Food for thought at a Vermont elementary school
Posted: October 17, 2007
Summary: School improvement and civic engagement are just two pluses this school has experienced through its partnership with the Shelburne Farms' Sustainable Schools Project and local community members.
Topic areas: School improvement, civic engagement, English language learners, curriculum planning
Technology motivates students to learn in new ways
Posted: September 18, 2007
Summary: Whether it's helping a student meet a special challenge or helping students learn English, this school district's use of technology helps all students learn.
Topic areas: Educational technology, professional development, at-risk students, online classes, ELL
Kansas elementary school closes the achievement gap
Posted: June 25, 2007
Summary: This Title I school has closed the achievement gap for English Language Learners and students who are economically disadvantaged. See how these students consistently exceed both state standards and NCLB targets.
Topic areas: ELL, achievement gap, exceeding standards
The Pre-k advantage: Setting the stage for student success
State: Missouri
Posted: June 25, 2007
Summary: Access to a strong pre-k program, with its direct innovative approach to literacy development, fosters a love of learning and academic success for students in this small rural, high poverty, school district.
Topic areas: Pre-k, reading, reading strategies, student success
A no-excuses approach to school improvement in Bisbee, Ariz.
State: Arizona
Posted: May 10, 2007
Summary: See the how this Title I school's high expectations for all students and commitment to professional development drives student acheivement.
Topic areas: Title I, school improvement, student achievement, professional development, pre-k-3, reading strategies
Embracing a spirit of innovation at Walden III
State: Wisconsin
Posted: May 1, 2007
Summary: Student responsibility and student-directed learning goals are two of the core beliefs that drive Walden III middle and high school. See how this philosophy keeps students engaged in learning.
Topic areas: Funding, community, student engagement, high expectations, accountability
Community Connects with Kodiak High School
State: Alaska
Posted: February 22, 2007
Summary: Kodiak, Alaska makes a concerted community effort to drive student success. Local partnerships, community volunteerism, and good old fashioned planning go a long way toward enriching students' educational experience.
Topic areas: Involving communities, achievement gap, student success, partnerships
Elementary students at Mary B. Austin respond to a creative culture and high expectations
State: Alabama
Posted: January 5, 2007
Summary: This school, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, uses music education and data-driven decision making to narrow student acheivement gaps.
Topic areas: Arts and music education, Blue Ribbon Schools, high achieving, data driven decision making
Granger high school grapples with the basics—and wins
State: Washington
Posted: January 5, 2007
Summary: This once failing high school now offers a bright future for its students thanks to Principal Richard Esparza's no nonsense approach to teaching these economically disadvantaged youth, many who arrive well below grade level in all subject areas.
Topic areas: Student achievement, extra supports, low income, English language learners
Middle colleges make a difference for struggling high school students in Guilford County, N.C.
State: North Carolina
Posted: December 20, 2006
Summary: North Carolina's middle colleges help disengaged and disillusioned students find the right path. This unique environment helps students acclimate to higher standards and become engaged in school again and motivated to learn.
Topic areas: Student engagement, student success, extra supports, alternative education
Retirees provide rich resource for Nevada district
State: Nevada
Posted: November 27, 2007
Summary: Only 30,000 people live in Pahrump, in the southwest corner of Nevada, but Pahrump's students represent 80 percent of Nye County’s student population. As more newcomers flock to Pahrump to take advantage of lower housing costs, retirees have become an important resource for Nye County public schools.
Topic areas: Extra supports, leveraging resources, student achievement
Michigan district gets physical with reading
State: Michigan
Posted: November 3, 2006
Summary: Everything is fair game as reading tutors teach students the connections between sounds and letters. Find out how Michigan's Romulus Community Schools increased student achievement by using an imaginative system for teaching reading to struggling students, combined with the creative use of its school facilities.
Topic areas: Reading, afterschool programs, community involvement, leveraging resources
One small school making big dreams come true in Wyoming
State: Wyoming
Posted: August 18, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Online learning, Native American studies, dropout prevention
A culture of collaboration spurs academic growth in low-income California community
State: California
Posted: July 9, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: High-performing, high-poverty schools, English-language learners
Hamilton County urban schools nurture good teachers
State: Tennessee
Posted: May 23, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Raising student achievement, teacher professional development, teacher retention
Parents power Portland schools' rebound
State: Oregon
Posted: May 10, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Community engagement, school change, funding
From battle ground to common ground
State: Washington
Posted: May 3, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: School change, communication
Reinventing education Alaska-style
State: Alaska
Posted: April 3, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: High school graduation, staff development, academic achievement
Smaller classes benefit Burke County (NC) students
State: North Carolina
Posted: March 31, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Class size
Late-start high schools at low cost in Arlington (Va.) Public Schools
State: Virginia
Posted: Jan. 9, 2006
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: School day schedules
Accountability plan spurs achievement gains for Indiana district
State: Indiana
Posted: Nov. 16, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Accountability
Minnesota community puts children first
State: Minnesota
Posted: Nov. 16, 2005
Summary: A partnership between business, city, education, health, and faith communities in St. Louis Park takes a developmental approach to strengthening schools.
Topic areas: Collaboration, community involvement
Rallying support for higher taxes in Malvern, Ark.
State: Arkansas
Posted: Nov. 16, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Community involvement, funding
Kitchen table conversations in Caroline County, Md.
State: Maryland
Posted: Oct. 24, 2005
Summary: Rural Maryland community gathers around the table to discuss, support schools.
Topic areas: Community involvement
Small groups produce big changes in Westminster, Colo.
State: Colorado
Posted: Sept. 27, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Community involvement
Georgia district fares well in weathering change
State: Georgia
Posted: July 20, 2005
Summary: By getting in front of expected challenges a decade ago, Gwinnett County, Ga., school leaders kept the community involved and achievement levels high.
Topic areas: Data for decision-making, changing demographics
New Jersey district scores with professional communications help
State: New Jersey
Posted: June 28, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Funding, outreach, communication strategies
Education partnership leads to 'Broad' success
State: California
Posted: June 6, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Collaboration
NY county coop board helps teenage English language learners succeed
State: New York
Posted: April 22, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: English language learners, closing the gap
Pennsylvania district communicates that 'Every Child Counts'
State: Pennsylvania
Posted: April 7, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Collaboration, community involvement
Kentucky district is in the 'brain business'
State: Kentucky
Posted: April 1, 2005
Summary: The latest research on how children learn best put Glasgow (Ky.) Independent Schools in the "brain business."
Topic areas: Instructional strategies
Florida school district gets the vote out
State: Florida
Posted: Feb. 11, 2005
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Teacher retention, funding, outreach, communication strategies
Fostering a love of books in Gates County (N.C.) schools
State: North Carolina
Posted: Dec. 17, 2004
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Summer programs, reading
Texas school district tackles truancy
State: Texas
Posted: Nov. 17, 2004
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Drop-out prevention, truancy
Long-term commitment key to Kansas City (Kan.) schools' success
State: Kansas
Posted: Oct. 22, 2004
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Student achievement, drop-out prevention, collaboration
Rolling out the red carpet in Norfolk, Va.
State: Virginia
Posted: Sept. 7, 2004
Summary: 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.
Topic areas: Parent involvement
