The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation Reports…

on high need poor schools in Ohio that are doing great.

The similarities they found are:

• They are schools of choice.
• Their administrators and teachers exhibit strong leadership and ownership over school policies and practices.
• Teachers and leaders make no excuses for what they or their students “can’t do.”
• Expectations for teacher performance are data-specific—and teachers have the autonomy they need to meet performance targets.
• Behavioral management policies are clearly articulated and consistent, feature positive incentives as well as consequences, and are deeply embedded in the school culture.
• Teamwork defines these schools; they have few if any “independent contractors.”
• There is little turnover among administrators and teachers.
• Staffing is a function of meticulous recruitment and a culture of high expectations that attracts and retains talent.
• These schools strive to engage parents and develop relationships with them.
• In unionized Needles schools (six of eight), staff regard their collective bargaining agreements as the floor of their teaching responsibilities, not the ceiling.