Conclusion

We have outlined the main strategies that our profiled schools have in common. While specifics of reform will vary from site to site, research and case studies show that reform is an ongoing process of determining goals and benchmarks by conducting needs assessments, using data to guide decisionmaking, aligning goals for student performance with state and local standards, and evaluating results to fine-tune reform strategies.

Schools embarking on reform would be wise to involve everyone-staff, parents, and community members-from the beginning in order to create support and buy-in for school reform. Successful, comprehensive school reform engages staff members as leaders in the school change process. These schools provide staff members with the appropriate resources, professional development training, and sufficient time to support change, share knowledge, collaborate with peers, and develop new skills. Shared decisionmaking within an atmosphere of respect and trust is another hallmark of successful schools. School leaders play a critical role in guiding their schools through reform. Districts can support school reform by investing in professional development of principals.

These Northwest schools are just some of the many examples of Title I schools that have achieved success. In these schools, administrators, teachers, paraeducators, parents, community members, and students all work together to create a collaborative culture of continuous learning and improvement. When school reform succeeds, it's a victory the entire community can celebrate.