building capacity laura mcdonald john poynton for public participation international association of...
TRANSCRIPT
BUILDING CAPACITY
Laura McDonald John Poynton
for Public Participation
International Association of Public ParticipationCore Values Webinar
January 13, 2015
Poll #1: Your professional affiliation?
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- research/higher ed.- K-12 education- health care- government- industry
Can your school community have a reasoned discussion about…
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- massive cuts- school closures- boundary changes- police officers in schools- allowing teachers to carry arms- raising taxes to increase teacher pay
- conflict-driven media- heavy reliance on “experts”- polarized ideological interests- history of “decide, announce & defend” tactics- rising distrust for school administrators- lack of trained P2 facilitators in schools
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In an environment with?
- had personal relationships with administrators & legislators and routinely contacted them with concerns?
- were so well-informed about school business, they’d be more willing to serve on the board or committees?
- effectively engaged other citizens on controversial issues that many citizens might be reluctant to discuss?
- could share accurate information about emerging issues, dispel myths and rumors, help problem-solve?
- …and more districts had administrators and parents trained in P2 theory and process facilitation?
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But engagement trends aren’t good!
- parents leaving PTAs (Putnam, 2000)
- complexity of education (Fisher, 2009)
- administrator expertise (Mathews, 2006)
- strained relationships (Gillon, 2000)
- distrust of “non-experts” (Sexton, 2004)
- citizens withdrawing (Harwood, 2005)
- public easily manipulated (Fishkin, 2008)
Meet our parent, Laura professional active voter taxpayer has two elementary-aged kids loves her neighborhood school
but had NO relationship with her school district!
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Organizational change takes time!
- secure the support of a credible leader- identify root cause of failed interactions- design and train for details- get early wins (make colleagues ‘the hero’)- connect citizens with experts, build trust - empower parents with know-how, know-who- recruit experienced facilitators when needed- be a persistent change champion
Poll #3: Generally, how would you characterize your community’s capacity for public participation?
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- above average- average- below average- S.O.S.! (crisis mode)- unsure
Poll #4: Generally, how would you characterize your organization’s support for public participation?
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- above average- average- below average- not even on the chart- unsure
Hypothesis
Would a citizen training that provides
- organizational knowledge (know-how)- relationship building (know-who)
raise our district’s P2 capacity?
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Know-how
District
- org. structure
- governance
- budget
- schools & curriculum
- student services
- P2/deliberation skills
State/Local- elected officials
- school finance
- state Board of Ed.
- state & federal laws
- state education policy
- PK-12 legislation
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Know-who
District - superintendent- board president- leadership team (asst. superintendents., exec. directors, etc.)
State/Local- legislators- state ed. board- state dept. leads- local municipal leaders- law enforcement
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LSV Training Program - Year 6
What citizen training in
district affairs
When meets monthly for 2½ hours
Where board of ed.room
Why reengage parents, build P2 capacity
Whoparents (mostly) from across the district
Agendasupt’s update,guest speakers, core topics
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Research domains
- knowledge operations, funding, governance,
P2
- relationship build rapport with decision makers
- willingness prepared to commit time/resources
- efficacy understands P2 theory & process
- action participates in district activities
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RQ1: Knowledge LSV significantly improved my knowledge of …
- policies and practices
- organizational structure
- state’s role in funding
- instructional programs
- school board’s role
97%
93%89%
85%80%
strongly agree/agree
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RQ2: Relationships LSV makes me more likely to contact …
- a friend or acquaintance- friends contact me
- a board member
- the superintendent
- a state legislator
82%
81%81%
77%67%
strongly agree/agree
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RQ3: Willingness LSV makes me more willing to be involved …
- in conversations with others
- in PTO, other committees
- seek out school leadership- in Board of Ed meetings- in state legislative hearings
96%
74%74%
63%56%
strongly agree/agree
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Participant quote - willingness
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“LSV has given me more confidence and to assert myself and advocate for the things I believe in.”
RQ4: Efficacy LSV strengthened my deliberation skills …
- finding solutions difficult choices
- finding solutions uncomfortable
conversations
- different perspectives better solutions
- greater understanding of different perspectives
- different positions, but finding consensus
97%
97%
92% 89%
85%
strongly agree/agree
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RQ5: Action After LSV I have participated in …
- volunteered at a school/district event
- asked another person to participate
- shared new knowledge with the PTO
- involved in a legislative initiative
- made a financial contribution
100%92%
88%
88%85%
yes
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RQ5: Action cont’d
81%73%69%42%
27%
yes
- communicated with superintendent/board- supported candidate campaign- used social media to share information- solicited a financial contribution
- submitted a Letter to the Editor
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Participant quote - action
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“It made me feel more comfortable about getting involved…doing campaigning, educating, talking to parents, getting petitions signed, going to speak at parent groups, emails, all kinds of things that I would say are on a broader level.”
RQ-6 Ripple Effect
PTO records
Newspapers
Web-based docs
Evidence from archival records
Legislative hearings
Election coverage
Event agendas
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Lessons learned
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John
- no perfect meeting time- encourage staff to raise the tough problems- include a social event- child care availability big plus
Laura- never underestimate the power of a few- don’t let perfect be the enemy of good- modeling, sincerity & encouragement are key- safety in numbers
Insights to consider
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- starting small is good- strong leadership essential- including staff builds buy-in- not a means for a specific political win- more work from staff (but its the right work)- huge opportunity for communications office
For more information…
Laura McDonaldGrassroots St. Vrain
303-883-6320
John PoyntonSt. Vrain Valley Schools
303-682-7404
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