SAIL and our Daily Theories of Action

All of you should be familiar with the term SAIL.  It is a school improvement framework that uses a theory of action written as an if/then statement.  Part of the director team's theory of action is "If we collaborate and coach around a common understanding of an efficient, effective SAIL framework...then we will have an increase in leadership performance and system coherence that will ultimately lead to increased student achievement."  In addition to our main director role, we each support three schools as a SAIL coach.  We support the school's theory and 100 day plan.  As a SAIL coach, we ask reflective questions and lend an outside perspective to the work.

Do you know your school's theory of action?  How are you living out your own theory of action as it relates to the school's theory?  Any time you plan a lesson or an instructional strategy, you are living out a theory of action.  We do it all the time.
     💬  If I start with this energizer activity, then more students will be engaged and ready to learn.
     💬  If I approach this concept from this angle, then I will reach all learners.
     💬  If I create an intellectually and emotionally safe environment, then students will be willing to take risks.

The school's SAIL team also analyzes data and makes adjustments to the 100 day plan as needed.  We, too, analyze data in real time to make adjustments.
     💬  The class seems restless.  If I continue with my original plans, I may lose some learners.
     💬  My formative check demonstrated a lack of understanding.  If I move on anyway, core skills will be lost.

When we make adjustments, we need to take the time to dig in to why the original plan did not work.  We also need to reflect on what went well, similar to the Analyzing Student Work (ASW) process.  Sometimes the answer is not right on the surface.  But knowing the cause informs future decisions and allows students, your classroom, your school, and the district to grow as we move forward in making a positive impact on all of our learners.  The SAIL process helps to build coherence among the many layers.

Thank you for your thoughtful approach every day with our learners.  YOU make an impact.