This is one of a series of articles for school and district leaders about strategic planning, organizational change, and how AI can be leveraged to operationalize a school district's mission, vision, and core values.
For a school district’s mission, vision, and core values to effectively serve as its ‘north star’ and meaningfully impact the shaping of its culture, it is essential that they are student-centered, forward-thinking, and inspirational. Achieving this is just the beginning, however. Education leaders must also guarantee these foundational principles are embraced by those they lead and serve and integrated throughout their district’s practices.
For instance, if many teachers and staff do not genuinely believe that ‘every student will be fully prepared for college, career, and life’ (a common theme of school and district missions or visions), it will be evident in the outcomes over time. Likewise, hiring or promoting employees who do not embody the core values or demonstrate them consistently in their actions or behaviors ultimately renders them meaningless and harms organizational culture, something that has a negative impact on students.
In a recent article, “AI in HR: Operationalizing Your Mission, Vision, and Core Values,” I explored how human resources teams can leverage HR to dramatically reduce the risk of this happening by helping ensure the questions that are asked of candidates throughout the recruiting process effectively determine if they 1) believe in the mission and vision and 2) embody the core values.
Using the mission, vision, and core values that I led the development of when I was Superintendent of the Monrovia Unified School District, I asked ChatGPT 4 to create six scenario-based questions that a selection committee could ask high school principal candidates to provide an example of what this can look like. Below is just one of the questions that the AI generated, along with its rationale.
Scenario on Improving Academic Performance Through Data-Driven Decisions: "Suppose a particular academic department is consistently underperforming. Describe how you would use data to identify the root causes and develop a targeted improvement plan?”
Rationale: This question assesses the candidate's commitment to the core values of accountability and excellence, as well as their proficiency in using data-driven decision-making processes. By asking for a specific approach to tackle underperformance through the analysis of educational data, it evaluates how the candidate plans to implement evidence-based strategies to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. This approach reflects the district's mission of ensuring all students receive an exceptional education by identifying, addressing, and monitoring areas needing improvement. Additionally, it demonstrates the candidate's ability to lead with a focus on continuous improvement and results, ensuring alignment with the district's vision for academic success and operational efficiency.
To view the other interview questions that ChatGPT 4 generated as well as their corresponding rationales, please see my first article on this topic. I think you will find the overall product to be very impressive and useful example of how this tool provides value.
Asking the right questions of candidates is crucial; however, it is just as important for a selection committee to calibrate on what to listen for in the responses and how to rate them. To demonstrate how AI can help an HR team with evaluating a candidate's synergy with a school district's mission, vision, and core values, I took things a step further by giving it the following prompt:
Now, I want you to develop a rubric that the committee can use to rate the responses each candidate gives to each question. Use a 1-5 rating scale with 5 being exceptional. Give clear descriptions for what each rating means as well as key things to listen for that would help the committee determine which ranking to give.
In about ten seconds, ChatGPT 4 generated detailed rubrics complete with rating descriptors and what to listen for in the responses to each question. Below is the rubric to rate responses and the things to listen for that ChatGPT 4 provided for just one of the six questions. To see them all, click here.
Scenario on Improving Academic Performance Through Data-Driven Decisions: "Suppose a particular academic department is consistently underperforming. Describe how you would use data to identify the root causes and develop a targeted improvement plan?"
(Poor): Response shows little understanding of data-driven decision-making or its importance. Offers no strategy or plan for using data to improve academic performance.
(Fair): Response acknowledges the use of data but provides vague ideas without specific examples or clear steps for analysis and improvement planning.
(Good): Response proposes a general plan for using data to identify issues and improve performance. It includes some steps for data analysis but lacks detail on targeted interventions and success metrics.
(Very Good): Response details a solid approach to data-driven decision-making, including specific data analysis techniques and some targeted improvement strategies. Examples from past experiences are included but may lack comprehensive outcome evaluation.
(Exceptional): Response offers a comprehensive, strategic plan for improving academic performance through data. It includes detailed analysis techniques, targeted interventions, stakeholder involvement, and clear metrics for monitoring progress and success.
Here are key points to listen for in the responses:
Data Analysis: The ability to use data to identify areas of underperformance and root causes.
Targeted Improvement Plans: Specific plans that address identified issues, with clear steps and expected outcomes.
Stakeholder Involvement: How teachers, students, and possibly parents will be involved in the improvement process.
Are the rubric and ‘listen fors’ perfect? No. However, they are very good resources and are a terrific start to the cumbersome process of developing your own rubrics the old-fashioned way. Considering ChatGPT 4 has never been a high school principal or education leader before, what it has produced demonstrates a strong understanding of the role and a sophisticated level of ‘thinking.’
Leveraging the capabilities of AI tools like ChatGPT 4 in human resources processes such as recruitment ensures alignment with a school district’s mission, vision, and core values. This approach allows human resources teams to more effectively identify candidates who not only believe in the organization’s foundational principles but also live out its core values, potentially strengthening the district's culture and setting the stage for raising student achievement to new heights.
Dr. Ryan Smith, with 20 years of leadership experience in public education, is dedicated to ensuring every student receives an outstanding education and reaches their highest potential. Through his service as Superintendent of the Monrovia Unified School District and in other key leadership roles, his commitment to putting students first has driven success and positive change across various schools districts. Learn more about Dr. Smith at his website, on LinkedIn, or X.