Description:

This issue examines the two critical "touchstones" of high-performing school cultures: (1) improving the quality and reducing the variance of teaching quality in the school and (2) creating a culture of high expectations for academics and behavior.

Key Ideas:

"Tapping the power of positive school cultures," by Vicki Urquhart, discusses how school leaders can influence a school's mindset and increase the likelihood it will achieve positive outcomes for students.

"Instructional strategies link classrooms in Youngstown," by Jennifer Tuzzeo, describes Volney Rogers Middle School's success using four of the nine categories of effective instruction from Classroom Instruction that Works.

In "Engagement and achievement mutually reinforce mission of West Denver Prep," Heather Hein explains how West Denver Prep's provides high-quality instruction in every classroom.

Vicki Urquhart interviews Kent Davis, a former administrator in the Deer Valley Unified School District in Arizona, about changing school cultures through purposeful communities in "Q&A: Focus on high expectations has  lasting impact."

APA Citation:

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning. (2011, Fall.) Changing Schools, 64. Denver, CO: Author.

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