Palmdale
Finding Strength in Diversity + Dynamism
Bringing the Focus Back to the Classroom
Palmdale Elementary School District faced a dilemma. Over the past decade, its student population had grown by almost 1,000 new students per year to form the largest elementary school district in the Los Angeles County. As the influx of new students slowed, Palmdale, which had been focused mostly on building schools, had to learn to refocus on teaching. But how to make the shift?
Superintendent Roger Gallizzi realized that change would be challenging. It would take drive, dynamism, and a passion to succeed. With 23,000 students and a diverse and challenging student population – 70 percent of kids are Hispanic, and 35 percent are English Learners – the task of turning Palmdale around also meant help was needed.
Today, Palmdale is a markedly different organization than it was two or three years ago.
Together with coaches from Springboard Schools, leaders at every level of the system have worked hard to bring the focus back to the classroom, fostering a new culture of collaboration and inquiry. Teachers and administrators understand and know how to use data. Palmdale’s principals are becoming instructional leaders. And professional learning communities give colleagues the chance to share and work together.
The Spirit of Success: Giving Kids a Fighting Chance
“Working with Springboard just keeps getting better,” says Gallizzi. He acknowledges that Springboard’s help has been essential in turning around the culture and focusing on student learning. Last year alone, Gallizzi and his district team visited 1,200 classrooms. As he puts it, it sends a message to other instructional leaders that the work going on at the ground level is the most important, “because our kids deserve that.”
The turnaround in Palmdale’s culture is reflected in the dedication to continuous improvement at all levels of the district and, according to Gallizzi, “Staying focused on student achievement and closing the achievement gap.”
Gallizzi notes, “There is a heightened sense of urgency throughout the district, including in the boardroom. And now, everyone is focused onthe classroom.”