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4.1 Shared Philosophy of Culture of Excellence There is a shared philosophy of commitment, ownership, vision, mission and goals that promote a culture of excellence. 
Level of Performance: Exceeds Standards
Related Resources Tools NEW! AIMS Intervention/Dropout Prevention Toolkit This interactive Toolkit is designed to help you quickly find useful information about dropout prevention. Research on best practices and current practices in Arizona combine to make this Program Toolkit a helpful resource for existing programs hoping to improve their results and for new programs hoping to get a head start on dropout prevention. Author: Arizona Department of Education Publication Date: 2007 Publisher: Arizona Department of Education An Audit of the Culture Starts with Two Handy Tools This article discusses how the absence of a healthy school culture can be an obstacle to the development of professional learning opportunities. It is argued that the school must first assess its culture before attempting to implement any programs designed for student achievement. A linked tool includes multiple instruments for assessing and analyzing school culture, and then sharing the results with the school community. Author: Christopher Wagner and Penelope Masden-Copas Publication Date: Summer 2002 Publisher: National Staff Development Council (NSDC) Articles NEW! Dropout Prevention This guide on reducing high school dropout rates provides recommendations and strategies such as identifying and advocating for at-risk students, implementing programs to improve behavior and social skills, and partnering with community groups. Publication Date: 2008 Publisher: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance NEW! Principal Leadership in New Teacher Induction: Becoming Agents of Change This article discusses the principal's role in lowering the high attrition rate among beginning teachers. Author: Finney Cherian and Yvette Daniel Publication Date: 2008 Publisher: International Journal of Educational Policy and Leadership NEW! What Content-Area Teachers Should Know About Adolescent Literacy This report suggests methods for improving adolescent learners reading and writings skills in the classroom. Author: Kris Anstrom and Trenace Richardson Tanya Shuy Rebecca J. Moak and Mary A. Campbell Peggy McCardle a Publication Date: 2007 Publisher: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement (to edit this resource, contact WestEd) Publication Date: 2002 Publisher: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) Comparing The Research on Best Practices This article compares the research on best practices from leading educators like Robert Marzano, Jay McTighe, Michael Fullan, and Deborah Pickering and looks for common components. Author: Carol Rolheiser, Ph.D. and Michael Fullan, Ph.D. Publication Date: 2002 Publisher: Center for Development and Learning Differentiation in Diverse Settings: A Consultants Experiences in Two Similar School Districts Dr. Tomlinson describes how two districts and their leadership pursue different approaches to addressing the issues of implementing differentiated instruction throughout their schools. Particular attention is given to outlining an effective leadership plan for success in meeting the needs of diverse learners through differentiation. Author: Carol Ann Tomlinson Publication Date: August, 2004 Publisher: American Association of School Administrators Gaining Traction, Gaining Ground: How Some High Schools Accelerate Learning for Struggling Students This report investigates four high-impact high schools where previously underperforming students made unusually large achievement gains, and notes 21 differences between the orientation and practices of high impact schools compared to average schools. Publication Date: 2005 Publisher: Ed Trust How to Create a Superintendents’ Leadership Council that Assures Equity for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in an Era of Educational Reform Publication Date: 2000, December Publisher: Northeast & Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University Instructional Coaches Make Progress Through Partnership This article discusses the role of an instructional coach. Author: Jim Knight Publication Date: 2004 Publisher: National Staff Development Council (NSDC) Instructional Coaching This article provides eight factors for realizing better classroom teaching through support, feedback and intensive, individualized professional learning. Author: Jim Knight Publication Date: 2006 Publisher: American Association of School Administrators No Choice but Success This article describes attitudes among teachers in two schools who believed that, regardless of conditions outside the school that might have impeded student learning, it was their responsibility in their classrooms for all students to succeed. Note: The full-text article may be read for free on the ASCD Web site. Use the URL above to locate the article by date in the Archived Issues section of the Educational Leadership area. Author: Dick Corbett, Bruce Wilson and Belinda Williams Publication Date: 2005, March Professional Learning Communities: What Are They And Why Are They Important? This paper focuses on the professional community of learners, in which the teachers in a school and its administrators continuously seek and share learning and then act on what they learn. Publication Date: 1997 Publisher: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy The authors outline 15 key elements of an effective literacy intervention, and call on public and private stakeholders to invest in the literacy of middle and high school students today, while simultaneously building the knowledge base. Author: Gina Biancarosa and Catherine Snow Publication Date: 2004 Publisher: Alliance for Excellent Education Student Learning Grows in Professional Cultures This article discusses the important role that school culture plays in both school reform and student learning. Questions are provided which can help schools identify their norms and beliefs. Twelve norms seen to be indicative of a health school culture are presented. Publication Date: 1998, August/September Useful Links Whole District Data This site from the Chenowith School District in Oregon displays staff survey data on a variety of school improvement areas. Survey 1 about “Building” specifically addresses issues about measuring student performance, curriculum assessment, and overall school performance evaluation strategies. Though presented with district data, questions can be used to build questionnaires which can be administered within your own district. ©2005 WestEd. All rights reserved.  |
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