Lighthouse is a model for school boards that originated in Iowa. The model, supported by research, has been adopted by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) [pdf] offered to local districts as a successful road map for leadership.
The Lighthouse model is based on the importance of school boards explicitly connecting their work to a focus on student achievement. It provides guidelines for boards to deepen their understanding of student learning so that they may help systems adopt practices that lead to higher levels of learning for all students.
The principles of Lighthouse are:
- Developing awareness of the need for improvement
- Demonstrating unwavering commitment to the improvement effort
- Providing support for quality professional development
- Applying pressure for accountability
- Supporting and connecting with districtwide leadership
- Engaging in deliberative policy development
- Connecting with the community
The Methow Valley Board of Directors began Lighthouse training in 2010 and concluded in 2012. Trainings focused on communication, the use of data, professional development in schools, shared accountability and community connections.