Building Strong Districts

In the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory’s needs assessment survey—and again in state forums held last summer—district improvement was a hot topic. Four general themes bubbled to the surface: finding time for teacher collaboration in improvement teams; assessing school readiness to engage in improvement activities; ensuring necessary district resources and support for school improvement; and identifying methods for continuing improvement efforts.

This issue of Northwest Education offers examples of districts confronting and finding innovative ways to deal with those concerns. In South Lane (Oregon) School District, book clubs engage teachers in collaborative research on school improvement. Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction marshals resources to help districts like South Kitsap get out of improvement status. Lake Washington School District follows rigorous benchmarks, developed by a consortium of high-performing Western districts with similar demographics. Idaho’s Joint School District #2 relies on a highly individualized assessment system to yield the kind of data needed for continuous student progress.

We hope these stories both inform and encourage educators grappling with the same thorny issues in their own districts across the region.

Download this issue as a PDF (56pp., 2M).

Features

Delivering a World-Class Education
In Microsoft’s backyard, a high-performing Washington district measures success against stiff benchmarks.
HTML · PDF (6pp., 429K)

Turning Things Around
Strong leadership helps close the achievement gap for limited English proficiency students and turns a poor rural district into a shining star.
HTML · PDF (6pp., 280K)

Finding “What Sticks”
Sustainability isn’t just for environmentalists: Professor and international researcher Andy Hargreaves applies its lessons to educational leadership.
HTML · PDF (2pp., 72K)

• School Leaders on Staff Development
  Recommendations by leaders, for leaders, on developing professional development programs.
  HTML

Leaps and Bounds
Population growth and academic growth go hand in hand in an Idaho district with an eye on data.
HTML · PDF (5pp., 232K)

Where Everyone’s a Learner
From teacher book clubs to administrator meetings that dig into research, an award-winning Oregon district promotes learning at all levels.
HTML · PDF (6pp., 378K)

• A Model Leader: Q&A With Krista Parent
  A finalist for National Superintendent of the Year shares strategies for developing instructional leaders and boosting student achievement.
  HTML

Improving on Culture
A robust planning process helps a district climb out of improvement status and transform its core beliefs.
HTML · PDF (4pp., 282K)

Forward Motion
A Montana district tackles high school reform in an effort to boost graduation rates.
HTML ·PDF (5pp., 237K)

Accountability: A District and State Partnership
States share the responsibility for helping districts and schools improve.
HTML · PDF (2pp., 57K)

departments

Forum (HTML · PDF, 1p, 68K)

Editor’s Note (HTML · PDF, 1p, 72K)

Region at a Glance
State Support for Districts (HTML · PDF, 1p, 210K)

Voices
Developing Instructional Leaders (HTML · PDF, 2pp., 67K)

Research Brief
What Matters at the District Level (HTML · PDF, 2pp., 60K)

End Note (HTML · PDF, 1p, 86K)

NWREL News

• Collaborating To Support Oregon Schools (HTML · PDF, 1p, 81K)
• When It Comes to SLCs, District Support Is Key (HTML · PDF, 1p, 50K)
• Conference Call (HTML · PDF, 1p, 65K)
• Flashback (HTML · PDF, 1p, 83K)
• What’s New on the Web (HTML · PDF, 1p, 51K)
• NWREL Products

What the Research Says (or Doesn’t Say)
For districts considering “sustained silent reading,” the research shows success may hinge on a variety of factors. (HTML)

From the Field
Communications expert Simona Boucek offers tips on how districts can get their message across. (HTML)

Masthead