs of Students to Prioritize, Impact, and Reform Education (INSPIRE) Act), which is new legislation vs. SB2332 MAEP (Mississippi Adequate Education Program), which is now being “revamped.” A few weeks ago, they were pitted in each other’s path, and then the Senate let HB1453 die when it came to their side. But the INSPIRE could still be written. It will need to be hashed out which plan they should go with or another plan that could come out of conference, or they could put the House plan into the Senate bill or scrap it altogether.  

In my opinion, the INSPIRE funding bill is a great and better solution for funding education, and with the MAEP already in existence, I wanted to write about why I believe, ultimately, that MAEP is not working for our students. While any funding is better than no funding, problems and issues exist… 

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Here are my four criticisms and the challenges I see from an educator’s point of view of the MAEP, revamped or not…

The complexity of the funding formula…  

Yep, it’s complex, and it leads to confusion and difficulties with implementation – a mathematical and statistical nightmare for the best of thinkers. Find me someone who can explain how it helps students in all areas of the state fair and equitably, and I’ll listen. Anything that is complex usually has loopholes or unintended consequences that undermine the effectiveness of what it should actually be used for.

Until it is funded fully, it will stay underfunded… (duh)

Only once has it been fully funded. When? According to the Parents’ Campaign, 2007-2008 school year was the last time MAEP was fully funded. It is the most significant issue of MAEP. By nature, the formula may theoretically allocate “sufficient” funds to meet the needs of schools. Every school is different, and their needs are different. However, suppose the state legislature does not appropriate enough money to fund schools fully. In that case, many schools are still faced with a budget shortfall.

Funding education should not be politicalized…

Anytime you have legislative oversight, there is a chance of political interference. Competing interests and priorities will often, if not always, influence funding decisions. Talk about inconsistencies… This undermines the intended purpose of MAEP, which is to fully fund all schools at the same level. 

Education remains a working definition…

Education is ever-changing. Educational needs evolve over time. Why? There will always be factors such as changes in student demographics, technological advances, shifts in curriculum standards, continual testing, and overall pedagogical approaches. If a funding formula does not adapt to these changing needs, it fails to adequately be what it was designed to be. Does the formula need changing? I say yes, but change it to meet the needs of all schools and fund schools fair and equitable. 

Any formula to fund education, be it the INSPIRE or MAEP, will face challenges and criticisms. What is needed is a comprehensive approach that involves not only adjusting the funding formula but also addressing the underlying issues that bring funding to a level where students of all schools will not have to look at other schools and wonder why they are not being afforded the same opportunity.

If you are interested in knowing more about the INSPIRE Act, you can read…

Christian Barnard’s commentary: Mississippi’s INSPIRE Act would upgrade the state’s school finance system. 

Toren Ballard offers a great infographic of the regression analysis comparison of projected school funding: https://twitter.com/TorenBallard/status/1775637355434565760

John Fredericks’ opinion piece from TeachPlus Mississippi: Let’s work toward a school funding for formula for all students

TeachPlus Mississippi also provides a great infographic for INSPIRE: https://twitter.com/TeachPlusMS/status/1773109876106871091

Mississippi First offers this commentary along with a spreadsheet at the bottom of its piece to show the differences in which each school district would receive with INSPIRE and MAEP: House Bill 1453: INSPIRE Funding Formula

In the end, if we view educational funding through the lens of a Christian Worldview Perspective, we see that it should be part of our stewardship (Proverbs 1:5), it helps promote wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 4:7), and provides equity and justice (Psalm 82:3-4). 

Unfortunately, the INSPIRE Act, at the moment, is not being recognized as a good plan by the Senate for what it could do. In the end, it’s our public schools and students who suffer. We will see what happens…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… “X” @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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The Achievement Gap – Why does it start with a zip code, continues with testing and puts students to sleep…?

26 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by in Leader, Leadership, Teachers, Value, Students, Fair and Equitable Education, Achievement Gap

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I’ll start this week’s blog with a quote. In his TedTalk, the late Ken Robinson said this with regard to educating students, “We shouldn’t be putting them to sleep; we should be waking them up to what they have inside of themselves!”

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For those who read my blogs, you have often heard me say that I believe education is one of the last facets of good that we can help right society. However…

While education is often characterized as a cornerstone of progress and helps shape the future, there are significant challenges in meeting the needs of students in the United States. The scope starts with disparities of inadequate funding and spans to outdated teaching methodologies. Look no further than our own educational region or state.

Until education can become fair and equitable, a local achievement gap will continue to exist. Our educational funds “seem” to be unequally distributed among schools. We can see that just in differrent school districts and counties across our own state. The achievement and funding gap between affluent and low-income populations is an issue many have questions about but never seem to have answers to. Think of it this way… Why should the zip code of where a person is born be a contributor of the impact of the education they will receive?

I also have often said that until education gets back to educating the whole child, we will continue to, as Ken Robinson said, “… putting them to sleep.” Is it too much testing? Testing has its merits, but at some point, I believe it becomes a hindrance. If testing is not high on Bloom’s Taxonomy, then all it does is create a narrow focus on memorization rather than “… waking them up to what they have inside of themselves!” But I need to digress here…

Let’s go big and talk quickly about the global achievement gap that exists. Yes, there is one, and it seems that many have their heads in the sand on this topic as well… our national K-12 education system is perceived to be failing. Other countries that have witnessed significant achievement gains prioritize equity and invest in education to bridge educational divides with their teachers and students.

Now, there have been recent strides, but I believe it’s more about how we teach instead of what we teach. If we do not have teachers who are motivated to teach, how will we ever get students motivated to learn? Until we begin to value a student for being a student, instead of a label based on their test scores, we will limit our ability to teach them and limit their ability to be valued. An opportunity to cultivate their learning experiences is what we should be striving for.

Yes, we have achievement gaps here and there, far and wide. We need education to be what it is intended for; to educate. Let’s help students learn, give them a reason to learn, “… waking them up to what they have inside of themselves!”

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

“The Boys in the Boat” Leadership Movie Review

12 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by in Circumstances, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Team, Trust, Unity, Value, Vision

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Christmas Day evening, we went to the movies to see The Boys in the Boat, and I am glad we did. It was an absolutely great movie. Outside of reading the book or being an Olympic Trivia person, the story is somewhat new for many…

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First, a little history… The Boys in the Boat is a book by Daniel James Brown in 2013 that tells the true story of the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team and their quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The focus is on Joe Rantz, one of the rowers, and his background, who becomes a key crew member. Also, the team’s coach, Al Ulbrickson, shows the crew members the importance of teamwork and determination. While a “David vs Goliath” sports movie, it is much more than that. It’s a historical event that exposes the impact of the Great Depression and what drives people to achieve and find value. Overcoming odds from all directions, the end result of the story is the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, where the University of Washington’s crew faces competition from other countries, including Nazi Germany’s rowing team, with Hitler watching.

As I sat there watching, I was consumed and fascinated with the leadership that takes place throughout the entire movie. Many movies will have leadership spots here and there, but Boys in the Boat, for me, had it from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend the watch.

So, here are a few takeaways that I found…

  1. Teamwork and Trust – Rowing is a sport that requires exceptional teamwork and trust among team members. There is much focus on this… Each rower must synchronize their movements perfectly with the others to achieve success. This highlights the significance of building trusting relationships and instilling a sense of unity within a team. Suppose our leadership environment does not carry this mindset. In that case, team members only trust and rely on themselves to achieve common objectives.
  2. Vision and Goal Setting – Al Ulbrickson, the coach, had key leadership qualities in his ability to understand and manage team dynamics. This is crucial in our leadership world. He had to navigate the different personalities and backgrounds of the rowers, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among them. He also allowed them to believe in something beyond themselves, a common goal for future accomplishments.
  3. Behind-the-scenes Leaders (I believe there are two)
    • George Pocock, who was the team’s boatbuilder. He reminded me of an old sage, providing more than just technical expertise in building crew shells. He had a deep understanding of rowing, a commitment to perfection, and an ability to inspire and motivate the rowers, tapping into the emotional components of each rower.
    • Bobby Moch, the coxswain (the guy who shouts instructions from the front of the boat). A key figure for the team, he was responsible for steering the boat, coordinating the rowers’ movements, and providing motivation and strategy during races. Moch also had a deep understanding of the personalities and capabilities of each rower. His ability to motivate and unify the team and his strategic insights during races contributed significantly to the crew’s achievements. He was a cheerleader that we all need.

All in all, it is one of the better movies I have seen in a good while. It makes you feel good coming out and walking back to the vehicle. The Boys in the Boat gives you thoughts to reflect on and the ability to see leadership that can transcend into our lives today.

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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Cast Your Own Shadow…

11 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Actions, Authentic, Choice, Deciding, Decisions, Empower, Encouragement, Importance, Influence, Insecurity, Leader, Leadership, Passion, Shadows, Value

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Currently, we are watching the second season of Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. During episode two, this quote was made “The more you live in someone’s shadow, kid, the longer it takes to cast your own.” I hit the pause button and told Heather, there is my blog for the week.

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The more I chewed on that, the more I realized that quote has gravity in so many areas of leadership. Not only individually but also as groups and corporate entities. The casting your shadow part of the quote made me realize how important it is to provide a reminder of the need to be who we are (not to say that we can do better, for we can, but that is not the point of today’s blog).

First, let me say we can always learn from others. That is valuable. However, true leadership emerges when we step into the light and let what we bring and can do be seen. Staying in the shadow of others is always comfortable, per se. At least you will always have shade… We need light to grow. Others need to see you doing that, and it helps us develop into who we are.

When we see what others are doing and succeeding, our default is to do what they are exactly doing. Take their template, stamp it onto ourselves, and wha la… we are the same. I think not. There are so many variables to consider, yet copy, we do.

With good reason, copying others can only take us so far. Leaders should be willing to cast their shadows and embrace their strengths and passions for who they are and whom they want to become based on a change that makes them better, not because they are “wanting to be what others are.” I’ve been trying to imitate Rory McIlroy’s golf swing and guess what… It ain’t working (bad grammar to prove the point).

Secondly, leadership should never overshadow others. To keep someone “shadowed” is nothing more than true insecurity. True leaders uplift their teams by providing guidance, support, and opportunities. By setting forth a leadership path, we should encourage others to do the same, creating a culture of empowerment and growth.

Casting your own shadow reflects on your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Your unique qualities that drive your decisions are the foundation of your leadership identity. We push ourselves to improve our distinctive skills, not afraid to make mistakes. Casting your own shadow creates an authenticity that is leadership worthy. Leadership is not about imitation; it’s about inspiration. Leadership is not about mimicking others; it’s about harnessing your light to illuminate the way forward for yourself and those around you. Better yet, set a trail on fire.

Remember, “The more you live in someone’s shadow, kid, the longer it takes to cast your own.”

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…