This is Alan Blankstein's text Failure is NOT an Option, Chapter 4. This chapter is about creating relationships to ensure successful schooling.

1. Creating Sustainable
Systematic School Change
Wafa Hozien, Ph.D.
Virginia State University
whozien@vsu.edu
Based on the Book: Why Failure Is Not An Option

2. Relational Trust as Foundation for the
Learning Community
CHAPTER 4

3. • Relationships are the CORE of Successful Learning.
• Especially true for Minority students (Ferguson, 2002)
• Successful schools have “respectful” and “trusting”
relationships
Relational Trust is Key

4. • The relationship among the adults in the schoolhouse has more impact on the
quality and the character of the schoolhouse –
• and on the accomplishments of youngsters –
• than any other factor.
-Roland Barth, 2001, Learning By Heart

5. Defining Relational Trust
• The concept of relational trust in schools focuses on
• distinct role relationships and the obligations and expectations associated
with each. When these expectations are met, trust is enhanced.
• When a person’s expectations of another person are not met, trust is
diminished.

6. Four Components of Relational Trust
1.
2.
3.
4.
Respect for the importance of a person’s role
Competence to administer the role
Personal regard for others
Integrity, the alignment of words, actions and ethics

7. • What can a new principal do in order to begin to fit into
the culture of your school?
Question

8. i on
dr
mu
n
ica
t
are
Sh
ty
Co
m
li
ea
Affinity
Communication Framework to Enhance Affinity

9. •
•
•
•
•
The challenge is listening to others.
Listening and engaging staff
Consistent open communication
Shapes focus of school
Engages the staff
Principal Answer:
Listen

10. Strategies for Building Trust
• One-on-One Strategies
A. Listen First
1. Show appreciation via understanding the other point of view
2. Finding merit in what the person does, thinks, or feels is important in
showing appreciation
3. Communicate understanding in words and actions
4. Show appreciation for yourself as well!

11. B. Find Common Ground
C. Overcommunicate
D. Confront Inappropriate
Behaviors

12. • Organizational Strategies
• Create Fail-Free Zones

13. Cohesive Communities
1. Common character, similarity, likeness, as, community of spirit.
2. The people living in the same district, city, and so on under the same laws.

14. The concept of a “school-based learning community” was understood
to include:
•
•
•
•
•
Reflective dialogue among teachers;
Deprivatization of practice
Collective focus on student learning;
Collaboration; and
Shared norms and values (adapted from
Kruse, Seashore Louis & Bryk, 1994)

15. Essence of Professional Learning Community (PLCs)
• Principle 1. Common mission, vision, values, and goals
• Principle 2. Ensuring achievement for all students: creating systems for
prevention and intervention
• Principle 3. Collaborative teaming focused on teaching and learning

16. • Principle 4. Using data to guide decision making and continuous
improvement
• Principle 5. Gaining active engagement from family and community
• Principle 6. Building sustainable leadership capacity

17. • Blankstein, Alan M. (2004). Failure Is Not an Option:
Six Principles That Advance Student Achievement in
Highly Effective Schools. Thousand Oaks, Calif. :
Corwin.
References