Folder: White Papers

Converging Challenges

As Western nations struggle to recover their economic equilibriums after the financial crisis of 2008, China and India are leveraging their size and human capital to become global economic powerhouses. Emerging economies such as Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, and Panama are increasingly capable of winning greater shares of international business. The ability to compete in the interconnected global economy is primarily leveraged by technical innovation and a hi...Read more

Folder: Leadership

A Research Partnership of the Successful Practices Network, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the International Center for Leadership in Education, and the Quaglia Institute. Funded by the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This report describes the results of five years of research SPN led in 75 schools in 10 states. The factors that emerged from this research has contributed to a national understanding of what distinguishes model schools. This report feat...Read more

Lin Kuzmich, Senior Consultant
SPNetwork and ICLE

March 2012

Duration: 4:28 Minutes

Year: 2011

It has been said that a man's reputation is what other people think of him, but his character is what he really is. Had this quote been about schools, it would fit Labadieville Middle School (Labadieville) perfectly because at one point in time Labadieville was the place no one wanted to go. Neither students nor teachers would be excited about going to Labadieville. It was no secret to the district, administration, teachers, students, parents, and community that Labadieville was a school of q...Read more

Year: 2011

The Manor Independent School District (Manor ISD) is located just outside the Austin city limits and 12 miles east of the University of Texas in the rural community of Manor, Texas. The Manor community has become a hub for the central Texas technology industry, with industry giants such as Applied Materials and Samsung listed on their tax rolls. Manor was a small rural town of about 1,200
residents just 10 years ago; the population has more than tripled in this time period. Manor ISD draws f...Read more

Year: 2011

Moanalua High School (Moanalua) is a comprehensive high school with grades 9–12 located just outside of the city of Honolulu, three miles north of Pearl Harbor. The school’s approximately 2,100 students represent a wide range of diversity and socioeconomic levels. The education program follows a five-day rotating six period schedule that offers core and elective courses in academic, CTE, fine arts, and performing arts programs. High expectations and high standards help motivate students e...Read more

Folder: Adult Education

In this report published by the Center for American Progress, the authors give a summary view of where we are with the link between our teacher evaluation and teacher improvement systems. The authors also explore the current issues that PD can address and the challenges to successful improvement models. A high level review of relevant research is part of this report. A very informative and helpful report for all school leaders at all levels.

Year: 2011

South Heights Elementary School (South Heights) lives by its mission statement, We succeed; no exceptions, no excuses! Over 10 years ago, South Heights was ranked 684th in the State of Kentucky. By fall 2010 our school had risen to 54th. Each year over the last decade our school improved. This improvement has occurred because of an intentional focus on instruction, collaboration/leadership, and culture. Each year our staff re-tools, with support from our Guiding Coalition.

This improveme...Read more

Year: 2011

South Middle School (South Middle) in Westfield, Massachusetts, serves approximately 600 students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Located in western Massachusetts, Westfield is a city of approximately 42,000 residents. There are 6,100 school-aged children served by an early childhood center, seven elementary schools, two middle schools, a comprehensive high school, and a vocational/technical high
school.

As a Title 1 school, South Middle School has a socio-economically diverse population; 49% are ...Read more

Year: 2011

Alleghany County is one of the smallest in North Carolina both in geographic area and in population. The county has approximately 10,000 residents and the school system serves nearly 1,600 students. The main industries are Christmas tree farming and vacation home construction. Sparta School (Sparta), located in the town of Sparta, the county seat, is the largest school in the county, and serves nearly 45% of the county’s student population. The school itself is very large, and due to its s...Read more