Five Opportunities for
Improvement under NCLB
1. The Development of a 2-Year School Improvement Plan
Schools identified for improvement two years in a row have the opportunity to define the assistance they need and to request the resources required to meet those needs based on data and research plans. Districts, in collaboration with state-level support teams, will assist schools in developing and implementing two-year improvement plans. Districts with schools identified for improvement are eligible to receive grants from their state agencies to assist in improving the performance of those schools.
Questions for Administrators:
- How will I ensure that I have involved key stakeholders with commitment and
expertise in developing the improvement plan, and what is the best way to
engage parents and the broader community?
- What data should I review to determine where to focus my reform effort
and how do I pinpoint my highest priorities for improvement?
- Where can I find information on research-based school reform practices
and programs?
- What professional development and other resources are available to leaders needing
to mobilize staff and community to move toward improvement targets?
- How should I measure program as well as student progress?
Questions for Parents:
- How do I assist my school in developing and implementing its improvement plan?
- How do I help my child's teacher ensure that my child gets the best possible education?
- What role can I play in motivating the school community toward improvement rather than focusing on failure?
Resources
Making Good Choices: A Guide for schools and districts
http://www.ncrel.org/csri/tools/makegood/title.htm
This guide provides a process for examining school needs and creating an approach to meet those needs.
Guide to Using Data in School Improvement Efforts
http://www.ncrel.org/datause/howto/guidebook.php
This introductory guide presents key ideas and concepts to help you get started with data-driven decision making.
Making Sense of Test-Based Accountability in Education
Laura S. Hamilton, Brian M. Stecher, and Stephen P. Klein (eds.)
http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1554
The research in this report provides an overview of the major issues faced by those who develop, implement, and use test-based accountability systems.
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