Leading Troubled Schools to the 'Tipping Point': A School Reform Proposal

This interactive presentation with Ken Futernick, professor of education at California State University at Sacramento, will provide an overview of a school reform proposal designed to effect dramatic and sudden change in low-performing, hard-to-staff schools.

Presenters

Ken Futernick (Primary)

Director, School Turnaround Center
WestEd

Description

The Tipping Point plan is based on a unique theory of change and the belief that dysfunctional schools can be turned around if teachers and administrators are offered the very real prospect that they can succeed in these schools. Lower class sizes, clean and safe schools, up-to-date materials, and state of the art technology are among the incentives some districts are using to lure personnel to their hard-to-staff schools. While these are important, the single most important incentive for principals and teachers—the one that has the greatest chance of convincing them that they can make a difference in these highly demanding schools—is the promise of membership on a competent and committed team of teachers and administrators. The Tipping Point plan is designed to lead dysfunctional schools to the point where they "tip" —a point where teachers and administrators come and stay because together, as a team, they are able to create successful learning experiences for their students. This presentation was designed for teachers, school administrators, and others who are interested in hearing about and discussing a radically different school reform plan.

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