International Center for Leadership in Education

Jim Warford

Jim Warford is a courageous education leader who did not follow a traditional career path. His unique combination of educational, business, and creative experience allows him to translate his vision and passion for school improvement into well executed, systemic changes resulting in dramatic increases in student performance. Jim currently serves as Senior Advisor and Keynote Speaker for the International Center for Leadership in Education, working with states, districts, and schools nationwide. Previous he was Executive Director of the Florida Association of School Administrators for five years, representing over 10,000 school leaders.
In early 2003, Jim was appointed as Florida’s first-ever Chancellor for public schools, where he was responsible for the $16 billion public school budget and for focusing every bureau within the Department of Education on the goal of raising student achievement. He created and implemented Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model used by the Assistance Plus program, the largest state intervention in low-performing schools in the nation, which resulted in over 80% of these schools moving off the list of failing schools. As Superintendent of the Marion County Public Schools, Jim implemented the Continuous Improvement Model district-wide. As a result, school grades went from three “F,” eight “D,” and only one “A” school in 1999 to 20 “A,” 16 “B,” and no “F” schools in 2003. Under his leadership the high school dropout rate was cut almost in half, and Marion County had the lowest elementary class size in Florida. Jim taught applied technology courses at the high school level for 17 years and created a Computer Graphics/Television Production program that won national and state awards. He was named Vanguard High School Teacher of the Year three times. Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

Presentation Topics Include:

The Common Core State Standards Are 21st Century Skills
The Common Core State Standards and the related assessments present a dynamic leadership opportunity. These new standards will dramatically alter our definition of 21st century skills. They will impact what is taught, how teachers teach, and how schools are organized. Students, teachers, and administrators will be affected in multiple ways as they prepare for fundamentally different assessments. This presentation will describe these challenges and provide proactive ways to meet them.
Today’s Students Are Wired Different!
Today’s students live and work in a world that is being changed dramatically by technology and globalization. These same forces are changing the young people in our classrooms as well.Vivid examples will be provided of how, and why, today’s students are “wired differently” from previous generations, and what this means for our classrooms if we want all students to have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this changing world.
The Continuous Improvement Model
As Chancellor of Florida’s public schools, Jim Warford led the creation and implementation of the Continuous Improvement Model throughout Florida. State tests and NAEP data confirm that this implementation resulted in some of the most dramatic student achievement gains in the nation and significantly closed the state’s achievement gap for African-American and Hispanic students. Learn how more than 80% of Florida’s lowest performing schools improved enough to get off the state’s low-performing list.
Put the “Art” Back in Teaching
Modern brain research is showing us the powerful connection between creative work and learning. Great scientists and artists are more alike than different, and educators intuitively understand that good teaching is a blend of both art and science. But, are we in danger of losing the balance between the two in our classrooms? This presentation will provide examples from the latest brain research about why we must find ways to value the "art" of teaching and value the Arts in our schools.
What Works for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
The extraordinary increase in the number of English language learners and the shortage of teachers trained to work with these students are dramatic trends in our schools. To meet this challenge, educators need ongoing training and support to develop capacity to provide instruction that will take the ELL students to higher levels of learning and performance. This session will highlight the second language acquisition process to differentiate instruction and provide a curriculum framework from which educators can begin to examine the many factors involved in designing appropriate instruction for ELL students.
Rigor and Relevance for ALL Students
Highly successful schools have academically rigorous curricula that also incorporate real-world relevance. These schools understand that rigor, while essential, is not adequate to lead all students to high levels of achievement. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the Rigor/Relevance Framework, created by the International Center for Leadership in Education, which has become a cornerstone of curriculum and instruction for schools throughout the country and abroad.
Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century
Literacy is the most critical skill needed in the 21st century. As society is challenged by constantly changing technology, individuals need to read and write at higher levels than in the past. Our literacy efforts in schools must include more than the traditional emphasis on prose. Quantitative, technological, and document literacy are becoming increasingly important. This session will describe the need to intensify our literacy requirements in all three areas and share successful practices in moving all students to higher literacy levels.
Success in Reaching Adequate Yearly Progress
For many schools, the adequate yearly progress (AYP) provision of No Child Left Behind is a major challenge. Other schools, through the effective use of data and focused instruction, are having success in meeting AYP for all students. Data and strategies will be provided that schools can use to achieve the continuous improvement needed for all student subgroups to meet AYP.
Skills for the Global Economy
The academic skills needed for today’s workplace are higher than, and different from, those needed for college. The requirements of business and industry today are putting pressure on schools to make dramatic changes in both their academic and career-technical programs. This session will describe the skills that are required in our technologically based, globally driven society.

"Today's Students"

"It was an honor and a privilege to have Jim Warford at our ACTE Arizona Career Technical Education Conference. Jim had the strength of research in his presentation and his charisma made the presentation powerful and captivating for the attendees. Jim was the perfect person for our conference. He was great, brilliant and right on the money for CTE."

Pam Ferguson, Executive Director
Arizona Association for Career and Technical Administrators
Arizona

"I know Jim makes a difference. He is driven by his endless energy, a clear vision of the future, and a desire to do what is best for students."

Jim Yancey, Superintendent
Marion County Public Schools
Florida

“Jim Warford is a passionate presenter who combines a deep faith in public schools with a clear understanding of why we must transform them for the 21st century.”

Steve Woolf, Title I Administrator
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL

Educator promotes new ways to reach students
October 6, 2009
http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_f69d2bb1-36f5-514b-ad06-0bbf7a51b3a4.html

Florida Legislative Update
Stay informed about critical legislative issues through the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) weekly video updates from Executive Director, Jim Warford. These short videos will brief you on important legislation and take you inside the process as it unfolds in the Capitol. These short videos will also direct you to more detailed information at FASA's "Political Action" link on the FASA website. Watch a video now!

Speaker: Teachers must make lessons relevant
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/115536/60/