Leadership

He Kākano – Growing Culturally Responsive Leadership

He Kākano means “a seed” and symbolises potential for growth and success when nurtured appropriately. And this is exactly what a new in-depth professional learning programme for secondary and area school leaders aims to do. He Kākano is a significant new programme for leadership teams and the Ministry of Education has committed $7 million to it over three years. The programme focuses on growing culturally responsive pedagogical school leadership – leadership that actively takes account of the culture of Māori learners to build relationships that result in achievement success.

The Ministry is inviting Expressions of Interest from school leadership teams to join He Kākano. There are places for 100 principals and senior school leaders. The programme is being offered from the start of 2010 and runs to the end of 2012. Those teams who participate can expect to be involved in a mix of intensive cultural and professional learning with ongoing and varied mentoring and coaching support.

Says Apryll Parata, deputy secretary Māori Education: “We know that the system has not served Māori learners well in the past, but we now have extensive evidence that shows what we can do about it. For example, two critical factors that make a difference to whether all learners experience success are excellent teaching and strong, responsive and accountable professional leadership that focuses on effective pedagogy. We know that in schools where Māori learners experience success, all learners experience success, so we’ve been examining what’s happening in those schools. We know what excellent teaching for Māori learners looks like, and so do Māori learners themselves. This programme is about the profession giving practical effect to this in schools that results in tangible achievement as well as feeling good about it!

Since the release of Ka Hikitia – Managing for Success secondary leaders have been telling us: “We know this is important, we’re committed to doing something to improve Māori learners’ success, but we need some help”. He Kākano is the ministry’s response to these requests for practical assistance.

A central idea behind the programme is that one size fits one, not all so participants will get tailored support for making the kinds of changes in their schools needed to make a difference for Māori learners. What works for Māori students works for everyone, so all learners will benefit. Whereas history and the evidence has shown that the reverse is not true!”

“Responsive and accountable professional leadership” is identified in Ka Hikitia as one of the “key levers for change” that will make the most difference for and with Māori learners. He Kākano will spearhead development for participants’ schools in this area. Its rich and diverse elements will enable leadership teams to implement sustainable culturally responsive leadership, school-wide and classroom practices that are critical for improving school performance for Māori students.

He Kākano will help school leadership teams to:

• Challenge their own ideas about Māori learners’ engagement and achievement.

• Gather, interpret and use a range of data and other evidence to develop a comprehensive profile of their Māori learners’ achievements.

• Establish targets and tailored plans for sustainable improvement in the school’s performance for and with Māori learners.

• Work as a senior leadership team to analyse their leadership and wider school capability to lead and implement culturally responsive pedagogical leadership practices and school processes (including governance) that build Māori achievement success.

• Lead and manage change within their professional practices that responds to the needs of culturally located Māori learners.

• Build relationships, partnerships and networks that include whānau, hapu and iwi to support ongoing improvement in leadership, teacher, learner and school performance.

Principals and senior leaders who are interested in taking part in He Kākano will need a genuine interest in wanting to improve their performance and raise Māori learners’ achievement irrespective of their starting point. Many secondary and area schools are already on this trail, so the starting point for He Kākano will be different in different school contexts.

At this stage in the process the Ministry is looking for an indication of the number and location of schools that might be interested in participating in He Kākano. If you and your senior leadership team would like to register your interest in participating in He Kākano in 2010 go to the Educational Leaders website where you will find an online Expression of Interest form. The form can be sent to Ruth Mc Fadyen, Professional Leadership Team, PO Box 1666 Wellington or emailed to Ruth at ruth.mcfadyen@minedu.govt.nz by Friday 13 November 2009.

The Ministry will treat your Expression of Interest as an indication of your school’s interest and not a binding commitment. Schools will not be able to participate in Te Kotahitanga and He Kākano at the same time.

Get to know them. “Get to know your students because when you get to know somebody, you can see how best to teach them, you can see how best they learn.” From Culture Speaks: cultural relationships and classroom learning (2006) Bishop, R. and Berryman, M. Wellington: Huia Publishing.

Reminder: National Aspiring Principal Programme (NAPP) Applications close this week

The National Aspiring Principals Programme (NAPP) will run during 2010. There are 230 places available nationally, and applications are sought from aspiring principals in all schooling sectors. There’s still time to apply for this programme, but be quick! Applications close on Wednesday 28 October, 2009. Application packages and details of regional coordinators are on the Educational Leaders website: www.educationalleaders.govt.nz

Contact your local coordinator for NAPP programme information in your region.

If you need further information, contact NAPP project manager, Linda Stockham, linda.stockham@minedu.govt.nz