The Sayers mission is to support K-12 schools and teachers who are challenging the status quo by implementing successful 21st Century digital technology based learning models, including, blended and virtual learning instruction.
We are advocates, financial supporters, and partners to schools whose primary objective is to prepare students to be more college and or career ready, and more capable of succeeding in an increasingly technology driven global economy.
To that end, we are committed to supporting our school partners with financial, administrative or technological support as they continue to improve the K-12 learning experience and results through blended and virtual learning models.
Extraordinary change requires extraordinary people. The Gale Sayers Centers' mission and work rests on a fundamental belief that smart investments in leadership generate significant returns. We believe that for schools, districts, and systems to enable all children to achieve at high levels, we must focus on effective teaching and the quality of leadership and management of these schools, districts, and systems. Teachers and principals operate within a larger education ecosystem. Having outstanding leaders and managers running that ecosystem is necessary to attract, develop, and retain effective teachers and principals in high-performing schools serving low-income students and to ensure strong and consistent system-wide results.
Our Values
Our core values are courage, optimism, collaboration, and action. Our school partners have the courage and optimism to confront our nation’s education crisis, and they are committed to new digital learning models as a way to improve K-12 academic achievement. Our pioneers believe that transformational change is possible, and they have the will to take action.
Our School partners are many of the best k-12 schools in the U.S. Nearly all of the schools incorporate the following elements in their approach:
Students First Approach
A student-first focus where the success of the organization and team is entirely wrapped up in the achievement of its students. Barriers to student success are identified and broken down quickly.
Freedom To Innovate
The organization is free to structure its program to meet the learning needs of the student population. In many cases, this means a longer school day and a longer school year than that found in a traditional public school setting.
High performance Expectations for All
The organization is free to structure its program to meet the learning needs of the student population. In many cases, this means a longer school day and a longer school year than that found in a traditional public school setting.
Embracing Digital Technology and Blended Learning Models to Drive Performance
A deep commitment to use data to drive decisions and the allocation of resources across the organization. These organizations have a firm conviction to improve student test scores, achievement and overall K-12 student experience.
Schools at the Center
The enterprise is built from the classroom and school level “up” versus an organizational model of a central, bureaucratic organization driven “top down” as is typical in most US school districts.
Decisions made Closest to Students
An embrace of the concept of “bounded autonomy” – principals and teachers at the school level have considerable latitude for decision-making inside the construct of the academic, operational and financial model of the organization.
Efficiency
A focus on efficiency, particularly with respect to non-school expenditures. This ensures funds are spent closer to the student and maximizes the amount of school time focused on student learning.
No Excuses
A fierce desire to maintain their organizational autonomy and effectiveness. They will not make compromises that threaten their ability to deliver on their promises to students and families.
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