April 1997
Teacher Magazine, Vol. 08, Issue 07
Education
Leadership
How do we create successful schools? That is the key question in conference rooms and schools all over this country as reformers, policymakers, educators, and foundation officials struggle with the challenge of "scaling up"--replicating throughout the system ideas and programs that have proved successful at restructured schools. A few years ago, the New American Schools Development Corporation provided grants to 11 organizations that had won a competition to develop "break the mold" schools that would become models for all schools. Now those models--which involve the best-known reformers in the nation--are available for replication. For the most part, they are quite different from traditional schools. They incorporate what we've learned from research and experience about how best to facilitate teaching and learning. The goal--the fervent hope--is that the majority of schools will reinvent themselves in the image of the new models.
Leadership
How do we create successful schools? That is the key question in conference rooms and schools all over this country as reformers, policymakers, educators, and foundation officials struggle with the challenge of "scaling up"--replicating throughout the system ideas and programs that have proved successful at restructured schools. A few years ago, the New American Schools Development Corporation provided grants to 11 organizations that had won a competition to develop "break the mold" schools that would become models for all schools. Now those models--which involve the best-known reformers in the nation--are available for replication. For the most part, they are quite different from traditional schools. They incorporate what we've learned from research and experience about how best to facilitate teaching and learning. The goal--the fervent hope--is that the majority of schools will reinvent themselves in the image of the new models.
Education
Crowded House
| Of the school's 5,000 students, 81 percent are Hispanic, 12 percent Anglo, 5 percent African American, and 1 percent Asian. |
Education
Albert Shanker, 1928-1997
Albert Shanker defied easy political labels. He denounced radical school-reform schemes promoted by liberals as well as voucher and privatization plans championed by conservatives.
Education
Clinton Backs Board
President Clinton's recent call for increased federal funding of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards marks a coming of age for the private group, which has been plugging away for a decade to create a system for certifying outstanding teachers.
Education
Opinion
The Pleasure Principle
Although a few people teach because it is the only way they can earn a living while engaging in their true love--like painting or carrying on research--most teachers teach because it gives them the deepest sort of satisfaction.