Barbara J. Smith – författare

After examining budgets from all kinds of schools, over the past three decades, two key findings emerged: school budgets reflect school values, intentionally or not; and, there are noteworthy ways to reduce the costs of operating schools. This text addresses two ways to gain insight and shed light on the question: How much does a great school cost? Sixteen educators were asked about their perceptions of greatness in schools, innovations worthy of pursuit, and barriers to change. This examination unpacks the expenditures and revenue options in existing schools; as well as, costs associated with an envisioned New School. This account addresses both an analysis of what is and what could be, at the same time as revealing innovative ways to save on schooling expenditures, and think differently about schools as potential revenue-generating institutions. Changing mindsets is at the core of school improvement, and while greatness may be defined in different ways, the budget will reflect what matters in an institution. A great school may not cost as much as you might think, but the willingness to re-purpose funds and generate revenue, can help jump start the engines of change.

After examining budgets from all kinds of schools, over the past three decades, two key findings emerged: school budgets reflect school values, intentionally or not; and, there are noteworthy ways to reduce the costs of operating schools. This text addresses two ways to gain insight and shed light on the question: How much does a great school cost? Sixteen educators were asked about their perceptions of greatness in schools, innovations worthy of pursuit, and barriers to change. This examination unpacks the expenditures and revenue options in existing schools; as well as, costs associated with an envisioned New School. This account addresses both an analysis of what is and what could be, at the same time as revealing innovative ways to save on schooling expenditures, and think differently about schools as potential revenue-generating institutions. Changing mindsets is at the core of school improvement, and while greatness may be defined in different ways, the budget will reflect what matters in an institution. A great school may not cost as much as you might think, but the willingness to re-purpose funds and generate revenue, can help jump start the engines of change.

Feedback matters for everyone committed to school improvement. Rather than tweaking flawed assessment tools, it is time to consider developing more meaningful feedback systems the impact the critical masses that make up the school community. Cultivating new assessment approaches for students, staff, as well as non-instructional staff, teacher-leaders, principals, superintendents, trustees and grant/philanthropic funders, can lead to remarkable change. The goal of learning for students should not be separate or secondary to performing well on standardized tests. Implementing feedback systems that engage and prompt critical and creative thinking should matter more in today’s schools. Assessment tools that explicitly align with expectations not only create a fair playing field, but they can enhance deep learning. Assessment Tools and Systems: Meaningful Feedback Approaches to Promote Critical and Creative Thinking presents a comprehensive compilation of constructive assessment choices grounded in educational research that emerged through 60 years of experiences as a student, teacher, principal, teacher educator, consultant, school founder, school trustee and educational philanthropist.

Feedback matters for everyone committed to school improvement. Rather than tweaking flawed assessment tools, it is time to consider developing more meaningful feedback systems the impact the critical masses that make up the school community. Cultivating new assessment approaches for students, staff, as well as non-instructional staff, teacher-leaders, principals, superintendents, trustees and grant/philanthropic funders, can lead to remarkable change. The goal of learning for students should not be separate or secondary to performing well on standardized tests. Implementing feedback systems that engage and prompt critical and creative thinking should matter more in today’s schools. Assessment tools that explicitly align with expectations not only create a fair playing field, but they can enhance deep learning. Assessment Tools and Systems: Meaningful Feedback Approaches to Promote Critical and Creative Thinking presents a comprehensive compilation of constructive assessment choices grounded in educational research that emerged through 60 years of experiences as a student, teacher, principal, teacher educator, consultant, school founder, school trustee and educational philanthropist.

Without taking the time to unravel the complexities of the teaching profession, many may assume that teachers are people who enjoy working with children, and making a difference in their lives. While some teachers may be drawn to the summers off, or the winter and spring breaks, it is doubtful that such shallow incentives propel most individuals to come to or remain in the profession. By identifying the obstacles, it is possible to generate new contexts for practice, that can not only limit the challenges, but create conditions for teachers and students to thrive. This book shares ideas about what such changes could be like, how change could benefit teachers and students alike, and how it could influence a positive shift in society. Before addressing significant reforms in teacher practice, it’s important to outline what kinds of experiences make the teacher profession attractive to some and not to others. Taking a closer look at teacher’s stories, what drives them to stay and leave, what makes them feel empowered or not, and what makes them feel fulfilled in the role, is this starting point for further exploration.

Without taking the time to unravel the complexities of the teaching profession, many may assume that teachers are people who enjoy working with children, and making a difference in their lives. While some teachers may be drawn to the summers off, or the winter and spring breaks, it is doubtful that such shallow incentives propel most individuals to come to or remain in the profession. By identifying the obstacles, it is possible to generate new contexts for practice, that can not only limit the challenges, but create conditions for teachers and students to thrive. This book shares ideas about what such changes could be like, how change could benefit teachers and students alike, and how it could influence a positive shift in society. Before addressing significant reforms in teacher practice, it’s important to outline what kinds of experiences make the teacher profession attractive to some and not to others. Taking a closer look at teacher’s stories, what drives them to stay and leave, what makes them feel empowered or not, and what makes them feel fulfilled in the role, is this starting point for further exploration.

The Gatekeepers is a comprehensive review of many parts of a school system that resist change. For all stakeholders to embrace improvement, they need to know what habits, practices and indifference act as barriers to growth and change. This book reveals insiders insights into what gates exist, how to navigate around them, and why it is important to risk new ways of doing school.

The Gatekeepers is a comprehensive review of many parts of a school system that resist change. For all stakeholders to embrace improvement, they need to know what habits, practices and indifference act as barriers to growth and change. This book reveals insiders insights into what gates exist, how to navigate around them, and why it is important to risk new ways of doing school.

Write to Be Read is meant to inspire educators to be designers of engaging curriculum, specifically targeting ways to improve the teaching of writing in schools today. Students tend to write in response to literature; whereas, the focus of this resource is to help students write material, fiction and non-fiction, that they want to read. Students often engage in writing that is more about pleasing the teacher or ticking a homework or assignment box. This book challenges many assumptions with reference to traditional models for teaching writing. A rich assortment of engaging examples are presented in this book to prompt educators to adapt and construct their own meaningful writing units of study

Write to Be Read is meant to inspire educators to be designers of engaging curriculum, specifically targeting ways to improve the teaching of writing in schools today. Students tend to write in response to literature; whereas, the focus of this resource is to help students write material, fiction and non-fiction, that they want to read. Students often engage in writing that is more about pleasing the teacher or ticking a homework or assignment box. This book challenges many assumptions with reference to traditional models for teaching writing. A rich assortment of engaging examples are presented in this book to prompt educators to adapt and construct their own meaningful writing units of study

Filled with tips, tools, and strategies, this book is the comprehensive, practical toolbox preschool administrators need to implement early childhood inclusion through systems-level change.Inclusion is clearly linked with better outcomes for young children - but recent reports from the US Department of Education show the practice has grown by just 5% over the past 27 years. This is the how-to book preschool administrators, school leaders, and child care directors need to step up the progress of early childhood inclusion through big-picture, systems-level change. Shaped by feedback from a nationwide survey of IDEA Part B Coordinators who shared their real-life inclusion challenges, this is your comprehensive toolbox of problem-solving tips, evidence-based practices, and practical checklists and handouts. You’ll learn how to overcome the challenges to a high-quality inclusive program, and you’ll create a solid action plan for building and maintaining a successful program where all children learn and grow.GET THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO:solve common challenges to inclusion through new policies and proceduresestablish a strong inclusion team to make collaborative decisionsimplement an action plan for inclusion - and measure its effectsincrease access, participation, and supports for children with disabilitieshelp teachers use evidence-based practices like RTI and differentiated instructiondevelop effective teacher professional development practicesmake sound decisions about placement for each individual childPRACTICAL MATERIALS: Reproducible planning forms and tools (see sidebar); more than 100 PowerPoint slides (available online) to help structure professional development events; tips and lessons from effective school reform efforts across the country; application and reflection questions for independent study and coursework.With helpful forms and tools:Inclusion Self-ChecklistChecklist of Steps to Preschool InclusionAction Plan Template and SamplePublic Policy 101 HandoutMenu of Preschool Inclusion Policy and Procedure SolutionsCoaching Performance-Based Feedback FormPlacement Consideration Planning Form for Preschool Inclusionand more!