What is Atypical about Schools that Achieve Atypical Results?

National Center for Urban School Transformation

http://www.ncust.org [email protected]

What is Atypical about Schools that Achieve Atypical Results?

Joseph F. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D.Executive Director

National Center for Urban School TransformationFASFEPA/ECTAC Conference

February 22, 2008


National Center for Urban School Transformation

Dedicated to identifying, studying, and promoting the best practices of America’s highest achieving urban schools in a manner that supports urban districts in

transforming teaching and learning

http://www.ncust.org

3rd Annual Symposium: May 8th & 9th, 2008 in San Diego


Typical Schools Get Some Students to Achieve Challenging Standards

Students from affluent families Students who speak English at home Students with parents who have high

levels of education Students who are White Students who do not have disabilities Students whose families rarely move


Often However, Typical Schools Have Difficulty Ensuring the Success of:

Students from low-income families Students who speak languages other than

English at home Students whose parents have little education Students who are Black or Latino Students with disabilities Students from highly mobile families


Most Title I Schools That:Most Title I Schools That:

Use typical programsUse typical programs Provide typical instructionProvide typical instruction Teach typical curricula, andTeach typical curricula, and Relate to students and parents in typical Relate to students and parents in typical

waysways

Achieve Typical Results!Achieve Typical Results!


NCUST Studies Schools that NCUST Studies Schools that Achieve Atypical ResultsAchieve Atypical Results

Majority of students meet low-income criteria, no selective Majority of students meet low-income criteria, no selective admissions criteria, and in an urban district; yet:admissions criteria, and in an urban district; yet:

Higher achievement than state average and higher than 90 Higher achievement than state average and higher than 90 percent of similar schoolspercent of similar schools

Small or no achievement gapsSmall or no achievement gaps Exceed AYP criteria for at least two yearsExceed AYP criteria for at least two years Low suspension/expulsion ratesLow suspension/expulsion rates High attendance ratesHigh attendance rates High graduation ratesHigh graduation rates No disproportionate racial/ethnic enrollments in gifted or No disproportionate racial/ethnic enrollments in gifted or

special education special education Other evidence of high achievementOther evidence of high achievement


Recent NCUST Award WinnersRecent NCUST Award Winners Community Day Charter, Lawrence, MA (2006) Ginter Park Elementary, Richmond, VA (2006) Linwood Elementary, Oklahoma City, OK (2006) Muller Elementary, Hillsborough County, FL (2006) Whittier Primary School, Peoria, IL (2006) Cecil Park Elementary, Mt. Vernon, NY (2007) Columbus Alt. High School, Columbus, OH (2007) Detroit Edison Academy, Detroit, MI (2007) Edison Elementary, Long Beach, CA (2007) Gideons Elementary, Atlanta, GA (2007) Pillow Elementary, Austin, TX (2007) Rancho Cucamonga Middle, Cucamonga, CA (2007)


Gideons Elementary SchoolGideons Elementary School Atlanta, GAAtlanta, GA

Enrollment: 550Enrollment: 550 96% African American96% African American 88% Low-Income88% Low-Income 96% proficient in reading/language arts96% proficient in reading/language arts 94% proficient in mathematics94% proficient in mathematics 48% EXCEED state standards in 48% EXCEED state standards in

reading/language artsreading/language arts


Cecil H. Parker ElementaryCecil H. Parker Elementary Mount Vernon, New YorkMount Vernon, New York

Enrollment: 450Enrollment: 450 99% African American99% African American 78% Low-Income78% Low-Income 91% proficient in reading (increased from 91% proficient in reading (increased from

27% to 91% over six years)27% to 91% over six years) 96% proficient in mathematics96% proficient in mathematics


Thomas Edison ElementaryThomas Edison Elementary Long Beach, CALong Beach, CA

Enrollment: 1,000Enrollment: 1,000 95% Latino95% Latino 88% Low-Income88% Low-Income 808 Academic Performance Index (state 808 Academic Performance Index (state

target is 800)target is 800) 802 Academic Performance Index for 802 Academic Performance Index for

English learnersEnglish learners


Columbus Alternative High SchoolColumbus Alternative High SchoolColumbus, OHColumbus, OH

Enrollment: 611Enrollment: 611 Grades 9-12Grades 9-12 60% African American60% African American 59% low-income59% low-income 97% proficient in reading97% proficient in reading 95% proficient in mathematics95% proficient in mathematics 82% proficient in science82% proficient in science


2008 Finalists2008 Finalists

From Bakersfield, Birmingham, Cleveland, From Bakersfield, Birmingham, Cleveland, El Paso, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Long El Paso, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Long Beach, Miami, Newark, Norfolk, Beach, Miami, Newark, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Richmond, SacramentoPhiladelphia, Richmond, Sacramento 13 elementary schools13 elementary schools 4 middle schools4 middle schools 3 high schools3 high schools


Schools that Achieve Atypical Schools that Achieve Atypical Results Do So:Results Do So:

Not by accidentNot by accident Not Not simplysimply by hard work by hard work Not by gaming the systemNot by gaming the system They develop programs, systems, and They develop programs, systems, and

structures that are resulting in atypical --structures that are resulting in atypical -- Curricula (rigor)Curricula (rigor) Instruction (relevance)Instruction (relevance) School cultures (relationships)School cultures (relationships)


Every High-Performing School is Every High-Performing School is DifferentDifferent

There is no simple formulaThere is no simple formula There is no checklistThere is no checklist Their strengths vary, but they generally Their strengths vary, but they generally

include characteristics that are atypical for include characteristics that are atypical for Title I schools (particularly related to Title I schools (particularly related to curriculum, instruction, and/or school curriculum, instruction, and/or school culture)culture)


What is Atypical About Curriculum What is Atypical About Curriculum and Instruction in High-Performing and Instruction in High-Performing

Title I Schools?Title I Schools?


Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results Don’t Try to Teach Everything

Many Title I schools have used curriculum alignment processes and pacing charts to ensure that all standards are covered well.

In contrast, many high-performing schools reduce the number of objectives that are the focus of instruction. Educators identify critical standards and focus attention on teaching them well.


Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results Don’t Try to Teach Everything

Schools with atypical results establish objective ways to determine that students have learned key concepts to a level that is at least as rigorous as required by their state assessment.

By ensuring that students are learning the most critical standards well, educators reduce the amount of “drive-by” teaching and help students develop a depth of understanding. Educators feel a greater sense of efficacy when they aren’t pressed to “cover” so much.


Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results Have Timely Systems of Support

Many Title I schools have few systematic ways of identifying students who need extra assistance in a timely manner. Even fewer have structured systems that have a high likelihood of providing tailored assistance promptly and effectively.

In contrast, in high-performing schools, systems guarantee that student learning needs are identified promptly. As well, systems have been structured to ensure that identified needs will be addressed in a timely, effective manner.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Teachers Constantly Adapt Instruction

In typical schools, teachers acquire little feedback to gauge student understanding of the content of instruction. Even when feedback suggests that students do not understand, teachers typically proceed with the lesson as designed.

In contrast, teachers in high-performing schools are more likely to seek considerable student feedback during each lesson, especially from students with greater needs.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Teachers Constantly Adapt Instruction

In response to the feedback they receive, teachers adapt methods, examples, and strategies frequently. They modify teaching techniques in ways that are more likely to build upon the backgrounds, prior knowledge, cultures, and interests of students. They make learning exciting for students.

No chicken feeding!


Present

NoticeAdapt

Teaching Cycle in Atypical SchoolsTeaching Cycle in Atypical Schools


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Leaders Promote Instructional Improvement In typical Title I schools, principals spend most of their

time involved in paperwork, meetings, discipline, and other “in office” activities. Little time is left to spend in classrooms.

In most high-performing schools, principals are in classrooms 40% or more of the school day. Teachers see that good instruction is valued and expected. Leaders constantly seek opportunities to support teachers by acknowledging good instruction and by helping teachers consider ways to make instruction more effective.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Collaboration Leads to Better Instruction

In many Title I schools, collaboration time has become fashionable. “Professional learning communities” and other group structures are common; however, they often do not lead to improvements in teaching.

In most high-performing Title I schools, collaboration time is devoted to solving problems related to improving student learning. Teachers and school leaders come together with an impressive openness to change. They openly share student work and invite each other to critique their teaching. They share their best ideas and build upon each other’s strengths.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Professional Development is Focused

In many Title I schools, random acts of professional development are common. Teachers commonly spend time learning about a variety of topics. Rarely are teachers able to answer the question, “What are you doing differently now because of the professional development you received?”

In most high-performing Title I schools, professional development has a clear focus over an extended period of time. Systems are structured to work toward mastery in classroom implementation before moving to the next initiative.


What is Atypical about the Culture of High-Performing Title I Schools?


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Everyone is Goal Driven

Almost all Title I schools have goals, but usually the goals exist to satisfy a requirement for goals. Often, there are many goals on paper, but no goals that influence the daily work of teachers, parents, and students. Sometimes, goals are framed around issues that have little meaning to teachers.

In high-performing schools, goals generate enthusiasm. There are school goals, grade level goals, department goals, classroom goals, and student goals. Often, people are focused upon only one or two goals at a time. There is excitement as people work together to achieve important goals.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Everyone is Goal Driven

In high-performing schools, leaders make goals real by identifying baselines (for all groups) and charting progress regularly.

In these schools, leaders find many ways to identify and celebrate small positive steps toward the attainment of goals. Celebration is part of the culture of the school. As a result, teachers come to believe in their capacity to teach, parents come to believe in their capacity to assist, and students come to believe in their capacity to learn and excel.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, School is Fun!

In many typical Title I schools, leaders have squeezed art, music, drama, physical education and other elective pursuits out of the curriculum. Test prep activities dominate.

In contrast, in high-performing schools students are excited about coming to school to participate in a rich, well-rounded curriculum. In many cases, teachers have integrated core academic content into elective pursuits.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, School is Fun!

High-performing Title I schools engage in test prep activities; however, they do not dominate the school day or the school year.

In the highest performing schools, teachers and leaders understand that often the best “test prep” is engaging instruction that builds deep understanding of content and makes students want to learn more.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Students Are Eager to Work Hard

Educators in many typical Title I schools complain that students are not “motivated” to work to learn challenging academic content. Behavior problems often interfere with instructional efforts.

In the highest performing schools, students perceive they are valued and respected by caring educators. Students are proud of their clean and safe schools and the challenging content they are learning. They appreciate the fair implementation of reasonable rules. They are eager to work hard for their teachers.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Parents Believe Educators Care

Educators in many typical Title I schools complain that parents are not involved. Apathy and distrust seem to underlie most parent/teacher relationships.

In the highest performing schools, teachers and parents spend time learning about each other. They learn that they all have the children’s best interest at heart. Parents are eager to find ways to support educators who they perceive as eager to find ways to support their children. Educators in these schools give parents new hope for their children’s future.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Parents Learn How to Engage

Parents in many typical Title I schools perceive that they do not have the capacity to help their child succeed in school.

In the highest performing schools, parents learn about the specific standards their children need to master. They learn easy strategies for supporting their child’s learning at home and at school.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Teachers Feel Well Supported

Teachers in many typical Title I schools feel over-burdened, stressed, and under appreciated. Attendance rates are often low and turnover rates are typically high.

In the highest performing schools, teachers trust that school leaders care sincerely about them. They perceive that leaders are providing the attention, resources, and expertise they need to have a high likelihood of success. Attendance is high and turnover is relatively rare.


In Most Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Teachers Feel Part of Something Special

Teachers in many typical Title I schools are “Lone Rangers.” They work solo in their classrooms and try to avoid the many adult issues that tend to consume both time and energy.

In the highest performing schools, teachers believe they are part of a team that will make a powerful difference in children’s lives. Adult issues are resolved professionally and promptly in a spirit that allows everyone to maintain dignity. Teachers believe in their colleagues, in part, because they perceive that their colleagues believe in them.


In Title I Schools with Atypical Results, Equity and Excellence Are Not Dichotomous Goals

Educators in these schools act as if they Educators in these schools act as if they believe that:believe that:

Equity without excellence is mediocrity.Equity without excellence is mediocrity. Excellence without equity is an oxymoron.Excellence without equity is an oxymoron.

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What is Atypical about Schools that Achieve Atypical Results?