One small school making big dreams come true in Wyoming
State: Wyoming
Topics: Online learning, Native American studies, dropout prevention
Ft. Washakie Charter High School is the only public online high school in the state of Wyoming. See how this innovative school addresses the needs of each student and turns the dream of high school graduation into a reality.
Posted: August 18, 2006
A culture of collaboration spurs academic growth in low-income California community
State: California
Topics: High-performing, high-poverty schools; English-language learners
Educators in Livingston Union School District in California thought they were doing a pretty good job teaching their students, predominantly English language learners from low-income homes--until they saw their first state test scores from 1999. After the initial shock, district officials set about changing their schools' culture and since then have traveled a path that brought them from dismal performance to distinguished growth.
Posted: July 9, 2006
Hamilton County urban schools nurture good teachers
State: Tennessee
Topics: raising student achievement, teacher professional development, teacher retention
Many urban schools struggle to find and retain teachers willing to do the tough job of teaching low-income students, but not in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Learn how they mastered this challenge and created a win-win situation for all—students, teachers, and the schools themselves.
Posted: May 23, 2006
Parents power Portland schools' rebound
State: Oregon
Topics: community engagement, school change, funding
In 2003, the financial situation for local schools in Portland, Oregon, was so bleak that Portland was spoofed nationally in Garry Trudeau’s Doonesbury cartoon strip. But when parents joined forces on behalf of public schools in the greater Portland area, it was no joke.
Posted: May 10, 2006
From battle ground to common ground
State: Washington
Topics: school change, communication
What do you do when your district is in a shambles and communication has completely shut down? Battle Ground's story demonstrates how to completely turn a disfunctional district around to one that uses effective communication, is respectful, and where student success reigns supreme.
Posted: May 3, 2006
Reinventing education Alaska-style
State: Alaska
Topics: high school graduation, staff development, academic achievement
How do you change the entire education system of a vast district, one covering 22,000 square miles? The Chugach School District shows us how.
Posted: April 3, 2006
Smaller classes benefit Burke County (NC) students
State: North Carolina
Topics: class size
Burke County Schools used funding from various sources, including Title I, to reduce class size in the early grades. The result has been increased test scores in 3rd-8th grade and positive feedback from teachers, administrators, parents, and students. The district is now considering using Title I funds to reduce class size in 4th and 5th grade.
Posted: March 31, 2006
Late-start high schools at low cost in Arlington (Va.) Public Schools
State: Virginia
Topics: school day schedules
By involving the public and a consultant the Arlington Schools found a way to open high schools later without disrupting the budget or other school schedules.
Posted: Jan. 9, 2006
Accountability plan spurs achievement gains for Indiana district
State: Indiana
Topics: accountability
Accountability is not a word to be feared in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township near Indianapolis. A system-wide accountability plan has helped spur noticeable student achievement gains and narrowed the achievement gap, especially in math.
Posted: Nov. 16, 2005
Minnesota community puts children first
State: Minnesota
Topics: collaboration; community involvement
A partnership between business, city, education, health, and faith communities in St. Louis Park takes a developmental approach to strengthening schools.
Posted: Nov. 16, 2005
Rallying support for higher taxes in Malvern, Ark.
State: Arkansas
Topics: community involvement; funding
The small Arkansas town of Malvern hadn't passed a millage tax increase for new schools in more than 30 years. Then a group of committed citizens got involved.
Posted: Nov. 16, 2005
Kitchen table conversations in Caroline County, Md.
State: Maryland
Topics: community involvement
Rural Maryland community gathers around the table to discuss, support schools.
Posted: Oct. 24, 2005
Small groups produce big changes in Westminster, Colo.
State: Colorado
Topics: community involvement
With help from the Colorado Association of School Boards, the local school board has invited a wide range of participants to discuss solutions to particular issues, such as why families are choosing schools outside this school district.
Posted: Sept. 27, 2005
Georgia district fares well in weathering change
State: Georgia
Topics: data for decision-making; changing demographics
By getting in front of expected challenges a decade ago, Gwinnett County, Ga., school leaders kept the community involved and achievement levels high.
Posted: July 20, 2005
New Jersey district scores with professional communications help
State: New Jersey
Topics: funding; outreach; communication strategies
When officials of Lenape Regional High School District in Shamong, NJ, went to bat for a three-part referendum, they didn't carry the day, but scored by winning approval for much-needed upgrades to their aging high schools.
Posted: June 28, 2005
Education partnership leads to 'Broad' success
State: California
Topics: collaboration
When Long Beach Unified School District won the Broad Prize for Urban Education in 2003, and the $500,000 in college scholarships that came with it, judges frequently pointed to the district's powerful data collection system and research department as key to the district's success.
Posted: June 6, 2005
NY county coop board helps teenage English language learners succeed
State: New York
Topics: English language learners; closing the gap
As more and more teenage English language learners immigrated to their area, school leaders in Rockland County, NY, realized these students faced special challenges in attaining academic success and employment after high school.
Posted: April 22, 2005
Pennsylvania district communicates that 'Every Child Counts'
State: Pennsylvania
Topics: collaboration; community involvement
In this age of standardized testing, Every Child Counts clarifies to the students, staff, and community of the Williamsport Area School District that every child does count and is a valued member of the educational system.
Posted: April 7, 2005
Kentucky district is in the 'brain business'
State: Kentucky
Topics: instructional strategies
The latest research on how children learn best put Glasgow (Ky.) Independent Schools in the "brain business."
Posted: April 1, 2005
Florida school district gets the vote out
State: Florida
Topics: teacher retention; funding; outreach and communication strategies
With teachers leaving the Pinellas County (Fla.) School District for higher salaries in neighboring states, the Pinellas County School Board and the local education association spearheaded a grassroots movement that won a tax increase to raise teacher salaries and bolster reading and art programs.
Posted: Feb. 11, 2005
Fostering a love of books in Gates County (N.C.) schools
State: North Carolina
Topics: summer programs; reading
The Gates County School Board in Gatesville, N.C., wanted elementary school students to read during the summer break. The goal took shape as "Miss Sandra's Super Story Time," a summer program that made reading exciting.
Posted: Dec. 17, 2004
Texas school district tackles truancy
State: Texas
Topics: drop-out prevention; truancy
An original approach to school truancy in the Fort Worth (Texas) Independent School District is reducing absences and ultimately may curb the district's drop-out rate.
Posted: Nov. 17, 2004
Long-term commitment key to Kansas City (Kan.) schools' success
State: Kansas
Topics: student achievement; drop-out prevention; collaboration
Faced with a high drop-out rate and low student performance, the Kansas City (Kan.) School Board wasn't interested in quick fixes. Instead, members opted for across-the-board strategies to improve teaching and strengthen student learning.
Posted: Oct. 22, 2004
Rolling out the red carpet in Norfolk, Va.
State: Virginia
Topics: parent involvement
The Norfolk (Va.) Public Schools are seeing increased parental involvement and more interaction between parents and the school board thanks to a simple initiative launched by the board.
Posted: Sept. 7, 2004
