News: Low Performing Schools

Solving Student Crises in the Context of School Inequity: The Case for “Core-Plus District Funding” (Part I)

When Schools Struggle with Struggling Students:  “We Didn’t Start the Fire”Dear Colleagues,Introduction   The last two weeks have been a blur.  Just over two weeks ago, I landed in Singapore to keynot...

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The School Year in Review: Choosing High-Success Academic and Behavioral Strategies (Part I)

Committing to Educational Excellence by Learning from Hattie’s and SEL’s LimitationsDear Colleagues,Introduction   The holidays. . . the New Year. . . a time of reflection. . . a time of hope and joy...

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Reconsidering What Effective High Schools Do, and What Failing High Schools Miss

Credit Recovery Programs Should be Strategic, Selective, Student-Focused, and Not the Only Game in TownDear Colleagues,Introduction:  What Really is an “Effective” High School?   I cons...

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It’s Not Too Late to Change: The School Year’s Not Even Half Over

Why Schools Fail to Act When their Students Fail to LearnDear Colleagues,Introduction   In the past few weeks (or months), a number of professional and college coaches (especially...

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The Folly and Frustration of Evaluating Schools and Staff Based on the Progress of Students with Significant Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Challenges

Understanding the Student, Home, and Community Factors that Impact Challenging StudentsDear Colleagues,“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but...

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ESEA/ESSA, School Improvement, Race/Ethnic Status, and Students with Disabilities

We Need to Differentiate Disability Just as We Differentiate Race and EthnicityDear Colleague,IntroductionHistorically, the 2001 No Child Left Behind version of the Elementary and Secondary Education...

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