Tackling Institutional Challenges: When do you lay down or reinvest in a longstanding program?

Discover how strategic leadership, data-driven insights, and collaborative governance can reimagine longstanding programs in schools. Join Autumn Graves, Head of School at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, and Ari Betof, Co-Founder & Partner of Mission & Data, as they share actionable strategies to drive meaningful change.

What You'll Learn:

• Strategic Evaluation Techniques: Learn how to assess core programs against your school's mission and identity, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful in an ever-changing educational landscape.
• Engaging Governance: Discover effective strategies for involving your board in critical discussions, enhancing their understanding and support of necessary institutional changes.
• The Power of External Insights: Understand the value external consultants can bring to your strategic planning, offering fresh perspectives and data-driven analyses to guide your decisions.
• Mission-Driven, Data-Informed Decisions: See how balancing quantitative data with your school's mission can lead to more nuanced and effective strategic decisions.

Discussion Prompts:

• Identifying Core Programs and Values: How do we determine which programs or aspects of our school are core to our identity and mission? Reflect on a process to evaluate whether a program is immovable, essential, or exceptional to the school's identity.
• Engaging the Board in Strategic Decisions: What strategies can we use to effectively engage our board in discussions about significant institutional changes or evaluations? Discuss how to present data and strategic considerations to the board to facilitate informed decision-making.
• The Role of External Consultants: Under what circumstances should we consider bringing in external consultants to assist with school projects or evaluations? Debate the benefits and challenges of external consultation, including potential impacts on data analysis, strategic planning, and professional development.
• Balancing Data-Driven Decisions with Mission Alignment: 
• How do we ensure that our decision-making process remains data-informed and mission-driven? Share methods for integrating qualitative and quantitative data in strategic planning and decision-making.
• Long-Term Tracking and Evaluation of Strategic Initiatives: What mechanisms can we implement to track the success of reimagined or newly invested programs? Discuss establishing metrics for success and periodic reviews to assess the alignment and impact of strategic initiatives on the school's mission and goals.