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ELCI 6063/7063 Demographic Description Terminology
TERMINOLOGY
Foundational Blocks: Developing a Shared Purpose
Mission Statement: “Answers the question WHY do we exist? ‘What are we here to do together?’ and ‘What is the business of our business?’ The focus is not on how the group can do what it is currently doing better or faster, but rather on why it is doing it in the first place. Addressing this question is the first step in clarifying priorities and giving direction to everyone in the organization” (p. 58).
Vision: Answers the question “WHAT do we hope to become?” “Whereas mission
establishes an organization’ s purpose, vision instills an organization with a sense of direction. It asks, ‘If we are true to our purpose now, what might we become at some point in the future?’ Vision presents a realistic, credible, attractive future for the organization-a future that is better and more desirable in significant ways than existing conditions” (p. 62).
Values and Collective Committments: Answers the question “HOW must we behave in order to make our shared vision a reality?” “While a mission statement asks the school to consider why it exists, and a vision statement asks what it might become, a statement of core values asks people to clarify how they intend to make their shared vision a reality… it challenges the people within that organization to identify the specific attitudes, behaviors, and commitments they must demonstrate in order to advance toward their vision” (p. 88).
Goals: Answers the question “Which steps will we take first, and when? How will we know all of this is making a difference?” “. . .This task determines what must be accomplished first, the specific steps that must be taken to achieve the objectives, and the timeline for the process. Goals represent measurable milestones that can be used to assess progress in advancing toward a vision; thus, they make visions more substantive” (p. 100).
DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional learning communities at work: Best practices for enhancing student achievement. Bloomington, Indiana: National Educational Service.
Also found in:
DuFour, Richard & Eaker, Robert. (2008). Revisiting professional learning communities at work: New insights for improving schools. Bloomington, IN: National Educational Services.
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