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Sustaining Extraordinary Student Achievement
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Sustaining Extraordinary Student Achievement



December 2008 | 152 pages | Corwin
Leadership practices that can make a transformative, lasting difference in student achievement!

This book for district leaders and principals examines five Title I primary schools that have sustained outstanding achievement gains over time and shows how other schools can duplicate their success. The author presents lessons learned based on visits and interviews at each school; emphasizes creating a high-achieving culture that consistently supports improvement; and addresses key questions that include:

- with so many students below grade level, how can student achievement be improved?

- what key elements promote continuous and lasting student achievement?

How can we meet the challenging mandates of NCLB?

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. Introduction
Selection of Five Title 1 Schools

 
Focus Areas for Structured Interviews

 
The Five Sustaining Schools

 
 
2. Sylvan Elementary School, Modesto, California: A Culture of Effective Instruction
Building a High-Achieving Culture

 
Sylvan's Non-Negotiable Core Values

 
Empowering Staff to Do Their Best Work

 
Using Student Data to Guide Curriculum and Instruction

 
Ongoing Improvement of Instruction

 
Strategic Intervention With Students

 
Sylvan’s Sustaining Elements

 
Lessons Learned From Sylvan Elementary School

 
 
3. Camellia Elementary School, Sacramento, California: A Culture of Order and Discipline
Developing a Culture of Order and Discipline

 
The Right Staff Stays at the School

 
Using Student Data to Guide Curriculum and Instruction

 
The Role of the Leadership Team and Governance

 
Camellia’s Non-Negotiable Core Values and Sustaining Elements

 
Lessons Learned From Camellia Elementary School

 
 
4. Jefferson Elementary School, Carlsbad, California: A Culture of Collaboration
Developing a Culture of Collaboration

 
Jefferson’s Non-Negotiable Core Values

 
Using Benchmark Data to Target Instruction

 
Using Data to Intervene With Students

 
Jefferson’s Sustaining Elements

 
Lessons Learned From Jefferson Elementary School

 
 
5. Rosita Elementary School, Garden Grove, California: A Culture of Clarity
Building a High-Achieving Culture

 
Empowering Staff to Do Their Best Work

 
Rosita's Non-Negotiable Core Values

 
Advice to Principals

 
Sustaining Processes at Rosita

 
Lessons Learned From Rosita Elementary School

 
 
6. Baldwin Elementary School, Alhambra, California: A Culture of High Expectations
Building a High-Achieving Culture

 
Baldwin’s Non-Negotiable Core Values

 
Empowering the Right People

 
Mastery of Standards

 
Using Student Achievement Data

 
Baldwin’s Sustaining Elements

 
Lessons Learned From Baldwin Elementary School

 
 
7. Five Schools That Got the Job Done
A Crisis Point Forces Change

 
Developing a High-Achieving Culture

 
Non-Negotiable Core Values

 
The Essential Sustaining Elements

 
A Final Word

 
 
References
 
Index

"The patterns described in these successful schools both validated and challenged my thinking. I can see opportunities for renewed emphasis in our district and much hope for continuing our progress with students."

Nancy Skerritt, Assistant Superintendent
Tahoma School District, Maple Valley, WA

"Reksten has utilized research by education gurus and data from the studied school sites to provide the foundation for educators to begin the challenging, but achievable path of collaboration and high expectations for successful sustainability. Kudos to the author and the school communities!"

Lori Grossman, Manager of Mentoring Services
Houston Independent School District, TX

"This book led me to think and reflect on my leadership as a principal. It also led to introspection and reflection of practices in my school, which is sustaining high achievement."

Steve Knobl, Principal
Gulf High School, New Port Richey, FL

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

Please contact your Academic Consultant to check inspection copy availability for your course.

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ISBN: 9781412917537
£21.99