How do Schools Actually Improve?

Monday 2nd March 2015

Respected author and researcher into school improvement, Karin Chenoweth, recently wrote an interesting article on how schools get from knowing what works to actually making it work.

Research and experience have identified five practices that typically yield improvement:

• a laser-like focus on what kids need to learn
• collaboration on teaching methods, lesson design and assessment
• using assessment results to see which kids needs enrichment and which need additional help
• using data to improve instruction
• building personal relationships between students, teachers, parents and administrators

But its one thing knowing what works and another to actually make it work in your school. In Karin's article (see link below) she cites two case studies, showing how effective school principals have led the way and overcome some of the barriers to change.

External Link