Spotlights and Briefs

Spotlights and briefs are DMC thought pieces addressing challenges facing school district leaders.

Short Description:: As budgets continue to decline, district leaders are forced to decrease staffing costs, typically comprising 80% or more of district budgets. Managing productivity is a mindset of looking at staff and programs based on how much learning takes place for each dollar spent. This approach places student learning at the center of a district's resource allocation strategy, and can provide valuable insights as to which programs and people districts should continue to fund.

Short Description:: DMC's Nick Morgan introduces a 10-step process for developing a teacher evaluation system focused on improving teacher effectiveness, and highlights the research behind the process.

Short Description:: This spotlight explores key issues regarding the role of the principal, the types of leadership he/she must exhibit, and how district leaders can d...

Short Description:: This DMC Spotlight defines innovation in the education landscape and gives school leaders the tools to manage innovation opportunities effectively.

Short Description:: This brief delineates DMC's 8-step process for assessing, cultivating, and transferring leadership skills in the school district.

Short Description:: This brief advocates integrating financial, human resource, and student achievement measurements that link professional develpoment to classroom performance in order to make systemic changes to PD.

Short Description:: With the growing attention on differentiated pay programs, DMC discusses considerations for designing, funding, and implementing a Performance Pay Program in your district.

Short Description:: This brief, DMC's March Member Mailing, establishes a framework for thinking about teacher motivation, a critical driver of student achievement, op...

Short Description:: This brief analyzes the often-underestimated influence of leadership in preparing for and preventing crises as well as responding to and recovering from them.

Short Description:: This brief discusses the role of today's school principal, who serves multiple functions in the school community, as well as proposes alternatives to university-based preparation programs, a realignment of hiring and professional development, and an enhanced support structure for new principals.

Short Description:: DMC addresses the benefits of increased teacher leadership and describes two broad avenues for distributing leadership opportunities throughout an organization.