At the Learning Futures & Tech Media Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Scott A. Menzel, Superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District, delivered an inspiring presentation that emphasized the importance of values, community engagement, and innovative educational strategies.
With a commitment to excellence, integrity, empathy, trust, unity, and inclusion, Dr. Menzel illustrated how these core values shape the educational experience at Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD).
Dr. Menzel opened his presentation with a powerful statement:
"We work every day to live into our values."
He stressed that these values are not just words on paper but are actively practiced and embodied by educators, administrators, and students alike. This commitment to values is what makes Scottsdale Unified School District a special place to work and learn.
Dr. Menzel challenged conventional notions of educational success, stating:
"Some people think success is measured by test scores. I would argue that test scores are an important indicator, but they’re not the true measure of whether or not an education has been successful."
While acknowledging the role of test scores, he emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to evaluating educational outcomes, one that considers a broad range of student achievements and experiences.
Focusing on What Matters: Three Wildly Important Goals
To navigate the complexities of educational demands and community expectations, the SUSD Governing Board identified three wildly important goals to focus their efforts:
- Mathematics Achievement: Math has been a particular area of concern, especially at the secondary level. SUSD is prioritizing math achievement to ensure students have the skills needed for future success.
- Attendance: Post-pandemic, attendance has been a nationwide challenge. Dr. Menzel highlighted a direct correlation between attendance and achievement, particularly in math.
- Financial Health through Enrollment: In Arizona, school budgets are driven by average daily membership (ADM). Ensuring consistent attendance not only supports academic success but also stabilizes the district’s financial health.
Dr. Menzel explained the interrelated nature of these goals:
"If you are producing higher levels of educational success, more parents are going to be interested in enrolling in your school district. But you’re not going to get to the higher levels of success if kids aren’t coming to school."
One of the most innovative strategies Dr. Menzel discussed was leveraging FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to increase student attendance. He challenged educators to create engaging and dynamic learning environments that make students excited about coming to school.
"How do we ensure that our learning environments are so engaging that kids are begging their parents to make sure they don’t miss school, or that they’re not late?" he asked.
Dr. Menzel shared a heartwarming story about a second-grade class that achieved perfect attendance for 16 consecutive days. The students were so enthusiastic about school that they created a song celebrating their perfect attendance. This story illustrated the power of engagement and positive learning environments in driving attendance.
Despite nationwide challenges, SUSD has managed to buck state and national trends in student attendance and achievement. Dr. Menzel attributed this success to several factors:
- Engaging Learning Environments: Creating a culture where students want to attend school.
- Community Support: SUSD benefits from being in a relatively affluent community, which provides resources and support for student success.
- Value-Driven Leadership: A strong commitment to the district’s core values has created a positive and inclusive educational environment.
Dr. Scott A. Menzel’s presentation was a powerful reminder of the importance of living into values, fostering community trust, and redefining educational success. His leadership is inspiring a culture of excellence and engagement at Scottsdale Unified School District.
By focusing on math achievement, attendance, and financial health, and by creating engaging learning environments, Dr. Menzel is shaping a future where students are not only academically successful but also passionate about learning.
His innovative approach to increasing attendance through FOMO and his commitment to values-driven leadership provide a blueprint for educational success that other districts can learn from.
As Dr. Menzel continues to lead SUSD with integrity and vision, his emphasis on community engagement and innovative strategies sets a high standard for educational leadership in the 21st century.
Tune in below for the full presentation.
