Full Description
"I find here nothing less than a blueprint for transforming a failing urban school district with abysmal levels of student and adult performance into one of fiscal and academic respectability. No small feat!"
Roland S. Barth
Author, Lessons Learned
How can multi-stressed, low-performing schools overcome obstacles to respond to the unique learning needs of students?
As accountability in schools becomes more crucial, educators are looking for comprehensive and innovative management practices that respond to challenges and realities of student academic achievement. In order to improve academic performance and the quality of instruction, the entire school community needs to be involved.
Improving Achievement in Low-Performing Schools provides six steps to overcome low performance. School principals and teacher leaders can create a school culture that supports the goals for student achievement and expects the same standards for all students. This excellent new resource focuses on:
Improving student achievement in the core subjects
Aligning teaching and learning with student performance
Linking professional development for all staff to the goals for students
Creating safe, clean, and secure school facilities
Forging stronger links with parents, families, and the community
Increasing management effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability
The student is the chief client served by the educational profession. As students and their families become more confident that educators are dedicated to meeting students' individualized needs, they become committed to supporting the key results accountability process.
Contents
Introduction
Organization of Book
Acknowledgements
About the Author
About the Editor
Step 1. Defining the School's Culture
Understanding Attitude Defined by Actions
Scheduling Effective Communication Mechanisms
Step 2. Gatekeeping by Central Office: Administrators and Principals Teaming Together
Defining a School's Culture to Supports Achievement Goals
Creating Visibility Through Facility Management
Working With Legislators
Receiving Support for Implementing Program Reform Initiatives
Step 3: Creating a Key Results Accountability Process
Understanding How Assessment Indicators Can Increase Student Achievement
Integrating Key Results Into Corrective Action Plans
Identifying School-Site Visitation Lessons
Step 4: Developing Trailblazing Initiatives That Guarantee Student Success
Creating Motivational Attendance Programs
Organizing an Accelerated Learning Program
Providing an Extended School-Year Program
Backloading for Curriculum Alignment
Step 5: Expanding Parent and Community Involvement Activities
Developing Responsive Parent Committees for Critical Feedback
Organizing Community Forums with Diverse Stakeholders
Mobilizing Community Partners to Support Reform Initiatives
Step 6: Enforcing Effective Business Practices
Securing Resources for School Sites
Identifying and Seeking Alternative Program Funding Solutions
Creating a Strategic Plan for Aggressive Grant Development
Conclusion
Resource A: The Results-Based Intervention for School Efficacy (RISE) Project
References
Suggested Reading
Index
