What Makes a School Successful
Being the Best
by Kelly Carrell
September 16, 2008
What Makes a School Successful?
Based on evidence from across America, there are several common
components to successful schools (see resources listed below for
more information):
1. High Expectations
Successful schools are staffed by principals and teachers who
expect every child to learn at high levels. Shared, rigorous
expectations drive student achievement.
2. Standards
Successful Schools set high academic standards that are well known
to students, parents, and teachers.
3. Assessment and Performance
Successful Schools focus on clear, measurable results aligned with
their high academic standards. Schools engaging in data-driven
assessment can report on student achievement and school performance
in ways that make it possible for students, parents, and teachers
to understand and act on the information.
4. Accountability
State and local school systems should offer assistance to schools
struggling to improve, reward strong results, and sanction
persistently failing schools. All aspects of an accountability
system should support sustained improvement.
5. Schoolhouse Leadership
Successful Schools have leaders who instill teamwork and guide
instruction to produce results for every student.
6. Teaching Quality
In order for children to learn at high levels, they must have
continual access to highly effective, caring teachers who meet high
state standards.
7. Professional Development
Teachers and administrators in successful schools continuously
improve their knowledge and skills. The most effective professional
development often takes place in the schoolhouse with teachers
learning together and deepening their understanding of effective
practice.
8. Tools for Learning
Successful schools use textbooks, libraries, technology, and other
resources to increase the knowledge, information, and productivity
of students and teachers.
9. Parent Involvement
Successful schools aggressively involve parents in the life of the
school, making it possible for parents to support the learning
process, influence decisions, and make choices about the children’s
education.
10. Early Learning Readiness
Successful Schools are part of a network that provides high-quality
pre-kindergarten education for disadvantaged children. Successful
schools work with parents in addition to public and private
agencies to help every child prepare for school.
11. Safety and Discipline
Successful Schools provide a safe, well disciplined, and caring
environment for student learning. They understand that unless
students and teachers feel safe and secure, high achievement is not
possible.
Resources:
Alabama Best Practices Center: www.bestpracticescenter.org
Consortium for Policy Research in Education: www.cpre.org
Education Commission of the States: www.ecs.org
The Education Trust: www.edtrust.org
Just for the Kids: www.just4thekids.org
Southeast Center for Teaching Quality: www.teachingquality.org
United States Department of Education: www.ed.gov
