Description
Book SynopsisThree policy innovations at the heart of this book the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), new Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR), and data driven instruction (DDI) provide a timely opportunity to join school and district improvement and policy implementation research with improvement science. This book is not just a collection of findings about odds-beating schools (those with higher than predicted student performance trends and higher than average poverty and diversity) and their journeys to implement these innovations. It also provides timely perspectives regarding policy innovations and how they might disrupt practice in desirable or undesirable ways. This book offers readers insight into how educators at every boundaryclassroom, school, and district interact to make meaning of innovations, both individually and collectively; and also how their meanings and values influence innovation implementation outcomes. The story includes details how policy innovations were tailor
Trade ReviewWith this volume, three equity-minded researchers cut through the sometimes confusing marketplace of school improvement stories to shine new light on what makes odds-beating schools work. The authors show what these schools do and draw on rich research to explain why those schools beat the odds. This practical scholarship can help educational leaders of all stripes understand how to lead for true systemic change on behalf of our nation’s traditionally underserved and most vulnerable students. -- Meredith I. Honig, University of Washington, Seattle
In countries across the world, schools struggle to raise the achievements of students from economically poor backgrounds. What this book demonstrates conclusively, however, is that demography need not be destiny. Some schools serving disadvantaged populations can and do beat the odds for their students. In this searching study, Wilcox and her colleagues demonstrate precisely how they do this and how other schools can learn from their work. Their findings have major implications for school leaders and policy makers in the US - but also in many other countries where educational equity is an issue. -- D.Alan Dyson, University of Manchester, England
The researchers provide not only exemplars of odds-beating schools during implementation of the Common Core but also inspiration to educators in schools with high percentages of disadvantaged students. This new research delivers an impactful resource that can be leveraged to bring clarity to efforts to ensure equitable learning opportunities and possibilities for success for diverse learning populations. -- David W. Ziskin, Superintendent of Schools, Fort Plain Central School District
Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements 1. Schools as Innovation-Ready Learning Organizations Kristen Campbell Wilcox, Hal A. Lawson, Janet Ives Angelis 2. A Climate of Trust Janet Ives Angelis, Karen Gregory, Francesca T. Durand 3. Reciprocal Communications Francesca T. Durand 4. Alignment and Coherence Sarah J. Zuckerman, Hal A. Lawson, Kristen Campbell Wilcox 5. Readiness for Innovation Francesca T. Durand, Hal A. Lawson 6. Instructional Adaptation Kristen Campbell Wilcox 7. Whole Child Wellness and Positive Youth Development Karen Gregory, Kristen Campbell Wilcox, Hal A. Lawson 8. Odds Beaters as Exemplars Hal A. Lawson, Kristen Campbell Wilcox, Janet Ives Angelis 9. The Sample and the Schools Kathryn S. Schiller, Janet Ives Angelis About the Authors
