Create West Virginia

TippEd(ucation)

Public K-12 education "tipped" this legislative session, an "idea has crossed a threshold, started to tip and begun to spread."  Many of you recognize this reference to Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point and how it applies to what we have been discussing.

The idea that reached a boiling point this spring was that for all of our investment in the WV K-12 system (45% of the state budget, #1 in the country in technology spending per student per capita), none of it really has had anything to do with motivating students to learn.  All the system-level changes that have occurred and the ones being discussed this session (there were around 125 new bills introduced) , while possibly necessary, were not sufficient.  The job is now to stimulate innovation. 

Let's put this into Gladwell-ese because by understanding The Three Rules of Tipping Points, we can ensure that "the unexpected becomes the expected."

Rule 1 The Law of the Few

The tip starts with a few voices and comments- CreateWV, Senator Erik Wells, First Lady Manchin...the mavens, connectors and salesman..the dance begins and the idea buzzes and moves out into the airwaves (blogosphere).  Did you hear about the School Innovation Zone Act, WV Charter School Act, Teacher Hiring.

Rule 2 The Stickiness Factor  

What will make this idea stick?  Simple, we have a very sticky idea on how to innovate in public education.

Rule 3 The Power of Context

How sensitive is this idea to its environment (context)?  Vey sensitive if you believe that:

	21st-century learning requires a search for different and better models of school/ing.		Existing organizations don't innovate well. Most different schools will have to be created new.
	The state's laws can make it possible now to create new and different schools.		In redesigning schools we should focus on motivating the workers: both students and teachers.
	We can now customize student learning		Without new models of school, K-12 might not be sustainable economically.

 

"What underlies successful epidemics, in the end, is a bedrock belief that change is possible, that people can radically transform their behavior or beliefs in the face of the right kind of impetus. Can leopards really change their spots and do you agree that it only takes the smallest infractions to cause the greatest changes? With the slightest push in the right place, can the world around us be tipped?" (Malcolm Gladwell)

 

Innovation Zone Bill Introduced

This is the initial draft of the Innovation Zone Bill that the Governor and Department of Education put together.  Download Innovation Zones 10  

I have already received feedback from Dr. Johnson's team. Download IZBillComments

As you can see, The Disruption is in the Details.

Disrupt ED

I have been listening, talking, reading and writing...with the State Dept. of Education about the Innovation Zone legislation we anticipate being introduced during the 2009 legislativev session.  I thought that you might be interested in the lastest draft of the legislation and some comments from Dr. Johnson regarding the draft.

Download Innovationzonedraft2

Download Draft2Comments

Recently, a couple of articles have passed my desk that reinforce Create WV's strong support of Innovation Zones-

Bill Gates issued his first "annual letter" on the work of his foundation. Here's what he says about education.
----------------------------

Nine years ago, the foundation decided to invest in helping to create better high schools, and we have made over $2 billion in grants. The goal was to give schools extra money for a period of time to make changes in the way they were organized (including reducing their size), in how the teachers worked, and in the curriculum. The hope was that after a few years they would operate at the same cost per student as before, but they would have become much more effective.
 
Many of the small schools that we invested in did not improve students’ achievement in any significant way. These tended to be the schools that did not take radical steps to change the culture, such as allowing the principal to pick the team of teachers or change the curriculum. We had less success trying to change an existing school than helping to create a new school.
 
Even so, many schools had higher attendance and graduation rates than their peers. While we were pleased with these improvements, we are trying to raise college-ready graduation rates, and in most cases, we fell short.
 
But a few of the schools that we funded achieved something amazing.  They replaced schools with low expectations and low results with ones that have high expectations and high results. These schools are not selective in whom they admit, and they are overwhelmingly serving kids in poor areas, most of whose parents did not go to college. Almost all of these schools are charter schools that have significantly longer school days than other schools.
 
I have had a chance to spend time at a number of these schools, including High Tech High  ( http://www.hightechhigh.org/ )in San Diego and the Knowledge Is Power Program ( http://www.kipp.org/ ), or “KIPP,” in Houston. There is a wonderful new book out about KIPP called Work Hard. Be Nice., by the education reporter Jay Mathews. It’s an inspiring look at how KIPP has accomplished these amazing results and the barriers they faced.
 
It is invigorating and inspirational to meet with the students and teachers in these schools and hear about their aspirations. They talk about how the schools they were in before did not challenge them and how their new school engages all of their abilities. These schools aim to have all of their kids enter four-year colleges, and many of them achieve that goal with 90 percent to 100 percent of their students.  Every visit energizes me to work to get most high schools to be like this.
 
These successes and failures have underscored the need to aim high and embrace change in America’s schools. Our goal as a nation should be to ensure that 80 percent of our students graduate from high school fully ready to attend college by 2025. This goal will probably be more difficult to achieve than anything else the foundation works on, because change comes so slowly and is so hard to measure. Unlike scientists developing a vaccine, it is hard to test with scientific certainty what works in schools. If one school’s students do better than another school’s, how do you determine the exact cause? But the difficulty of the problem does not make it any less important to solve. And as the successes show, some schools are making real progress.
 
Based on what the foundation has learned so far, we have refined our strategy. We will continue to invest in replicating the school models that worked the best. Almost all of these schools are charter schools.  Many states have limits on charter schools, including giving them less funding than other schools. Educational innovation and overall improvement will go a lot faster if the charter school limits and funding rules are changed.
 
One of the key things these schools have done is help their teachers be more effective in the classroom. It is amazing how big a difference a great teacher makes versus an ineffective one.
Research shows that there is only half as much variation in student achievement between schools as there is among classrooms in the same school. If you want your child to get the best education possible, it is actually more important to get him assigned to a great teacher than to a great school.
 
Whenever I talk to teachers, it is clear that they want to be great, but they need better tools so they can measure their progress and keep improving. So our new strategy focuses on learning why some teachers are so much more effective than others and how best practices can be spread throughout the education system so that the average quality goes up.  Wewill work with some of the best teachers to put their lectures online as a model for other teachers and as a resource for students.
 
Finally, our foundation has learned that graduating from high school is not enough anymore. To earn enough to raise a family, you need some kind of college degree, whether it’s a certificate or an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. So last year we started making grants to help more students graduate from college. Our focus will be on helping improve community colleges and reducing the number of kids who start community college but don’t finish.
 
For full letter (20 pages), see
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/Pages/2009-bill-gates-annual-letter.aspx

And this very recent article from Education Week starts out.....

If "scientifically based evidence" was the rallying cry for education research over the past eight years, the watchwords for the field in the post-Bush era seem headed toward "development" and innovation."

A growing number of foundations, entrepreneurs, national education groups, and public officials have called in recent months for a stepped-up emphasis on generating findings, programs, and products that practitioners find useful and that will help revolutionize the way America does school.

When it is all said and done, I like what Dr. Johnson wrote to me a while back about Innovation Zones:

"(H)ave the governor weigh in publicly that he is going to insist on a level of autonomy for schools trying out innovative approaches that separates them from the conventional controls by the state or the district boards.  I can imagine Gov. Machin saying something like this:  Let them be judged by their results. We won’t tell them how to get those results, what materials to use, what learning strategies are best, how to spend their budgets --- we’ll just pay attention to achievement – and to the satisfaction that parents show.  After all, no one’s going to be assigned to any of these schools – not teachers, not students.  No one will be there who doesn’t want to be there.  And that’s what this legislation should be about – rather than ordering anyone to do anything, this is about permission.  Permission to do things differently.  To have some schools that are truly different from the others.   Nothing short of that will make any difference for West Virginia.”

 

ATTENTION - New Create WV Blog Site

Hey all you Create WV blog readers! We have finally launched our NEW createwv.com web site, which includes its own blog. We will no longer be posting on this createwv.typepad.com site, so please update your RSS readers with http://www.createwv.com/blog/feed.

It will take us a little while to migrate our blog roll and other content, but most of the historic posts are already there.

Thanks, and see you on the new site!

President-Elect Obama, West Virginia and Opportunity

Regardless of where your politics sits or how your candidate came out of last night's election, we all have to take a moment to ponder the historic significance of electing a person with a new skin tone and a completely unique name. Who, just a couple of years ago, would have predicted President-Elect Barack Obama?

Create WV, along with Vision Shared, is a non-partisan group by charter. We try to celebrate progress within all political stripes as it relates to building a better West Virginia through the development of creative communities that can grow new economies. These comments are meant purely in that vein.

Some Obama fans in West Virginia are lamenting the fact that our state went red again, at least at the top of the ticket, and voted for John McCain 55% - 45%. However, stepping back and looking at these results without any emotional attachment to the politics, you are left with this - 45% of the citizens of the whitest state in the union voted for a black man for president. That is historic.

Yes, some of the folks who voted against him, including Democratic voters, did so because of race. Past surveys have shown about 1/5 of our residents (and those of many other states) still use race as a primary decision criteria.

But 45% of voters in a lily-white, conservative-leaning state voted for an African-American. That is a higher percentage than some states with very large African-American populations, such as Alabama (39%), Arkansas (39%) and Mississippi (43%). It's a higher percentage than our Appalachian neighbor Kentucky (41%).

Let's agree that no one party or leader has all the answers. Let's agree that it will take all of us working together to affect positive change. Here's hoping that all citizens can appreciate the significance of this historic moment and unite to work for a better United States and a better West Virginia. Personally, I feel like we're all ready to move forward.

Vote for Creativity!

We're not so organized here at Create WV to have an actual voting guide, but we did want to outline some key themes that we look for in candidates who have the potential to affect positive change in West Virginia.

Before you hit those long lines on Tuesday, consider:

• Technology - Does the candidate understand the role that technology plays in today's economy and the absolute necessity for West Virginians to have high-speed broadband - including fiber optic - access for e-learning, e-commerce and e-government? Does he or she understand the potential of programs like "Bucks for Brains" to stimulate research and development in our universities, which leads to spin-off companies?

• Education - Does the candidate understand the need for 21st Century Learning skills? Is he or she willing to roll up their sleeves to work with educators, including teachers unions, to map a course towards innovation and excellence in our schools? Do they understand the need for lifelong learning and support a culture of academic achievement in our state? 

• Quality of Place - Does the candidate support the need for programs that lead to vibrant, healthy communities? For protecting the "wild" in "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia" so that we build on our outdoor asset as an attractor of young talent? Does the candidate support historic preservation so that we can enhance what is unique about our history and communities?

• Diversity and Inclusion - Does the candidate support basic civil rights for all? Do they go beyond the basics and understand the value of diversity in West Virginia and how it links to innovation and creative, growing communities? 

• Entrepreneurship - Does the candidate understand that long-term healthy economies are built from within through entrepreneurship? Does he or she realize the need for social entrepreneurship that supports creative risk-taking in non-profit and community organizations as well as business endeavors? Does the candidate understand the dire need for early stage investment resources in our state?

These are broad guidelines of course, but hopefully as we all become better versed at articulating the need for creative communities and new economy growth in West Virginia, candidates will get tuned in and begin to work hard for change. We've already seen some candidates include this language in their campaign speeches and advertising, and that is very encouraging.

Enjoy your constitutional right to vote this Tuesday!

Scenes from Create WV 2008

We wanted to share the success of the 2008 Create WV Conference with those who could not attend in hopes you can join us next year. PDF and PowerPoint files will be found on www.createwv.com/conference shortly, but for now here are some fun sights from the conference:

Reverend Matthew Watts of Charleston

Keynote presentation in the Expo

Speed networking event during Monday's welcome reception.

A little Mountain State hip hop....

Not sure what this is called, but it sounded cool....

Jeanne Mozier celebrates a creative cone award...

Crystal Nazario, Covenant House

Mike Basile, Spilman Thomas & Battle

Jeffrey Lusk, Hatfield McCoy Trails

Thank you to all 395 attendees, and here's wishing you a creative and prosperous year ahead in your community!

Mission WV Continues to Build West Virginia Tech Literacy

An exciting announcement was made at the Create WV conference last week in Snowshoe - Microsoft awarded their third grant of $625,000 in cash and software to Mission WV, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivery a number of social services to West Virginians, not least of which is hands-on PC technology training. 

Microsoft was also a sponsor of Create WV and has demonstrated a commitment to helping fulfill our mission of building "creative communities for the new economy."

Below is the official press release. Congratulations to Mission WV and keep up the great work!

 

Mission West Virginia Receives Microsoft Grant

Third donation of cash and software brings giving total to almost $1.3 million from Microsoft

 

 

Charleston, W.Va. – Oct. 21, 2008 – Today, Microsoft is awarding its third grant worth more than $625,000 in cash and software to Mission West Virginia, a non-profit organization based in Hurricane.  The grant is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Community Technology Skills program, an initiative dedicated to improving job skills and employment opportunities for individuals.

 

The donation marks the third installment of a five-year commitment Microsoft is making to the nonprofit organization.  In 2006, Microsoft contributed $50,000 to Mission West Virginia and last year the company increased its contribution to more than $623,000 in cash and software to the organization, bringing the total donation so far to almost $1.3 million.

 

Mission West Virginia collaborates with public and private organizations, to help individuals use new and existing resources to encourage innovative social change through new local partnerships.  For example, Microsoft’s support is helping disadvantaged youth and adults learn computer skills essential to finding work and helpful to parents assisting their children with school work.

 

“Through the assistance of Microsoft, Mission West Virginia will be able to continue our work to empower the talented individuals who are driving this state’s innovative economy,” said B. David Rogers, Associate Director/Chief Technology Officer for Mission West Virginia, Inc. “With a decrease in manufacturing and non-skilled jobs, the only way out of poverty for many people is to hone the technology skills employers and educators are looking for in emerging job sectors.” 

 

"Education and IT training are vital to our state's economy, and it's exciting to see this ongoing and successful partnership between Microsoft and Mission West Virginia," said Rep. Shelley Moore Capito.  "This is great news for Putnam County, great news for our state and great news for West Virginia workers." 

 

The grant will be presented to Mission West Virginia by Allyson Knox, Academic Program Manager, Microsoft’s US Partners in Learning (PiL) program, at the second-annual Create West Virginia Conference on Oct. 21. Knox will also take part in the conference speaking on “What is a Creative Job? What is a Creative Worker?”

 

“Microsoft’s grant to Mission West Virginia is a testament to our continuing relationship within the community,” Knox said. “Our investment through this organization will empower the local workforce by encouraging the growth of IT skills resulting in economic self-sufficiency through jobs and entrepreneurship.” 

 

Representatives from local government, education, business and cultural organizations will be in attendance at the Create West Virginia Conference alongside West Virginia-based artists, writers, designers, entrepreneurs and other statewide influential leaders.

 

“We are moving West Virginia forward by building partnerships among business, education, government and our community organizations,” said Gov. Joe Manchin.  “Microsoft’s support of Mission West Virginia and Create West Virginia is helping to create a brighter future for the state and our citizens by helping us develop a 21st century economy and the workforce to support it.”

 

The grant is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to support the state of West Virginia. Since 2003, the company has given and matched employee gifts totaling more than $4.2 million in cash, curriculum and software in the state of West Virginia. Microsoft and its employees support community organizations, educational institutions and human service agencies across West Virginia with grants of cash, software, and curriculum, as well as employee volunteer hours.

 

 

About Microsoft Unlimited Potential-Community Technology Skills program

Microsoft Unlimited Potential – Community Technology Skills program is a global community-based learning program focused on extending IT-skills and economic opportunities to enable young people and adults to realize their potential. Through cash grants, software donations, technology solutions, and specialized curriculum, the program supports community technology centers across the U.S. and around the world.  http://www.microsoft.com/giving

 

About Mission West Virginia

Mission West Virginia, a non-profit organization that collaborates with public and private entities, particularly faith communities, equipping them to utilize existing resources to form new partnerships, encourage innovative social change, and build stronger communities in West Virginia. For more information, please visit: http://www.missionwv.org

 

About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

 

# # #

 

 

Mary Esler

Airfoil Public Relations

esler@airfoilpr.com

Office: 248-304-1437

Mobile: 586-855-4630

Where do Candidates Stand on the Arts?

This year Arts Advocacy of West Virginia conducted its first candidate survey with very positive results.  The survey was designed to increase awareness of the arts as a legislative issue and to place major issues confronting the arts industry in the front of candidates’ minds. 

A resounding 93.5% responded that they believed that the arts were a major component of economic development and should be included in all state development initiatives.  When asked if they would support policies to increase accountability for school standards in the arts, 58.7% said they would enthusiastically support and 37% said they would support such policies with 4.3% being neutral and none opposed.  Ninety-three percent of candidates were willing to enthusiastically support or support increased funding for the arts with none opposed. 

It also appears that the candidates were active in participating in the arts themselves by showing attendance at events as follows:

100%   - Music

89.1%  - Theater

58.7% - Visual Arts

32.6%  - Literary Arts

28.3%  - Dance

The survey also asked candidates if they would be interested in serving on an Arts Caucus and 75% responded yes and 25% either asked for more information or did not know.   Arts Advocacy was very pleased with the results of its first survey and plans to use this data in its work throughout the coming year. 

How Quickly Lists Change

For several years, West Virginians have lamented the steady flow of "first on bad lists, last on good lists" syndrome. Some people dismissed the lists as biased, others just shrugged and figured that's where West Virginia will most likely be for some time.

However, the misfortunes of the rest of the country and the relative stability of West Virginia's economy recently have elevated us on some recent lists. Now that we're getting some credit at the top, maybe it's time to start touting them.

Careerbuilders.com recently listed the "Top 25 Best Markets to Find a Job." After years of seeing young people leave the state to find jobs, West Virginians might scratch their heads and allow themselves a little bit of glee to see that we have two cities in the national top 25 list - Morgantown and Charleston!

The list was generated by looking at unemployment rates and job growth. West Virginia currently has a very low unemployment rate and Morgantown in particular has a high job growth rate. The rest of the Top 25 were mostly Western cities.

Of course, each city in West Virginia is showing well for different reasons. In Charleston, the energy boom with coal and natural gas has stimulated the region. In Morgantown, the growth of high-tech and university/research organizations has driven growth.

Whatever the reasons, it's nice to be on top for a change. And here's hoping we stay there for a while.