A Delicate Balance: District Policies and Classroom Practices
Author: Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform
Publisher: Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform
Publication Date: 2005
Publication City: Chicago
Publication State: IL
Full text available online at: http://www.crosscity.org/downloads/delicate_balance.pdf
Abstract (written by WestEd)
Using a case study methodology, this report examines the challenges of the district offices of three urban districts — Seattle, Milwaukee, and Chicago — as they institute large-scale instructional reform. The authors conclude that improved student learning did not occur because instruction did not improve, and that improved instruction cannot be mandated from the district office without the input of school-level expertise and accompanying school-level support and capacity building. These findings are further explained through seven lessons learned, and are followed by six recommendations. The report concludes with a case study summary for each of the three districts.
This report is the second in the study undertaken by the Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform, whose guiding question is, "What is the role of the central offices in improving instruction?" The first report in this study is Leading From the Middle: Mid-Level District Staff and Instructional Improvement, also available from SchoolsMovingUp.
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From WestEd.org
Through this six-part video series, visit six different California schools that are making strides toward closing the achievement gap. Listen in to panel discussions as researchers and school staff members explore what each school is discovering.
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