On the Same Page

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

On the Same Page

October 2003

I've always been excited by new beginnings, and the first month of a school year is at the top of my list. Last year, after retiring as Superintendent of Lower Merion School District in Pennsylvania, was the only time in 50 years that I was not a part of school and, although I thoroughly enjoyed a one-year sabbatical, a piece of me was missing when school opened last September.

This September has been a different story. Beginning a new school year with you, the Laboratory Schools of the University of Chicago, is certain to be a career highlight. I am grateful to everyone who has made me feel so welcome.

As I begin my journey with you and attempt to identify institutional priorities and subsequent courses of action, I am reminded of two quotes:

"When the rate of change inside an institution is less than the rate of change outside the institution, the end is in sight." — Jack Welsh, CEO General Electric
"It is not the place we occupy which is important but the direction in which we move." — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Although our schools are very different from businesses in the for-profit world, we too are influenced by external forces more than we realize. From influences such as the courts (Brown v. Board of Education) to scientific advances (Sputnik, computers) to commissioned studies (A Nation at Risk) to historical tragedies (Columbine, September 11), schools have been shaped to reflect a changing society.

More than most schools, Lab has a history of making qualitative adjustments to external influences. Dewey�s spirit is still alive, but even someone as progressive as he would be surprised at how much we have changed. As a result, Lab is well positioned to maintain and improve upon its excellent reputation and, from my perspective, our future is bright.

It is therefore from a position of strength that the 2003-2004 Goals and Objectives have been developed. As a community, we have identified what needs to be done in order to be an even stronger school. We must never allow complacency to interfere with the direction in which we move. We must never allow criticism or self-reflection to paralyze us. We must never allow progress to be stymied by an over reliance on process.

Just as this is a beginning of a new school year and a new school administration, establishing measurable goals and objectives with accountability is also new. The agenda may be overly ambitious, but by focusing our attention together as a school community, we will strengthen our educational program and related services. Our direction has been established and our goals have been defined. It�s time to get started!

David W. Magill
Director