Creating The Conditions For School Improvement

First Published in 2001. This is the second edition of this school’s improvement handbook of staff development activities by the IQEA (Improving Education for All) project. This book is not about what changes should be introduced into a school but rather about creating the conditions for supporting those changes which schools or individuals believe should be introduced. To be effective at managing change schools and teachers need to modify the internal conditions of the school at the same time as introducing changes in teaching or curriculum. The book therefore provides ideas and materials to help colleagues in school to create such conditions and suggests a strategic approach.

First published in 1998. The research, practice and staff development activities in this book have come out of the Improving the Quality of Education for All project (IQEA), which emphases the importance of enhancing internal conditions in schools by building upon existing good practice. Materials developed to promote school-level conditions have already been described in a companion volume- Creating Conditions for School Improvement. It is, however, necessary to modify the conditions with the classroom, as well as those at the level of the school, if school improvement strategies are to have their full impact on student achievement. This book articulates a complimentary set of 'classroom conditions;, and gives INSET providers the activity materials to implement them.

How to Create the Conditions for Learning shows how the conditions for continuously improving instruction can be created at every level, from the classroom to the school to the central office. Ann Jaquith describes four types of instructional resources--knowledge, technology, relationships, and structures--and discusses the contextual conditions that allow these resources to be identified, taken up, and put to effective use. Case studies of schools and districts highlight how leaders can identify and deploy underutilized resources and create organizational routines that support the ongoing development of instructional capacity. The book represents an important contribution to the effort to stimulate, support, and sustain excellent teaching and inspired learning in our schools. "Ann Jaquith's instructional capacity building framework has taken our district to a deeper level of implementation, guiding how we create conditions of learning for teachers, principals, and district staff so they can in turn create optimal conditions for learning for students." --Diann Kitamura, superintendent, Santa Rosa City Schools "Drawing on real-life examples, this insightful book provides richly detailed and specific strategies for teachers, principals, superintendents (even researchers) concerned with improving learning opportunities for students and staff in any school." --Leslie Santee Siskin, research professor, New York University Steinhardt "How to Create the Conditions for Learning is essential reading for all educators determined to create and sustain a culture that continuously enriches the working conditions necessary to support efforts to improve teaching and learning." --Marcia G. Trott, Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Program administrator, California Department of Education "Ann Jaquith's framework for instructional capacity building is at once theoretically sound and immensely practical and will help leaders identify and use an array of resources for instructional improvement. A terrific book for everyone concerned with improving instruction." --Pam Grossman, dean, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania Ann Jaquith is the associate director of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education.

"A clear and insightful look at why teaching must be conceived as constant learning about learning. The analysis of past failed reforms and the general conditions needed for success is well-stated and illuminating." —Grant Wiggins Authentic Education Redesign classroom instruction to transform learning for both students and teachers! Breakthrough presents a revolutionary new approach to educational reform, breaking away from the conventional paradigm to help educators create focused instruction, transform the classroom experience, and dramatically raise—and sustain—performance levels for students and teachers alike. This book provides the breakthrough concepts needed for developing precise, validated, data-driven instruction personalized to each and every student. Synthesizing the best of current instructional models, this framework focuses on the components of the Triple P Breakthrough Model: Personalization—meaningful, student-centered classroom interactions; Precision—using formative assessments to monitor individual student progress; and Professional Learning—daily, ongoing learning for all educators. Helping educators create expert instructional systems while breaking through the "prescription trap," the authors introduce unique elements of the Breakthrough model, including: Improvement by design Assessment for learning Critical learning instructional paths Mapping instructional paths Smart use of data to drive instruction Locking in ongoing improvement Breakthrough establishes the tipping point for moving toward personalized, high-quality instruction and learning in the classroom to ensure continuous improvement and ongoing academic success.

This work is intended for senior and classroom teachers and others concerned with improving the quality of education in schools. Based on the approach of the Cambridge "Improving the Quality of Education for All" Project (IQEA), the handbook offes readings, activities and proformas.

First Published in 2001. This handbook, arising out of IQEA project (Improving the Quality of Education for All), focuses on a basic repertoire of teaching and learning strategies and a series of activities designed to help teachers extend and deepen their range of teaching skills. The authors set out for CPD tutors ways of bringing research evidence and critical self-reflection to bear on practice, in the pursuit of confident teaching and effective learning. The goal is to locate and unleash the full potential of individual teachers through evidence, selection and variety, rather than to impose pre-determined notions or models of teaching and learning, regardless of the relevance to particular groups of students and their teachers.

Improve Schools and Transform Education In order for educational systems to change, we must reevaluate deep-seated beliefs about learning, teaching, schooling, and race that perpetuate inequitable opportunities and outcomes. Hatch, Corson, and Gerth van den Berg challenge the narrative when it comes to the "grammar of schooling"--or the conventional structures, practices, and beliefs that define educational experiences for so many children—to cast a new vision of what school could be. The book addresses current systemic problems and solutions as it: Highlights global examples of successful school change Describes strategies that improve educational opportunities and performance Explores promising approaches in developing new learning opportunities Outlines conditions for supporting wide-scale educational improvement This provocative book approaches education reform by highlighting what works, while also demonstrating what can be accomplished if we redefine conventional schools. We can make the schools we have more efficient, more effective, and more equitable, all while creating powerful opportunities to support all aspects of students’ development. "You won’t find a better book on system change in education than this one. We learn why schools don’t change; how they can improve; what it takes to change a system; and, in the final analysis, the possibilities of system change. Above all, The Education We Need renders complexity into clarity as the writing is so clear and compelling. A powerful read on a topic of utmost importance." ~Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/Universtiy of Toronto "I cannot recommend this book highly enough – Tom tackles long-standing and emerging educational issues in new ways with an impressive understanding of the challenging complexities, but also feasible possibilities, for ensuring excellence and equity for all students." ~Carol Campbell, Associate Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto