BALDRIGE IN EDUCATION

Baldrige in Education, a major business idea using quality principles, was introduced to 12 CUSD schools and departments during the 2000-2001 school year. News of success travels quickly and this year there are a total of 22 schools and five departments using the Baldrige process.

Simply put, a school practicing quality education meets and exceeds the learning needs of its ultimate customers - students, families, and the community. The vision for new quality schools is that education will be a process (not a program) that encourages continual progress through the improvement of one's abilities, the expansion of one's interests, and the growth of one's character.

Quality schools focus on managing processes, not things. When the output of a school is unacceptable, quality management does not look for someone to blame, but studies the system to see how it can be improved.

Once learning processes are improved to the point that students learn what is needed the first time, schools will reduce the need for remediation and its associated costs.

Involve those closest to the "action" in the decision-making process. Thus, in working on quality challenges in the classroom, school leaders listen closely to teachers, curriculum specialists, students, and others who have first-hand knowledge of day-to-day classroom needs.

Believe the Best. A principle of quality is the belief that everyone within a system is intrinsically motivated by a desire to do his or her best. Schools must believe in people, eliminate barriers so there is joy in work, and seek to make decisions based on data, rather than on opinions or emotions.

Quality is not about putting out fires, but about redesigning the system and the way it is managed so there are fewer fires to put out. In quality schools, instead of focusing on the chain of command, the focus is on the chain of service or production. Quality management is interested in continually improving the processes of the system. The continuous improvement process does not cost anything. It is a change of attitude.

Why Does Baldrige Work?

  1. It is not imposed from on high or done “to” somebody.  It engages people from within the system and outside partners alike, making it a win-win process for everyone.
  2. The Baldrige process empowers people – parents, teachers, administrators, schools board members, business people and students themselves – to influence, control and active positively.  It creates ownership.
  3. The Baldrige process yields bottom-line results in terms of student achievement and behavior.  Students come to understand and value their opportunity to learn.