AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH

Evaluating the Gates Foundation National School District and Networks

Grant Program

Foundation Theory of Change The American Institutes for Research and

SRI International

July 31, 2001

External Climate

BMGF Program Strategies

Fund districts and intermediaries to create,

support, and replicate small high schools with personalized learning environments Create supportive infrastructure for school change (e.g. TA grants, performance assessments)

Advocate for educational policy changes Leverage existing resources

Drivers of changeTargets of changeBarriers to change Attributes of

Effective Schooling

Effective districtsand/or networks

Effective schools

Powerful teaching &

learning

Outcomes

Demonstration of successful HS models

Replication and proliferation

of successful HS models

Analysis and communication of what works and how to scale up

Positive HS environment Improved student achievement Post-secondary outcomes

Increased demand

Increased supply

Increased knowledge base

Systems of choice that offer quality educational alternatives to all students, particularly the disadvantaged

Initiative-level TOC

External Climate:

Drivers and targets of change: Large comprehensive high schools fail to serve all students well

Common belief that not all students can achieve dictates organization of schoolingObsolete school designs; lack of personal attentionMore diverse student population is underservedLack of HS capacity; poor infrastructure

Lack of systemic perspectives: “Random acts of innovation and heroic leadership” Anxiety about US student achievement in global context “New school reform economy”: change agents part of value chain Technology challenges and opportunities

Barriers to change: Education highly politicized, with short-term (and often uninformed) political views High-stakes testing stands in the way of reform Standards that emphasis coverage rather than performance Teacher shortage and teacher quality issues

BMGF Program Strategies

Fund districts & intermediaries to create, support, and replicate small high schools with personalized learning environmentsCreate supportive infrastructure for school change (e.g. TA grants, performance assessments)

Attributes of Effective Schooling

Effective districtsand/or networks

Effective schools

Powerful teaching &

learning

Outcomes

Demonstration of successful HS models

Replication and proliferation of successful HS models

Analysis and communication of what works and how to scale up

Positive HS environment Improved student achievement Post-secondary outcomes

Increased demand

Increased supply

Increased knowledge base

Systems of choice that offer quality educational alternatives to all students, particularly the disadvantaged

Gates Program

External Climate

BMGF Program Strategies

Fund districts and intermediaries to create, support, and replicate small high schools with personalized learning environments

Create supportive infrastructure for school change (e.g. TA grants, performance assessments)

Leverage existing resources

Advocate for educational

policy changes

BMGF Grants

District grants

Network grants

Urban HS grants

TA, advocacy grants

Grantee Selection Diverse grantee portfolio Grantee beliefs & goals Effective leaders Realistic plans & goals Community support District leadership and vision Others who will help fund Qualified intermediary

BMGF Grant Programs

Attributes of Effective Schooling

Effective districtsand/or networks

Effective schools

Powerful teaching &

learning

BMGF Grants

District grants

Network grants

Urban HS grants

TA, advocacy grants

Grantee Support Time & money to plan and implement school-based change Outside help through TA providers

Other BMGF supports:

Communication: regular meetings, newsletters, website Evaluation feedback

Planning & Design Strategies for change: breakup vs. startup School-based planning, with teachers as architects Coherent guiding principles

Implementation

Network, district, school, classroom activities

Promoting Effective Schooling

Attributes of high-achieving districts: Distributed leadership Performance accountability Effective governance Shared values Learning partnerships Staff development Tech infrastructure

Attributes of high-achieving schools: Common focus High expectations Personalized Respect &

responsibility Time to collaborate Performance based Technology as a tool

Components of powerful T&L: Active inquiry In-depth learning Performance

assessment

Attributes of successful networks: Coherent organizing principles Well-specified performance contract: non-negotiables for network participation Judicious replicate selection Credible replication plan: defined IP, demonstrated replicability, plan for sustainability Quality support services

Attributes of Effective Schooling

Attributes of Effective Schooling

Effective districtsand/or networks

Effective schools

Powerful teaching &

learning

Outcomes

Demonstration of successful HS models

Replication and proliferation

of successful HS models

Analysis and communication of what works and how to scale up

Positive HS environment Improved student achievement Post-secondary outcomes

Increased demand

Increased supply

Increased knowledge base

Systems of choice that offer quality educational alternatives to all students, particularly the disadvantaged

Promoting Desired Outcomes

School outcomes: Positive school climate Reduced discipline incidents Safety Staff satisfaction, collaboration Parent/community involvement Parent satisfaction

Outcomes

Demonstration of successful HS models

Replication and proliferation

of successful HS models

Analysis and communication of what works and how to scale up

Positive HS environment Improved student achievement Post-secondary outcomes

Increased demand

Increased supply

Increased knowledge base

Systems of choice that offer quality educational alternatives to all students, particularly the disadvantaged

Target Outcomes

Near-term outcomes: Literacy: reading, writing, presentation Problem-solving Good citizenship Working knowledge of content Ability to use tech as a learning tool

Student outcomes:

Intermediate outcomes: Demonstrated competence thru a variety of measures Attendance, retention Graduation with a meaningful diploma College acceptance

Scientific literacy Mathematical competence

College-prep activities

Long-term outcomes: College matriculation Labor market participation “Good citizen” (employment, civic involvement, no criminal record)

College graduation