K8 Programming Study Committee

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K-8 Programming Study Committee

• November 23, 2004

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Decision Making Tools

• Consensus
• A process that allows all voices to be heard in
  the decision making process. Consensus does not
  mean that all participants actively support the
  decision. Consensus is achieved when members
  agree that even though they dont actively
  support the decision they will not work against
  it.

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Consensus Guidelines

• Individuals should not argue for their own
  individual judgments
• Not about winning or losing
• Do not avoid conflictquick and easy agreement
  should be treated with suspicion
• Avoid majority vote, averages, coinflips and
  bargaining
• Accept differences of opinion and work through
  them

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Gradients of Agreement

• Endorsement
• Endorsement with a minor point of contention
• Agreement with reservations
• Abstain
• Stand aside
• Formal disagreement (but willing to go with
  majority)
• Formal disagreement (with request to be absolved
  of responsibility for implementation)
• Block

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Suggested Modifications

• Endorsement
• Agreement with reservations
• Abstain (no opinion)
• Formal Disagreement (willing to go with majority)
• Block

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Possible Support Scenarios

• Enthusiastic Support
• Lukewarm Support
• Ambiguous Support
• Meager Support
• All of these could allow a decision to go forward.

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K-8 Decision Making Rule

• Close discussion
• Clarify the proposal
• Use modified gradients of agreement
• Co-chairs decide
• -to make the decision
• -to continue group discussion