"Excellence does not just happen, it is a decision you make every day."

Research shows that the most effective schools are more alike than they are different. In fact, there are fundamental characteristics so common among successful schools that they have come to be known as the Correlates of Effective Schools.

Search for Effective Schools - Edmonds (’81) The Foundation of Educational Effectiveness

- Scheerens and Baker (’97) Key High School Reform Strategies; An Overview of the

Findings - USDE (’99) High Poverty – High Success: Schools That Defy the

Odds - Quick & Quick (’01) Definition of Effective Schools, Targeted Literature

Review of Major Constructs and Their Components - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (’02)

Effective Schools – Only You Can Make a Difference - Lezotte (’02)

What Works in Schools - Marzano (’03)

Research – Meta Analysis

Components of Successful School Reform

1. Create a culture that embraces a rigorous and relevant curriculum

2. Set high expectations that are monitored for student’s continuous improvement

3. Use data to provide clear unwavering focus

4. Provide students real-world applications

5. Create multiple pathways to rigor and relevance

Components of Successful School Reform6. Create a framework to organize

curriculum that drives instruction7. Sustained professional

development that is focused 8. Obtain and leverage parent and

community involvement 9. Maintain safe and orderly

schools10. Offer effective leadership

development

Characteristics 1. Small Learning Communities2. High Expectations

4. Curriculum—Rigor & Relevant

3. Data

5. Relationships / Reflective Thought

6. Professional Development

7. Leadership

The Learning OrganizationThe term 'Learning Organization' refers to an organization that constantly monitors its environment for changes, and learns from and adapts to these changes. The term was coined by Harvard's Chris Argyris, but it was Peter Senge, a highly acclaimed business strategist with a PhD in Management, who popularized the term in his book, "The Fifth Discipline." Senge defines a 'learning organization' as a dynamic system that is in a state of continuous adaptation and improvement.

Benefits of school improvement planning include:

• Creates a collaborative, continuous improvement culture to ensure that all student are achieving at high levels.

• Encourages innovation through research-based practices• Focuses and aligns staff development resources• Increase public participation in planning• Provides data to support and document growth(Adapted from Macomb ISD)

School Improvement Planning Resources• Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Tools for Continuous Improvement –

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_38959-137869--,00.html

• MDE Online Planning Resources http://www.advanc-ed.org/mde/• National Education Organizations Annenberg Institute for School Reform Tools - http://www.annenberginstitute.org/tools/

• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) - http://www.ascd.org/

• Michigan North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement - http://www.NCAmichigan.org

• National Staff Development Council - http://www.nsdc.org

• Regional Educational Laboratories - http://www.relnetwork.org/

• Through improvement planning, that every student receives an equitable and personalized education.

A Systems Thinking View of Schools

Timothy R. Lucas and AssociatesThe Fifth Discipline Fieldbook Project - Schools That LearnLucasRPS@aol.com 201-236-8696

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