Leadership Education What Makes Leaders

Leadership Education What Makes Leaders Think

This paper reflects on the article "Principal Changes Student Grades: A Philadelphia Principal Alters Grades. Why?" By Barbara Pytel (2007 April). In this article Pytel reflects on changes made by Principal Randzo at a north Philadelphia school. These changes were made even though they violated the school districts policies on grading. Principal Randzo changed more than 90 student's grades from "failure" to "passing." This altered the grade point averages of the students. Questions regarding Principal Randzo's logic came to mind. The principal claimed changes were made because she felt teachers did not follow the district policy completely, teachers had not documented their reasons for not passing students and teachers failed to show support to students or contact parents of students that were not passing so they could have an opportunity to intervene.

According to Randzo, there should have been more interventions allowing students to acquire whatever assistance was necessary to help them pass. This change according to the principal should not have been a surprise to anyone as the teacher's union had been in conflict with the school's district for some time. Teachers' are supposed to provide adequate information to parents and staff about "why" students were failing. In this case the teachers did not comply with the policies promoting this documentation. Randzo also justified her actions stating each of the students she selected for passing had made up any work that they failed in "after-school programs."

Strengths

This article and the actions taken by the principal are valid for many reasons. Acting as a leader and representative of the students, the principal stated that students were not provided an opportunity to learn using diverse educational tools. Rather, they were offered a traditional "lecture" format of education. Studies do confirm that the traditional method of teaching or "lecture" format often fails students. Diverse educational tools are the best tools for facilitating learning and collaboration in the classroom. The principal also notes teachers "do" too much in the classroom rather than allow students to become empowered or more proactive.

Weaknesses

The article and principal do not cite the exact research that points to successful methods of learning other than the lecture format. The article also fails to explain the justification for separating students into same sex classrooms. This point was made as a side note, when it should have included a full synopsis providing verification for placing girls and boys in separate classrooms. The article also fails to provide details about the outcome of the principal's changes.