Comprehensive School Reform

SmART Schools uses the arts as a core academic subject in the regular school curriculum and strengthens the use of high-quality arts in other academic subjects. This grant allows FSC to expand and enhance the standards-based, whole-school change SmART Schools model in diverse, high-need settings; refine the model’s tools, materials, techniques, and processes so that they are adaptable to various contexts; conduct a rigorous third-party evaluation of the program; and strengthen dissemination efforts so that the model can be replicated throughout the U.S.

In its second round of funding from The Wallace Foundation, a major priority for this new project is to expand the technical assistance it provides to The Wallace Foundation and its funded network of states and districts as part of its national initiative to transform education leadership in urban school districts.

AIM works with schools across the country to become academically excellent, responsive to the developmental needs of young adolescents, and socially equitable. Every school is different, given its particular student population, faculty, local community, and organizational history. Each school faces a different set of challenges, based on its state and local standards, past performance, and resources. AIM staff help schools analyze their strengths and needs, determine priorities, and develop solutions that fit their situations.

Working with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), EDC supports middle and high schools identified as “in need of corrective action” (i.e., they have not met Adequate Yearly Progress standards for three years). EDC Turnaround Facilitators work on-site in assigned schools two days a week, providing leadership and teacher development aimed at instructional improvement and student achievement. Project staff also give RIDE staff feedback and recommendations to improve services to districts and schools.

EDC will create professional development modules to help middle-grades teachers improve accessibility to the general mathematics curriculum for students with mild to moderate disabilities. At the center of each module will be a DVD that shows classroom footage of accessibility strategies in action. In addition to the videotape, each module will include a facilitator’s guide with professional development activities, handouts, PowerPoint slides, and other resources.

Working under the direction of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, AIM at Middle-Grades Results will work with math accessibility experts at EDC to develop two videos and accompanying professional development materials and an online course. Teachers will learn how to plan lessons and assessments with an accessibility lens. This three year effort is one of four comprehensive school improvement models that will develop, pilot, and disseminate resources.

Sponsored by the Council of Chief State School officials (CCSSO), the moderated online discussion (MOD) project is a year long initiative designed to support the work of Leadership Issue Groups (LIG) by stimulating conversation on education leadership imitatives. Six issues serve as the primary focus for discussions: (1) data-driven decision-making; (2) role, responsibilities, and authority; (3) assessing leader behavior; (4) resource allocation and incentives; (5) governance; and (6) high school leadership.

By seamlessly integrating technology into learning, Cisco and its 21S program supporters hope to deliver a richer education experience to tens of thousands of students and teachers in Mississippi and Louisiana. Based on the lessons learned and successes in these schools, 21S will also be used as a blueprint for transforming other schools into 21st century models. As the program’s evaluation partner, CCT is constructing a research plan to help improve implementation within individual schools, school communities, and the Cisco 21S team.

SmART Schools is a comprehensive, standards-based, arts centered, whole-school redesign program that provides ongoing opportunities for all students to appreciate, develop, and demonstrate skills, knowledge, and understanding in and through arts. SmART Schools’ overall goal is to help every student meet high national, state and/or local standards of performance in the arts and other core academic subjects. The program allows every student to fully embrace and participate in their cultural legacy, and achieve artistic, academic, and social success.

Supported Literacy for Adolescents is a research-based literacy program developed over 10 years by EDC, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Special education Programs and Institute of Educational Sciences), Annenberg Foundation, and MetLife Foundation. Its goal is to improve reading, writing, and comprehension among both high risk and typically achieving populations. It is deeply rooted in standards-based curriculum design, and all components of the program are aligned with national reading and writing standards, as well as selected content standards.