A Research-Based Model of School Improvement

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Leading Schools draws from three decades of research and school reform efforts, crystallizing the lessons learned into one comprehensive model for school improvement. Knowing about these previous reform efforts and the research basis of the Leading Schools model will help you better understand its power and its promise.

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Why Reforms Fail

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Most educators know about effective school practices--after all, a substantial amount of literature exists about them. Yet, many schools are unable to make the changes necessary for developing a healthy system that can respond effectively to student, community, and staff needs (Fullan 1993; Sammons et al. 1995; Stoll and Fink 1996; Mortimore et al. 1988). Despite continued efforts at school reform, no significant changes in the educational system have taken place (Tyack and Cuban 1995). Reform is particularly problematic in schools beset by poverty; but poverty or no, many schools continue just treading water, unable to meet (let alone surpass) academic standards. The reason the school system seems so intractable is that the reforms, and the strategies used to carry out those reforms, have failed to alter the organizational structure of schools in a manner that supports changes and improvements in classroom practice. 

 

There are six key factors that combine to make reform efforts effective: Professional Development; Leadership;  Instruction-based focus and vision; Resource Reallocation; Level and Type of Staff Development; and Monitoring and Evaluation.  It is common for all of these factors to be present at some level at most schools, and yet, the coordination of and attention to these factors simultaneously is key to reform and improvement efforts.    It is the combination of these 6 factors that creates a school organizational environment where teachers and students thrive.   This strategic and careful work defines The Leading Schools process.   The Leading Schools process is a combination of the research base on Organizational Culture, School Effectiveness, School Improvement, Leadership, and Professional Development.  Dr. Brock personalizes this work to align with the goals and culture of the school.  She masterfully guides school teams through a planning and implementation process that is designed to meet their goals.