Resource Strategies Used in High-Performing Schools

Miles (in press) has identified the following resource strategies used in high-performing schools:

• The school incorporates common planning time for teachers into the everyday school schedule.

• The school maximizes instructional time and creates longer blocks of time for academic subjects, especially literacy and math.

• Teaching staff and students are organized so that there are smaller group sizes and reduced teacher loads in academic subjects. This organization meets student needs in instructional focus and also reduces specialized and pull-out programs for specific groups of students and teachers.

• A variety of student groupings are used during the school day. These groupings are based on educational needs, not staffing formulas.

• School structures support personal relationships between students and teachers.

• The school invests more resources in prevention than in remediation.

• The largest numbers of teachers are working in the academic focus areas.

• All adults (including specialists, administrators, and paraprofessionals) have an explicit role in supporting improved student learning.

• Significant resources are allocated for professional development that supports the school's comprehensive school reform design.

• New staff are hired to fit the school's needs in terms of knowledge, attitude, and work schedule.

• All school programs and funds--including funds from special programs as well as external and private funds--support the comprehensive school reform design.

• Technology is integrated as a tool to support the comprehensive school reform design.

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