Elementary students at Mary B. Austin respond to a creative culture and high expectations
State: Alabama
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.
Topics: Arts and music education, Blue Ribbon Schools, high achieving, data driven decision making
Posted: January 5, 2007
Retirees provide rich resource for Nevada district
State: Nevada
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.
Topics: Extra supports, leveraging resources, student achievement
Posted: November 27, 2007
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: January 19, 2006
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: November 16, 2005
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: November 16, 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: September 27, 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
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
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
