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Putting It All Together, Part 6
Resources for Schoolwide Reform
 The Catalog of School Reform Models (1st edition) and Addendum to the Catalog of School Reform Models, both published in 1998 by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, together provide descriptions of 48 models of two types: entire-school models, which give schools a framework for change affecting most or all aspects of school operations; and skill- and content-based models (focusing on an areas such as reading or math) that can be used as building blocks for comprehensive school reform. When choosing a model, the catalog counsels, "the key is
to thoroughly assess local needs and develop comprehensive plans that may incorporate one or more external, research-based models that provide maximum local leverage for
sustained improvement
in student results."
Published in collaboration with the Education Commission of the States at the request of the U.S. Department of Education, the catalog is part of the department's effort to provide information to schools, districts, states, and others as they plan and implement comprehensive school reform programs under the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration program.
 An Educators' Guide to Schoolwide Reform, a 1999 study by the American Institutes for Research, examines the research backing up 24 popular reform models currently on the market. Only three models—Direct Instruction, High Schools That Work, and Success for All—got top scores for having "strong evidence of positive effects on student achievement." Other models' research support was rated as "promising," "marginal," or "mixed/weak." Copies can be ordered for $12.95 for members or $15.95 for nonmembers from the publisher, Educational Research Service, 1-800-791-9308, or from any of the sponsoring organizations (AASA,
AFT,
NAESP,
NASSP, or
NEA).
The full text is also available online.
 A two-volume set titled Implementing Schoolwide Programs from the U.S. Department of Education is designed to answer the question: How can schools serving high concentrations of poor students take advantage of the opportunities available under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which was reauthorized in 1994? Volume I: An Idea Book on Planning highlights effective methods and useful resources for planning schoolwide programs.
Volume II: Profiles of Promising Schoolwide Program Practices, still in production, will provide detailed examples of how eight schools were conducting their schoolwide programs in 1998. Find the Idea Book online at www.ed.gov/pubs/Idea_Planning/ or call
1-877-4-ED-PUBS.
 Noteworthy Perspectives
on Comprehensive School Reform, a new offering from the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning, provides guidance to district and school staff in eight areas: selecting and implementing research-based instruction; invigorating education by reinventing staff development; using standards to set clear student goals; visionary leadership and support within the school; bringing the public back to public schools; evaluating comprehensive school reform initiatives; innovative approaches to maximizing resources; and aligning the components of comprehensive school reform. Copies are $5 from McREL, (303) 632-5506. There is also a PDF version online.
Comprehensive School Reform: Making Good Choices from the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory guides schools toward selecting the right whole-school strategies using a four-step process:
- Laying the groundwork
- Evaluating your current situation
- Profiling your comprehensive reform approach
- Making a decision
For ordering information, call NCREL at 1-800-356-2735. There is also a PDF version online.
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