Resources for School Improvement : How To Improve Schools Now / Stephanie Kadel-Taras.

SERVE, the SouthEastern Regional Vision for Education, is a consortium of educational organizations whose mission is to promote and support the continuous improvement of educational opportunities for all learners in the southeastern United States. This handbook is a compilation of various approaches, strategies, models, and programs that schools and school districts can use for successful educational improvement. Section 1 provides a brief discussion of the research on how schools change and what internal and external factors must be considered before a school begins the reform process. Of particular importance is procuring the involvement of all school staff. Section 2, the main body of the document, is comprised of four subsections. The first subsection profiles school- and district-based approaches for restructuring that are initiated and managed by the local site with assistance from an outside agency. The second subsection looks at some of the newest ideas for schoolwide reform proposed by private companies or charter-school policies that require outside management of schools. Subsection 3 describes theories or broad concepts about education and management that can serve as the basis for practical decisions about change. The fourth subsection details curriculum-based approaches to change that focus on immediate change in the classroom but may also lead to more widespread reform. Section 3 includes a directory of organizations, publications, and contacts to assist readers in their efforts to understand the options for school reform and to take action. Schools are encouraged to consider integrating a combination of programs that complement and supplement each other. Suggested readings and contacts for further information are included throughout the document, and references accompany each section. Appendices contain sample worksheets, instruments, and reprints of relevant SERVE articles. (LMI)

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