Philadelphia Section, American Society for Quality

APRIL 2009 PROGRAM MEETING

Date:                Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Time:                6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

                        Registration:      6:00 p.m.         

                        Dinner: 7:00 p.m.

                        Program:          8:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Location:          North Penn School District

Educational Service Center

401 East Hancock Street

Lansdale, PA   19446-3960

                        215-368-0400 

Topic:               A Decade of Academic and Operational Growth Utilizing a Quality Improvement Model: One K-12 District's Story 

Speakers:         Dr. Robert D. Hassler, Superintendent, North Penn School District

                        Mr. David Decker, Manager of Quality, Research, and Assessment, NPSD

Both Robert Hassler and David Decker have presented at the 2008 National Quality in Education Conference.  Dr. Hassler has also presented at the National Effective Schools Conference in 2008 and is scheduled to present at this year’s national conference. 

Program Description

How one district utilized a results-based continuous improvement model and the Baldrige Criteria to improve student learning, engage all employees and the community, and improve overall district operations. The presentation will include the district's timeline for implementation, examples of the key ingredients to academic success, processes, structures, and goals established to improve operational services in every department.

Also included will be:

-How the Effective Schools process provided a foundation to improve "Learning for All"

-Examples of building-based improvement efforts

-Utilizing the Baldrige Criteria and quality methods (PDSA, performance indicators, and quality tools) to improve the support service side of the organization (transportation, facilities, nutrition services)

Background of the Speaker

Robert D. Hassler, Ed.D.

Superintendent, North Penn School District

Lansdale, PA

Robert D. Hassler, Ed.D.,  is superintendent of schools for the North Penn School District in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.   NPSD has a student population of 13,000 students who attend 13 elementary schools, three middle schools, the largest 10-12 high school in Pennsylvania and one alternative education school. In his tenure, the Effective Schools Model was successfully introduced to increase academic achievement to its highest levels ever. For the past four years, Dr. Hassler has been focused on incorporating quality tools and continuous improvement models into the everyday work of the school district.

Dr. Hassler earned his bachelor’s of arts degree in economics and accounting from Muhlenberg College, and from Lehigh University earned his master’s degree in elementary education, his elementary principal’s certificate, his Letter of Eligibility and his doctorate degree.

In addition to his responsibilities, Dr. Hassler has been a speaker throughout the country on several subjects, including Instructional Leadership, Effective Schools, Engaging Parents to Improve Student Achievement, and quality in schools.  He is an avid supporter of continuous professional development for his 2,000-plus staff and himself. He has participated in the Ritz Carlton Executive Leadership Series and is a member of the Superintendent’s Institute of America.

Dr. Hassler believes it is the moral obligation of all school leaders to work collaboratively with staff to create a culture that not only acknowledges and fosters the diversity that children bring to us, but also builds a culture that opens its doors and welcomes in the community as authentic partners.  Only then, can we achieve the goal of Learning for All.

David Decker

David Decker has B.S. in Mathematics and an M.Ed in Mathematics Education.  He is currently the Manager of Quality, Research and Program Assessment for North Penn School District in Lansdale, PA with previous experiences as a mathematics teacher, Supervisor of Mathematics, and Manager of Curriculum and Assessment. 

He has presented at the local and state level on various topics including Mathematics teaching, Assessment, and School Improvement and recently at the National Quality in Education Conference on his district’s process of using the Baldrige Criteria for district improvement.  He is committed using quality practices for organizational improvement in his district. 

David is also a certified Examiner for the Keystone Alliance for Performance Excellence (Pennsylvania).

DIRECTIONS:

East/West Pennsylvania Turnpike (Rt. 276):
Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike east to the Northeast extension towards Allentown.  Take the Lansdale exit (31) and left onto Sumneytown Pike. Go approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Church Rd. at the Genuardi’s Supermarket. Go through 2 lights. The Educational Service Center will be directly on your left at the intersection of Church Rd. and Hancock St.

From West Chester Area:
Follow Route 202 to Rt. 422 North. Take 422 West to Rt. 363 North. Follow Rt. 363 North (becomes Valley Forge Rd.) into Lansdale. Turn right onto Sumneytown Pike. Go approximately 4 miles. Turn left onto Church Rd. at the Genuardi’s Supermarket. Go through 2 lights. The Educational Service Center will be directly on your left at the intersection of Church Rd. and Hancock St.

From Doylestown:
Take 202 South to the Montgomeryville Five Points intersection, make a left onto Route 309 South. At the next traffic light, turn right at North Wales Road. Follow North Wales Rd. south to Hancock Rd. Turn right onto Hancock Rd. Go approximately one mile to traffic light at Church Rd. and make a right. The Educational Service Center will be directly on your left.

From Northeast Extension of Pennsylvania Turnpike (Rt. 476):
Take the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike to Exit 31—Lansdale. Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. Follow Sumneytown Pike for several miles. When you go under a railroad bridge, make a left at the next light onto Church Road. Go through the next light. The Educational Service Center will be directly on your left at the intersection of Church Rd. and Hancock St.