How Schools Work

2019-08-06
How Schools Work

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  • Author: Arne Duncan
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  • ISBN: 1501173065
  • Category : Education
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 256

“This book merits every American’s serious consideration” (Vice President Joe Biden): from the Secretary of Education under President Obama, an exposé of the status quo that helps maintain a broken system at the expense of our kids’ education, and threatens our nation’s future. “Education runs on lies. That’s probably not what you’d expect from a former Secretary of Education, but it’s the truth.” So opens Arne Duncan’s How Schools Work, although the title could just as easily be How American Schools Work for Some, Not for Others, and Only Now and Then for Kids. Drawing on nearly three decades in education—from his mother’s after-school program on Chicago’s South Side to his tenure as Secretary of Education in Washington, DC—How Schools Work follows Arne (as he insists you call him) as he takes on challenges at every turn: gangbangers in Chicago housing projects, parents who call him racist, teachers who insist they can’t help poor kids, unions that refuse to modernize, Tea Partiers who call him an autocrat, affluent white progressive moms who hate yearly tests, and even the NRA, which once labeled Arne the “most extreme anti-gun member of President Obama’s Cabinet.” Going to a child’s funeral every couple of weeks, as he did when he worked in Chicago, will do that to a person. How Schools Work exposes the lies that have caused American kids to fall behind their international peers, from early childhood all the way to college graduation rates. But it also identifies what really does make a school work. “As insightful as it is inspiring” (Washington Book Review), How Schools Work will embolden parents, teachers, voters, and even students to demand more of our public schools. If America is going to be great, then we can accept nothing less.

When Schools Work

2022-03-01
When Schools Work

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  • Author: Bruce Fuller
  • Publisher: JHU Press
  • ISBN: 1421442787
  • Category : Education
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 229

How did a young generation of activists come together in 1990s Los Angeles to shake up the education system, creating lasting institutional change and lifting children and families across southern California? Critics claim that America's public schools remain feckless and hamstrung institutions, unable to improve even when nudged by accountability-minded politicians, market competition, or global pandemic. But if schools are so hopeless, then why did student learning climb in Los Angeles across the initial decades of the twenty-first century? In When Schools Work, Bruce Fuller details the rise of civic activists in L.A. as they emerged from the ashes of urban riots and failed efforts to desegregate schools. Based on the author's fifteen years of field work in L.A., the book reveals how this network of Latino and Black leaders, civil rights lawyers, ethnic nonprofits, and pedagogical progressives coalesced in the 1990s, staking out a third political ground and gaining distance from corporate neoliberals and staid labor chiefs. Fuller shows how these young activists—whom he terms "new pluralists"—proceeded to better fund central-city schools, win quality teachers, widen access to college prep courses, decriminalize student discipline, and even create a panoply of new school forms, from magnet schools to dual-language campuses, site-run small high schools, and social-justice focused classrooms. Moving beyond perennial hand-wringing over urban schools, this book offers empirical lessons on what reforms worked to lift achievement—and kids—across this vast and racially divided metropolis. More broadly, this study examines why these new pluralists emerged in this kaleidoscopic city and how they went about jolting an institution once given up for dead. Spotlighting the force of ethnic communities and humanist notions of children's growth, Fuller argues that diversifying forms of schooling also created unforeseen ways of stratifying both children and families. When Schools Work will inform the efforts of educators, activists, policy makers, and anyone else working to reshape public schools and achieve equitable results for all children.

School Social Work

2002-10-08
School Social Work

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  • Author: David Dupper
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
  • ISBN: 0471271128
  • Category : Social Science
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 312

"This book is well written and inclusive with a realistic approachto problems encountered in schools today. Practical and useableinterventions are included which makes this text a valuableresource to the school social worker." -Terry Housteau-Hill, LSCW, Lead Consultant, Knox County SchoolSocial Services "An invaluable resource . . . [and] extremelyreader-friendly." -Michelle Alvarez, MSW, LCSW, Assistant Professor, School of SocialWork University of Southern Indiana School Social Work thoroughly covers all aspects of this burgeoningfield, from the history and function of school social workers andup-to-date, empirically and developmentally supported interventionsto effective methods for implementing and evaluating school socialwork programs. Educational policy and legislation, community-basedinterventions, and prevention programs are also covered. Supported by case vignettes and discussion questions that engagethe reader in every chapter, this book: * Provides proven and promising programs for change in classrooms,schools, families, neighborhoods, and communities * Equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to functioneffectively in the unique political environment of the school * Outlines the school social worker's essential role as aconsultant to faculty and administrators as well as creator andmediator of school and community collaborations that enhance theacademic success of at-risk students In addition, this book provides current assessment methods forevaluating the effectiveness of interventions; recently developedstandardized measures designed to assess change at the classroom,school, family, neighborhood, and community levels; guidelines forsuccessfully planning, implementing, and evaluating new programsbased on Comprehensive Quality Programming (CQP) strategies; anddetailed information on the most current student-focused violenceprevention programs. Complete with lists of Internet resources and other references atthe end of each chapter, School Social Work is a valuable tool forstudents and a hands-on resource for school social workers,psychologists, counselors, and administrators.

Professional Learning Communities at Work®and High-Reliability Schools

2020-02-18
Professional Learning Communities at Work®and High-Reliability Schools

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  • Author: Robert Eaker
  • Publisher: Solution Tree Press
  • ISBN: 1949539644
  • Category : Education
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 471

Dramatically improve schooling by harnessing the collective power of the High Reliability SchoolsTM (HRS) model and the PLC at Work® process. Featuring some of America's best educators, this anthology includes information, insights, and practical suggestions for both PLCs and HRS. The overarching purpose is to demonstrate how these two approaches, taken together, complement each other and support educators in their efforts to create a culture of continuous improvement. Use this resource to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum: Study the HRS and PLC practices with guidance from numerous practitioners and experts, developing good teachers into great teachers through a culture of accountability. Learn how to keep your school focused on the right work in order to achieve learning for all through a continuous improvement process. Understand how the HRS model can improve success with the PLC process and how the PLC at Work process is the cornerstone of a high reliability school. Explore the ways in which strong leaders can model and improve the why and how of PLC at Work through a collaborative culture. Explore the five levels of the HRS model, and then learn how to relate each level to PLC at Work process to improve education in your school or district. Contents: Introduction: Professional Learning Communities at Work and High Reliability Schools—Merging Best Practices for School Improvement by Robert J. Marzano and Robert Eaker Part I: The Five Levels A Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture 1. Culture Building in a High Reliability School by Mario Acosta 2. Frames of Mind and Tools for Success: Organizational Culture in a PLC by Anthony Muhammad Effective Teaching in Every Classroom 3. Six Steps for Effective Teaching in Every Classroom by Toby Boss 4. Effective Teaching in a Professional Learning Community by William M. Ferriter A Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum 5. Six Action Steps for a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum by Jan K. Hoegh 6. PLC, HRS, and a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum by Heather Friziellie and Julie A. Schmidt Standards-Referenced Reporting 7. A Multiyear Plan for Standards-Referenced Reporting by Tammy Heflebower 8. Grading and Reporting for Learning in a PLC by Eric Twadell Competency-Based Education 9. Personalized, Competency-Based Education by Mike Ruyle 10. Preparation for Tomorrow: A Competency-Based Focus and PLCs by Mike Mattos Part II: Professional Learning Communities, High Reliability Organizations, and School Leadership 11. High Reliability Leadership by Philip B. Warrick 12. Leadership in a PLC: Coherence and Culture by Timothy D. Kanold Part III: Professional Learning Communities, High Reliability Organizations, and District Leadership 13. Leadership in High Reliability School Districts by Cameron L. Rains 14. Leadership in a High Performing PLC by Marc Johnson

Plc and Your Small School

2020
Plc and Your Small School

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  • Author: Breez Longwell Daniels
  • Publisher:
  • ISBN: 9781949539615
  • Category : Professional learning communities
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 248

Small schools can have a big impact. With the guidance of author Breez Longwell Daniels, an award-winning principal in Wyoming, you will learn how to build a successful professional learning community (PLC) in your small school. The resource addresses every key aspect of a PLC system and outlines how to drive immense academic success while staying true to your school's small-town roots. Use this resource to implement a PLC that ensures high levels of learning for every student in your small school: Learn how to define your school's mission and vision in a way that both centers the school's role within the community and builds a foundation for a strong PLC. Become familiar with how to develop a strong PLC school system in a small school or rural area that contains many singleton and shared teachers. Learn how to effectively collect and use data to increase the effectiveness of your PLC system. Study the research and real-world examples that support the strategies and concepts introduced in the book to help students meet their academic goals. Contents:

Making Schools Work

2008-06-24
Making Schools Work

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  • Author: William G. Ouchi
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • ISBN: 1439108102
  • Category : Education
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 398

Introducing a bold, persuasive new argument into the national debate over education, Dr. William Ouchi describes a revolutionary approach to creating successful public schools. This program has produced significant, lasting improvements in the school districts where it has already been implemented. Drawing on the results of a landmark study of 223 schools in six cities, a project that Ouchi supervised and that was funded in part by the National Science Foundation, Making Schools Work shows that a school's educational performance may be most directly affected by how the school is managed. Ouchi's 2001-2002 study examined innovative school systems in Edmonton (Canada), Seattle, and Houston, and compared them with the three largest traditional school systems: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Researchers discovered that the schools that consistently performed best also had the most decentralized management systems, in which autonomous principals -- not administrators in a central office -- controlled school budgets and personnel hiring policies. They were fully responsible and fully accountable for the performance of their schools. With greater freedom and flexibility to shape their educational programs, hire specialists as needed, and generally determine the direction of their school, the best principals will act as entrepreneurs, says Ouchi. Those who do poorly are placed under the supervision of successful principals, who assume responsibility for the failing schools. An essential component of this management approach is the Weighted Student Formula, a budgetary tool whereby every student is evaluated and assessed a certain dollar value in educational services (a non-English-speaking or autistic student, or one from a low-income family, for example, would receive a higher dollar value than a middle-class student with no special needs). Families have the freedom to choose among public schools, and when schools must compete for students, good schools flourish while those that do poorly literally go out of business. Such accountability has long worked for religious and independent schools, where parents pay a premium for educational performance. Making Schools Work shows how the same approach can be adapted to public schools. The book also provides guidelines for parents on how to evaluate a school and make sure their child is getting the best education possible. Revolutionary yet practical, Making Schools Work shows that positive educational reform is within reach and, indeed, already happening in schools across the country.

Looking Together at Student Work

2008
Looking Together at Student Work

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  • Author: Tina Blythe
  • Publisher:
  • ISBN: 9780807748350
  • Category : Educational tests and measurements
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 0

This expanded second edition provides teachers and administrators with strategies and resources for working together to examine and discuss student work, such as science projects, essays, art work, math problems, and more. Providing real examples of how educators can do this, the authors describe three structured conversations, or protocols. Retaining all of its practical, user-friendly features, this updated edition introduces: A new section that summarizes recent research that supports looking at student work as an instructional and school improvement strategy. “The Consultancy,” an additional protocol that shows groups how to address issues and dilemmas of practice using student work as evidence. A new chapter on the role of the facilitator, including techniques. A new case study focusing on the Tuning Protocol.

Creating School Partnerships that Work

2020-07-01
Creating School Partnerships that Work

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  • Author: Frances K. Kochan
  • Publisher: IAP
  • ISBN: 1648021212
  • Category : Education
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 238

THIS IS A UNIQUE BOOK. IF YOU CARE ABOUT SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLING AND THE WAY IN WHICH PARTNERSHIPS MAY HELP TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE THEM AND THE INSTITUTIONS THAT PARTNER WITH THEM, YOU SHOULD READ IT! School partnerships have a long history in the United States. The inception of public schooling was a type of partnership with the community. The concept of local school boards and local control was integral to the establishment of schools and the idea that public education was a public good has deep roots in the country. Partnerships denote relationships which are mutually beneficial to the parties involved and which result in joint benefits for those who create and engage in them. The partnerships presented in this book provide ample evidence of the value and benefits of these arrangements. The book contains stories and research about school partnerships from a variety of groups and perspectives, which are focused upon multiple issues within educational institutions and communities within the United States. The final chapter, presents an analysis across all the partnerships to identify the elements that fostered and hindered their success and the primary lessons learned. This analysis should provide meaningful information for those engaged in developing and operating similar partnerships or those involved in conducting research on or about them. Although the cases presented in this book occur within the United States, the findings may also have relevance for similar initiatives in other countries. Praise for Creating School Partnerships that Work: A Guide for Practice and Research: Kudos to Dana Griggs and Frances Kochan for compiling the rich accountings of eight different school partnerships all in one place. Readers will learn a great deal from both the individual accountings of a broad array of partnerships as well as the collective analysis of the partnerships and lessons learned across them. Creating School Partnerships that Work:A Guide for Research and Practice is a must-read book for anyone who ever has been, is, or desires to be involved in any type of school partnership. Nancy Fichtman Dana, Professor, School of Teaching and Learning University of Florida, Gainesville Creating School Partnerships that Work: A Guide for Research and Practice is a must read for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and community members seeking to identify elements of successful school partnerships that foster students' academic and personal successes. This edited volume shares stakeholders' perspectives on multi-dimensional school partnerships, which have successfully led to sustained collaborations across diverse purposes that are mutually beneficial for all groups. The usefulness of the content analysis presented in the final chapter, which identifies elements both fostering and hindering partnerships with recommendations, cannot be overstated. Mary Barbara Trube, Professor Emerita, Ohio University-Chillicothe Contributing Faculty & Dissertation Mentor, Walden University Early Childhood Education Adjunct Faculty, Florida SouthWestern State College Mentor & Early Childhood Consultant, ILEAD Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

School Social Work

2013-03-28
School Social Work

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  • Author: JoAnn Jarolmen
  • Publisher: SAGE Publications
  • ISBN: 1483322157
  • Category : Education
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 457

Offering a unique focus on evidence-based interventions, critical thinking, and diversity, School Social Work: A Direct Practice Guide covers the foundations of working with children and adolescents in the schools. Each chapter reviews a basic concept and then provides two in-depth activities that allow readers to apply the concepts to real life practice situations. Practical, hands-on experiences, best practice approaches, and case examples throughout the book demonstrate assessments and techniques in action with vulnerable populations and help readers to understand the nuances and complexities of working in a school environment. The book begins with an overview of theory important to social work in the school setting, then covers a wide array of topics, including a typical day in the life of a school social worker; skills and techniques; special education; crisis intervention; collaboration and school consultation; current issues in education; ethical dilemmas; policy, program development, and evaluation; and global issues in school social work.

Making Schools Work

2010-12-01
Making Schools Work

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  • Author: Eric A. Hanushek
  • Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
  • ISBN: 0815717687
  • Category : Political Science
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 224

Educational reform is a big business in the United States. Parents, educators, and policymakers generally agree that something must be done to improve schools, but the consensus ends there. The myriad of reform documents and policy discussions that have appeared over the past decade have not helped to pinpoint exactly what should be done. The case for investment in education is an economic one: schooling improves the productivity and earnings of individuals and promotes stronger economic growth and better functioning of society. Recent trends in schooling have, however, lessened the value of society's investments as costs have risen dramatically while student performance has stayed flat or even fallen. The task is to improve performance while controlling costs. This book is the culmination of extensive discussions among a panel of economists led by Eric Hanushek. They conclude that economic considerations have been entirely absent from the development of educational policies and that economic reality is sorely needed in discussions of new policies. The book outlines an improvement plan that emphasizes changing incentives in schools and gathering information about effective approaches. Available research and analysis demonstrates that current central decisionmaking has worked poorly. Concentrating on inputs such as pupil-teacher ratios or teacher graduate degrees appears quite inferior to systems that directly reward performance. Nonetheless, since experience with such alternatives is very limited, a program of extensive evaluation appears to be in order. Attempts to institute radical change on the basis of currently available information involve substantial risks of failure. Many people today find proposals such as charter schools, expanded use of merit pay, or educational vouchers to be appealing. Yet there is little evidence of their effectiveness, and widespread adoption of these proposals is sure to run into substantial problems of im