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 their Next Generation assessments will dramatically alter our definition of 21st century skills. They will impact what is taught, how teachers teach, and how students are tested. Students, teachers, and administrators will be affected in multiple ways as they prepare for fundamentally different assessments. This session will describe these challenges and proactive ways to meet them and clearly illustrate why and how the Rigor/Relevance Framework provides the best way to understand these changes.
Preparing Today’s Students for The Changing World of the Common Core
Today’s students will 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 different from previous generations and what this means for our classrooms if we want all students to meet the higher expectations of the Common Core.
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.
Today’s Students Really Are Wired Differently!
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.
Flip Your Class!
“Flipping the Class” is one of the most exciting Next Practices. In a flipped class, the lecture is delivered outside class time in videos students view as homework. Class time is used to apply the lecture content in problem-solving, project-based activities, with one-to-one or small group tutoring by the teacher. Students can watch the short lectures as many times as they wish to grasp the content and come to class ready to work on collaborative projects. This session provides leading examples and the resources needed to flip your class tomorrow!
The Continuous Improvement Model: A School Turn-Around Model That Works
Jim Warford led the development and implementation of Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model, the largest and most successful school intervention process in the nation. This session features hands-on application of the proven tools and processes needed to move any school from struggling to successful. The effective use of data and strategies will be provided that schools can use to achieve the continuous improvement needed for all student subgroups to meet AYP.
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.

"The Engagement Gap"

"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

"Students Enthusiastic About Flipping the Classroom"
http://www.educationnews.org/technology/students-enthusiastic-about-flipped-classroom/

“Flipped Classes Take Learning to New Places”
Columbus, Ohio Post Dispatch
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/04/09/flipped-classes-take-learning-to-new-places.html

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/